Michael van Gerwen’s disappointing run of form continued as he was dumped out in the last 16 of the European Championship by an inspired Ian White in Oberhausen on Friday night.
Continue reading “Frustrated Van Gerwen thrashed by inspired White”
Ian White secured his first Players Championship title since June 2018 courtesy of an emphatic 8-3 victory over James Wade at Players Championship Eight in Barnsley on Sunday afternoon.
Continue reading “Wonderful White ends his Players Championship drought”
Mikuru Suzuki was just one leg away from becoming the first woman to register a victory at the PDC World Championship after she staged a quite remarkable fightback against James Richardson at Alexandra Palace on Sunday night.
Continue reading “Suzuki agonisingly close to creating Ally Pally history!”
Raymond van Barneveld rolled back the years to defeat fellow countryman Jermaine Wattimena in his final competitive event on home soil, whilst Michael van Gerwen fought back to edge out Gerwyn Price in a last-leg thriller on an eventful night at the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam.
Continue reading “Van Barneveld and Van Gerwen shine in Amsterdam!”
Mensur Suljovic won Players Championship 26 with a thrilling 8-7 victory over Ian White, despite ‘The Diamond’ averaging 107 and landing a nine-dart finish on a dramatic Sunday afternoon at the Barnsley Metrodome.
Continue reading “Super Suljovic denies nine-dart White at PC26!”
Ian White ended Michael van Gerwen’s five-year reign as the Dutch Darts Masters champion to claim his second successive European Tour title on a dramatic day of action in Zwolle on Sunday.
Continue reading “White topples MvG to seal Dutch Darts Masters title!”
Ian White claimed his second European Tour title after edging out Peter Wright in a thrilling last-leg decider at the European Darts Grand Prix in Sindelfingen on Sunday evening.
Continue reading “White claims his second European Tour title!”
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!”
Nathan Aspinall produced a sensational comeback from two sets down to dump out Grand Slam champion Gerwyn Price on another night of drama at the World Darts Championship, as 11th seed Ian White was also beaten by an inspired Devon Petersen on Friday evening. Continue reading “Aspinall stuns Price at the Ally Pally!”
Rob Cross and Lisa Ashton will headline the opening night of the 2018/2019 William Hill World Darts Championship, after the schedule for darts’ biggest event was confirmed on Thursday afternoon. Continue reading “PDC World Championship Schedule!”
Gerwyn Price and Rob Cross were the big-name casualties on a dramatic opening day at the Players Championship Finals, as top seed Ian White posted a magnificent 111.12 average to kick off his Minehead campaign in style. Continue reading “Players Championship Finals – Day One Report!”
Ian White claimed his first ever European Tour title at the Dutch Darts Championship after recording an 8-5 victory over Ricky Evans on a dramatic day of action in Maastricht on Sunday evening. Continue reading “Delight for White at Dutch Darts Championship!”
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!”
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!”
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!”
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!”
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!”
Ian White clinched his first PDC title for over 18 months after claiming a dramatic deciding-leg victory over Dave Chisnall at Players Championship Six in Milton Keynes on Sunday afternoon. Continue reading “Players Championship Six Report & Results!”
Gary Anderson leads the way on the Players Championship Order of Merit after completing a magnificent double in Barnsley over the weekend. ‘The Flying Scotsman’, who clinched the UK Open title just over a week ago, defeated Peter Wright and Jeffrey de Zwaan in the respective finals to take his tally of titles in 2018 to four. Continue reading “Players Championship Order of Merit Update!”
‘The FA Cup of Darts’ returns this week, as the 2018 Coral UK Open Finals get underway at Butlins Minehead on Friday afternoon. 96 professional qualifiers are joined by 32 Rileys Amateur qualifiers in this unique open-draw event, and Josh’s Dartistry highlights four men who could be potential outsiders this weekend! Continue reading “UK Open 2018: Four Potential Outsiders!”
World number one Michael van Gerwen has established an early cushion at the top of the 2018 Players Championship Order of Merit after completing the weekend double in Barnsley. Continue reading “Players Championship 2018 Order of Merit!”
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!”
Rob Cross began life as world champion with an impressive 10-3 win over Ian White in the first-round of the Unibet Masters on Friday, as Peter Wright, Raymond van Barneveld and Mensur Suljovic all tasted victory on the opening night in Milton Keynes. Continue reading “Unibet Masters 2018: Day One Report!”
Michael van Gerwen will begin the defence of his Unibet Masters title against former Premier League star Kim Huybrechts in Milton Keynes, whilst newly crowned world champion Rob Cross faces Ian White in the season-opening tournament. Continue reading “2018 Unibet Masters Draw & Schedule!”
Michael van Gerwen continued his World Championship title defence with an incredible whitewash win over a shell-shocked James Wilson, as Gary Anderson sealed his place in round-three with a memorable win over Paul Lim, who wired double twelve for an amazing nine-darter on a dramatic day of action at the Alexandra Palace on Friday. Continue reading “PDC World Championship 2018: Day Nine Report!”
Vincent van der Voort and Keegan Brown produced brilliant displays to dump out Premier League stars Dave Chisnall and James Wade on a night of shocks at the Alexandra Palace on Sunday evening. Continue reading “PDC World Championship 2018: Day Four Report!”
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!”
Michael van Gerwen continued his European Championship title defence with an imperious 10-1 win over Ian White, to set up a quarter-final showdown against Simon Whitlock, who produced a clinical display to whitewash a shell-shocked Alan Norris on a remarkable evening of darts in Hasselt on Friday evening. Continue reading “European Championship: Night Two 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!”
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!”
Michael van Gerwen will begin the defence of his Players Championship Finals title against 2010 winner Paul Nicholson, whilst top seed Rob Cross will take on Robert Owen, after the draw for next month’s event in Minehead was confirmed following the culmination of the Players Championship season. Continue reading “Players Championship Finals Draw!”
Peter Wright survived two match darts to edge past Stephen Bunting in a nail-biting first-round tussle in Dublin, as Steve West dumped out two-time Grand Prix winner James Wade on another dramatic evening of darts at the Citywest Hotel on Monday evening. Continue reading “World Grand Prix: Day Two Report!”
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!”
Michael van Gerwen kicked off his bid for a third consecutive World Matchplay crown with a comprehensive win over former Lakeside world champion Stephen Bunting, as Adrian Lewis, Rob Cross and Simon Whitlock all recorded victories on the final night of first-round action at the Winter Gardens on Monday evening. Continue reading “2017 World Matchplay: Day Three Report!”
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!”
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!”
Gary Anderson recovered from the disappointment of losing in the final of Players Championship 13 to claim glory just 24 hours later at the Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan on Sunday afternoon. Continue reading “Players Championship 14 Report!”
Rob Cross continued his remarkable rise on the PDC circuit, edging out Ian White in a nerve-jangling deciding leg to seal his second Players Championship title of 2017 at the Arena MK in Milton Keynes on Sunday afternoon. Continue reading “Players Championship 12 Report!”
Peter Wright began his bid for a fourth European Tour title of the year with victory over Polish star Krzysztof Ratajski, as James Wade, Jelle Klaasen and Kim Huybrechts were dumped out in the second-round of the Gibraltar Darts Trophy on Saturday. Continue reading “2017 Gibraltar Darts Trophy: Day Two Report!”
Peter Wright secured his second European Tour title of the year after producing a stunning 121 finish on the bullseye to edge out a brilliant Benito van de Pas in a thrilling final at the German Darts Open in Saabrucken on Sunday evening. Continue reading “German Darts Open: Finals Day!”
Michael van Gerwen and Peter Wright safely progressed through to finals day at the German Darts Open, as Dave Chisnall and Jelle Klaasen both recorded brilliant whitewash wins to set up a tasty third-round clash, on a dramatic day of darts in Saabrucken on Saturday. Continue reading “German Darts Open: Day Two Report!”
Adrian Lewis will take on Daryl Gurney in the first-round of the German Darts Masters on Saturday, whilst five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld will face his fellow Dutchman Michael Plooy, after the draw and schedule for this weekend’s European Tour event in Jena were confirmed. Continue reading “German Darts Masters Draw!”
Joe Cullen secured his maiden PDC ranking title after recording a thrilling victory over Saturday’s winner Daryl Gurney in the final of Players Championship Eight at the Barnsley Metrodome on Sunday afternoon. Continue reading “Players Championship Eight Report!”
World number one Michael van Gerwen averaged 111.51 to kick off his European Tour season in sensational style, as James Wade, Simon Whitlock and Michael Smith were all dumped out in a dramatic double-session of darts at the Halle 39 in Hildesheim on Saturday. Continue reading “German Darts Championship: Day Two Report!”
An emotionally-charged Peter Wright ended his wait for a maiden televised title with a memorable triumph in the Coral UK Open, defeating Welsh number one Gerwyn Price 11-6 in Sunday’s final at Butlins, Minehead. Continue reading “Wonderful Wright wins his maiden televised title in Minehead!”
Tournament favourite Peter Wright will take on two-time champion Raymond van Barneveld in the UK Open quarter-finals on Sunday afternoon, as Simon Whitlock, Kim Huybrechts, Alan Norris, Daryl Gurney, Ian White & Gerwyn Price all moved into the last eight on a dramatic day of action in Minehead. Continue reading “2017 UK Open Day Two Report!”
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!”
World number two Gary Anderson tops the Players Championship Order of Merit after the conclusion of the opening double-header at the Barnsley Metrodome last weekend. The two-time world champion averaged 115.15 to defeat his fellow Scot Peter Wright in Sunday’s second event, and he sits top of the Order of Merit with £11,500. Continue reading “UPDATE: Players Championship Order of Merit!”
Peter Wright will be the top seed heading into next month’s Coral UK Open Finals in Minehead, after winning three of the six qualification events at the Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan over the last fortnight.
Wright tops the Order of Merit after defeating Adrian Lewis, Michael Smith and James Wade in the respective finals, as he amassed a staggering £35,000 in prize money across the qualification campaign.
Simon Whitlock finished in second position after maintaining his excellent Pro Tour form. ‘The Wizard’ won two of the six UK Open qualifiers to record his fourth PDC title in as many months, as he finished with a total of £21,250 in prize money.
World champion Michael van Gerwen was the only other player to win one of the qualifying events and finished in third position as a consequence. MvG endured a disappointing triple-header last week, but performed magnificently in Friday’s fourth qualifier. Continue reading “UK Open Order of Merit: Final Standings!”
Peter Wright tops the provisional UK Open Order of Merit after winning two of the opening three qualifiers at the Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan last weekend. Snakebite defeated Adrian Lewis on Friday, before surviving two-missed match darts from Michael Smith to triumph in Sunday’s finale.
The Scot has accrued £21,500 in prize money over the first-triple header and is well placed to be the top seed in Minehead. The final three qualifiers take place next weekend, and a host of big names are under significant pressure to seal their spots in the tournament dubbed ‘The FA Cup of Darts’.
After the conclusion of the six qualification events, the top 96 players on the Order of Merit will qualify for the televised UK Open Finals in March. The top 32 players will enter the competition in the third-round; players ranked 33rd-64th will compete in round-two, whilst players from 65th-96th will begin their campaigns in the opening round.
Simon Whitlock sits in second position after he prevailed in the second UK Open qualifier. ‘The Wizard’ enjoyed a welcome return to form during the latter stages of 2016, and the Aussie defeated Wright en route to winning his third Pro Tour title within four months, at the Robin Park Tennis Centre on Saturday. Continue reading “2017 UK Open Order of Merit Update!”
Peter Wright secured his second UK Open qualifying title of the weekend after surviving two missed match darts from Michael Smith in a thrilling final at the Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan on Sunday afternoon.
Wright prevailed in Friday’s opening qualifier by beating Adrian Lewis in the final, and the world number three repeated the feat against Smith 48 hours later to scoop the £10,000 winner’s cheque and complete the weekend’s triple-header in style.
The opening two legs of the final went against throw, before Smith held throw on D2 after Wright spurned four darts at double for the third successive break of throw. However, the Scot responded strongly by following up a maximum with a clinical 68 checkout to draw level.
‘Bully-Boy’ regained the lead moments later however; following up a timely maximum with an accomplished 93 finish. He came agonisingly close to extending his advantage in the sixth leg, after missing the bullseye for a 170 kill, but Wright levelled up proceedings with a nerveless 71 checkout.
The high-quality standard continued, as Smith kicked off the seventh leg with back-to-back maximums to set up a nine-dart opportunity. The perfect leg wasn’t forthcoming, but the St Helen’s star dispatched a 76 checkout with consummate ease for a fine 12-dart hold. Continue reading “UK Open Qualifier Three: Report & Results!”
Gary Anderson produced a dazzling display to kick off his 2017 season in style, as Phil Taylor, Raymond van Barneveld and Peter Wright also sealed impressive victories on the opening night of the 2017 Unibet Masters at the Arena MK in Milton Keynes on Friday evening.
Two-time world champion Gary Anderson produced the performance of the night to dismantle emerging Dutch star Benito van de Pas and set up a quarter-final clash with another Dutchman in the shape of Raymond van Barneveld.
‘The Flying Scotsman’ was in sensational form; averaging 109.74, landing nine maximums and converting 56% of his attempts at double to record a comprehensive 10-3 triumph against ‘Big Ben’, who was afforded just five darts at double in the entire contest.
The Scottish star landed maximums in the opening two legs to establish an early cushion. Van de Pas halved the deficit via D16, but Anderson landed his fourth maximum and took out 76 to regain his two-leg cushion. However, the 23-year-old reduced the deficit to 3-2 with a clinical two-dart 88 finish. Continue reading “2017 Unibet Masters: Day One Report!”
Newly crowned world champion Michael van Gerwen will begin the defence of his Unibet Masters title against two-time world finalist Simon Whitlock, when the first major TV event on the 2017 PDC calendar gets underway at the Arena MK in Milton Keynes on Friday evening.
The fifth staging of the Unibet Masters will see the world’s top 16 players face off, with all the action being broadcast exclusively on ITV4 from January 27th- 29th. The prize money for this event totals £200,000, with £60,000 on offer to the winner.
Phil Taylor, who won the inaugural staging of this event back in 2013, will feature on the opening night of action in an enthralling tie against eleventh seed Michael Smith. Meanwhile, two-time world champion Gary Anderson takes on Benito van de Pas in a repeat of their pulsating last 16 clash at the recent William Hill World Championship.
Elsewhere, 2016 finalist Dave Chisnall locks horns with 2015 finalist and five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld in the opening match of the tournament, whilst the night concludes with a clash between third seed Peter Wright and Stoke star Ian White. Continue reading “2017 Unibet Masters: Draw & Schedule!”
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!”
Benito van de Pas and Michael Smith edged out the veteran duo of Terry Jenkins and Mervyn King in pulsating seven-set tiebreaks, as Ian White also eased through to round-three in a stunning session of darts at the Alexandra Palace on Friday afternoon.
Van de Pas survived an inspired comeback from nine-time major finalist Terry Jenkins to prevail in an epic seventh-set tiebreak in the match of the tournament thus far. Jenkins landed 28 14o’s and 7 180’s in a brilliant scoring display, but Van de Pas recorded a huge victory with a 95.79 average, seven maximums and 37% on the doubles.
Van-de Pas clinched a hard-fought opening set with a moment of magic. The opening four legs all went with throw, before the Dutchman crashed in a stunning 177 to set up a 12-dart leg to break Jenkins’ throw.
However, Jenkins responded strongly to level up proceedings with a whitewash second set. Jenkins took out a clinical 81 combination for an 11-dart break in the opening leg of the set, before registering six perfect darts en route to a second successive 11-darter. ‘The Raging Bull’ was flowing, and pinned tops at the first time of asking for parity. Continue reading “Van de Pas and Smith prevail in stunning deciders at the Ally Pally!”
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!”
Raymond van Barneveld produced the performance of the first-round on day one at the Players Championship Finals at the Butlins Minehead Resort on Friday evening, as Alan Norris fired in a stunning 9-darter; the first in the history of this tournament.
Michael van Gerwen kicked off the defence of his Players Championship Finals title with a comprehensive 6-1 victory against former world finalist Andy Hamilton. The world number one barely got out of first gear, averaging 95.08, hitting four maximums and converting 43% of his doubles to dispatch the Stoke-on-Trent star.
In round-two, MvG will face his best friend Vincent van der Voort, who produced an inspired comeback to defeat Andrew Gilding in a thrilling affair. ‘Goldfinger’ won three straight legs to seize command at 5-3 but Van der Voort returned the favour, winning three consecutive legs of his own to prevail in a decider with a 95.53 average.
Raymond van Barneveld continued his magnificent form with a sensational 6-4 victory over eighth seed Mensur Suljovic. The five-time world champion averaged 107.4, landed four maximums and converted 55% of his double attempts to prevail against an impressive Suljovic, who posted an average of 102.79. Continue reading “Players Championship Finals- Day One 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!”
The draw and schedule for next weekend’s Players Championship Finals at the Butlins Minehead Resort has been confirmed, with Raymond van Barneveld locking horns with Mensur Suljovic and Adrian Lewis taking on Robert Thornton in the stand-out first-round ties.
The expanded Players Championship Finals sees the list of participants doubled in size this year, as 64 players compete for £400,000 in prize money across three days live on ITV4. The qualification criteria is based solely on performances across the twenty Players Championship events hosted throughout 2016.
Michael van Gerwen tops the final Order of Merit with £72,750 after winning five Players Championship events this year, and the defending champion will face former World Championship finalist Andy Hamilton in the first round.
Hamilton originally finished 65th on the Order of Merit, although Kyle Anderson’s withdrawal due to his ongoing VISA issues has given ‘The Hammer’ an opportunity to compete in Minehead. Continue reading “Players Championship Finals: REVISED Draw & Schedule!”
Raymond van Barneveld and Scott Mitchell stole the show on the opening day of the 2016 Grand Slam of Darts, as Michael van Gerwen, Phil Taylor & Gary Anderson all kicked off their campaigns with victories at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Saturday evening.
The highlight of the day saw Raymond van Barneveld produce a vintage performance to power past World Youth-finalist Nathan Aspinall 5-1 with a 110.15 average. The five-time world champion, who won the Grand Slam title back in 2012, kicked off the contest with a maximum and that set the tone for a sumptuous performance.
Van Barneveld posted three maximums and converted 63% of his attempts at double to begin his campaign in style. Aspinall acquitted himself extremely well and averaged 97 but he faced an inspired Barney, evidenced in the fifth leg when Aspinall was denied a dart at double despite leaving 36 after nine darts, as RvB fired in a stunning 140 finish.
The Dutch legend was unsurprisingly in bullish mood after his scintillating display. He told PDC media manager Dave Allen: “That 140 was a killer, and I’m really happy and satisfied with the 110 average of course. I’m really focused, I feel good and I’m looking forward to tomorrow afternoon.” Continue reading “Grand Slam of Darts Day One: Barney & Mitchell steal the show in Wolverhampton!”
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!”
Defending champion Michael van Gerwen survived a match dart in a thrilling tie against Simon Whitlock, as world champion Gary Anderson was whitewashed by James Wade in the opening-round of the European Championship in Hasselt, Belgium, on Friday evening.
However, the match of the night saw Michael van Gerwen come back from 5-3 down to edge out the rejuvenated Australian in a barnstormer. Van Gerwen endured a nightmare in the finishing department in the early stages, hitting just two of his 19 double attempts as Whitlock took out a stunning 170 outshot to lead 4-2.
Nevertheless, the world number one showed his class, landing four maximums, two 177’s and a 171 to instigate the fightback. MvG then spurned two match darts with Whitlock sat on 150 and ‘The Wizard’ found the requisite trebles, before wiring his match dart at D15. MvG returned to pin D8 to avoid a shock first-round exit.
Elsewhere, world champion Gary Anderson endured a horror show in Hasselt, as he was whitewashed 6-0 by James Wade. ‘The Machine’ averaged 94.93 and converted 75% of his doubles to secure his first ranking TV victory for ten months, after the world champion averaged a miserly 77 and had just two shots at double in the entire match. Continue reading “European Championship Day One Report: The world champ is whitewashed in Hasselt!”
Peter Wright produced one of the finest European Tour performances in recent memory, averaging almost 114 on day-two at the German Darts Championship, as Michael van Gerwen overcame a battling Robbie Green in Hildesheim on Saturday evening.
Van Gerwen began his assault for a seventh European Tour title of the year with a hard-fought 6-4 victory over Robbie Green. The world number one averaged 99.83 and hit 46% of his double attempts to overcome ‘Kong’, who narrowly misses out on a qualification spot for the European Championships in Hasselt.
However, it was Peter Wright who produced the performance of the tournament thus far, averaging 113.77 as he recorded a comprehensive 6-1 victory over St Helens’ Eddie Dootson. Snakebite registered four maximums and hit six of his ten attempts at double, as Dootson claimed just the solitary leg, despite averaging a respectable 94.74.
International Darts Open winner Mensur Suljovic delivered a stunning performance as he swept aside Darren Johnson in round-two. The Austrian averaged a mightily impressive 106.22 and converted 55% of his attempts at double to set up a third-round clash with David Pallett.
Third seed Dave Chisnall breezed into the last 16 with a whitewash victory over ‘The Rock’ Peter Hudson. Chisnall averaged 102.48, landed three maximums and hit 43% of his doubles, as Hudson was afforded just the solitary dart at double in the entire contest. Continue reading “German Darts Championship: Day Two Report & Results!”
World number one Michael van Gerwen will face the legendary Steve Beaton in the first-round of the World Grand-Prix, whilst reigning champion Robert Thornton will begin the defence of his title against Stephen Bunting at the Citywest Hotel, Dublin, next week.
The draw for the 2016 World Grand-Prix, which begins on Sunday October 2nd, was made live on the PDC’s official Facebook page, ahead of the final day of Champions League of Darts action.
Van Gerwen will take on 1996 Lakeside world champion Steve Beaton in round-one. Beaton has enjoyed a mini-resurgence this year, reaching the quarter-finals of the recent World Matchplay. However, ‘The Green Machine’ will be hoping to clinch a third World Grand-Prix title.
Robert Thornton, who defeated Van Gerwen in a thrilling final last year, takes on another former Lakeside champion Stephen Bunting. ‘The Thorn’ has endured a slump in form since winning his second major title last year, but he’ll be hoping that a return to Irish soil will have a galvanising effect on his fortunes.
Phil Taylor will go in search of an unprecedented twelfth World Grand-Prix crown against debutant Steve West. West secured his spot for this event by virtue of reaching the final of Players Championship 16 in Barnsley last week, which saw Vincent van der Voort miss out on qualification. Continue reading “2016 World Grand Prix Draw!”
Michael van Gerwen continued his irrepressible vein of form by claiming his second successive Players Championship title after a hard-fought 6-3 victory over James Wilson at the Barnsley Metrodome on Wednesday afternoon.
‘The Green Machine’ was in rampant mood throughout the afternoon, firing in a 9-darter in the last 16, en route to scooping the £10,000 winner’s cheque and securing his 18th PDC title of the year. Wilson performed superbly, but was denied victory in his first ever PDC final.
The Dutchman began the final strongly, holding throw in 15-darts by virtue of a clinical 90 finish culminating on the bullseye. MvG threatened a break of throw in the following leg by leaving 130 after 9 darts, but an untimely bounce-out denied him the opportunity at bull, and Wilson levelled up with an excellent 14-darter.
However, ‘Mighty Mike’ responded emphatically; pinning D8 for a 14-dart hold, having wired the bull for a maximum 170 checkout in the preceding visit. Wilson remained unfazed however; posting successive scores of 140 before nailing D7 for another 14-dart leg to fire back.
Van Gerwen secured the fifth successive hold of throw in the final by converting D18 for a 13-darter, before a tense sixth leg ensued. The 27-year-old Boxtel ace had an opportunity to break throw, but he wired a dart at bull for a 124 kill, and Wilson hit D10 to restore parity once more at three-apiece. Continue reading “Nine-dart Van Gerwen triumphs over Wilson in Barnsley!”
Michael van Gerwen marked his return to European Tour action with a bang, firing in a remarkable 11-darter in a deciding leg to edge out Mensur Suljovic in a thrilling HappyBet European Darts Trophy final at the RWE Arena in Muelheim, on Sunday evening.
The world number one trailed 4-2 and 5-4 at one stage, as Suljovic appeared poised to win his second successive European Tour event.
Yet, Van Gerwen illustrated why he is the best player in world darts, by wrapping up the final two legs in just 23 darts, to finish with a 106.77 average and clinch the 13th European Tour title of his illustrious career. Suljovic acquitted himself superbly, averaging 101.26, but he had to settle for the runner’s up cheque on this occasion.
MvG fired in a brilliant 170 score in the opening leg, but Suljovic was unphased, and converted a two-dart 81 kill for a 14-dart hold. Van Gerwen delivered an immediate response though, hitting his first maximum and pinning tops to level up proceedings.
‘The Green Machine’ secured the first break of throw in the final, kicking off the leg with five perfect darts, before hitting D16 to round off a brilliant 11-darter. Yet, Suljovic secured an instant break back, wirh a fine 84 finish for a 12-dart leg.
Continue reading “MvG edges past Suljovic in a thriller, to win the European Darts Trophy!”
Gary Anderson and Ian White were the men to claim glory in this weekend’s Players Championship double-header at the Barnsley Metrodome. World champion Anderson edged out Terry Jenkins in a deciding-leg to prevail on Saturday, whilst White claimed his third Players Championship victory of 2016 by beating Benito van de Pas.
Anderson clinched his second Pro Tour title of the year, his sixth title in total, with a hard-fought 6-5 win against ‘The Raging Bull’ in the final of Players Championship 12. The Scot fired in four maximums in the final to edge out Jenkins who produced his best darts of the year in Barnsley.
Anderson began his campaign with a whitewash victory over Paul Milford before seeing off the challenges of Devon Petersen and Jason Wilson. ‘The Flying Scotsman’ came through a deciding leg against Mensur Suljovic to reach the last eight before progressing through to the last four with a comfortable win over Daryl Gurney.
In the semi-finals, Anderson whitewashed Welshman Jonny Clayton before defeating Jenkins to scoop the £10,000 winner’s cheque.
However, Jenkins performed extremely well to reach his first PDC final since winning in Barnsley 12 months ago. He overcome Mick MacGowan in round-one before surviving a deciding leg shoot-out against Simon Preston.
Jenkins defeated recent Players Championship winner Josh Payne to reach the last 16 before claiming the scalps of John Henderson and Steve Beaton, both by a 6-3 scoreline. He faced former BDO world number one James Wilson in the last four, and Jenkins once again prevailed by a 6-3 scoreline before falling at the last hurdle against Anderson.
However, in Players Championship 13 on Sunday, White won his third crown of the year with a 6-4 victory against Benito van de Pas who has also tasted success twice on the Pro Tour in 2016.
Barnsley is proving to be a happy hunting ground for ‘The Diamond’, with all of his three titles this year coming at the Barnsley Metrodome. The Stoke-on-Trent star breezed through to the last eight, dropping just six legs in overcoming Mark Barilli, Joey Palfreyman, Wayne Jones and Jeffrey de Graaf.
For the second day in succession, Mensur Suljovic suffered a deciding-leg defeat to the eventual winner, with White squeezing through to the last four with a 6-5 win. White then edged out the in-form Joe Cullen 6-4 to reach the final before beating Van de Pas by the same scoreline in Sunday’s curtain-raiser.
However, ‘Big Ben’ continued his tremendous Pro Tour form with another fine run in Barnsley. He thrashed Nigel Daniels 6-1 in the first-round, before defeating his compatriots Jeffrey de Zwaan and Dirk van Duijvenbode.
The Dutchman eased past Paul Nicholson 6-1 in the last 16, but ‘The Asset’ enjoyed a welcome return to form, with victories over Nathan Aspinall, and his Australian colleagues Kyle Anderson and Simon Whitlock.
In the last eight, Van de Pas came through a nerve-jangling deciding leg against Alan Norris before he faced James Wilson in the semis. Wilson enjoyed the best weekend of his PDC career by reaching consecutive Pro Tour semi-finals, but he was beaten 6-3 by the talented Dutchman.
It was a day of shocks on Sunday however. Number one seed Peter Wright was beaten in the opening round by Steve McNally, whilst Anderson was unable to replicate Saturday’s triumph as he was beaten by his young protege Chris Dobey at the same stage.
World champion Gary Anderson began his bid for a maiden World Matchplay crown with a comprehensive win over Alan Norris, whilst Adrian Lewis and Peter Wright also eased through to round-two. However, former winner James Wade suffered a surprise first-round exit at the Winter Gardens on Sunday.
Wade was beaten by an inspired Mervyn King in the opening match of Sunday’s evening session. ‘The King’ averaged 99.45, hit three maximums and converted an impressive 67% of his attempts at double, to dethrone ‘The Machine’ by a 10-5 scoreline.
Wade was uncharacteristically profligate on the doubles, as King stormed into a commanding 6-1 advantage. The left-hander missed three darts at double in the opening leg, and King capitalised on his opponent’s wastefulness, taking out finishes of 82, 100 and 120 to put one foot into the last 16.
Wade scored strongly in the latter stages of the contest, but it was to no avail. King missed D8 for a match-winning 136 outshot, and he was almost punished as Wade wired the bullseye for a 161 finish. However, King, a semi-finalist at the Winter Gardens in 2009, returned to post D4 and seal his second-round spot.
Michael van Gerwen will begin the defence of his World Matchplay title against Jamie Caven, whilst world champion Gary Anderson takes on former Lakeside world finalist Alan Norris, after the draw was made live on Sky Sports News on Thursday morning.
The prestigious 32-player event, televised by Sky Sports, will be held at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens from July 16-24. Van Gerwen, who defeated James Wade in last year’s final, is faced with a tough assignment against Caven, a winner of seven Pro Tour titles.
Arguably the tie of the round sees world champion Gary Anderson take on Alan Norris. Norris has been in tremendous form over the last twelve months, which saw him reach the quarter-finals of the PDC World Championship on debut. Anderson has never gone beyond the last four in Blackpool, and this promises to be a quick-fire contest.
Phil Taylor will begin his bid for an unprecedented 16th World Matchplay title against Robbie Green, who just managed to secure his spot on the final day of qualifying.’Kong’ is making his first Matchplay appearance since 2004, but Taylor will be hoping to win his eighth Blackpool title in just nine years.
Michael van Gerwen secured his third successive European Tour event of 2016 after retaining his Gibraltar Darts Trophy with victory over Dave Chisnall at the Victoria Stadium on Sunday evening.
Van Gerwen averaged 103.69, recorded six maximums and produced three ton-plus checkouts, to defeat Chisnall 6-2 and record the eleventh European Tour title of his career in the process. Chizzy averaged 103.19 himself, although he was unable to secure his second European Tour title.
Chisnall kicked off the final with a majestic maximum, but Van Gerwen clinched the opening leg against the throw with a clinical 82 checkout. ‘The Green Machine’ then doubled his lead moments later with an effortless 107 checkout, but Chisnall reduced the arrears to 2-1 with a commanding 13-dart hold.
The St Helen’s star then levelled up proceedings with a fabulous 124 checkout culminating on the bullseye, although his joy was short-lived. MvG posted six perfect darts with back-to-back maximums, before pinning D18 for an 11-darter and an immediate break back.
Continue reading “Van Gerwen defeats Chizzy to retain his Gibraltar crown!”