Dramatic darts victory sealed with a kiss, or two (UPDATED)

By Rob Miech

Thursday, July 2, 2009 | 3:40 p.m.

Adrian “Jackpot” Lewis, from Stoke-on-Trent, England, was so excited about his dramatic victory over Vincent van der Voort on Thursday that he kissed an American reporter on his right cheek.

In the 15th of 16 first-round matches over two days at Mandalay Bay, it was the first one to go the full 11 legs. Lewis needed 164 to close out the 6-5 victory, and he drilled a triple-19, another triple-19 and then a thrilling bull’s-eye, for 50 points, to seal it.

“I was (bleepin’) like a (bleepin’) dog!” Lewis said.

Jackpot was just as descriptive when detailing how he was denied a big jackpot four years ago when he came to Las Vegas to participate in the Desert Classic.

He was six months shy of his 21st birthday, and he won some money at roulette and on a two-dollar video machine at the MGM Grand. He moved up to the five-dollar machine, played it at $5 across on the three reels and, well, he can finish the story.

“Three lions came across,” Lewis said. “I just froze. Lights started flashing and a big red buzzer went off on top. Someone said, ‘You won the jackpot.’ I said, ‘me?’

“It was something like $72,600.”

But, as we established, he was six months shy of turning 21, so he grabbed his Irish buddy, Steve, from a nearby table, had him stand at the machine and Jackpot retreated back by an elevator.

Steve went to his room to get his passport, but when he returned security told him, no, you were not playing. They pointed at Lewis and said, he was.

Lewis went up to his room to retrieve his passport, came back down and was told, uh, you’re not of age to collect the jackpot. Steve went ballistic, and Jackpot Lewis had to restrain his pal.

“I pulled him away, swearing,” Lewis said. "I told him he didn't need to get arrested here."

What about the $300 or $400 I put into the machine? Lewis said to security officials. They told him, sorry.

With that, Lewis looked back at the American reporter and said, “(Bleepin’) Yanks!”

Then he smiled and kissed the writer twice on his left cheek before leaving a media ballroom.

The rest of Thursday's action at Mandalay Bay:

Mervyn King def. Louis Blundell, 6-3

Ahead 3-2, Blundell felt great about his fortunes at the break. He slightly danced away from the stage, with a few light fist punches into the air. It was his first time on live television, but the 31-year-old without a nickname won’t have to come up with one for the next round. When play resumed, a 43-year-old resident of Bradwell, England, dominated, winning two games that Blundell started. Blundell's brother, "Lightning" Lee, was a middleweight boxer. His father, Tony "Bad News" Blundell, competes on the darts circuit.

Andy Hamilton def. Chris White, 6-1

The first meeting between the pros was no contest. White was one of four North American invites, and it’s looking like that quartet is over its head against the best throwers in the world.

Peter Manley def. Mark Walsh, 6-3

Manley broke Walsh for the fifth game, before the break, then cruised to improve his record against Walsh to 4-5.

Co Stompe def. Colin Osborne, 6-4

Stompe, the former tram driver of Line 14 in Amsterdam who is nicknamed “The Matchstick,” beat Osborne for the first time in four matches by winning the 10th game, which Osborne started.

Raymond van Barneveld def. Bill Davis, 6-2

Davis, from Philadelphia, said Tuesday that he had a chance against Barneveld. Davis didn’t. Three times, “Barney” won when Davis started a game. Davis became the third of four North American invitees not to fare very well. Scott Burnett (who lost, 6-2) and Chris White (who lost, 6-1) also floundered against the best competition in the world.

James Wade def. Phillip Hazel, 6-3

Wade, a lefty nicknamed “The Machine” and the current world No. 2 behind Phil Taylor, won three of the final four games after the break to dispatch Hazel. Wade, 26, became the youngest player ever to win a major Professional Darts Corporation title two years ago in the World Matchplay event. But he hasn’t forgotten his roots. That same summer, he returned to his former job at the Kwik Fit garage to make money while practicing.

Kevin Painter def. Darin Young, 6-2

Painter made it a drubbing of a day for the North American invitees. “Big Daddy” Young, from White Haven, Pa., made it 0-for-4 for the quartet from this continent that received special slots.