Darts: Manley's check-out routs Roy

Peter Manley produced a superb display in his quarter-final defeat of Alex Roy at the World Matchplay Championship here yesterday.

The 41-year-old, winner of the Las Vegas Desert Classic title earlier this month, will face either the 10-times world champion Phil Taylor or Dennis Smith in today's semi-finals at the Winter Gardens after he dismantled Roy 16-5.

Roy, who went into the match with his confidence high after an impressive second-round win over the former world champion Bob Anderson, hit double one and double 20 to take the opening two legs. But Manley fought back and trailed his 29-year-old opponent 3-2 at the first interval.

The Carlisle thrower then went on an incredible winning run and opened up an 11-4 lead, thanks to a 52 per cent check-out rate. Manley then made a hat-trick of double 20s to move within two legs of victory.

Roy reduced the deficit with a successful attempt at double 16 - a shot which brought a loud cheer from the crowd - but "One Dart" lived up to his name and hit double top.

It was now a case of damage limitation for Roy, but Manley was just too good on the day and sealed victory with a successful double 20.

"I didn't want to play-act like Alex Roy on the stage and I think that made the difference in the game," said Manley.

"I just didn't want to lose to a player ranked lower than me who was playing well. You're number three in the world and you're not there for fun, you're there to produce the darts."