Ronnie marches on in Cardiff

01/04/2010

Ronnie Baxter survived a fightback from Simon Whitlock to remain third in the table after an 8-5 success in the Whyte & Mackay Premier League in Wales.

Baxter was never behind in the match but after winning three successive legs to go 6-3 ahead, the Australian pulled it back to within one before Baxter secured the points.

There were few big finishes after Baxter's opening 124 checkout, though he did hit double-top in consecutive legs to open up a lead after the pair had been locked together at three legs apiece.

Whitlock briefly hit back, with double-16 in the 10th and double-12 in the next to checkout 75.

However, the Lancastrian opened with a 180 in the 12th leg before checking out 56 to seal at least a point and when Whitlock missed three darts at double top, he stepped in to close it out with 10s.

"The first six legs were scrappy but there was potential for a good game after the break. Simon came out strongly but I still managed to take the leg and managed to take it from there. it was nip and tuck for a while but my scores started coming after the break and it made a difference. Simon gave me the edge with a couple of low scores at certain times and I took the two points"