Steve Beaton, Stephen Bunting and Kyle Anderson were among eight players to secure a European Tour qualification double in Wigan on Friday, as Raymond van Barneveld and Glen Durrant also qualified for one event apiece.
Continue reading “Beaton, Barney & Durrant among European Tour qualifiers!”
Dave Chisnall ended his 18-month wait for a PDC title at Players Championship 2 with a dramatic 8-7 victory over three-time BDO world champion Glen Durrant, on a day which saw a record-breaking four nine-darters hit in Wigan on Sunday afternoon. Continue reading “2019 Players Championship 2 Report!”
Gerwyn Price insists he won’t be holding back with his celebrations after kicking off his 2019 Unibet Premier League campaign with a brilliant 7-4 victory over Daryl Gurney, as Michael van Gerwen and James Wade also made winning starts in Newcastle. Continue reading “Price prevails in Newcastle and insists he won’t hold back!”
Nine new names will replace the injured Gary Anderson in the opening nine nights of the 2019 Unibet Premier League. Continue reading “NEWS: Nine ‘contenders’ replace injured Anderson in 2019 Premier League!”
Mensur Suljovic became the latest big name to crash out of the William Hill World Darts Championship after losing 3-1 to debutant Ryan Searle, whilst two-time world champion Adrian Lewis eased through to round-three on a dramatic Thursday night at the Alexandra Palace. Continue reading “PDC World Championship – Day Eight Report!”
Two-time world champion Gary Anderson overcame an impressive display from debutant Kevin Burness to book his spot in the third-round of the PDC World Championship, despite being plagued by a wasp on a dramatic day of action at the Alexandra Palace. Continue reading “Anderson through to round-three after overcoming Ally Pally wasp!”
Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson breezed through to the last eight at the Players Championship Finals, as Stephen Bunting edged out Peter Wright in a thrilling last-leg decider on another dramatic day of darts in Minehead. Continue reading “Players Championship Finals – Day Two Report!”
Krzysztof Ratajski claimed his second PDC Pro Tour title of 2018 and a first Players Championship crown with a 6-2 victory over Chris Dobey at the Barnsley Metrodome on Saturday afternoon. Continue reading “Comeback King Ratajski seals second PDC title!”
Adrian Lewis suffered a shock first-round exit against Yordi Meeuwisse on a dramatic opening day at the German Darts Grand Prix, as James Wade, Stephen Bunting and Chris Dobey all impressed in Munich on Saturday evening. Continue reading “German Darts Grand Prix: Day One Report!”
Rob Cross produced a sensational display to dismantle two-time world champion Adrian Lewis in Leverkusen, as Peter Wright returned to form in emphatic style on a dramatic day of second-round action at the European Darts Open on Saturday. Continue reading “European Darts Open 2018: Day Two Report!”
Adrian Lewis and James Wade made winning starts as the 2018 European Tour got underway in Leverkusen, whilst Vincent van der Voort, Dimitri van den Bergh, Steve Beaton and Jonny Clayton were all sent packing on a dramatic day of action at the Ostermann Arena on Friday evening. Continue reading “European Darts Open 2018: Day One Report!”
Michael van Gerwen has returned to the top of the Players Championship Order of Merit after clinching his third Players Championship title of the season in Milton Keynes over the weekend. Continue reading “Players Championship Order of Merit Update!”
Michael van Gerwen clinched his third Players Championship title of the year after defying a 109.62 average from Chris Dobey to triumph on a thrilling day of action in Milton Keynes on Saturday afternoon. Continue reading “Players Championship Five Report!”
Adrian Lewis, James Wade, Jonny Clayton, Luke Humphries, Chris Dobey and Ryan Meikle secured qualification for the opening two European Tour events of 2018, as Raymond van Barneveld endured a disappointing night on a dramatic evening at the Barnsley Metrodome on Friday. Continue reading “2018 European Tour 1-2 UK Qualifiers!”
Phil Taylor survived a scare to begin his final professional tournament before retirement with a battling 3-1 victory over Chris Dobey, as Rob Cross and Dimitri van den Bergh produced ton-topping averages to triumph on an entertaining night of darts at the Alexandra Palace on Friday evening. Continue reading “PDC World Championship 2018: Day Two Report!”
Gerwyn Price edged out Corey Cadby in a highly-charged second-round affair at the World Series of Darts Finals in Glasgow, whilst Dimitri van den Bergh produced the performance of his career to stun Raymond van Barneveld. Elsewhere, the world’s top three all cruised through to the last eight on a dramatic night at the Braehead Arena. Continue reading “World Series of Darts Finals: Day Two Report!”
Four of the world’s top ten were dumped out in the first-round of the World Series of Darts Finals in Glasgow, as Adrian Lewis, Mensur Suljovic, Dave Chisnall and Michael Smith were the victims of a night of shocks at the Braehead Arena on Friday evening. Continue reading “World Series of Darts Finals: Day One Report!”
Top seed Gary Anderson faces a potential showdown against Mensur Suljovic at the World Series of Darts Finals this weekend, whilst Michael van Gerwen will begin his title defence against either Adrian Lewis or Max Hopp at Glasgow’s Braehead Arena. Continue reading “DRAW: World Series of Darts Finals 2017!”
James Wade’s hopes of qualifying for this month’s European Championship were dashed after he was dismantled by Nathan Aspinall on an eventful opening day at the European Darts Trophy in Gottingen on Friday evening. Continue reading “European Darts Trophy: Day One Report!”
World number one Michael van Gerwen will go in search of a third successive title at the World Series of Darts Finals in November, but there will be no Phil Taylor, as the 24-man field for next month’s event has been finalised. Continue reading “World Series of Darts Finals: Field Confirmed!”
Rob Cross, Mark Webster and Justin Pipe were amongst the eight players to seal their qualification for next month’s World Series of Darts Finals, after coming through an 86-man field at the Barnsley Metrodome on Monday evening. Continue reading “World Series of Darts Finals: Qualifiers Confirmed!”
Gary Anderson and James Wade were dumped out on a dramatic opening day at the 2017 Coral UK Open at Butlin’s Minehead on Friday evening, to throw the tournament wide open after the withdrawal of world number one Michael van Gerwen earlier in the day. Continue reading “2017 UK Open: Day One Report!”
Michael van Gerwen survived a massive scare against inspired Spaniard Cristo Reyes, as Raymond van Barneveld and Phil Taylor breezed through to the third-round of the World Championship with emphatic whitewash victories on day ten at the Alexandra Palace on Tuesday evening.
Van Gerwen saw off the challenge of an inspired Cristo Reyes to prevail in an absolutely sensational second-round clash. Van Gerwen averaged 105.24, hit 23 140’s, eleven maximums and converted 38% of his double attempts, as Reyes averaged 106.07; the highest losing average in the history of the World Championship.
‘Mighty Mike’ strolled to the first set without dropping a leg. The world number one opened his account on D7, before punishing a mediocre leg from the Spaniard to break throw. Reyes was yet to settle and ‘The Green Machine’ went for the kill; posting a 174 and converting an 11-dart leg on tops to secure the opener.
Nevertheless, Reyes launched a remarkable recovery to level up proceedings. Cristo won his first leg with a magnificent 10-darter on D18, before he hit the same double to complete a 73 outshot after MvG had missed three darts to hold. Reyes was brimming with confidence at this point, and rounded off the set with a confident 14-dart kill. Continue reading “2017 PDC World Championship: Day Ten Report!”
Former world champion Mark Webster missed just two darts at double as he stormed through to the second-round of the 2017 PDC World Championship, as Ian White and Chris Dobey also tasted victory on Sunday afternoon at the Alexandra Palace.
Webster produced a masterclass in finishing as he overcame Joe Murnan in straight sets. The former world champion converted nine of his eleven double attempts at an astonishing 82% success rate to record a 3-0 victory, despite averaging 87.78 to Murnan’s 88.84.
The opening two legs of the contest were shared, before Webster took out 65 via D4 to break throw. The Welshman then clinched the first set with a clinical 70 finish to maintain his 100% checkout percentage, before holding throw in the opening leg of set two with a majestic 129 finish (T19, T16, D12) as Murnan was sat poised on tops.
Webster was yet to post a score of over 140 but continued his stunning sequence of finishing to break Murnan’s throw with a quality two-dart 88 checkout. ‘Shaggy’ stayed alive in set two by taking out 56 to break, but Webby fired in his first maximum before rounding-off a 14-darter to maintain his flawless finishing and double his lead. Continue reading “2017 PDC World Championship Day Four: Afternoon Report!”
Peter Wright and Raymond van Barneveld were two of the biggest movers on the PDC Order of Merit following the conclusion of last weekend’s Grand Slam of Darts, as world number one Michael van Gerwen extended his lead over world champion Gary Anderson.
Peter Wright has risen to a career high of third in the world after his run to the last four in Wolverhampton. Snakebite performed superbly throughout the week and produced a majestic display to defeat Phil Taylor 16-10 in the quarter-finals, subsequently leapfrogging ‘The Power’ in the world rankings.
Wright was highly-fancied by many to claim his maiden PDC major title in Wolverhampton, although he eventually suffered semi-final defeat against an imperious Michael van Gerwen. The Scot averaged 102.13 but it wasn’t enough to overcome ‘The Green Machine’ who posted an astonishing 111.17 average to triumph 16-10.
Five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld has moved up to 12th in the world following his run to the quarter-finals at the Wolverhampton Civic. Van Barneveld was in magnificent form throughout the week, finishing with a tournament average of over 100. Continue reading “PDC Order of Merit Update: Wright & Barney on the rise!”
World champion Gary Anderson saw off former winner Raymond van Barneveld in one of the greatest games ever staged at the Grand Slam, to set up a semi-final showdown with eight-time major winner James Wade at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Saturday evening.
Anderson remains on course to win his maiden Grand Slam crown after defeating Van Barneveld 16-13 in a pulsating tussle. The scores were locked at 13-13, until ‘The Flying Scotsman’ produced an astonishing sequence of darts, winning the final three legs in just 34 darts.
The world champion averaged 103.81, fired in an incredible 13 maximums and converted 46% of his doubles to prevail. Van Barneveld acquitted himself magnificently, averaging 98.24, landing nine maximums and hitting 43% of his attempts at double.
The Dutchman struggled in the opening stages of the contest, as Anderson established a commanding 4-1 lead. However, Barney showed impressive character to respond after the interval, winning four of the next five legs to restore parity at five apiece. Continue reading “Anderson and Van Barneveld contest one of greatest games in Grand Slam history!”
Gary Anderson and Raymond van Barneveld will collide in the quarter-finals of the Grand Slam of Darts, whilst James Wade and Chris Dobey also sealed their spots in the last eight on a dramatic night at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Thursday evening.
Anderson survived a major scare as he overcame BDO world number three Danny Noppert in a pulsating last-leg decider. In arguably the match of the tournament, Anderson averaged 101.12 to prevail, as Noppert agonisingly lost out despite averaging 100.1 and converting 69% of his attempts at double.
The first five legs all went with throw as ‘The Flying Scotsman’ headed into the first interval with a 3-2 advantage. Nevertheless, Noppert enjoyed an extraordinary purple patch after the break. He levelled up proceedings with a magnificent 10-darter, before securing the first break of throw with a stunning 164 kill.
‘Noppie’ maintained his impeccable success rate on the doubles as he won his third consecutive leg with a classy 13-darter, but Anderson stopped the rot with a 13-darter of his own. The world champion then missed the bull for a 12-darter as he attempted to break back, but Noppert cleaned up 42 in two-darts to restore his two-leg cushion. Continue reading “Grand Slam of Darts Day Six Report!”
BDO stars Glen Durrant & Darryl Fitton secured qualification to the knockout stages of the Grand Slam of Darts at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Monday evening on a night which saw Phil Taylor whitewashed by the already eliminated Darren Webster.
Defending champion Michael van Gerwen maintained his 100% group-stage record with a thumping 5-1 victory against World-Youth finalist Max Hopp. ‘The Green Machine’ wasn’t at his brilliant best, but still posted four maximums and averaged 95.93 to top Group A in emphatic fashion.
Elsewhere in Group A, Martin Adams’ Grand Slam campaign ended as he was was beaten 5-3 by Brendan Dolan, who came through an attritional tussle to secure his place in the last 16. Adams landed two maximums but only converted 17% of his double attempts as Dolan won through to join MvG in the last 16, despite averaging just 80.
‘Wolfie’ was unable to replicate the form he displayed last year which is entirely understandable given his well-documented health problems. However, he’s conducted himself superbly and played with refreshing enjoyment throughout the week; hopefully he’ll return to next year’s event in better health. Continue reading “Grand Slam Day Three: Durrant & Fitton progress, Adams bows out whilst Taylor is whitewashed!”
Phil Taylor, Gary Anderson, James Wade, Peter Wright & Benito van de Pas sealed their spots in the knockout phase of the Grand Slam of Darts, whilst Raymond van Barneveld continued his rampant form in an eventful double-session of action at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Sunday.
Defending champion Michael van Gerwen is all but through to the second round after easing past Brendan Dolan 5-1 on Sunday evening. ‘The Green Machine’ was in sparkling form and averaged 104.5 to dismantle ‘The Historymaker’, and MvG requires just one leg against Max Hopp to confirm his place in the knockout phase.
Six-time Grand Slam winner Phil Taylor secured his place in the knockout phase with an emphatic 5-1 victory over an off-colour Ian White. Taylor was far from his best, averaging a miserly 92.94 by his incredibly high standards. Yet White was extremely poor, averaging just 84 and converting 20% of his double attempts.
World champion Gary Anderson is through to the last 16 of the Grand Slam after whitewashing Nathan Derry on Sunday evening. Derry was unable to replicate the performance that saw him defeat Alan Norris, as Anderson eased to a 5-0 victory despite averaging just 89.5 and hitting 23% of his double attempts. Continue reading “Grand Slam of Darts Day Two: Wright, Hughes & Barney impress!”
Michael van Gerwen will begin the defence of his Grand Slam of Darts title against legendary three-time Lakeside world champion Martin Adams, after the draw for this year’s event at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall was made on Monday afternoon.
Van Gerwen, who produced a staggering comeback to defeat Phil Taylor and win his maiden Grand Slam title twelve months ago, will face a stern test against the 60-year-old Adams, who thrived on his debut in Wolverhampton last year.
‘Wolfie’ won all three of his group games against Jelle Klaasen, Ian White & Steve Beaton respectively, before succumbing to Kim Huybrechts in a last-leg shootout in the last 16. MvG and Adams will also be joined in Group A by former World Grand Prix finalist Brendan Dolan, and World-Youth champion Max Hopp.
Six-time Grand Slam winner Phil Taylor has been handed a relatively kind draw. ‘The Power’ has been pitted with his fellow Stokie Ian White, Darren Webster and BDO veteran Darryl Fitton, who qualified for this year’s event by virtue of winning the 2016 World Trophy back in May. Continue reading “2016 Grand Slam of Darts Draw confirmed!”
Former finalist Robert Thornton was among the eight players to qualify for next month’s Grand Slam of Darts after coming through the PDC qualifier at the Barnsley Metrodome on Sunday afternoon, on a day which saw five players book maiden appearances in Wolverhampton.
Thornton booked his return to the Civic Hall after a string of fine performances on Sunday afternoon. ‘The Thorn’ dropped just five legs in his four matches, kicking off proceedings by beating both Scott Dale and Andy Hamilton 5-1.
The former World Grand Prix champion then defeated Calum Loose 5-2 in round-three to set up a decisive clash with Andrew Gilding. The Scot then prevailed in comprehensive fashion, recording his third 5-1 triumph of the day.
Brendan Dolan came through successive deciding leg shoot-outs to seal his place in Wolverhampton next month. Dolan began his qualification campaign with victories over Ryan Harrington and Jan Dekker, before edging out Nigel Heydon 5-4.
The Northern Irishman then faced a decisive fourth-round battle with Kim Huybrechts who had lost just the solitary leg in his preceeding three matches. However, Dolan squeezed past the Belgian in an attritional deciding-leg to confirm his qualification. Continue reading “Grand Slam of Darts 2016- Qualifiers Confirmed!”
Simon Whitlock fired in a 9-darter en route to winning his second successive Players Championship crown after beating young star Chris Dobey 6-4 in the final at the Barnsley Metrodome on Friday afternoon. ‘The Wizard’ landed the 9-darter in his first-round demolition of Par Riihonen, before going on to scoop the £10,000 winner’s cheque.
Whitlock kicked off Friday’s final with a clinical 109 checkout, before doubling his lead after following up his first maximum by pinning D4. Dobey opened his account with a 90 checkout, although the former European Champion regained his two-leg lead after converting a crucial 64 finish.
Dobey profited from Whitlock’s profligacy in the fifth leg as he reduced the arrears to 3-2, but the next three legs went with throw as the Australian moved to the brink of victory. Dobey preserved his hopes by taking out D4 in the ninth leg, but he was unable to deny ‘The Wizard’, who held throw in leg ten to clinch his 13th PDC Pro Tour triumph.
Whitlock kicked off the day in sublime fashion, whitewashing Par Riihonen and firing in the 9th perfect leg of his PDC career. The Australian followed this up with an emphatic 6-2 win against former World Youth finalist Nathan Aspinall, before producing a stunning display to whitewash former major finalist Mervyn King.
Whitlock faced eight-time major finalist James Wade in round-three, with ‘The Machine’ having dropped just four legs in his three matches. However, the Aussie ace prevailed, winning 6-3 to set up a quarter-final clash with Jamie Lewis. Continue reading “Nine-dart Whitlock wins second straight Players Championship title!”
Michael van Gerwen fought back from 4-2 down against Peter Wright to retain his German Darts Masters title at the Ballhausforum, Dolce Hotel, Munich, on Monday evening, despite feeling distinctly ‘under the weather’.
The Dutchman, who revealed in his post-match interview that he had been suffering with illness for over a week, was well below par by his exceptional standards, averaging just 92.72 against Snakebite.
However, he displayed great tenacity to fightback; reeling off four legs in succession to secure his 10th European Tour final.Wright will be bitterly disappointed to have squandered such a fantastic opportunity, although Snakebite can take many positives from another extremely consistent performance in Munich this weekend.
Van Gerwen held throw in a very sloppy opening leg after Wright spurned two darts at D12 for a break. MvG gratefully accepted Snakebite’s invitation and pinned D8 for a 19-dart hold. However, the Scot responded strongly and levelled up proceedings immediately by nailing D18 for a 14-darter.
Continue reading “‘Unwell’ Van Gerwen retains his German Darts Masters title!”
It was an afternoon of shocks at the German Darts Masters, as James Wade, Robert Thornton, Kim Huybrechts and Terry Jenkins were all dumped out in round-two at the Ballhausforum, Dolce Hotel, Munich. Only two seeds from eight made it through, as the under-dogs prospered on Sunday afternoon.
Joe Cullen continued his fine run of form as he edged out eight-time major winner James Wade in a topsy-turvy contest. Cullen dominated the scoring stakes but only registered 27% on the doubles. ‘The Machine’ delivered a fine 141 finish to draw level at 4-4, but ‘The Rockstar’ won the final two legs to reach the third-round.
Chris Dobey produced the performance of the afternoon to defeat Robert Thornton 6-4 and reach the last 16. Dobey, mentored by world champion Gary Anderson, averaged 100.64 and fired in five maximums to dump out the World Grand-Prix champion. The youngster also registered 50% on the doubles to complete the upset.
Kim Huybrechts was another seed to tumble in round-two, as he was dismantled 6-1 by William O’Connor, who will be looking to replicate his run to the quarters here 12 months ago. The Belgian averaged a miserly 85 and hit just 16% on the doubles, and whilst the Irishman wasn’t at his best, he did enough to blow away ‘The Hurricane’.
Continue reading “Shocks galore at the German Darts Masters!”
Mark Webster completed a phenomenal day’s work in Coventry, as he secured qualification to the World Series of Darts Finals, alongside Terry Jenkins, Chris Dobey and Dimitri van den Bergh.
Webster secured qualification to the Grand Slam of Darts earlier in the day, and dropped just four legs en route to qualifying for the World Series of Darts finals in Braehead, Glasgow.