Darts: Davies enjoys revenge against David

Ritchie Davies of Wales will face Gary Anderson in the semi-finals of the Embassy World Championship on Saturday after both players eased through in Frimley Green last night.

Davies produced the performance of the week to send reigning champion Tony David crashing out of the tournament.

The man affectionately known as 'Lamb Chop' clinched a memorable 5–0 win over the Australian.

Anderson prevailed in the all–Scotland clash with Bob Taylor, cruising to another 5–0 success.

World number one David had lost the opening set in his previous two games – and he again struggled while Davies started like an express train.

The 31–year–old nailed double 10 for a 14–dart leg and followed up with a 15–darter to take the second. He then took out double 10 to clinch the first set.

The first four legs of the second were shared before Davies held his nerve to hit double 10 for a 2–0 lead.

David led 2–1 in the third, but his rival fought hard and levelled with a successful attempt at double 10.

The Queensland player was beginning to feel the pressure and missed double top. The confidence in Davies, however, was flowing – and he capitalised to open up a three–set lead.

The qualifier also reeled off the next two legs, increasing his checkout percentage to over 47, before David responded with a 110 finish.

But the Aberdare thrower hit double 12 to take a four–set lead into the interval.

David must have been delighted with the break in play to try and regain his composure – but there was no let–up when they returned to the oche.

Davies won the first leg with an 11–dart finish before following up with an 81 checkout.

David nailed two double 20s to force another deciding leg, but Davies finished in style with a 121 checkout.

"I never thought I would have beaten him by that score," admitted Davies.

"I was just so focused when I went up there tonight.

"Tony took me out last year, so I just wanted to get one back. But I never expected to do it in that style.

"As the games were going on everything came together – my finishing and my scoring.

"I knew that Tony had started slowly in his previous two games and I thought that if I could start quickly and pressure him then I had a chance.

"But 5–0 was a bit of surprise."

David said: "Ritchie's got ability and talent – and tonight he played the better darts.

"Reflecting on the match, I didn't do a lot wrong. But it wasn't meant to be tonight."

In the second game of the night, Taylor won the opening leg before Anderson hit back with a superb 161 checkout – and he never really looked back.

The Berwickshire thrower reeled off the next two legs to take the opening set.

Taylor moved into a 2–1 lead in the second, but Anderson checked out on 77 before clinching the set with a shot at double six.

He completely dominated the third set and won all three legs, finishing with double top.

The fourth set looked to be the crucial one and predictably it went to the deciding fifth leg. But Anderson nailed double 10 to lead 4–0 at the interval.

The 32–year–old was not to be denied and he won all three legs after the break to progress.