PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic - Gray Defeats Mardle

ADRIAN GRAY dumped two-time finalist Wayne Mardle out of the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic with a thrilling 6-4 win at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino.

The 27-year-old from Sussex - nicknamed "The Conqueror" - dumped Phil Taylor from last year^s World Grand Prix and added another leading name to his list of victims with some assured finishing in Las Vegas.

He took out superb finishes of 156 and 126, on the bullseye, in edging 3-2 ahead before a 96 checkout saw him pull clear at 5-2.

Mardle landed double nine to stay in the game and stepped in after Gray missed three darts for the match in leg nine to land double two and pull back to 5-4.

But the world number ten failed to leave a double in the next after a 180 left him on a finish, and Gray took his chance on double five.

"I^m delighted," said Gray, who still works as a carpet fitter by trade. "I took out some good finishes but I needed to because Wayne could have gone ahead 4-1.

"It^s great to be through but I^ve always lost in the second round when I^ve qualified before so hopefully I can change that this week."

World number five Terry Jenkins, the runner-up in last year’s Desert Classic, made a winning start to his challenge earlier on Wednesday with a 6-4 win over Irish qualifier Mick McGowan.

Two-time World Champion Dennis Priestley was also in winning form on the opening day, seeing off Co Stompe 6-2 on the Dutchman’s debut in a major PDC tournament.