Mark Webster continues to be a major contender for PDC honours, having previously won the BDO World Championship in 2008.

The left-hander, from Denbigh in Wales, broke into the top-level darts scene in style in 2006 by winning the Europe Cup. That year also included a run to the semi-finals of the World Masters.

In 2007, Webster won the World Cup and was runner-up in the International Darts League, beating Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor on his way to the final.

The Welshman was crowned World Champion in the following year when he beat Simon Whitlock in the final at Lakeside.

In the same year, he retained the Europe Cup which meant he held three titles. This was a phenomenal achievement considering he was still completing his plumbing degree.

Webster joined the PDC and became a full-time professional in 2009. He finished third in his debut PDC World Championship in 2010, beating Raymond van Barneveld in the play-off to take home £60,000 as he broke into the top 32.

Later that year, Webster and Barrie Bates represented Wales in the inaugural World Cup of Darts. They finished as runners-up despite Webster winning both of his singles matches against van Barneveld and Co Stompe in the final.

Webster continued his good form to reach a second successive semi-final at the 2011 World Championships, beating 15-time and defending champion Taylor in the process.

Having broken into the top 16 in the order of merit in just two years, Webster was selected to play in the 2011 Premier League. He has the second highest average ever in that tournament, averaging 110.19 in his game against Adrian Lewis.

Webster went on to reach the semi-finals of the UK Open and quarter-finals of the World Matchplay and Grand Slam before ending a good 2011 by reaching his first PDC major singles final, when he finished as runner-up to Kevin Painter in the Players Championship Finals.

Mark Webster Fact File

Nickname: Spider

Date of birth: 12 August 1983

Home town: Denbigh, Wales

Darts used: Winmau 20g Mark Webster

Walk on music: The Bartender and the Thief by Stereophonics

Major titles: World Championship (BDO), 2008

Twitter

Follow @Webby180

Images courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Mark Webster led Wales into the semi-finals of the World Cup of Darts in Hamburg as he and Richie Burnett claimed a hard fought victory against Spain.

Webster produced finishes of 102, 94 and 76 in a 4-3 defeat of Antonio Alcinas but Burnett suffered a loss by the same score-line against Carlos Rodriguez.

The pair then sealed a 4-2 success in their doubles match to set up a semi-final clash against tournament favourites England.

“We’re relieved to get through,” admitted Webster, after sealing a place in the last four for a third consecutive time.

“It was a bit of a scrappy tie but we got the job done and that’s all that matters.

“Yesterday it was a bit like this in the afternoon but we kicked on in the evening so hopefully that’ll be the same tonight.”

Webster grabbed a break of throw in the opening leg of his singles game, hitting double top after 14 darts.

Alcinas responded by hitting the first maximum of the match as he broke back immediately.

He then edged ahead with a fine bull finish but Webster hit back with a brilliant checkout of 102.

The Spaniard pegged double twelve to move within a leg of victory before ‘Spider’ forced a deciding leg with a clinical finish of 94.

And the left hander stepped in to seal the win with another tidy finish, this time taking out 76 after Alcinas missed four match darts.

Burnett produced a sensational 156 finish in his singles match but was edged out 4-3 by Rodriguez, leaving the result to be settled in the pairs.

Spain moved in front when Rodriguez took out 96 but Burnett levelled on double five.

Alcinas took out 70 as Spain wrestled back the lead but Wales restored parity once again when Webster followed a Burnett maximum by pinning double 14.

Webster pegged double ten for a timely break of throw before sealing the victory for Wales on double 16.

Team Wales will face the English pair of Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis with a place in the final at stake.

By Chris Murphy

Official Mark Webster Playing Shirts are available from our dartshop.tv

Wales produced a brilliant performance to book their place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Hamburg with a 5-2 triumph over Canada.

Mark Webster and Richie Burnett did not miss a single attempt at a double and averaged over 98 in the win, with Webster taking out a brilliant 120 finish along the way.

Webster said: “I think the 120 was massive because Canada started really well. That gave us a foothold in the game and we went on to put in a top performance.

“I’m pleased with how we played because we were not brilliant in the group games and it gives us both a lot of confidence for the rest of the tournament.”

Canada won the first leg before two 180s by Part put them in control of the second but Webster produced a fabulous 120 checkout to level.

Part took out 95 to edge the Canadians back in front after Smith had added a maximum of his own.

Wales squared up again before Webster took out 48 for a break of throw to give his side the lead for the first time.

Burnett then produced the same finish to take them within a leg of victory, which Webster sealed with the aid of a 180, hitting double 18 at the first attempt to maintain Wales’ perfect record.

Wales will face Spain in the last eight on Sunday afternoon.

By Chris Murphy

Wales secured their place in the last 16 of the World Cup in Hamburg with an impressive whitewash over Italy on Saturday afternoon.

Mark Webster and Richie Burnett eased past Daniele Petri and Matteo Dal Monte to ensure they would top their group.

And Webster believes that their is much more to come from team Wales.

He said: “Winning is the most important thing and we’ve had two good wins so we’ve got to be happy with that.

“We haven’t really played anywhere near our best though and there is a lot of room for improvement.

“If we can do that and move it up a gear or two then there’s no reason why we can’t go all the way. We are here to win this.”

Burnett got Wales off the mark by pinning  double four and he doubled their lead on double ten.

Webster then made it three nil when he hit double eighteen before Burnett found the double four bed to take the Welsh pair within a leg of victory.

And ‘The Prince of Wales’ pegged double ten to seal their place at the top of Group D.

They will face the runners-up from Group C in the last 16 on Saturday evening.

By Chris Murphy

WALES 5 – 2 SPAIN

Welsh pair Mark Webster and Richie Burnett closed in on a last 16 spot at the World Cup of Darts with a comfortable victory over Spain in Hamburg on Friday evening.

The Welshmen took the last three legs to win their first match in this year’s tournament, defeating Antonio Alcinas and Carlos Rodriguez who had beaten Italy earlier in the day.

Webster pinned double five to give Wales the lead before Burnett doubled it by bedding double ten, in a leg which included a first 180 courtesy of Webster.

The left-hander missed a dart at tops though, allowing Spain to take the third leg and they restored parity when Alcinas produced a fine 90 checkout.

Burnett narrowly missed the bull for a 119 finish but Webster cleaned up the remaining 25 to put the Welsh pair back in front.

And ‘The Prince of Wales’ then pegged double two as Wales moved within a leg of victory.

Rodriguez hammered home a 180 for Spain but Burnett stepped forward to seal the win.

Wales will face Italy on Saturday afternoon in the final game of Group D.

By Chris Murphy

Mark Webster and Leyland Paints have announced an extension to their partnership, which sees the Yorkshire based paint company continue to sponsor the Welsh ace for a further year.

Leyland, who joined forces with Webster and Simon Whitlock in 2011, is delighted to remain at the heart of one of the UK’s fastest growing sports, which is attracting bumper television audiences and regularly packing out some of the UK’s biggest arenas.

“Leyland Paints enjoyed a fantastic year in darts,” said Victoria Jones, Stockist Brand Marketing Manager.

“To be firmly at the heart of a sport which is constantly seeing its popularity grow, has provided us with a unique and exciting opportunity.

“Mark and Simon have been excellent darting ambassadors for Leyland Paints and we are thrilled to be involved in the sport again for 2013.”

Webster was part of the Welsh team which reached the semi-finals of the World Cup of Darts in 2012.

He also hit a perfect nine-dart finish during the PDC season and the Welshman is upbeat about the year ahead.

“I’ve been pleased with my form over the last couple of months and I’m looking to kick on in the New Year,” said the 29-year-old from Denbigh.

“Leyland is a huge paint brand. I’ve been proud to be associated with them over the last 12 months and it will be the same for 2013.”

Webster will again be in action at the World Cup of Darts in Germany at the start of February.

Mark Webster says he is well prepared to take on Colin Lloyd in the second round of the Ladbrokes World Championship this afternoon, after producing one of the stand-out performances so far at London’s Alexandra Palace.

Webster shook of his underdog tag in his brilliant first round victory over Ian White, showing his class to see off his dangerous opponent in convincing style.

But the former World Champion is not resting on his laurels ahead of his last 32 battle with ‘Jaws”.

“I’ve been preparing for this since the day after my first match,” said Webster, who reached the semi-finals of the £1 million tournament in 2011.

“I’m ready for Colin and I’m looking forward to a good battle up on that stage.

“I’m pleased with how I played against Ian but it’s still going to be a tough tournament for me. I feel prepared though.

“I’m trying not to think about rankings or how much money I’ve got to defend. I just want to do well at this tournament and use it as a catalyst for a good year in 2013.”

Webster, who has not been in the best of form in 2012, took out three one-hundred-plus finishes and averaged over 97 in his 3-1 victory over White.

He added: “Three months ago a probably wouldn’t have been able to put in a performance like that but I’ve been practising hard and I felt it was coming.

“When you play well it’s important not to get over confident because one game can bring you back down to earth with a bang. I want to get through the next game so I can regroup over Christmas ready for the business end of the tournament.

“Of course, I want to keep playing well but winning is what really matters.

“I can only take it one game at I time but I am feeling confident. I know there are plenty of top players in my section of the draw but it doesn’t worry me. If you’re still here after Christmas anything can happen.

“I’d obviously love to win it, like anybody else, but all of my focus is on the next game.”

By Chris Murphy

Get tickets to exclusive non-televised professional darts events and official Mark Webster merchandise from dartshop.tv

Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

MARK WEBSTER 3 – 1 Ian White

Mark Webster produced a terrific performance to defeat Ian White 3-1 in the first round of the Ladbrokes World Championship on Monday evening.

The Welsh ace hit seven 180s and took out three hundred-plus finishes as he swept past his in form opponent with a 97 average.

Webster, who has not enjoyed the best of years in 2012, showed his true quality as he won through to the last 32, where he will face either Colin Lloyd or Darin Young.

“I had a big game from the off here,” said Webster, the 2008 BDO World Champion.

“It was probably the hardest draw that a seeded player could’ve got.

“Ian is a class act so this is a perfect start for me. I haven’t played well enough this year but I’ve been working hard and I’m really up for this.

“This is what I can do and I’m proud of how I’ve played. It’s only one game but I’m looking forward to the next one now.”

Webster hit a 180 in the first leg, in which he broke his opponent’s throw with a brilliant 124 checkout.

White broke back straight away but ‘Spider’ responded with another fantastic finish, taking out 107 to wrestle back his advantage, before sealing the first set on double top.

Webster hit back  to back maximums as he took the first leg of set two and he won the second against the throw.

He kicked off the next leg with his fourth maximum before pinning double ten to double his lead in the match.

The former Lakeside winner hit another 180 on the way to winning his sixth consecutive leg but White hit back with a 98 checkout to break.

The Stoke thrower moved ahead in the third set before Webster took out 65 to level.

The Welshman missed eight darts to win the match in straight sets, as White hit double one to keep the match alive.

But Webster showed huge bottle in winning all three legs of the fourth set.

‘Spider’ took out a stunning 145 finish in the first and moved one leg from victory by cleaning up 60, in a leg which included his sixth 180.

His seventh maximum soon followed and he pegged double twelve to book his place in round two.

Webster will be back in action on Saturday December 22.

By Chris Murphy

Get tickets to exclusive non-televised professional darts events and official Mark Webster merchandise from dartshop.tv

Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

MARK WEBSTER 5 – 3 Scott Waites

Mark Webster won his opening group game at the Grand Slam of Darts, defeating 2010 champion Scott Waites in Wolverhampton.

Webster raced into a 3-0 lead to see off his opponent, as he hit two finishes of over 100 on his way to a 5-3 triumph.

The 2011 Players Championship runner-up grabbed two points to aid his bid to progress from Group A, with Phil Taylor and Co Stompe still to play.

“Its been a tough year and I’ve not played like I can,” admitted Webster.

“Maybe that can be the turning point now. I’ve got a bit more confidence just from winning that game.

“I’ve got good people around me, with my management team, sponsors and partner all telling me that the form will come back.

“Hopefully I can kick on from here and make winning a habit again.

“I’ve won a game but I’m still not through yet. That’s my priority and I’ll be back trying to win my next game to qualify.”

Waites won the bull and opened with a 180 but Webster pinned double top to take the opening leg.

The Welsh former World Champion held his own throw to double his lead, with the aid of his first maximum.

He then broke again, bedding double ten for the second leg running, this time to complete a 131 checkout.

Waites won the next two legs before Webster took out a brilliant 104 finish to move a leg away from victory.

Waites posted double 16 to stay in the match but ‘Spider’ saw the job through, taking out 56 on double ten.

By Chris Murphy

Book tickets to see some of the world’s top darts players in action at The Carlsberg Masters, Birmingham on Friday December 7.

Images courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC