Darren Webster delivered the goods to secure an immediate return to the PDC Pro Tour on the second day of Final Stage action at the PDC Qualifying Schools on Thursday, after WDF world No 1 Brian Raman advanced through the European event to claim a coveted Tour Card for the first time.
Continue reading “Q School 2022: Webster seals immediate PDC return, as Raman advances in Niedernhausen”Thornton, Lewis & Dolan among Grand Slam qualifiers!
Former finalist Robert Thornton secured his place in this year’s Grand Slam of Darts as one of the eight players to come through Monday’s Tour Card Holder’s Qualifier at the Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan.
Continue reading “Thornton, Lewis & Dolan among Grand Slam qualifiers!”2019 Masters Draw Confirmed!
World champion Michael van Gerwen will begin his bid for a fifth consecutive Masters title against debutant Jonny Clayton next month, whilst world number three Peter Wright will take on two-time world champion Adrian Lewis. Continue reading “2019 Masters Draw Confirmed!”
European Championship Day Three Report!
Home favourite Max Hopp created history by becoming the first German player to reach the quarter-finals of a PDC televised major on a dramatic night of darts in Dortmund, as James Wade, Gerwyn Price and Darren Webster also secured their places in Sunday’s quarter-finals. Continue reading “European Championship Day Three Report!”
European Championship Day Two Report!
Steve West recorded the biggest victory of his career to end Michael van Gerwen’s four-year reign as European Champion, as Peter Wright, Mensur Suljovic, Daryl Gurney, Michael Smith and Adrian Lewis were all dumped out on an astonishing day of darts in Dortmund. Continue reading “European Championship Day Two Report!”
World Matchplay 2018: Day Two Report!
The big guns prevailed on an action-packed double-session at the World Matchplay on Sunday, as Gary Anderson and Raymond van Barneveld set up an enthralling second-round showdown at the Winter Gardens. Continue reading “World Matchplay 2018: Day Two Report!”
PDC Order of Merit Update!
Newly crowned German Darts Open champion Max Hopp is up to 40th in the world after clinching his first senior PDC title with a thrilling deciding-leg victory over Michael Smith on a watershed night for the sport of darts in Germany. Continue reading “PDC Order of Merit Update!”
German Darts Open 2018: Day Two Report!
Peter Wright crashed out to home favourite Max Hopp in a dramatic double-session of action at the German Darts Open on Saturday, as Dave Chisnall and Rob Cross turned on the style to register impressive whitewash wins in Saarbrucken. Continue reading “German Darts Open 2018: Day Two Report!”
Darren Webster suffers broken nose after being attacked by football thug
Darren Webster has suffered a suspected broken nose after being headbutted by a football hooligan when leaving a Players Championship event in Barnsley on Saturday afternoon. Continue reading “Darren Webster suffers broken nose after being attacked by football thug”
German Darts Grand Prix: Day Two Report!
Michael Smith and Rob Cross produced sensational performances on a dramatic day of second-round action at the German Darts Grand Prix, as seven seeds were sent packing in Munich, with world number one Michael van Gerwen almost becoming the eighth on Sunday evening. Continue reading “German Darts Grand Prix: Day Two Report!”
2018 UK Open Order of Merit Update!
World number one Michael van Gerwen leads the way on the UK Open Order of Merit after winning two of the three qualifying events on the opening weekend of action at the Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan. Continue reading “2018 UK Open Order of Merit Update!”
UK Open Qualifier Two Report!
Michael van Gerwen continued his unbeaten start to 2018 to triumph in the second UK Open qualifier and clinch the 100th senior singles title of his PDC career on another dramatic day of action on Saturday evening. Continue reading “UK Open Qualifier Two Report!”
PDC World Championship 2018: Quarter-Finals Report!
Michael van Gerwen edged out his fellow countryman Raymond van Barneveld in a thrilling deciding-set tussle to set up a semi-final showdown against Rob Cross, whilst Phil Taylor dumped out Gary Anderson to continue his bid for a 17th World Championship title on an incredible day of quarter-final action at the Alexandra Palace. Continue reading “PDC World Championship 2018: Quarter-Finals Report!”
PDC World Championship 2018: Day Twelve Report!
Phil Taylor whitewashed former World Youth champion Keegan Brown to reach his 25th World Championship quarter-final and set up a showdown against two-time world champion Gary Anderson on Friday evening, after another eventful day of action at the Alexandra Palace. Continue reading “PDC World Championship 2018: Day Twelve Report!”
PDC World Championship 2018: Day Eleven Report!
Michael van Gerwen survived a scare to set up a World Championship quarter-final showdown against his old rival Raymond van Barneveld, whilst second seed Peter Wright suffered a shock second-round defeat to an inspired Jamie Lewis on a dramatic day of darts at the Alexandra Palace. Continue reading “PDC World Championship 2018: Day Eleven Report!”
PDC World Championship 2018: Day Eight Report!
Peter Wright kicked off his World Championship campaign with victory over Brazilian debutant Diogo Portela, as Kim Huybrechts and Cristo Reyes became the latest seeds to tumble as the first-round came to a close at the Alexandra Palace on Thursday evening. Continue reading “PDC World Championship 2018: Day Eight Report!”
Grand Slam of Darts: Day Six Report!
Defending champion Michael van Gerwen breezed through to the Grand Slam quarter-finals to set up a last eight showdown with Rob Cross, who defeated 2012 champion Raymond van Barneveld in a high-quality contest at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Thursday evening. Continue reading “Grand Slam of Darts: Day Six Report!”
Grand Slam of Darts: Day Four Report!
James Wade defeated an off-colour Phil Taylor to book his spot in knockout phases of the Grand Slam of Darts, as Darren Webster edged out his namesake Mark Webster in a dramatic nine-dart shoot-out to seal his spot in the last 16 at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Tuesday evening. Continue reading “Grand Slam of Darts: Day Four Report!”
Grand Slam of Darts: Day Two Report!
Former champions Michael van Gerwen, Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld all fought back from 4-2 down to triumph on a thrilling day of Grand Slam action at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Sunday evening. Continue reading “Grand Slam of Darts: Day Two Report!”
Grand Slam of Darts 2017: Qualifiers Confirmed!
James Wilson, Robbie Green, Joe Murnan, Alan Norris, Jeffrey De Zwaan, Darren Webster, Steve Lennon and Stephen Bunting were the eight players to book their spot at this weekend’s Grand Slam of Darts after coming through an established field at the Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan on Monday afternoon. Continue reading “Grand Slam of Darts 2017: Qualifiers Confirmed!”
European Championship: Day One Report!
Michael van Gerwen kicked off the defence of his European Championship title with a convincing win over his fellow countryman Jan Dekker, as the Huybrechts brothers were both condemned to deciding-leg defeats on a dramatic opening night in Hasselt on Thursday evening. Continue reading “European Championship: Day One Report!”
2017 European Championship Draw!
Michael van Gerwen will begin the defence of his European Championship title against fellow countryman Jan Dekker, whilst home favourite Kim Huybrechts takes on last year’s finalist Mensur Suljovic in Hasselt later this month. Continue reading “2017 European Championship Draw!”
World Grand Prix: Day One Report!
John Henderson caused one of the biggest shocks in World Grand Prix history by dumping out reigning champion and world number one Michael van Gerwen on a dramatic opening night at the Citywest Hotel, Dublin, on Sunday evening. Continue reading “World Grand Prix: Day One Report!”
2017 World Grand Prix Draw!
Michael van Gerwen will begin the defence of his World Grand Prix title against John Henderson, whilst two-time world champion Gary Anderson will take on debutant Richard North, after the draw for next month’s tournament was made this morning. Continue reading “2017 World Grand Prix Draw!”
PDC Order of Merit: Latest Update!
Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld have climbed back into the world’s top eight following the conclusion of the BetVictor World Matchplay, whilst James Wade has fallen to his worst ranking position in over a decade. Continue reading “PDC Order of Merit: Latest Update!”
2017 World Matchplay Schedule of Play!
Former champion James Wade and Scottish stars Gary Anderson and Peter Wright will open the BetVictor World Matchplay on Saturday July 22nd, whilst defending champion Michael van Gerwen will begin his title defence on Monday 24th July, after the schedule of play was confirmed last week. Continue reading “2017 World Matchplay Schedule of Play!”
2017 World Matchplay Draw!
Michael van Gerwen will begin the defence of his BetVictor World Matchplay title against former Lakeside world champion Stephen Bunting, as Phil Taylor’s Blackpool farewell kicks off with a potential banana-skin against Gerwyn Price, after the draw for this month’s event at the Winter Gardens was made on Tuesday evening. Continue reading “2017 World Matchplay Draw!”
Gibraltar Darts Trophy: Draw & Schedule!
The draw for the 2017 Gibraltar Darts Trophy has been confirmed ahead of this weekend’s PDC European Tour event at the Victoria Stadium, with top seed Peter Wright vying for his fourth European Tour title of the year in the absence of world number one Michael van Gerwen. Continue reading “Gibraltar Darts Trophy: Draw & Schedule!”
German Darts Open: Day One Report!
16-year-old host-nation qualifier Nico Blum sent the German crowd into raptures with a brilliant debut victory on the European Tour, as Vincent van der Voort, Mervyn King & Paul Nicholson also triumphed on a dramatic opening day of action at the German Darts Open in Saarbrucken on Friday. Continue reading “German Darts Open: Day One Report!”
European Tour 3- UK Qualifier Report!
Robert Thornton, Mervyn King and Paul Nicholson were three of the high-profile names to secure qualification through to the HappyBet German Darts Open on Friday evening, as Steve Beaton landed a spectacular nine-dart finish on a dramatic night of action in Barnsley. Continue reading “European Tour 3- UK Qualifier Report!”
PDC Order of Merit Update: Barney back in world’s top eight!
Five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld has returned to the world’s top eight on the PDC Order of Merit after reaching the quarter-final stages of last weekend’s UK Open Finals in Minehead. Continue reading “PDC Order of Merit Update: Barney back in world’s top eight!”
2017 UK Open: Five Potential Outsiders!
The 2017 Coral UK Open Finals kicks off at the Butlin’s Minehead Resort on Friday afternoon. World champion Michael van Gerwen will be going in search of his third successive UK Open title, but in the tournament dubbed ‘The FA Cup of Darts’- anything is possible. Josh’s Dartistry picks out his five potential outsiders for the crown. Continue reading “2017 UK Open: Five Potential Outsiders!”
Whitlock defeats nine-dart hero Huybrechts to win UK Open Qualifier Five!
Simon Whitlock won his fourth Pro Tour title in as many months after defeating nine-dart hero Ronny Huybrechts to win UK Open Qualifier Five at the Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan on Saturday afternoon.
‘The Wizard’ defeated Gary Anderson to prevail in UK Open Qualifier Two seven days ago, and the Australian ace triumphed on Saturday once again to scoop the £10,000 winner’s cheque. Huybrechts landed a majestic nine-darter en route to the final, but succumbed to Whitlock in a Pro Tour final for the second time in just seven events.
‘The Beard to be Feared’ stormed into a 2-0 lead in the final, but Huybrechts responded strongly. He crashed in his first maximum and took out 84 for a 12-dart break of throw, before levelling with a 13-darter via D12.
However, Whitlock posted a timely maximum and pinned D4 with his last dart in hand to regain the lead. The two-time world finalist then registered a stunning visit of 177 and converted a quality two-dart 84 combination for an 11-dart leg; re-establishing his two-leg cushion. Continue reading “Whitlock defeats nine-dart hero Huybrechts to win UK Open Qualifier Five!”
PDC Order of Merit Update: Barney back in world’s top ten; Taylor drops to sixth!
Five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld has returned to the world’s top ten on the PDC Order of Merit following his impressive run to the semi-finals of the William Hill World Darts Championship.
Barney was seeded 12th at the Ally Pally but risked falling to as low as 16th after this event, as he was defending prize money accrued from reaching the semi-finals two years ago. However, the legendary Dutchman produced a vintage showing; reaching his fourth World Championship semi-final within the last five years to climb the rankings once more.
The 49-year-old stormed through to the last 16 with whitewash victories over Robbie Green and Alan Norris, before dumping out the decorated Stoke duo of Adrian Lewis and Phil Taylor. Nevertheless, RvB finally succumbed to eventual winner Michael van Gerwen despite averaging 109.34- his highest ever average in a World Championship.
Van Barneveld netted £80,000 by virtue of reaching the last four, which parachutes him above Michael Smith and Robert Thornton on the Order of Merit. Smith and Thornton both competed in last year’s Premier League but their respective toils this year have seen them fall outside the world’s top ten and subsequently miss out on a Premier League wildcard. Continue reading “PDC Order of Merit Update: Barney back in world’s top ten; Taylor drops to sixth!”
2017 PDC World Championship: Day Twelve Report!
World number one Michael van Gerwen remains on course to win his second World Championship crown after seeing off a dogged Darren Webster, whilst Phil Taylor set up a quarter-final clash with his old rival Raymond van Barneveld on another dramatic night of action at the Alexandra Palace on Thursday evening.
Van Gerwen booked his place in Friday’s quarter-finals with an emphatic 4-1 victory over tournament giant-killer Darren Webster. ‘The Demolition Man’ had already defeated Stephen Bunting and Simon Whitlock to reach this stage, but MvG proved an obstacle too far, with the Dutchman averaging 104.40 and landing eight maximums.
‘The Green Machine’ clinched a hard-fought opening set in which Webster was left to rue missed doubles. The Norwich ace missed darts to break in the third leg, before spurning two set darts moments later. This ignited ‘The Green Machine’, who won six of the next seven legs to establish total control of the contest.
Webster fought back valiantly and opened his account in an entertaining fourth set. MvG followed up a maximum with a sublime 170 outshot, but Webster took out 96 to level, before taking out 81 after hitting his fifth 180 in the preceding visit. MvG converted a 68 finish to level, but Webster prolonged the contest with help via a sixth maximum. Continue reading “2017 PDC World Championship: Day Twelve Report!”
2017 PDC World Championship: Day Nine Evening Report!
Gary Anderson and Adrian Lewis stormed into the last 16 of the World Championship with impressive whitewash victories, whilst Darren Webster produced the performance of the tournament thus far to dispatch former world finalist Simon Whitlock 4-0 at the Alexandra Palace on Friday evening.
Defending champion Gary Anderson remains on course for a third successive world title after easing past Andrew Gilding in straight sets. ‘The Flying Scotsman’ was in ominous form; averaging 102.58, landing six maximums and hitting 43% of his attempts at double, as Gilding was afforded a mere five darts at double.
Anderson kicked off proceedings with a 64 finish, but Gilding delivered an instant riposte by taking out 109. However, ‘The Flying Scotsman’ was in confident mood and won the next two legs to seal the opener with a 101.8 average.
The world champion was guilty of profligacy in the opening leg of set two as Gilding escaped via tops. Nevertheless, the Scot’s response was emphatic. He fired straight back with a 134 checkout, before breaking ‘Goldfinger’ in 13 darts. Anderson then continued his dominance; registering five perfect darts to double his lead on D10. Continue reading “2017 PDC World Championship: Day Nine Evening Report!”
2017 PDC World Championship Day Three: Evening Report!
Michael van Gerwen began his World Championship assault with an emphatic victory over Finnish qualifier Kim Viljanen, as Darren Webster and Cristo Reyes prevailed in thrilling last-set deciders against Stephen Bunting and Dimitri van den Bergh respectively in an incredible session of darts at the Alexandra Palace on Saturday evening.
Van Gerwen posted the highest average of the tournament thus far as he dropped just one leg en route to dismantling Viljanen. Viljanen set up his showdown with MvG after overcoming Canadian debutant Ross Snook in straight sets. The Finnish ace dropped just two legs; averaging 83.57 and converting 60% of his double attempts to progress.
However, the world number one was in merciless mood as he began his campaign in confident fashion. Van Gerwen averaged 103.34, landed five maximums and converted 45% of his doubles to breeze through to round-two, hitting two ton-plus finishes in the process.
Van Gerwen stormed to the opening set without reply, landing three maximums and averaging 110, as Viljanen failed to register a dart at double after posting just one score of over 100.
‘The Green Machine’ secured his fourth straight leg with a clinical 76 finish but Viljanen opened his account on D10 having narrowly missed a 160 outshot in the preceding visit. MvG was unphased however; he hit his fourth 180 and took out 101 to regain the lead, before sealing the second set on D4 after overcoming some double-trouble.
The world number one continued his procession to the finishing line with a classy 78 checkout, before moving to the cusp of victory with an impressive 118 finish. Viljanen posted his second maximum as he attempted to double his tally, but Van Gerwen responded with his fifth 180, before pinning D10 to complete a comprehensive triumph.
Darren Webster survived SEVEN match darts as he dumped out former Lakeside world champion Stephen Bunting in another five-set thriller at the Ally Pally. Bunting led throughout but failed to cross the finishing line, as Webster prevailed with a 94.46 average, eight maximums and 43% on doubles.
Bunting edged a cracking first-set which saw Webster average almost 100. The opening two legs went against throw, before ‘The Bullet’ fired in a 118 finish to hold. Webster responded with a stunning 140 outshot of his own, but he was left to rue one missed set dart in the following leg, as Bunting converted 79 on tops to secure the lead.
The topsy-turvy nature of this contest continued as the first three legs of set two all went against throw. ‘The Demolition Man’ had chances in all three legs but was left to rue a multitude of missed doubles, yet he recovered to pin D8 for the fourth consecutive break, before clinching the set on D9 to draw level at one set apiece.
Bunting seized control by winning the opening two legs in set three, but Webster landed his third maximum and crashed in a stunning 157 checkout before defying Bunting’s second maximum to land tops and stay alive. However, Bunting had the throw in the set decider and maintained his composure by taking out 84 on the bull to regain his lead.
Webster remained undeterred and responded magnificently to clinch the fourth set without reply. He kicked off the set with a 14-dart leg, before converting an 81 finish to round-off a 12-darter after the pair had exchanged maximums. ‘The Bullet’ threatened a break back, but the Norfolk ace cleaned up the set by virtue of a majestic 147 checkout.
Bunting seized the initiative in the final set by holding throw, before breaking Webster with a stunning 11-darter. However, the former world champion then fired in a poor leg as Webster broke back on D16, before Bunting spurned two match darts on D16. Webster gratefully capitalised on this reprieve by taking out a classy two-dart 75 combination.
The sixteenth seed hit D10 with his last dart in hand to regain the lead, before leaving D8 after just 9 darts to close in on victory. However incredibly, Bunting missed a further five match darts and ‘The Bullet’ was unable to recover from this setback, as the Norfolk ace wrapped up a stunning triumph with an 11-dart break followed by a fine 66 finish.
Webster has enjoyed a fine run of form over recent months but admitted he’s been working to address some technical flaws in his game. “I’ve been practicing for the last two weeks and watching videos from the Grand Slam and Players Championship. I noticed I was rushing my last dart, so I’ve been working in the last two weeks on composure and control.
“I know I can beat these people; I do it on tour. It’s about self-control and I’m now learning on that big stage to control myself, and when I do I’m up there with the rest of them. I’m like a dog with a bone me, and when they’re up there, I’m after them,” the 48-year-old added.
Cristo Reyes defied NINE maximums from Belgian starlet Dimitri van den Bergh to prevail in the match of the tournament so far. Van den Bergh averaged 99.11 and fired in nine 180’s, but Reyes averaged 95.54, landed four maximums and converted 12 of his 19 double attempts to edge through in a five-set thriller.
Van den Bergh made a storming start to win the opening set. The Belgian kicked off the contest with a maximum before breaking in 13 darts. Dimitri doubled his lead with a clinical 98 kill, but Reyes opened his account with a 130 checkout on the bull. However, Van den Bergh held his nerve to clinch the set on D4, with a set average of 103.71.
The Belgian took the opening leg of set two on D16 but Reyes found the same target to complete a 14-darter. The Spaniard continued his revival by converting a two-dart 64 kill, before levelling up proceedings at one-set apiece with his third straight 14-dart leg, after Van den Bergh had posted visits of 180 and 170 to leave D16 after just 12 darts.
Reyes secured the lead for the first time after nailing a two-dart 90 kill for his fourth leg on the spin, but the Antwerp ace found D16 to stop the rot. The next two legs were shared as the third set went to a decider, but it went in the favour of the Spaniard, who produced a majestic 124 checkout (T20, T16, D8) for a 12-darter to move within a set of victory.
Dimitri seized the initiative early in set four with a 64 kill, but Reyes continued his fabulous finishing by pinning D4 at the first attempt. The next two legs were shared with Reyes on the cusp of victory, but ‘The Dream-Maker’ held his nerve magnificently, firing in his seventh maximum before taking out 88 for an 11-darter to force a fifth set.
Reyes drew first blood in the final set, but Dimitri drew level on D2 after ‘The Spartan’ wired D11 for a 124 outshot. The pair traded maximums in a high-quality third leg which culminated in a Reyes 14-darter, but after Van den Bergh missed two darts at D8 moments later, the Spanish star sealed a memorable triumph with a nerveless 75 kill.
It was a fantastic contest and Reyes was unsurprisingly thrilled with his performance. “It’s all about practice. Last year here I was very bad, so I’m very happy with the way I played today. My objective next year is to stay in the top 32, but in darts you have to look up, not down.”
Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC
William Hill World Darts Championship
Saturday December 17
Evening Session (7pm)
Ross Snook 0-2 Kim Viljanen (P)
Cristo Reyes (32) 3-2 Dimitri Van den Bergh
Stephen Bunting (16) 2-3 Darren Webster
Michael van Gerwen (1) 3-0 Kim Viljanen
Players Championship Finals: Day Three Report!
Michael van Gerwen retained his Players Championship Finals crown with a comprehensive 11-3 victory over Dave Chisnall at the Butlins Minehead Resort on Sunday evening, although the world number one was forced to come from 6-0 down in a dramatic semi-final clash against the unfancied Darren Webster.
Nevertheless, despite surviving a scare in the last four, ‘Mighty Mike’ was in imperious form in Sunday’s curtain-raiser, averaging 108.34, landing six maximums and converting 53% of his double attempts to triumph in convincing fashion. Chisnall averaged 99.24 himself, but he was unable to produce the goods in the key moments.
Despite the best efforts of ‘The Yellow Peril’, MvG’s astonishing dominance in PDC majors continues. Van Gerwen hasn’t suffered defeat in a ranking major since losing to Raymond van Barneveld at last year’s World Championships and Michael’s victory over Chisnall marked his ninth TV crown of 2016; his 25th in total.
Van Gerwen started the final strongly; breaking Chisnall’s throw with a confident 13-darter. Chisnall landed his first maximum in the second leg, but MvG doubled his lead by pinning D16 for a 17-dart hold. However, the St Helen’s star opened his account in leg three with a clinical 121 finish on the bullseye. Continue reading “Players Championship Finals: Day Three Report!”
Players Championship Finals- Day Two Report!
Defending champion Michael van Gerwen will face his old rival Raymond van Barneveld in the quarter-finals of the Players Championship Finals on Sunday, as Gary Anderson, Adrian Lewis and James Wade were dumped out at the Butlins Minehead Resort on Saturday.
Van Gerwen breezed through to the last eight, dropping just three legs over the course of his matches on day two. Van Gerwen faced his best mate Vincent van der Voort in the second-round and ‘The Green Machine’ cruised to a 6-1 win, averaging 102.5 and posting four maximums en route.
MvG faced sixteenth seed Josh Payne in round-three and the 22-year-old from Gravesend started strongly, storming into a 2-0 lead. Nevertheless, Van Gerwen levelled up proceedings after Payne missed two darts at double in both leg three and four and this proved expensive.
Payne acquitted himself impressively, averaging 99.79 and hitting three maximums. Despite this, he converted just two of his ten double attempts and was ruthlessly punished by Van Gerwen. MvG won ten successive legs and finished with an average of 105.69, to set up a last-eight showdown with his compatriot Raymond van Barneveld. Continue reading “Players Championship Finals- Day Two Report!”
Grand Slam Day Three: Durrant & Fitton progress, Adams bows out whilst Taylor is whitewashed!
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!”
2016 Grand Slam of Darts Draw confirmed!
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!”
Grand Slam of Darts 2016- Qualifiers 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!”
Van Gerwen secures fourth consecutive Players Championship crown with victory over giant-killing Kist!
Michael van Gerwen clinched his fourth consecutive Players Championship title with victory over his compatriot Christian Kist at the Citywest Hotel, Dublin on Friday afternoon.
‘The Green Machine’ claimed an unprecedented hat-trick at last week’s triple-header in Barnsley and continued his magnificent form on Irish soil, dropping just 11 legs over the course of the entire day at Players Championship 17, to once again scoop the £10,000 winner’s cheque.
The world number one breezed into the third-round with emphatic wins against Terry Temple and Robert Owen, to set up a last 32 clash with a resurgent Mick McGowan.
McGowan, who qualified for the World Grand Prix by virtue of reaching a semi-final in Barnsley last week, edged out Wes Newton and Grand Prix champion Robert Thornton to book his third-round spot, but Van Gerwen was an obstacle too far, with the Dutchman recording a 6-3 triumph.
In round-four MvG faced Berry van Peer, who had already seen off Raymond van Barneveld and Simon Whitlock en course to the last 16, although ‘Mighty-Mike’ sealed a comprehensive 6-1 win against his compatriot, to ease into the quarter-finals. Continue reading “Van Gerwen secures fourth consecutive Players Championship crown with victory over giant-killing Kist!”
Van de Pas storms to Players Championship Nine glory with 111 average!
Benito van de Pas won his second Pro Tour title of the year with a stunning 6-0 whitewash victory over Joe Cullen in the final of Players Championship Nine at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry, on Sunday afternoon.
Van de Pas enjoyed a fine day at the Ricoh, reaching his third Pro Tour final of the year and averaging 111 in Sunday’s curtain-raiser. Cullen averaged an impressive 102.38, but he wasn’t given a sniff. Benito kicked off proceedings with victory over his fellow Dutchman Christian Kist, before easing past Andy Boulton 6-2.
‘Big Ben’ then breezed through to the quarter-finals, dropping just one leg against Nathan Aspinall and Jason Wilson respectively. Van de Pas later defeated Justin Pipe 6-3 in the last eight, after Pipe had previously seen off Stephen Bunting and Chris Dobey.
Van de Pas then romped into the final after dismantling Darren Webster 6-1. Webster had claimed a series of creditable scalps throughout the afternoon, beating Kyle Anderson, Kevin Painter, Jeffrey de Zwaan, Mark Walsh and Alan Norris. Nevertheless, his fine run was ended by the 23-year-old Dutchman in the last four. Continue reading “Van de Pas storms to Players Championship Nine glory with 111 average!”
World Championship Day Two: Kist and Webster safely through to second-round.
Former World Champions Mark Webster and Christian Kist both progressed through to the second-round of the World Championships, whilst the seeded duo of Justin Pipe and John Henderson were beaten at Alexandra Palace on Friday afternoon.
2012 Lakeside World Champion Kist, eased into the second-round of the World Championships after demolishing 20th seed Justin Pipe. Kist reeled off seven consecutive legs to seal the win, dropping just two legs against an abject Pipe, who averaged a mere 75.
Kist snatched a tight opening set and never looked back from that point onwards. Pipe held throw with a classy 104 checkout in the opening leg, but Kist responded with a 13-darter.
Continue reading “World Championship Day Two: Kist and Webster safely through to second-round.”