Dead-eye Dudbridge holds off Mardle in thriller to book final spot

MARK DUDBRIDGE withstood another superb Wayne Mardle fightback to win an exhilarating Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship semi-final 6-4 at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet last night.

The 31-year-old, competing in this tournament for only the second time, led 4-1 and 5-3 but could never shake off Mardle, who had recovered from a similar position against world number one Colin Lloyd on Saturday night.

Mardle had been at least two sets down in all his previous matches at this event and when he pulled back to 4-3 and 5-4 it looked like another brilliant comeback was on the cards.