I then had to play James Wade in the second and this is how it went.
Really pleased with my form but could have done without 3 bounce outs.
James Wade v Steve Beaton Stuttgart Germany
0-0 - Steve Beaton won the bull and will throw first.
0-1 - Beaton takes out 73 to win the opening leg.
1-1 - Beaton lands a 180 to leave 81, but Wade finishes 80 on tops to level.
1-2 - Wade misses the chance to break and Beaton steps in to finish 20.
2-2 - Wade posts a 180 and finishes tops to square the game once again.
3-2 - Wade opens with a 180 and...
0-0 - Steve Beaton won the bull and will throw first.
0-1 - Beaton takes out 73 to win the opening leg.
1-1 - Beaton lands a 180 to leave 81, but Wade finishes 80 on tops to level.
1-2 - Wade misses the chance to break and Beaton steps in to finish 20.
2-2 - Wade posts a 180 and finishes tops to square the game once again.
3-2 - Wade opens with a 180 and...
leaves 81 after nine darts before returning to take the checkout and break.
4-2 - Wade kicks off again with a maximum and takes out 70 on tops for a 15-darter to move two legs clear.
4-3 - Both players open with maximums, with Beaton adding a 134 and 171 to leave 16, which he finishes on double eight for an 11-darter.
5-3 - Wade begins a fourth successive leg with a maximum, and although Beaton replies with a 180 the left-hander lands double 12 for a 13-dart finish.
5-4 - The high standard continues, with both players trading 180s before Wade misses the bull for an 85 finish for the match and Beaton coolly takes out 102 on double 16 to stay in the contest.
6-4 - Wade - opening the leg with two 140s to maintain an average above 105 - is first to a finish, missing three darts at tops but returning to finish double ten for the win.
Jame's average 103.12 Steve's Average 99.33
4-2 - Wade kicks off again with a maximum and takes out 70 on tops for a 15-darter to move two legs clear.
4-3 - Both players open with maximums, with Beaton adding a 134 and 171 to leave 16, which he finishes on double eight for an 11-darter.
5-3 - Wade begins a fourth successive leg with a maximum, and although Beaton replies with a 180 the left-hander lands double 12 for a 13-dart finish.
5-4 - The high standard continues, with both players trading 180s before Wade misses the bull for an 85 finish for the match and Beaton coolly takes out 102 on double 16 to stay in the contest.
6-4 - Wade - opening the leg with two 140s to maintain an average above 105 - is first to a finish, missing three darts at tops but returning to finish double ten for the win.
Jame's average 103.12 Steve's Average 99.33
Looking forward to Barnsley next week.
Happy Darting
Steve
