James Wade ends Nathan Aspinall title defence at World Matchplay

Defending champion Nathan Aspinall was dumped out of the World Darts Matchplay after losing 11-8 to James Wade in Blackpool.

Aspinall has been struggling with a right arm injury and got off to the worst possible start before a spirited fightback brought him back into the contest against The Machine – but Wade's experience got him over the line to book his spot in the quarter-final.

Wade, the 2007 Matchplay champion, started well and raced into a 4-0 lead but Aspinall eventually found his rhythm and hit three 180s to go into the second break level at 5-5.

Both players then held throw three times but Wade upped the ante while Aspinall went cold on the scoring shots once again.

It took Wade 40 minutes and 19 legs to hit his first 180 and it was a crucial one against the throw to put him on the verge of victory before he took out double 18 to round off an 11-8 win.

HUMPHRIES BATTLES PAST BUNTING!