27 December 2006 - ANDY JENKINS reached the third round of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship for the first time in his career with a 4-2 win over Andy Smith.

The number 12 seed was forced to come from 2-1 down and win three successive sets to book his place in the last 16 and a date with Adrian Lewis.

Jenkins edged a tight first set 3-2 before Smith took control, winning six out of the next eight legs to punish some sloppy play from the Portsmouth thrower.

Smith took also took the opening leg of the fourth set before Jenkins clicked back into gear with three in a row to level the match.

He also landed a 12-darter in a fifth set which went with the throw, with a 116 finish from Smith not enough as Jenkins moved 3-2 up.

Jenkins took the first two legs of set six to move to within one of the match before Smith again responded, but this time "Rocky" managed to land the knockout blow to move into the last 16.

"It's taken 13 years of trying so I'm delighted to be into the third round!" joked Jenkins.

"I found it hot on stage and it was hard to concentrate but I went outside behind the stage between sets to cool down.

"I played well at times but both Andy and I weren't at our best. I'm glad to be through but I know I'll have to step it up against Adrian."

27 December 2006 - JAMES WADE held off a mighty effort from qualifier Dave Ladley to progress to the last 16 of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship for the first time in his career.

The 23-year-old world number 11 was forced to come from behind as Ladley, from Scunthorpe, took a shock 3-2 and even gave himself one dart to win the contest.

But Wade stepped in after Ladley was off-target on double 17, and won a deciding set 4-2 to set up a clash with Terry Jenkins on Thursday.

Wade began well, landing an 11-darter on his way to a 3-2 win in the first set, before Ladley hit back from 2-0 down to take the second.

Wade was clinical on double top in taking the third set 3-1, but lost his way in the next as Ladley again hit back to level the game.

The qualifier, playing in only his second televised tournament, then took out a brilliant 156 finish - with Wade needing just 60 - to win the fifth set 3-2 and move ahead for the first time in the game.

Wade responded with legs of 16, 15 and 12 darts to take the sixth set 3-1 and stay in the game, but trailed 2-1 in the decider.

Ladley then left himself double 17 for a 12-darter and the match in leg four, but was just inside the wire before Wade scrambled home a three-dart 92.

Wade broke Ladley's throw to win the fifth leg as the game entered a tie break, and he then took out 40 with double one and double 19 to get over the finishing line.

"I've been fortunate - Father Christmas has come twice for me this year," said Wade. "Dave did well and he probably played better than me, but he let me in.

"I've always been a fighter with my darts but the way I'm playing is not good enough to threaten anybody at the moment.

"I'm not playing my game but we'll see what happens on Thursday. Maybe Terry Jenkins is the opponent I need to bring me out of my shell."

Ladley had overcome 1983 World Champion Keith Deller in the PDPA Qualifiers just to reach the Circus Tavern, and then ended Lionel Sams' hopes in round one.

"It's a shame to end in this way," said the 31-year-old from Scunthorpe. "I never thought I'd win it but I was in control when I went in front.

"It was a good game. James is a terrific player but if I can live with him for seven sets then I must be going okay.

"This will give me confidence for next year and also the chance to get back regularly onto the PDC circuit. I'm still searching for a sponsor but this run has been good for me."

21 December 2006 - ANDY JENKINS dedicated his first round victory to his late father Chris, who died a few weeks ago.

Jenkins, 35, defeated American Bill Davis 3-1 to move into the Last 32 at the Circus Tavern, Purfleet, where he will now face Andy Smith in the next stage.

"I've had a hard time over the last few weeks," said Jenkins. "My dad used to come everywhere with me and obviously it’s a sad loss for me, my mum and my family but I have to try my hardest.

"I've been practising a bit harder to do it for him."

The last two matches at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship had seen two debutants both suffer 3-0 defeats and not even win a single leg against their more experienced opponents, but 47-year-old American Bill Davis was hoping to perform better in his match against Jenkins.

Davis did avoid a total whitewash by claiming one leg in the opening set, although Jenkins did still manage to stay on top with a 3-1 first set triumph.

A score of 177 started off the second set well for Jenkins, but two missed shots at doubles hurt him as Davis quickly broke the throw, before holding his own for a 2-0 advantage in the second.

The American had three chances to win the set but missed all his opportunities and that proved crucial as Jenkins, the number 12 seed, fought back to win the next three legs and move two sets ahead.

Once again, Davis won the first two legs of the third but this time he held his nerve as he finished off 52 to win his first ever set at the World Championship.

Both players claimed one of the opening two legs in the fourth but the advantage was still with Jenkins as the American would have to break his throw to stay in the tournament. However, he could not do that as Jenkins hit the decisive double eight to move into the next phase.

20 December 2006 - JAMES WADE gained his first ever win in the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship with a 3-1 defeat of New Zealander Warren French.

Wade, the number 11 seed, looked on course to cruise to victory when he won eight of the game's first nine legs to put himself on the brink of the win.

However, he stuttered to allow French, the New Zealand National Champion, to pull back a set before booking his own place in the last 32 against qualifier Dave Ladley.

Wade opened the match with a two-dart 74 finish, before landing a maximum on his way to a 2-0 lead, before French took out double top to pull back the third leg.

Neither player seemed keen to take the fourth, with Wade missing a stack of doubles before French was wide on double ten and double five to allow him back in to take the set.

French also missed darts in the second set as Wade took all three legs without reply to double his cushion, and when he added two more in the third victory seemed inevitable.

But Wade - the World Matchplay finalist in July - stuttered before the finishing line, missing three darts for the match as French stepped in on double top to stay alive.

Wade also missed the bullseye for the match in leg four as French levelled matters, before the Kiwi took out a fine 113 finish to take the set.

French won the first leg of the fourth set with a two-dart 92 finish, but Wade kicked into gear with a maximum to start the second leg.

French also opened with a 180 and followed that with a 140, but Wade edged the leg with a 13-darter and repeated the dose to move 2-1 up.

Wade then finally crossed the finishing line with double ten to complete a hard-fought win.

"I'm disappointed with my performance because I've put so much into it and can't explain that display," said Wade, who had lost in the first round in the last two years.

"I'm relieved it's over and I've got the win, and perhaps I put myself under pressure because I've lost before from being ahead.

"I hope it was nerves and not a loss of form because I've prepared well.

"But there's no reason why I should not have averaged 90 and although I should be happy that I've won, I'm not."

20 December 2006  - DENMARK'S Per Laursen made a fine Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship debut with a straight sets victory over Colin Monk.

Laursen came through a series of qualifying events in his homeland in October to become the first Dane to qualify for the tournament, and suggested he could be a force to be reckoned with in a solid display.

Monk began brightly, taking the first leg with a 112 finish, before three successive legs from Laursen - including a 96 checkout against the throw - gave him the opening set.

The Dane also led 2-0 in the second set before Monk hit back to square matters.

Laursen, though, landed his first maximum of the match in the deciding leg to take out a 13-darter and go 2-0 up.

Monk continued to battle, and led 2-1 in the third set before Laursen took out double 16 to put himself within one leg of victory.

And he secured his place in round two with a neat two-dart 84 finish, after Monk twice missed double eight to stay in the game.

"It was my dream to come here and win," said Laursen, who will now return to Denmark for Christmas before flying back to the UK to face Dennis Priestley or Josephus Schenk.

"I felt comfortable on the stage and wasn't nervous at all, but the pressure was on Colin. In my eyes he was the favourite, and I had to be the underdog.

"I've seen the draw, and it's tough. If I played Dennis that would be great because he's a big name in Denmark."