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Chizzy knocked out of World Matchplay after thrilling encounter
DAVE Chisnall lost a thrilling second round World Matchplay encounter against Alan Norris in Blackpool.
Norris defied 11 maximums from the St Helens man by following nine 180s of his own with five ton-plus checkouts as he secured a 14-12 tie-break triumph in a thriller.
Chisnall made a stunning start, hitting two 180s in seven perfect darts in the opening leg and another pair of maximums in leg two as finishes of 12 and 13 darts moved him ahead.
Norris hit back to level before taking out 120 and 126 to move 4-2 up, only for the momentum to swing again as Chisnall claimed five straight legs to move 7-4 up.
Norris then took five legs in a row, including a 110 finish, as he regained the edge at 9-7, and after Chisnall levelled the Bo'ness-based ace finished 90 for a break of throw to move 10-9 up.
Chisnall finished double 18 and 121 to move himself back ahead at 11-10, and also moved 12-11 up as the tension rose in the tie-break.
Norris, though, took the 24th leg on double five, fired home a 109 checkout to break and then finished 100 to secure his first quarter-final at the World Matchplay.
"I'm so pleased to have won that because I always seem to lose to Dave by the odd leg, so I'm very happy to come through a battle like that," said Norris.
"He made a brilliant start and he hurt me with some shots at times, and it was nip and tuck there. In the tie-break maybe I had some extra reserves and I got the job done.
"To be through to the quarter-finals is fantastic. It's going well so far and it's massive for me to be playing in front of great crowds like this.
"My scoring hasn't been great but my finishing - which is usually my downfall - has been great, so hopefully it will all come together in the quarter-finals."