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!”
Jamie Hughes won his first senior PDC title at the inaugural Czech Darts Open in Prague on Sunday evening, to confirm a Betfred World Matchplay debut in the process.
Continue reading “Hughes wins first PDC title at Czech Darts Open!”
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!”
Jamie Hughes and Harry Ward were the first two players to secure automatic PDC Tour Cards on a dramatic opening day at 2019 PDC Qualifying School on Thursday afternoon. Continue reading “2019 UK Qualifying School – Day One 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!”
Jamie Hughes produced some extraordinary darts to qualify for the opening European Tour event of 2018 at the Barnsley Metrodome on Friday evening. Continue reading “Jamie Hughes averages incredible 125.30 in Euro Tour qualifier!”
The 2018 PDC Qualifying Schools came to a dramatic close in Wigan and Hildesheim on Sunday afternoon, after a gruelling four days of qualification. Nevertheless, whilst there was joy for many players, there were also a host of high-profile names who failed to secure coveted PDC Tour Cards. Continue reading “Several big names suffer Q-School disappointment!”
There will be a record field of over 600 players competing in the 2018 PDC Qualifying Schools, as players battle it out for coveted PDC Tour Cards in Wigan and Hildesheim from January 18th-21st. Continue reading “2018 PDC Qualifying Schools: Entries confirmed!”
The list of high-profile stars departing the BDO in order to compete at this week’s PDC Qualifying School continues, with Jamie Hughes and Darryl Fitton joining the likes of Danny Noppert, Jeff Smith and Tony O’Shea in switching allegiances. Continue reading “Hughes, Fitton & O’Shea join growing list of BDO departures!”
German qualifier Michael Unterbuchner caused the biggest shock of the 2018 BDO World Championship so far by dumping out third seed Jamie Hughes in a dramatic fifth-set tie-break, as eighth seed Cameron Menzies was also beaten on debut in a dramatic double-session at the Lakeside on Tuesday. Continue reading “BDO World Championship 2018: Day Four Report!”
Glen Durrant, Danny Noppert and Scott Mitchell will return to compete in November’s Grand Slam of Darts after the eight BDO representatives for next month’s cross code event were confirmed, but there’s no place for legendary three-time world champion Martin Adams. Continue reading “BDO participants for the Grand Slam of Darts revealed!”
Tournament favourite Glen Durrant will take on third seed and Lakeside debutant Danny Noppert in Sunday’s BDO World Championship Final after the pair defeated Jamie Hughes and Darryl Fitton respectively in the last four, whilst Lisa Ashton won the women’s world title for a third time at the Lakeside Country Club on Saturday.
Top seed Glen Durrant stormed into his maiden World Championship Final with a comprehensive 6-1 victory over Jamie Hughes on Saturday evening. After some nervous recent displays, ‘Duzza’ was back to his clinical best against the fourth seed, averaging 96.27, landing seven maximums and taking out a magical 170 to prevail.
Hughes enjoyed the perfect start; breaking Durrant’s throw with a confident 80 checkout. However, ‘Duzza’ pinned D8 to break straight back, before hitting D5 to lead. Hughes defied Durrant’s first maximum to hold throw with a 75 finish to round off a 14-darter, but the top seed held his nerve to clinch the opening set with a commanding 13-dart leg.
The second set was a case of missed opportunities for ‘Yozza’. He spurned four darts to hold in the opening leg, before missing D8 for a 136 kill as Durrant extended his cushion with a 14-darter on tops. Hughes landed his second maximum and registered a 13-darter to fightback, but ‘Duzza’ dispatched a clean 72 kill on tops to double his lead. Continue reading “2017 BDO World Championship: Day Eight Report!”
Jamie Hughes and Darryl Fitton advanced to the World Championship semi-finals after thrilling deciding set victories against Martin Adams and Geert de Vos respectively, as Lisa Ashton stormed into the women’s final in a pulsating session of darts at the Lakeside Country Club on Friday afternoon.
Fourth seed Jamie Hughes came from 2-0 and 3-1 down to edge out three-time world champion Martin Adams in a thrilling nine-set tussle. Adams made a blistering start to the match, but his doubling let him down in the latter stages of the contest, as Hughes prevailed with a 91.89 average, eight maximums and 50% on the doubles.
After a turbulent year, due to his health issues, ‘Wolfie’ performed magnificently throughout the tournament and it was fantastic to see him enjoying his darts and performing so well. He fired in nine maximums and averaged 92.55, but it wasn’t enough for him to secure a spot in his eleventh World Championship semi-final.
The first set was a real high-quality affair. Adams started superbly and posted successive 15-darters after converting checkouts of 72 and 97 respectively. Hughes opened his account after landing his first maximum and rounding off a 12-dart hold, but ‘Wolfie’ wrapped up the opening set with a clinical two-dart 68 outshot. Continue reading “2017 BDO World Championship Day Seven: Afternoon Report!”
Glen Durrant survived four match darts as he produced an inspired comeback from 3-0 down to defeat the veteran Paul Hogan in an absorbing clash, as Jamie Hughes and Darryl Fitton also booked their spots in the World Championship quarter-finals on a dramatic night of darts at the Lakeside Country Club on Wednesday evening.
However, the biggest story of the night saw number one seed Glen Durrant produce a dramatic comeback from 3-0 down to defeat Paul Hogan and secure his spot in the quarter-finals. Hogan stormed into a three set lead but spurned four darts for a whitewash victory, as the Teessider showed admirable resolve to complete an unlikely turnaround.
Durrant was shell-shocked after losing nine of the opening eleven legs but he maintained his composure to reel off four successive sets to keep alive his hopes of winning a maiden world title. The 46-year-old averaged 89.85 and landed five maximums en route to victory, as Hogan was dumped out after averaging 92.01 and hitting 72 ton-plus scores.
Hogan made a blistering start to seal the opening set without reply. ‘Crocodile Dundee’ opened his account with a regulation 52 checkout, before Durrant responded with his first maximum. However, ‘Duzza’ missed three darts to hold and Hogan broke with a sensational 140 outshot, before clinching the set with a clinical two-dart 70 kill. Continue reading “2017 BDO World Championship Day Five: Evening Report!”
Fourth seed Jamie Hughes saw off Lakeside veteran Martin Atkins to set up a second-round tie with Welsh star Jim Williams, as Krzysztof Ratajski, Raymond Smith and Fallon Sherrock also triumphed on a nerve-jangling night of action at the Lakeside Country Club on Sunday evening.
Jamie Hughes posted his highest ever average in a BDO World Championship as he defeated the veteran Martin Atkins to reach round-two. The 30-year-old Tipton ace averaged 94.4 and landed four maximums to triumph, as Atkins’ twelfth World Championship appearance culminated with a first-round exit.
Atkins made an imperious start, posting his first maximum and taking out 98 to break inside 14 darts. Hughes responded in kind however, landing his first 180 and nailing D10 for a second successive 14-dart break.. ‘Yozza’ then converted a 76 kill for a 15-dart hold, before clinching the opener on D5 after four missed darts at double from Atkins.
Hughes was growing in confidence and the Tipton ace clinched his fourth straight leg with a clinical 79 finish, before seizing command of the second set with a two-dart 60 kill as his average approached the 100 mark. Continue reading “2017 BDO World Championship Day Two: Evening Report!”
BDO world number one Glen Durrant regained his Finder Darts Masters title with a hard-fought 5-3 victory over former winner Jamie Hughes, as three-time world champion Anastasia Dobromyslova edged out home favourite Aileen de Graaf to claim glory in the Ladies event at the Hotel Zuiderduin on Sunday afternoon.
Durrant was in imperious form throughout finals day and controlled the match against ‘Yozza’, who battled resiliently and took out some crucial finishes to remain in contention. However, Glen monopolised the final in the scoring department; posting ten maximums and averaging 97.33, compared to Hughes’ 89.53.
Durrant opened up proceedings with a 19-dart hold, before doubling his lead with a clinical 111 finish. Hughes was struggling for consistency and the world number one rounded off a first set whitewash with a solid 16-darter culminating on tops.
Durrant levelled up proceedings with a 15-darter, before Hughes regained the initiative in the set with a stunning 157 outshot. ‘Duzza’ forced a fifth and decisive leg in the set after following up a maximum with a 63 kill, but ‘Yozza’ held his nerve, restoring parity at one set apiece with a 14-dart hold after the pair had traded maximums. Continue reading “Finder Darts Masters- Finals Day Report!”
BDO world number one and reigning champion Glen Durrant will begin the defence of his Winmau World Masters title against Malta’s Norbert Attard at the Lakeside tomorrow, after the final 16 qualifiers for this year’s event were confirmed earlier today.
Durrant will kick off the televised coverage of this year’s event on Premier Sports at noon tomorrow, when he faces Attard in the last 32. Current world champion Scott Waites is in action against David Copley, whilst three-time World Masters winner Martin Adams meets Irish qualifier John O’Shea.
Another former World Masters champion Martin Phillips faces Belgian Davy van Baelen, who also qualified for the 2017 BDO World Championships just 24 hours earlier, as BDO World Trophy winner Darryl Fitton meets Welsh Open semi-finalist Dave Parletti
Former world champion Scott Mitchell will contest the final game of the first-round when he takes on Swedish qualifier Oskar Lukasiak, who last appeared at the World Masters in 2009. Elsewhere, BDO number three and German Open winner Danny Noppert plays Canada’s Kiley Edmunds. Continue reading “2016 Winmau World Masters Draw!”
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!”
Raymond van Barneveld continued his magnificent form at the Grand Slam of Darts as the BDO trio of Jamie Hughes, Danny Noppert and Jeff Smith all booked their spots in the last 16 at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Tuesday night. This takes the tally of BDO representatives in the last 16 to five – the highest figure since the tournament began.
Former Grand Slam champion Raymond van Barneveld dumped out Mensur Suljovic to set up a tantalising tie against BDO world number one Glen Durrant in the last 16 of the Grand Slam of Darts. Van Barneveld registered his third successive ton-plus average to defeat Suljovic 5-3 and maintain his 100% record in Group F.
Van Barneveld averaged 100.29, landed four maximums and converted 55% of his doubles to win his third straight group game, which condemned the Austrian to a surprise group-stage exit. The seventh seed averaged 94.58, hit two maximums and converted 60% of his double attempts, but it wasn’t enough to defeat the five-time world champion.
Van Barneveld’s victory ensured that BDO world number three Danny Noppert also qualified from Group F, after the Dutchman reeled off five successive legs to defeat World Youth finalist Nathan Aspinall 5-2. Noppert’s reward for qualification is a showdown with PDC world champion Gary Anderson in the knockout stages. Continue reading “Grand Slam of Darts Day Four Report!”
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!”
Three-time Lakeside world champion Martin Adams will make a highly-anticipated return to the Grand Slam of Darts in 2016, whilst Glen Durrant, Jeff Smith, Jamie Hughes and Danny Noppert will all make their Wolves Civic debuts after being confirmed as BDO qualifiers for the cross-code event in November.
The Grand Slam of Darts, televised live on Sky Sports, features eight BDO representatives competing against 24 of the PDC’s biggest stars, from November 12-20.
However, the biggest story is the return of Martin Adams. ‘Wolfie’ lit up the Civic Hall on his debut last year, winning his three group games against Ian White, Jelle Klaasen and Steve Beaton respectively, before losing to Kim Huybrechts in a thrilling last-leg decider in the last 16.
Nevertheless, it wasn’t just Adams’ performances which were memorable. There were question-marks about how he’d combat the more boisterous PDC crowds but he relished the atmosphere and played with a refreshing exuberance.
There were doubts about whether he would compete in this year’s competition after it was revealed last week that he was undergoing treatment for prostrate cancer, but the 60-year-old has been cleared to compete. Continue reading “BDO participants for the Grand Slam of Darts revealed!”
Former champion Scott Waites, will make his Singha Beer Grand Slam of Darts return at Wolverhampton in November, as he heads the BDO’s list of eight representatives. BDO world number one Glen Durrant is also set to make his Wolverhampton debut, alongside World Championship runner-up Jeff Smith.
The Grand Slam of Darts is the most unique tournament on the darting calendar, as the cross-code format sees representatives from the PDC and BDO lock horns. The 24 PDC representatives will include major tournament finalists from the past 12 months and eight PDC Qualifiers, with a further eight players coming from the BDO system.
Two-time Lakeside champion Waites will make his return to the Grand Slam in 2016, hoping to replicate his memorable 2010 triumph, when he produced an astonishing comeback from 8-0 down to defeat eight-time major winner James Wade 16-12 in the final.
Waites will be joined by Canada’s Jeff Smith, who was runner up in January’s Lakeside world championship. The 2015 World Masters winner, Glen Durrant, will be making his bow at the Civic Hall, whilst 2008 quarter-finalist Darryl Fitton will return to Wolverhampton, having claimed victory in May’s BDO World Trophy.
Darryl Fitton won his first major title on British soil with a hard-fought 13-9 victory over Australian qualifier Peter Machin in the BDO World Trophy final at the Lakeside on Monday evening.
Fitton, a Zuiderduin Masters winner in 2009, reeled off four straight legs to defeat the dogged Aussie, who had claimed a number of notable scalps to reach his first ever major ranking final. ‘The Dazzler’ averaged 87.84 in Monday’s curtain-raiser, posting three maximums and converting 35% of his attempts at double.
Fitton made a perfect start to the final by breaking Machin’s throw with a clinical 115 finish culminating on D18. ‘The Dazzler’ then extended his lead on D10, despite the Australian posting a timely 174. Machin repeated the dose in the third leg, posting a 174 before eventually converting D2 to open his account.
Fitton regained his two-leg cushion via D10, but an edgy fifth leg ensued as Daryl spurned seven darts at double to break, before Machin reduced the arrears on D1. Fitton responded strongly however, registering his first maximum and taking out 88 to head into the interval with a 4-2 advantage.
Continue reading “Fitton and Ashton claim World Trophy glory!”
Lisa Ashton posted the highest ever televised ladies average in the quarter-finals of the BDO World Trophy, whilst Glen Durrant, Scott Mitchell and Martin Adams were all beaten in the last 16 of the men’s draw, on an eventful day of action at the Lakeside on Sunday.
Ashton was in tremendous form as she thrashed Corrine Hammond 5-1. The two-time world champion averaged 98.44, hitting 45% of her doubles and producing legs of 12, 15, 17, 14 and 15 darts. The Lancashire ace subsequently broke the previous record average of 97.56, which Trina Gulliver had held for an astonishing 17-years.
Ashton’s reward for her record-breaking display is a last-four showdown against three-time world champion Anastasia Dobromyslova. The Russian was in clinical form as she dispatched talented Dutch ace Aileen de Graaf by a 5-2 scoreline in the quarter-finals.
Deta Hedman avenged this year’s World Championship final loss to Trina Gulliver by dismantling the ten-time world champion 5-1. Gulliver was way below par, but Hedman was clinical, taking out finishes of 86, 92, 105 and 122 to set up a semi-final meeting with Rhian Griffiths, who comfortably saw off Lorraine Winstanley 5-2.
Nevertheless, in the men’s draw, BDO world number one Glen Durrant suffered a shock 7-3 defeat to Lithuania’s Darius Labanauskas, despite averaging 104.55. Labanauskas stormed into a 3-0 lead with an average in excess of 110, but Duzza reduced the arrears to 4-2 heading into the interval.