2012 Championship League Darts
# 2012 Championship League Darts

The 2012 Championship League Darts was the fifth edition of a darts competition — the Championship League Darts. The competition was organised and held by the Professional Darts Corporation, with the 2012 edition having a prize fund over £200,000.

The format of the tournament is similar to the Premier League Darts tournament, also organized by the PDC, except it is contested by a larger pool of players who were divided into a number of groups.

Every match could be watched on one of the fifty-three bookmaker websites who broadcast the competition. The tournament was available globally through the internet, except in the United States of America where it could not be shown for legal reasons.

Phil Taylor won his third Championship League title be defeating Simon Whitlock 6–4 in the final.

## Format

The first group consisted of the top eight players from the PDC Order of Merit who were available for the competition. These eight players played each other over the course of a day, receiving two points for each win. All matches were contested over a maximum of 11 legs with a player winning the match on reaching 6 legs. After all players had played each other, the four players with the most points progressed to the semi-finals with the winners of those matches progressing into the final.

The winner of the final progressed to the winners group which took place at the end of the competition. The runner-up, losing semi-finalists and the players finishing fifth and sixth moved into group two, where they were joined by the next three players in the Order of Merit. The format of the second group was the same as the first group with players moving into the third group. In total there were 8 groups before the final group took place.

This format ensures that all players who do not win the group or finish in the last two positions have another chance to qualify for the winners group.

## Prize money

The Championship League Darts awards prize money per leg won, as well as to the eventual winner, runner-up and semi-finalists of the entire tournament. The amount of prize money awarded per leg won is:

| Stage | Match | Prize Money per leg won |
| - | - | - |
| Group stage | Group matches | £50 |
| Group stage | Semi-finals & final | £100 |
| Winners group | Group matches | £100 |
| Winners group | Semi-finals & final | £200 |

The amount of prize money awarded to the winner, runner-up and semi-finalists of the tournament is:

| Stage | Prize Money |
| - | - |
| Winner | £10,000 |
| Runner-up | £5,000 |
| Semi-finalists | £2,500 |

## Tournament dates

The tournament took place over nine days throughout September, October and November 2012. One group was played on each day. The dates were as follows:

* Group 1 – Tuesday September 25
* Group 2 – Wednesday September 26
* Group 3 – Thursday September 27
* Group 4 – Tuesday October 16
* Group 5 – Wednesday October 17
* Group 6 – Thursday October 18
* Group 7 – Tuesday October 30
* Group 8 – Wednesday October 31
* Winners Group – Thursday November 1

The tournament took place at the Crondon Park Golf Club in Essex.

Note: Raymond van Barneveld chose not to compete in the tournament. Vincent van der Voort withdrew due to medical issues, Andy Smith will take his place in group 4 with Steve Beaton taking up the new final spot in group 8.

Winners Group

* Wes Newton
* Justin Pipe
* Ronnie Baxter
* Phil Taylor
* Simon Whitlock
* Dave Chisnall
* Jamie Caven
* Mark Walsh

## Group stage

### Group 1

Played Tuesday September 25, group 1 was won by Wes Newton who qualifies for the winners group. Andy Hamilton and James Wade were knocked out.

| | | Tay | Jen | New | Lew | And | Whi | Ham | Wad | Points, Legs |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Phil Taylor | | 6–4 | 4–6 | 5–6 | 6–3 | 6–5 | 6–4 | 6–2 | 10, 39–30 |
| 2 | Terry Jenkins | 4–6 | | 5–6 | 6–3 | 6–3 | 6–3 | 4–6 | 6–3 | 8, 37–30 |
| 3 | Wes Newton | 6–4 | 6–5 | | 1–6 | 4–6 | 5–6 | 6–2 | 6–2 | 8, 34–31 |
| 4 | Adrian Lewis | 6–5 | 3–6 | 6–1 | | 6–4 | 2–6 | 6–1 | 3–6 | 8, 32–29 |
| 5 | Gary Anderson | 3–6 | 3–6 | 6–4 | 4–6 | | 6–4 | 6–3 | 6–5 | 8, 34–34 |
| 6 | Simon Whitlock | 5–6 | 3–6 | 6–5 | 6–2 | 4–6 | | 5–6 | 6–4 | 6, 35–35 |
| 7 | Andy Hamilton | 4–6 | 6–4 | 2–6 | 1–6 | 3–6 | 6–5 | | 6–3 | 6, 28–36 |
| 8 | James Wade | 2–6 | 3–6 | 2–6 | 6–3 | 5–6 | 4–6 | 3–6 | | 2, 25–39 |
| Semi-final | Semi-final | Semi-final | Final | Final | Final |
| 1 | Phil Taylor | 2 | | | |
| 4 | Adrian Lewis | 6 | | | |
| 4 | Adrian Lewis | 6 | 4 | Adrian Lewis | 3 |
| | | | 3 | Wes Newton | 6 |
| 2 | Terry Jenkins | 5 | 3 | Wes Newton | 6 |
| 3 | Wes Newton | 6 | | | |

### Group 2

Played Wednesday September 26, group 2 was won by Justin Pipe who qualifies for the winners group. Mark Webster and Kevin Painter were knocked out.

| | | Tay | Jen | Pip | Lew | And | Whi | Pai | Web | Points, Legs |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Phil Taylor | | 4–6 | 6–2 | 6–0 | 6–2 | 6–2 | 6–3 | 6–4 | 12, 40–19 |
| 2 | Terry Jenkins | 6–4 | | 6–5 | 4–6 | 6–0 | 6–4 | 1–6 | 6–2 | 10, 35–27 |
| 3 | Justin Pipe | 2–6 | 5–6 | | 6–5 | 5–6 | 6–3 | 6–3 | 6–1 | 8, 36–30 |
| 4 | Adrian Lewis | 0–6 | 6–4 | 5–6 | | 6–4 | 1–6 | 6–3 | 6–1 | 8, 30–30 |
| 5 | Gary Anderson | 2–6 | 0–6 | 6–5 | 4–6 | | 6–2 | 6–4 | 6–5 | 8, 30–34 |
| 6 | Simon Whitlock | 2–6 | 4–6 | 3–6 | 6–1 | 2–6 | | 6–3 | 6–4 | 6, 29–32 |
| 7 | Kevin Painter | 3–6 | 6–1 | 3–6 | 3–6 | 4–6 | 3–6 | | 6–5 | 4, 28–36 |
| 8 | Mark Webster | 4–6 | 2–6 | 1–6 | 1–6 | 5–6 | 4–6 | 5–6 | | 0, 22–42 |
| Semi-final | Semi-final | Semi-final | Final | Final | Final |
| 1 | Phil Taylor | 6 | | | |
| 4 | Adrian Lewis | 3 | | | |
| 4 | Adrian Lewis | 3 | 1 | Phil Taylor | 5 |
| | | | 3 | Justin Pipe | 6 |
| 2 | Terry Jenkins | 4 | 3 | Justin Pipe | 6 |
| 3 | Justin Pipe | 6 | | | |

### Group 3

Played Thursday September 27, group 3 was won by Ronnie Baxter who qualifies for the winners group. Adrian Lewis and Gary Anderson were knocked out.

| | | Wal | Whi | Chi | Bax | Tay | Jen | Lew | And | Points, Legs |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Mark Walsh | | 6–4 | 3–6 | 6–3 | 6–2 | 6–1 | 6–3 | 2–6 | 10, 35–25 |
| 2 | Simon Whitlock | 4–6 | | 6–5 | 3–6 | 6–1 | 6–3 | 6–3 | 6–4 | 10, 37–28 |
| 3 | Dave Chisnall | 6–3 | 5–6 | | 6–4 | 5–6 | 5–6 | 6–5 | 6–5 | 8, 39–35 |
| 4 | Ronnie Baxter | 3–6 | 6–3 | 4–6 | | 6–4 | 6–1 | 1–6 | 6–4 | 8, 32–30 |
| 5 | Phil Taylor | 2–6 | 1–6 | 6–5 | 4–6 | | 6–1 | 4–6 | 6–5 | 6, 29–35 |
| 6 | Terry Jenkins | 1–6 | 3–6 | 6–5 | 1–6 | 1–6 | | 6–5 | 6–4 | 6, 24–38 |
| 7 | Adrian Lewis | 3–6 | 3–6 | 5–6 | 6–1 | 6–4 | 5–6 | | 5–6 | 4, 33–35 |
| 8 | Gary Anderson | 6–2 | 4–6 | 5–6 | 4–6 | 5–6 | 4–6 | 6–5 | | 4, 34–37 |
| Semi-final | Semi-final | Semi-final | Final | Final | Final |
| 1 | Mark Walsh | 3 | | | |
| 4 | Ronnie Baxter | 6 | | | |
| 4 | Ronnie Baxter | 6 | 4 | Ronnie Baxter | 6 |
| | | | 3 | Dave Chisnall | 5 |
| 2 | Simon Whitlock | 2 | 3 | Dave Chisnall | 5 |
| 3 | Dave Chisnall | 6 | | | |

### Group 4

Played Tuesday October 16, group 4 was won by Phil Taylor who qualifies for the winners group. Andy Smith and Mervyn King were knocked out.

| | | Tay | Chi | Wal | Nic | Jen | Whi | Smi | Kin | Points, Legs |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Phil Taylor | | 6–1 | 6–2 | 6–0 | 6–1 | 6–4 | 6–0 | 6–1 | 14, 42–9 |
| 2 | Dave Chisnall | 1–6 | | 6–3 | 6–5 | 6–4 | 6–4 | 6–4 | 6–5 | 12, 37–31 |
| 3 | Mark Walsh | 2–6 | 3–6 | | 6–5 | 5–6 | 6–5 | 6–3 | 6–3 | 8, 34–34 |
| 4 | Paul Nicholson | 0–6 | 5–6 | 5–6 | | 5–6 | 6–4 | 6–2 | 6–2 | 6, 33–32 |
| 5 | Terry Jenkins | 1–6 | 4–6 | 6–5 | 6–5 | | 6–5 | 4–6 | 1–6 | 6, 28–39 |
| 6 | Simon Whitlock | 4–6 | 4–6 | 5–6 | 4–6 | 5–6 | | 6–4 | 6–1 | 4, 34–35 |
| 7 | Andy Smith | 0–6 | 4–6 | 3–6 | 2–6 | 6–4 | 4–6 | | 6–1 | 4, 25–35 |
| 8 | Mervyn King | 1–6 | 5–6 | 3–6 | 2–6 | 6–1 | 1–6 | 1–6 | | 2, 19–37 |
| Semi-final | Semi-final | Semi-final | Final | Final | Final |
| 1 | Phil Taylor | 6 | | | |
| 4 | Paul Nicholson | 3 | | | |
| 4 | Paul Nicholson | 3 | 1 | Phil Taylor | 6 |
| | | | 3 | Mark Walsh | 1 |
| 2 | Dave Chisnall | 4 | 3 | Mark Walsh | 1 |
| 3 | Mark Walsh | 6 | | | |

### Group 5

Played Wednesday October 17, was won by Simon Whitlock who qualifies for the winners group. Colin Lloyd and Wayne Jones were knocked out.

| | | Nic | Chi | Whi | Jen | Tho | Wal | Llo | Jon | Points, Legs |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Paul Nicholson | | 6–2 | 5–6 | 6–1 | 6–4 | 6–4 | 6–3 | 6–4 | 12, 41–24 |
| 2 | Dave Chisnall | 2–6 | | 6–2 | 6–3 | 6–5 | 6–2 | 6–2 | 6–1 | 12, 38–21 |
| 3 | Simon Whitlock | 6–5 | 2–6 | | 6–3 | 1–6 | 6–5 | 6–5 | 6–2 | 10, 33–32 |
| 4 | Terry Jenkins | 1–6 | 3–6 | 3–6 | | 6–3 | 6–5 | 6–4 | 6–4 | 8, 31–34 |
| 5 | Robert Thornton | 4–6 | 5–6 | 6–1 | 3–6 | | 5–6 | 6–3 | 6–4 | 6, 35–32 |
| 6 | Mark Walsh | 4–6 | 2–6 | 5–6 | 5–6 | 6–5 | | 4–6 | 6–4 | 4, 32–39 |
| 7 | Colin Lloyd | 3–6 | 2–6 | 5–6 | 4–6 | 3–6 | 6–4 | | 4–6 | 2, 27–40 |
| 8 | Wayne Jones | 4–6 | 1–6 | 2–6 | 4–6 | 4–6 | 4–6 | 6–4 | | 2, 25–40 |
| Semi-final | Semi-final | Semi-final | Final | Final | Final |
| 1 | Paul Nicholson | 6 | | | |
| 4 | Terry Jenkins | 3 | | | |
| 4 | Terry Jenkins | 3 | 1 | Paul Nicholson | 3 |
| | | | 3 | Simon Whitlock | 6 |
| 2 | Dave Chisnall | 4 | 3 | Simon Whitlock | 6 |
| 3 | Simon Whitlock | 6 | | | |

### Group 6

Played Thursday October 18, was won by Dave Chisnall who qualifies for the winners group. John Part and Terry Jenkins were knocked out.

| | | Cav | Chi | Tho | Wal | Osb | Nic | Par | Jen | Points, Legs |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Jamie Caven | | 5–6 | 6–5 | 6–1 | 6–3 | 6–4 | 6–4 | 6–3 | 12, 41–26 |
| 2 | Dave Chisnall | 6–5 | | 4–6 | 6–3 | 6–2 | 6–2 | 6–3 | 6–4 | 12, 40–25 |
| 3 | Robert Thornton | 5–6 | 6–4 | | 6–3 | 3–6 | 6–3 | 4–6 | 6–4 | 8, 36–32 |
| 4 | Mark Walsh | 1–6 | 3–6 | 3–6 | | 6–5 | 6–5 | 6–4 | 6–4 | 8, 31–36 |
| 5 | Colin Osborne | 3–6 | 2–6 | 6–3 | 5–6 | | 6–4 | 6–4 | 4–6 | 6, 32–35 |
| 6 | Paul Nicholson | 4–6 | 2–6 | 3–6 | 5–6 | 4–6 | | 6–3 | 6–3 | 4, 30–36 |
| 7 | John Part | 4–6 | 3–6 | 6–4 | 4–6 | 4–6 | 3–6 | | 6–3 | 4, 30–37 |
| 8 | Terry Jenkins | 3–6 | 4–6 | 4–6 | 4–6 | 6–4 | 3–6 | 3–6 | | 2, 27–40 |
| Semi-final | Semi-final | Semi-final | Final | Final | Final |
| 1 | Jamie Caven | 1 | | | |
| 4 | Mark Walsh | 6 | | | |
| 4 | Mark Walsh | 6 | 4 | Mark Walsh | 3 |
| | | | 2 | Dave Chisnall | 6 |
| 2 | Dave Chisnall | 6 | 2 | Dave Chisnall | 6 |
| 3 | Robert Thornton | 1 | | | |

### Group 7

Played Tuesday October 30, was won by Jamie Caven who qualifies for the winners group. Richie Burnett and Colin Osborne were knocked out.

| | | vnG | Tho | Cav | Nic | Dol | Wal | Bur | Osb | Points, Legs |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Michael van Gerwen | | 6–2 | 6–3 | 6–4 | 6–5 | 6–5 | 6–1 | 6–1 | 14, 42–21 |
| 2 | Robert Thornton | 2–6 | | 6–1 | 6–3 | 6–4 | 5–6 | 6–4 | 6–2 | 10, 37–26 |
| 3 | Jamie Caven | 3–6 | 1–6 | | 6–5 | 5–6 | 6–4 | 6–2 | 6–4 | 8, 33–33 |
| 4 | Paul Nicholson | 4–6 | 3–6 | 5–6 | | 5–6 | 6–1 | 6–1 | 6–2 | 6, 35–28 |
| 5 | Brendan Dolan | 5–6 | 4–6 | 6–5 | 6–5 | | 4–6 | 3–6 | 6–2 | 6, 34–36 |
| 6 | Mark Walsh | 5–6 | 6–5 | 4–6 | 1–6 | 6–4 | | 3–6 | 6–1 | 6, 31–34 |
| 7 | Richie Burnett | 1–6 | 4–6 | 2–6 | 1–6 | 6–3 | 6–3 | | 6–1 | 6, 26–31 |
| 8 | Colin Osborne | 1–6 | 2–6 | 4–6 | 2–6 | 2–6 | 1–6 | 1–6 | | 0, 13–42 |
| Semi-final | Semi-final | Semi-final | Final | Final | Final |
| 1 | Michael van Gerwen | 3 | | | |
| 4 | Paul Nicholson | 6 | | | |
| 4 | Paul Nicholson | 6 | 4 | Paul Nicholson | 4 |
| | | | 3 | Jamie Caven | 6 |
| 2 | Robert Thornton | 2 | 3 | Jamie Caven | 6 |
| 3 | Jamie Caven | 6 | | | |

### Group 8

Played Wednesday October 31, group 8 was won by Mark Walsh who qualifies for the winners group.

| | | vnG | Tho | Wal | Bea | Wri | Dol | Nic | Ove | Points, Legs |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Michael van Gerwen | | 5–6 | 6–3 | 6–0 | 6–3 | 6–5 | 6–3 | 6–3 | 12, 41–23 |
| 2 | Robert Thornton | 6–5 | | 6–4 | 6–5 | 2–6 | 6–4 | 6–2 | 6–1 | 12, 38–27 |
| 3 | Mark Walsh | 3–6 | 4–6 | | 6–3 | 6–4 | 6–4 | 6–4 | 6–1 | 10, 37–28 |
| 4 | Steve Beaton | 0–6 | 6–2 | 4–6 | | 2–6 | 6–3 | 6–5 | 6–2 | 8, 30–30 |
| 5 | Peter Wright | 3–6 | 5–6 | 3–6 | 6–2 | | 6–3 | 4–6 | 6–3 | 6, 33–32 |
| 6 | Brendan Dolan | 5–6 | 4–6 | 3–6 | 4–6 | 3–6 | | 6–1 | 6–3 | 4, 31–34 |
| 7 | Paul Nicholson | 3–6 | 2–6 | 4–6 | 6–4 | 5–6 | 1–6 | | 6–2 | 4, 27–36 |
| 8 | Denis Ovens | 3–6 | 1–6 | 1–6 | 3–6 | 2–6 | 3–6 | 2–6 | | 0, 15–42 |
| Semi-final | Semi-final | Semi-final | Final | Final | Final |
| 1 | Michael van Gerwen | 5 | | | |
| 4 | Steve Beaton | 6 | | | |
| 4 | Steve Beaton | 6 | 4 | Steve Beaton | 5 |
| | | | 3 | Mark Walsh | 6 |
| 2 | Robert Thornton | 2 | 3 | Mark Walsh | 6 |
| 3 | Mark Walsh | 6 | | | |

## Winners group

Played Thursday November 1, and was won by Phil Taylor.

| | | Tay | Cav | Whi | Chi | Pip | Bax | New | Wal | Points, Legs |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Phil Taylor | | 6–2 | 6–4 | 6–4 | 6–5 | 6–4 | 6–5 | 6–0 | 14, 42–24 |
| 2 | Jamie Caven | 2–6 | | 3–6 | 6–4 | 6–4 | 6–4 | 6–3 | 6–4 | 10, 35–31 |
| 3 | Simon Whitlock | 4–6 | 6–3 | | 6–4 | 3–6 | 6–4 | 3–6 | 6–4 | 8, 34–33 |
| 4 | Dave Chisnall | 4–6 | 4–6 | 4–6 | | 6–2 | 5–6 | 6–4 | 6–2 | 6, 35–32 |
| 5 | Justin Pipe | 5–6 | 4–6 | 6–3 | 2–6 | | 6–1 | 6–4 | 4–6 | 6, 33–32 |
| 6 | Ronnie Baxter | 4–6 | 4–6 | 4–6 | 6–5 | 1–6 | | 6–4 | 6–3 | 6, 31–36 |
| 7 | Wes Newton | 5–6 | 3–6 | 6–3 | 4–6 | 4–6 | 4–6 | | 6–4 | 4, 32–37 |
| 8 | Mark Walsh | 0–6 | 4–6 | 4–6 | 2–6 | 6–4 | 3–6 | 4–6 | | 2, 23–40 |
| Semi-final | Semi-final | Semi-final | Final | Final | Final |
| 1 | Phil Taylor | 6 | | | |
| 4 | Dave Chisnall | 0 | | | |
| 4 | Dave Chisnall | 0 | 1 | Phil Taylor | 6 |
| | | | 3 | Simon Whitlock | 4 |
| 2 | Jamie Caven | 4 | 3 | Simon Whitlock | 4 |
| 3 | Simon Whitlock | 6 | | | |
