World Championship Latest
Steve produced his "Magic" in the first round of the World Championships today (20/12/07) as he defeated former
Champion Dennis Priestley 3-1 in sets.
Priestley started well, hitting a maximum with his first three darts, but it was Maish who took the opener thanks to a 62 checkout as his opponent waited on 32.
Photo courtesy of Lawrence Lustig (PDC)
The Essex man then doubled his lead but Priestley hit back in the third, landing the bull for an 86 finish.
Maish, though, landed a 180 in the next and converted an 85 checkout to take the set.
The opening two legs of the second set where shared, but Maish secured a break of throw in the third and took a 2-0 lead with a 104 checkout.Priestley, spurred on by a supportive crowd, came back in the third set, breaking the throw in the opening leg and then hitting a 130 checkout to double his advantage.
The pressure appeared to be get to both players in the next leg, with numerous doubles missed before Priestley hit double two to take the set and reduce the deficit.
Priestley also took the opening leg of the fourth set, but Maish quickly levelled.
The Yorkshireman regained the lead, hitting tops in the third leg, only for Maish to hit back with a two-dart 68 checkout.
Priestley had the advantage of throw in the deciding leg, but his scoring deserted him and Maish took out a two dart 76 finish to claim a famous win.
"It's the biggest win of my career," said Maish. "It's the World Championship at a new venue and an even bigger win for me than when I defeated Colin Lloyd at the World Matchplay last year.
"Dennis is a fantastic player so it's a great result for me."
D.Priestley 1-3 Steve Maish
28 100+ 23
7 140+ 9
3 180 2
30.69 Ave1 30.86
92.06 Ave3 92.59
130,100 High Finish 104