Auckland Darts Masters 2017 Night 3 Final Kyle Anderson 11 Corey Cadby 10 Kyle Anderson’s experience was utilised to the fullest as he overcame a magnificent Corey Cadby 11-10 in the all Australian final (only the second one in PDC history and the first on television) of the 2017 Auckland Darts Masters 2017. Cadby started with a maximum 180 in his first visit to the oche and later in the leg, with Anderson on 266, he was able to convert 61 with double twenty and completed a 12 dart leg to lead one nil. Another maximum start in the second leg by Cadby, this time on Anderson’s throw, got a more effective response from Anderson as he hit two lots of 140 in response. With Cadby on 98 Anderson chased 140. He missed the check-out of double ten and Cadby doubled his lead with double twenty. 2-0 in 25 darts from Cadby. A 96 start from Cadby and 140 mid leg put him in a good position in leg three. Cadby hit the double ten to convert 56 as Anderson sat on 40 for the leg. 3-0 to Cadby. Anderson opened the next game with his first maximum of the final. The Original later chased 90 for the leg but missed double twenty and ten, however Cadby was not on a finish this time. In his next visit Anderson used his first two darts as guides to put his third into the double ten bed for his first leg win of the final. 3-1 to Cadby. In the leg before the break a 137 start from Cadby was met by a 123 from Anderson. Mid leg both players reduced their scoring results but a 125 left 75 for Cadby. Anderson was unlucky with the wrong treble as he chased a 140 check out and Cadby converted on his next visit to lead 4-1 at the first break. A 180 from Anderson put him in a good position for the leg after the break and double twenty at the end of it put him back within two legs of his opponent. (4-2 to Cadby.) Cadby then responded with a fourth 180 but could not shake Anderson throughout the seventh leg. He did leave himself a 96 check out and hit 20 and double 18 chasing it but missed the double twenty and Anderson hit treble 20 twice and a double 20 once for a 160 check out to put the match back on throw at 4-3 to Cadby. A 128 start from Cadby was more than his opponent had scored first up and another 180 from Cadby looked to have set him up but he missed the double for the check out and Anderson got the 80 required to hold his throw and draw the match level at four apiece. Cadby was the first to a check out score in the next leg but it was only a 144. However Anderson was only on 206 at the time so Cadby missing the double 12 for the leg did not seem to matter too much. However a 140 put Anderson on 66 as Cadby missed three darts at double on his next visit. With one dart at double twenty Anderson converted to lead 5-4 and win four straight legs. At the start of the tenth leg a 140 to Anderson could not be matched by Cadby as he threw 100. Anderson scored 140 later in the leg to leave 121. Chasing that check-out Anderson missed the bull, however a 17 at the next visit looked to have set him up, only for him to miss the double four twice. On 52 Cadby took two darts to punish Anderson and tie things back up at 5-5. Anderson opened with a maximum after the break but at the end of the leg it was Cadby who hit the double twenty with his last dart at hand to hold his throw. 6-5 Cadby A 127 from Cadby did not leave him a check out in the next leg but a 140 from Anderson only put him on 216. A 57 put Cadby on 140 but the same from Anderson left him on 76 as Cadby missed the 140 with his last dart. Anderson yet again did not miss with the double twenty to tie the match up at 6-6. A 140 start in leg 13 from Cadby was then contrasted with only 24 thrown by his adversary (which was further punished with a 137 follow up from Cadby.) Anderson did hit 140 at his next visit and Cadby only scored 60. Cadby left himself on 20 with Anderson on 80 and Cadby racked up another 3 missed darts on top of the one from his previous visit. Anderson, though, missed double twenty as Cadby came back to the oche and hit a double five with his next throw for the match to move to 7-6 to Cadby. Anderson opened with 100 in the next leg but Cadby scored his sixth 180 only for Anderson to hit 140 in reply. Anderson then left himself 170 as a 134 saw Cadby only needing 94. Later in the leg Cadby missed double twenty for the leg and Anderson got the 70 required with the same check out to tie things back up at 7-7. Another 180 from Anderson in the next leg and he backed it up with a second in a row. Cadby was on 290 as Anderson missed his seventh treble 20 (chasing the perfect nine darter) but with 57 he left 84. 140 from Cadby left him on 150. Anderson missed the bullseye for the checkout. It seemed Anderson had missed his chance as Cadby had the chance to score 100 but he could not do so on his next visit. Anderson then had double 4 to go ahead at such a critical stage and he got it with his last dart in hand, by the end of the night this would be a double that would become very special to him. The scoreboard now read 8-7 to Kyle Anderson and he was ahead for only the second time in the match. In the next leg a 134 start for Anderson looked even more impressive when Cadby could only get 57 in response. Anderson then scored another 140. Later in the leg Anderson just missed the double ten check-out as Cadby sat on 147. For the double five Anderson went straight at it but got the five and then busted. Cadby had left 47 to level things up and held his nerve to do so in two darts. 8-8. A 140 start from Cadby and Anderson was chasing again in the next leg, which he did so well, scoring the same in reply. A 115 and Cadby looked to be feeling good but the wind was somewhat taken out of him by a 180 from Anderson. A 140 from Cadby then left him on 106 and Anderson could only move to 150. Cadby missed the double 18 for the leg. Anderson then missed the double 15 himself but Cadby faced the challenging double nine, only for him to hit it in one dart and return to the lead 9-8. A 96 start from Kyle Anderson and only 95 from Corey Cadby in the 18th leg saw Anderson move ahead. A 133 later in the leg left Cadby on 272 but a 140 left his opponent on 185. A maximum from Cadby then left 92 for him to get. With Anderson on 94 Cadby missed his leg darts. Anderson, though, missed double eight as well. Corey then missed out again on his next visit and with Anderson requiring the 16 he used two darts to get there. 9-9. 95 from Cadby and 140 from Anderson began the next leg. Then 140 from Cadby and only 45 from Anderson. 134 left Cadby on 132 as 58 left Anderson on 258. Sixty was not enough for Cadby but a century from Anderson did not seem enough. Cadby missed the bull on the next visit and Anderson threw a perfect first dart chasing 158 but could only leave himself on 74 after three were thrown. Cadby snuck in his last dart to check out a score that put him within a leg of the competition. A maximum start from Anderson was backed up with only a 60 and Cadby stepped up to hit his own maximum. 85 left 136 for Cadby. Anderson could not convert the 170 but left himself 74. Cadby could not convert either and needing 74 Anderson hit his trusty double twenty to move the match to ten all. Cadby started the final leg with only 60. Anderson did not really punish him with a 95. However six darts without a big treble from Cadby gave Anderson the advantage and he threw a maximum to rub it in. A 57 left Cadby on 325. Anderson only collected 59 but did leave himself a shot at 167. 125 left Cadby well behind on 200. Anderson hit the treble 20 but left 68 after all three of his throws. A 140 from Cadby then left him on 60 and ready to pounce if called upon. However a treble 20 left 8 and Anderson hit a famous double four to break Cadby and win the Auckland Darts Masters 11 legs to 10. Anderson was delighted with the win “I am wrapped with the way I am playing. I hit some scores in the final. I mean Corey started like a train and I thought it was going to be a one way road but after the break I started hitting my straps and after I got back to even I said to myself you have a good chance of winning this if you score like you can and I did, and I hit the doubles. It is all in the doubles and the doubles are going in.” Cadby was still coming to turns with what had occurred over the weekend by the end of the match, “I am overwhelmed. Unfortunately you have to hit doubles to win the game but to make an Aussie final, it is brilliant.”
Auckland Darts Masters Night 3 Semi Finals Match 1: Kyle Anderson 11 James Wade 4 Kyle Anderson secured a comprehensive victory in the first semi final of the Auckland Darts Masters 2017 over James Wade, winning 11 legs to 4. Anderson opened up with a 100 score but Wade threw a stunning opening 180 and then backed it up with three more darts hitting the triple 20 bed only for the last dart to bounce out. 45 then left Wade on 156 and he had a shot at it as Anderson sat on 120. Wade missed the double tops chasing 112 and Anderson came back to hit his own double tops to take the opening leg. 1-0 to Anderson. Another strong opening, 134, for Wade to start the next leg was met with a century from Anderson. A century from each player on their next visit was then upped with a maximum from Wade. Anderson hit 140 to leave 101 but Wade needed just 40 but chased the double around the board and missed the double five. Anderson missed his shot at 101 and Wade he hit the allusive double five with the first dart of his next visit. A poor start of 41 for Anderson in the next leg was punished with a 125 start by Wade. 134 after a couple of less spectacular visits from Wade left him on 182 whilst a 140 left Anderson on 167. Anderson missed the bull on that effort and Wade could not convert with a double top or double ten so Anderson cleaned up the remaining 25 with his next three darts to go 2-1 up. A 140 start from Wade and two 140s mid leg from Anderson made the fourth leg very tight. With 161 on the board Anderson hit 145 to leave double eight. Wade left 90 as Anderson missed two at double four. Wade then missed the double 15 with his third dart on the next visit and Anderson secured the break. 3-1 to Anderson. Anderson scored 96 opening the next leg with Wade only getting 44 before his Aussie opponent got his first 180. A follow up 140 left Anderson on 85 whereas 134 left 223 for Wade. 45 left double tops for Anderson and 59 left Wade on an outside chance at 164 but Anderson hit the target with his first dart. 4-1 to Anderson, but with only one break of throw. Both players started the leg after the break strongly but then went into a period of low scoring mid leg until Anderson hit a 123. With 174 on the board Wade hit 98. Anderson missed the double 11 and Wade then missed double tops. Anderson missed his chance before Wade only scored 20 and Anderson punished Wade with a double eight to check out (going a different way to get the 22.) 5-1 to Anderson and Wade was on 8% for doubles. A strong start again from both players with Anderson hitting 100 to sit on 121 and Wade 128 to be on 177. Anderson just missed the double 18 for a 121. 99 From Wade put some pressure on his opponent but with his last dart in hand Anderson squeezed the dart in for his check out. 6-1 to Anderson. A 60 opening from each player in the next leg occurred before Wade readjusted his action and rhythm to score 180, which was replicated immediately by his opponent. 131 left Wade on 130 with Anderson putting himself on a bogey score of 166. 65 left The Machine needing the same again on his next visit as Anderson threw 140. Again Wade missed double tops and double ten and Anderson stole the game with a double 18 (1 out of 14 for Wade on doubles.) 7-1 to Anderson. A poor start of 41 was punished with a 137 and then a 136 by Wade. He now had the darts and threw a 140 to leave 88 with Anderson hitting another maximum to leave 46. Wade missed the bull to close the leg out and Anderson hit double tops to take an 8-1 lead. Wade started the next leg with another century opening but Anderson could only get 85. An 85 from Wade left him on 221 and Anderson could only get 60 to leave 222. Wade gave himself a shot at 122 with Anderson on 164 but Wade missed the bull for the leg so Anderson stepped up to secure the 164 he needed with his own bull. 9-1 to Anderson. Anderson opened the next leg, after the second break, with a poor 57 but got 140 on his next visit. 134 left Anderson on an unlikely 170 with Wade at 218. 96 left a two dart finish chance for Anderson at 74. Anderson missed the bull this time for the leg and Wade chased 118 which he completed with double tops (finally) to get one break back. 9-2 to Anderson though. The next leg opened with 96 and 140, Wade and Anderson respectively. 105 left Anderson on 156 and a century put Wade on 145. Anderson could only secure one hundred but Wade only responded with 85. Anderson then missed two at double tops and Wade punished him by securing another double tops for the leg. 9-3. James Wade got an early lead on the next leg and maximised it with a 140. One hundred left him on 140 but Anderson’s fourth maximum of the match left him on 83. Wade then almost busted his score as Anderson hit the double nine in a great finish to lead 10-3. Wade started with a 57 which was matched by Anderson in the next leg. 140 on the next visit from the Englishman could not be matched by his opponent. Wade was well ahead in the leg but 98 left Anderson on 170. Wade left himself double tops and his opponent could not get the 170 although he did watch as Wade missed another three darts at double tops. Anderson could not make the most of it though as he missed two darts at double eight. Despite Wade missing the double 20 again he did secure the double 10 to get a leg back. 10-4 to Anderson. 135 from Anderson in the next leg was forty more than his opponent secured in his opening visit. A 96 from Wade left only a four point gap in the scores to Anderson’s advantage but a 134 left the Aussie looking to check out 72 on his next visit to the oche. A maximum from Wade left his target at 30 but he never got a throw at it as Anderson hit double tops with his last dart in hand to take the match 11-4.
Match 2 - Semi Finals Corey Cadby 11 Phil Taylor 8 In their third ever head to head clash it was Corey Cadby who took out the second semi-final 11-8 over Phil Taylor to set up an all Aussie final in Auckland. Taylor opened with a 100 which was matched by Cadby. 135 from the World Matchplay Champion was met with a 180 from the World Youth Champion. 80 left Cadby on 141 as Taylor left himself on 41. Cadby also had the same target and Taylor missed two double 16s for the leg. Cadby got the 9 much more confidently than his opponent had and followed it up with a double 16 on his first attempt at check out. 1-0 Cadby. Forty from Cadby was punished by Taylor with 140 in the second leg and The Power soon had the darts. Both players went through a malaise mid leg but Cadby finally left himself 104. He took 18 darts to get a chance at double four as 135 left Taylor on 46. Cadby got the job done with his second dart to go 2-0 up. A 98 start from Taylor was met with 140 from Cadby. Then a 96 visit saw another 140 response from the Aussie. Taylor replied with his first 180 of the match which was met by the same from Cadby. 127 for Taylor and he missed the bull for the leg as Cadby sat on 41. Cadby missed two at double 16 and Taylor hit nine but then missed two at double eight. Cadby also missed the double eight but with his last dart in hand he got the double four. 3-0 to Cadby. Another 40 start from Cadby and 60 from Taylor were the starts in the next leg. Taylor then moved ahead with a century and 140 put him in the box seat. 130 left 96 for Taylor and 135 left 78 for Cadby. Taylor missed two darts at double 18 for the leg. Cadby then missed the double 12 for the same and Taylor checked out with a double 17 to secure his first leg. 3-1 to Cadby. 171 from Taylor seemed to suggest he had clicked into gear but this was met with a 140 from Cadby. With Taylor on 170 Cadby sat on 134 but 122 relieved the pressure on the world champion. It worked as Cadby missed the double ten for the leg. Taylor hit 16 and double 16 to see the score at the first break read 3-2 to Cadby. Cadby opened up after the break with another maximum and then a 140. He took six darts from there to get to 56 and with Taylor on 106 the Aussie hit double tops with his last dart in hand to lead 4-2 and held his throw. With a 180 Cadby moved to 186 in the next leg but the veteran Taylor hit the same to move to 86. With 170 Cadby left 16 but Taylor missed the bull on the next visit for the leg. Cadby hit the wire of the double four twice having scored 8 with his first dart and Taylor converted with the double 16. 4-3 to Cadby. Cadby started the next leg poorly but Taylor could not pounce. 96 left Cadby on 8 with Taylor on 152 but a 140 put the Aussie under some pressure. Double 4 had been his nemesis in the last leg but this time Cadby got it first time around to lead 5-3. Cadby opened the next leg with 140 and had grabbed the darts off Taylor mid leg. As the Viking chant went up from the crowd Taylor moved to 110. He hit the required treble and the ten but missed the double tops. Cadby could only score 39 and Taylor got 20 and double ten to get back to 5-4. Taylor snuck ahead in the tenth leg, against the Cadby throw, but the King responded with another maximum score to move to 164. With six darts he hit 20, 20 and 20 on his first visit. 90 left Taylor on 116. Cadby missed the double tops for the leg with his last dart on his next visit and Taylor converted the big 116 required to get the score back into equity at 5-5. 30 From Taylor and 137 from Cadby gave the Aussie an early advantage after the break. However the next visit from each started to even things up again on the leg. Taylor then hit maximum mid leg to move to 92 which he converted to go ahead for the first time in the match 6-5. Mid leg Cadby threw a couple of lower scores but Taylor could not take advantage either time and was somewhat frustrated by it. Cadby sat on 160 and scored a century with Taylor not on a check out, although the Englishman hit 180 to pile the pressure on. Cadby, though, hit his check out. 6-6. 140 from Cadby in the next leg left him on 221 and Taylor’s next visit only left him five points ahead. Cadby was unable to really convert, leaving 164. With Taylor on 76 Cadby could only leave 60. Taylor missed two darts at double eight. With last dart in hand Cadby hit double tops to break Taylor once more. 7-6 to Cadby. A maximum start from the World Youth Champion was met with a 134 from The Power in the 14th leg. A 140 follow up from Cadby left 181 but he could only leave 140 on his next visit. Taylor then left himself the maximum check out possible as 120 left Cadby needing double ten on his next visit. He hit the double five with his last dart in hand to go 8-6 up. On the Taylor throw in the next leg Cadby put the scoring pressure on as Taylor threw 57 to leave himself on 183 whilst Cadby was on 136. Cadby missed the double ten twice for the leg and as Taylor got the crowd involved he missed double tops but hit the double ten for the leg. 8-7 to Cadby. An okay start from Cadby on the next leg was followed up by a 140. Taylor then hit a 140 to leave 286 and 80 for a 94 finish for Cadby. With Taylor scoring 140 he left himself on 46. With his second dart Cadby hit double tops to lead the match 9-7. 97 was the start for Taylor in the next leg as 137 was Cadby’s response. 134 left Cadby on 230 as Taylor put himself on 137. Cadby needed 170 but missed out on it as a miss-count meant Taylor had to hit treble nine but he missed all three. Cadby took the chance to break again and the score read 10-7 to Cadby. A 177 moved Cadby from 444 to 267 as 100 from Taylor left him on 301. A last dart on the next leg from Cadby of 60 was important but paled compared to the 180 Taylor threw to leave him on 130. Taylor hit 25 from his first two darts and then three with his third to leave the World Matchplay Champion on 102 and then Cadby missed two match darts at double tops. Taylor scored 64 on his next visit but Cadby missed another 3 match darts at the next visit. On 38 Taylor hit the double 19 required to change the score line to 10-8 to Cadby. Taylor led well through the next leg and almost hit a maximum with the 125 leaving him on 114. 140 from the Aussie left him on 103. Taylor missed the double tops for the leg to give the World Youth Champion a sniff. Cadby then hit a treble19 (which had troubled him at times) and then the ten required and got one of the doubles he enjoys the most with double 18 winning the match for him and securing a spot in the final against Kyle Anderson. The final score 11-8 to Corey Cadby.
Night 2 Quarter Finals Auckland Darts Masters 2017 Quarter Finals Match 1 James Wade 10 Daryl Gurney 7 James Wade used all of his experience to get the better of his younger opponent, Daryl Gurney, in the first quarter final of the night at the Auckland Darts Masters 2017 version. James Wade started the first quarter final with a solid 128 but Gurney first visit gained him 97. Wade would have been disappointed with his second visit only for Gurney to do no better and actually made even worse by follow ups of 140 and 137 from Wade as he left tops. With Gurney still on 176 Wade got done with his first dart at the target. Wade 1-0. In the second leg Gurney started with a century which was matched by Wade. Another three figures for Gurney pushed him ahead of Wade who could only score 41. His third century had put Gurney on 201 and with Wade 102 away Gurney was able to score 140. 95 from Wade was not enough and Gurney scored 61 with a 15 dart leg in total to hold throw in the race to ten legs. 1-1. Wade started his next throw with a 140 but it was bettered by Gurney’s maximum at his first visit for the leg. However a 140 from Wade was not bettered second time around and both players sat at 221. A 131 from Wade gave him a small advantage and as Wade chased bull for the leg the dart bounced off the wire. Gurney could only leave 56 and after a couple of nervous moments Wade was able to secure the 50 he required for a 2-1 lead. The fourth leg started slowly for both players but with two good 140 visits Gurney turned up the heat on his more experienced opponent. Gurney chased 136 but threw 128 and without Wade originally being on a finish Gurney would not have been feeling as much pressure. However when he was unable to get the 8 Wade had a sniff but he missed the double 15 Gary Anderson had the night before for the 150 finish as well. Finally Daryl Gurney got the double one required with his last dart in hand to secure a leg he should have won easily and tie the match back up after four legs. Another slow start occurred for both players on Wade’s next throw until on his third visit Wade secured a 123. Gurney did get 140 to sneak ahead but Wade scored 100 to leave 120. 60 was not enough for Gurney but Wade could only get the same. Gurney missed the second treble 20 for the 136 finish and Wade was able to throw double tops with his last dart in hand to secure a 3-2 lead at the first break. After the break two century starts were matched by two 140 efforts. Another century from Gurney left him on a finish and 95 left Wade needing 170. Another 100 from Gurney meant he needed 61 but he had to stand back nervously as he watched Wade hit the two required treble 20s before the Englishman missed the bull. Yet again with last dart in hand Gurney took the leg and drew level once more. The next leg opened with another pair of 100s which was matched again by Wade only for Gurney to hit the maximum. Another 100 from Wade left him on 201 and then Gurney got 121. Wade hit the maximum to leave 21 as Gurney chased 100 on his next visit and with his last dart in hand Gurney broke with double 10 (which was kind of ironic given that he played the master of double ten in James Wade.) Wade now led 4-3. 57 from Gurney on the next opening could only be bettered by two from James Wade when he was looking to break right back. Mid-leg Gurney hit 180 which Wade tried to keep up with but could only score 140. A follow up 140 from Gurney left him on 64 and in response a 180 from Wade put the pressure on his opponent as he sat on 30 hoping this time he did not lose the leg. The pressure worked as this time Gurney missed with his last dart in hand and Wade was good enough to snap up the opportunity by hitting the double 15 with his first dart. The match was back even at 4 apiece. A 134 start from Wade in leg 9 could not be matched by Gurney and Wade got another three figure sum from his next visit. Already almost 80 ahead Wade hit his third 180 to leave 87. With Gurney so far behind Wade left tops but had to rely on his double ten to get him the leg on his next visit. Wade now led 5-4 but the match was back on throw. Gurney got a good 140 start on the last leg before the second break but was matched by Wade. A follow up 80 from Gurney and 100 from Wade put Wade slightly ahead. 91 left Wade with 170 as Gurney hit 60 to leave 140. This time Wade missed the first double 20 but still scored 130 and hit his beloved double ten with his second dart on his next visit to secure a break of throw, three games in a row, and a 6-4 lead at the second break. Wade secured a 100 after the break with Gurney scoring 97. A 140 suggested that Wade was not thrown by the break and Gurney matched the score on his next visit. Another 140 left Wade on 121 but Gurney hesitated on his second throw and could only secure 60. 59 meant Wade had 62 to get as Gurney sat on 104. Wade missed two darts at double ten for the leg but Gurney missed his chance and on his next visit Wade secured a 7-4 lead with his first dart. A 95 start from Gurney, who was looking to win his first leg in five, was bettered with a 140 from the Englishman. Gurney collected 140 in response which was matched by Wade. 123 from Gurney and 97 from Wade left 143 and 124 finishes respectively. A 79 visit was not enough from Gurney and Wade punished him with a perfect 124 finish and won the leg to go 8-4 up. Wade’s next leg started with 100 and Gurney collected 134 as he tried to sneak ahead. Another century from Wade was matched by Gurney and then replicated by Wade once more. Gurney was the first to blink and another century put Wade on a 101 finish. In response Gurney hit a maximum to leave 46 and Wade left him with a chance to break which he took to draw a little closer at 8-5. A 140 visit suggested Gurney was feeling a little better as Wade hit 128 in response and both players backed their starts up with centuries. A fifth maximum for Gurney put the scoring pressure on Wade but Gurney missed out on an 11 (or 12) dart leg. With Wade on 108 it took Gurney two darts to finally get his double to move the match back to 8-6. A 58 start from Wade was punished by a 140 from Gurney and then he hit his third maximum in three legs to move to 181 with Wade well behind. A poor 51 from Gurney came next but Wade’s next visit only left him on 146. Gurney hit the bull for a 130 finish to break again to get the match back to 8-7. Gurney needed to win the next leg to make the most of his last three leg wins and he opened with a 134 which was exactly matched by Wade. 100 from Gurney was then bettered by Wade’s 140. Another 100 left Gurney on 167 but another 140 left Wade on 87. Gurney missed the bull for the second biggest check out. Wade missed two at double 18 for the leg but Gurney then made a mess of the chase for 25. Double nine for Wade was enough to give him a break back and he was one leg away from the win at 9-7. Wade gave Gurney half a chance with a start of 59 but his opponent could only score 96. Wade then replied with a 180 which was very nearly matched by Gurney. A good last dart from Wade left him on 170 and Gurney left the same. Wade missed the bull to give Gurney a shot at the same but he could not do it and another double ten gave Wade the match and continued his record of making the semis in each of the previous Auckland Darts Masters (in the last two versions he has lost in that stage to the man who went on to lose the final!) The final score line was 10-7 to James Wade.
Match 2 Kyle Anderson 10 Simon Whitlock 9
Kyle Anderson secured a come from behind win in the battle of the Aussies at the Auckland Darts Masters on Saturday night.
Simon Whitlock opened up with a 41 and Anderson secured his first ton visit early. This was matched by Whitlock on his second visit but a 140 from Anderson put the heat on his fellow Aussie. Anderson then left himself with a 167 finish and six darts at it against the throw. 95 left 72 for Anderson and 117 left 62 for Whitlock. One dart at tops was missed by Anderson before Whitlock hit his first check out dart to take the leg. 1-0 Whitlock. The next leg was not a high scoring affair but 140 left a 107 finish for Anderson. Whitlock put the pressure on with 140 to leave 66. 99 left 8 for Anderson and Whitlock missed two darts at double 12 for the steal but Anderson left two on the scoreboard at his next visit. A double six from Whitlock broke Anderson’s throw to give The Wizard a 2-0 lead. Whitlock secured the first maximum of the game on his opening visit of the next leg and this was matched by The Original. A 137 from Whitlock was a good follow up whilst Anderson only got thirty. 64 from Whitlock left 120 with six darts at that number. He missed double tops on his first shot at it (140 from Anderson had left him on 54) but Whitlock secured the leg on his next visit to go 3-0 up. In the next leg Anderson got 38 to move to 158 and then 134 to leave 24 without Whitlock on a finish. To get a leg on the board Anderson hit the double twelve. Whitlock led 3-1 at this point with one more leg before the first break. A 61 start from Whitlock was not taken real advantage of by Anderson and the Wizard followed up by hitting a 134. The middle of the leg was not high scoring and neither player could take real advantage of the others loss of momentum. Whitlock chased 130 but only gained 56 and although Anderson was not on a check out a 140 left did leave him on 52 if Whitlock missed. He did just that but Anderson could not take advantage. The double five with his second dart was enough for the Australian number one player to go to a 4-1 lead at the break. Anderson opened consistently after the break and it seemed he had made more of the time off. A 137 left him on 78 and 18 and 20 scores left tops, which he missed with his last dart at hand. Whitlock then gained 140 to leave 44 but Anderson hit tops with the first dart of his next visit to gain his second leg of the match. 4-2 to Whitlock. A poor first visit from Whitlock was seized by Anderson to give him an early lead but Whitlock was able to do better second time around. Another 140 and by the end of the leg Whitlock missed tops and Anderson converted the required 84 with a bull to drag the score back to 4-3. Anderson opened the next leg with a 140 and good scoring put him on a 132 finish. He then left himself 56 and with Whitlock on 139 Anderson hit 16, missed double tops and then missed double ten to tie the match up. Whitlock could not check out the big score and Anderson hit the double 5 required with his second dart in hand to level the match at 4-4 after eight legs. 94 was met by 140 from Anderson and Whitlock then threw only 58. The Aussie number one scored a 140 to put himself back on par and a 180 put him on 28. Anderson hit 134 to leave 74 and put his opponent under some pressure but Whitlock chased the double 7 and got it with his last dart in hand to take a 5-4 lead. A maximum start from Anderson in leg ten and then a 140 left him on 181 whilst his opponent sat on 395. 125 left 56 which Anderson missed on his first attempt (leaving 20). 33 from Whitlock left him at 269 and Anderson took two darts to tie the match back up at 5-5 at the break. Simon Whitlock threw first after the break but it took time for both players to get back into the flow of things until Whitlock hit his third maximum to move to 183. A 140 then left Anderson on 229. A 100 left Whitlock on 83 and then Anderson had a bounce out. A double eighteen check out put Whitlock ahead once more, this time 6-5. Another maximum from Whitlock put him on 225 in the twelfth leg and with Anderson on 206 a 134 put Whitlock on 91. 125 left Anderson on 81 but Whitlock broke his Australian foe with a double 9 to go 7-5 up. A start of 140 from Whitlock could not be matched by Anderson but a poor second visit of 28 was punished with a 140 from Anderson. Whitlock got a 140 to go to 193 and Anderson got 100 for a 127. With Whitlock on 98 Anderson missed the double eight for the leg. After only getting 20 Whitlock hit the treble 18 but then missed the double 12 for the leg. Anderson threw the double four straight in to get the break immediately back and the scoreboard now read 7-6 to Whitlock. In the next leg a 140 start from Anderson and he put himself into a good finishing spot with six darts at 136 after Whitlock only left himself 180. He looked to have made a hash of things though when he only got 54 chasing 95. Whitlock had one dart at tops but missed it (as Anderson looked away) and Anderson got tops with his second throw to level the match at 7-7. A 59 start from Whitlock was then met with an extraordinary 180 from Anderson after he had to pick up his third dart and reset himself for the maximum. A 78 left Whitlock on 364 but Anderson could only follow up with 48. With Anderson on 78 Whitlock chased the bull for a 124 finish. A treble 18, 12 and double 6 was enough to put Anderson ahead in the match for the first time, the score at that point 8-7 to Anderson. A 58 from Whitlock mid the next leg gave Anderson a chance to move well ahead and although Anderson only left 172 Whitlock at the time was back on 263. Anderson seemed annoyed at only scoring 100 but Whitlock could only move to 164. Anderson then missed the double three for the all-important leg and could not secure the win on the next visit. Whitlock aimed up for 95 with Anderson on 2 and scored 55. Anderson busted chasing the double one and Whitlock regained the advantage with a double ten, the score being 8-8. A 140 start from Whitlock could not be matched by Anderson in the next leg. The Wizard then got 135 before a fierce Anderson scored a maximum (the last dart just hung in there.) A 56 left Whitlock on 170 whilst a 100 left Anderson on 121. Whitlock just missed the bull as the wire moved but he came back to take out the 25 in two darts on his next visit and take the lead back at 9-8. 140 moved Anderson to 270, 37 ahead of Whitlock. Another 140 left him on 130 whilst 59 kept Whitlock off the pace. 58 left Anderson on 72 whilst 140 left Whitlock on 108. Anderson hit 16, 16 and tops to send the match into a deciding leg. 9-9. Anderson took a small lead after two visits from each in the deciding leg with Whitlock squeezing out a treble 20 with his sixth dart to give him a small chance. 140 to Anderson kept him in the lead and 57 from Whitlock was somewhat punished with an Anderson 123. 96 left Whitlock on 188 whilst Anderson, on 142, scored 95 with a last dart treble twenty. On his next visit another 96 left Whitlock on 92 but Anderson finished the match by throwing tops to secure the break in the final leg. Anderson took it out 10-9 having only led twice in the match.
Match 3 Phil Taylor 10 Raymond Van Barneveld 9 Phil Taylor pulled out a leg when he needed it most to break Raymond van Barneveld’s heart in this battle of the titans. Consistent scoring from both players early saw Taylor on 302 and Barney on 301. 140 from Taylor was then met with a maximum from Barney. Taylor left 57 whilst Barney chased the bull but he missed and Taylor punished to secure the first leg. The second leg started in a similar fashion but Taylor was able to etch out an early lead on his second visit. A 140 from Barney saw him leave 116 but 137 saw Taylor move to 70. Barney completed the 116 with aplomb to tie the match up at 1-1. Taylor hit a 137 early in the net leg to leave 282 and a follow up 140 left him on a check out and six darts at least at it if needed them. 126 left 16 for Taylor and he hit the double eight with his first throw of the next visit. 2-1 to Taylor. Good scoring from both players in the fourth leg saw the score read 261 Barney 229 Taylor and with 100 the Dutchman got to a checkout but he could only get 40 thanks to a bounce out. Taylor had a go at 170 but could not get it and Barney hit 121, finishing with the bull to tie things back up at 2-2. Barney took a lead in the next leg and 177 left double 12 for Barney whilst Taylor was still on 103. A 13 darter from the Dutchman gave him the break going into the break. 3-2 to Raymond van Barneveld. Back from the break the two combatants were pretty even with a 105 leaving 136 for Barney and 58 leaving 170 for Taylor. 96 left Taylor under pressure and he missed the first dart, leaving Barney to come back but Barney missed the double five required at the end of his visit. 105 was not converted by Taylor and Barney busted in annoyance on the next visit only to see Taylor miss three darts at double eight. Then Barney missed with the wrong double (he missed 8 darts for the leg) and with his last dart in hand Taylor finally stole the leg to break straight back for three all. In the next leg Taylor threw consistently as he sought to consolidate his efforts from the previous leg but a 40 left him on 103. Barney chased 111 and had one dart at double tops but missed. Taylor could not convert the 103 and Barney broke him again on his next visit with double tops, partially exorcising the demons of the previous leg. The score was now 4-3 to the Dutchman. A 140 start from Barney in the next leg was met with a maximum from Taylor, and then 140 was scored by Barney again before Taylor matches it. A one hundred visit left Barney on 121 with Taylor on 181. 165 left double eight for Taylor and Barney could not take out 121 for a second time. Taylor missed his chance with three darts and Barney checked out double tops to lead 5-3. Taylor started the next leg well yet again to move quickly to 136 and 96 left tops for the 16 time world champion. He missed another check out dart but got the double ten to win the leg as the scoreboard ticked over to 5-4 to van Barneveld. A little less consistent scoring in the next leg was stopped with 140 from Taylor and then a 137 from the Englishman left him on 119. Nine darts without a treble for Barney had left him on 178. Taylor left himself 32 and this time with his second dart he checked it out to move back to all square at the second break, 5-5. Both players came back from the break strongly and a 168 left Barney on 134 on Taylor’s throw but a 140 left Taylor on 98. Barney could only move to 76 and with two darts Taylor moved ahead once more, this time to 6-5. Barney secured a 180 mid the next leg with Taylor only responding with a 140. Barney’s follow up 140 left 90 which he secured at his next visit to restore equilibrium at 6-6. Two 140 starts in the next leg were followed up by an 85 from Taylor and a 55 from Barney. A 125 from Taylor left him on 151 and 90 from his opponent left him outside a check out. Taylor missed tops for the 151 finish but he secured it at his next visit. The score was now 7-6 to Taylor and many thought Barney had missed his chance. The next leg had variable scoring from both players until Barney hit a maximum to leave double 18 and six darts at it if he needed them, but he only needed two to bring parity at 7-7. A 96 start from Taylor in the next leg could not be matched early by his opponent. However, it is not always about the start and the 97 Taylor collected next was responded to with a 140 from Barney. Taylor then slapped on the same score and 98 left Taylor on 70 with Barney on a 170 finish. Barney missed the second dart so Taylor threw for the leg but missed with the one dart he had at double 16. Barney did get his one dart at double 16 into the target to take the break of throw and lead 8-7. Two century starts on the next leg meant there was not enough difference for Taylor to put on early pressure. Mid the leg and Barney hit another maximum, Taylor only responding with 50. Chasing 161 Barney left double 12 and whilst Taylor sat at 154 Barney hit the target with his first throw to lead 9-7. A 140 start from Taylor was needed and it is what he collected. Later in the leg a 140 from Taylor left him with the same target to check out. He left tops with Barney not on a check out (although 139 left him on 62). Taylor did not feel the pressure and hit double tops at the first attempt on the next visit to but the score back to one leg, 9-8. A 100 start from each player was recorded in this critical leg. Taylor etched out a small lead as Barney hit 84. Taylor then got 140 to leave 125. One hundred left Barney on 117 and with Taylor needing 20 Barney had one dart at double tops but missed it by the width of the wire. Taylor, as he has so often done in his illustrious career, hit the important dart, this time being the double 10, to break back at the most important time to 9-9. The match was back on throw for the final leg and Phil Taylor started with a treble 20 but only collected one hundred in total. Raymond van Barneveld scored 140 and then Taylor left the door open with a score of only 85. Another 140 put Barney on a lead and Taylor hit only 61. Sixty left Barney on a 161 finish. One hundred left Taylor angry and only on 155. Barney missed the bull for the win but Taylor could not convert the 155. For Barney it was all to win as he chased the double 19 but his second dart counted him out, he scored the single 19, and he only got 22. Taylor got the double 16, his old faithful letting him down a bit this weekend, but being there when he needed it most to secure a 10-9 victory over his old foe.
Match 4 Michael Smith v Corey Cadby Corey Cadby continued to smash his way through the professional ranks as he out-bullied Michael ‘Bully Boy’ Smith 10-5 in an exciting last quarter final of the 2017 version of the Auckland Darts Masters in the PDC World Series. Cadby started with a 96 but for the second night in a row Smith hit the maximum to begin. Cadby then missed the 25 to leave a 170 and instead on his next visit scored 136 to leave 40. Smith was on 125 but he rushed through and missed double tops. The Aussie used all three darts but in the end took the leg to lead 1-0. A 134 start from Smith was bettered by a 140 from Cadby. This was matched by Smith and Cadby could only score 96. 125 for Smith left him on 102 and 95 left Cadby on a 170 check out which, when handed the opportunity, he could not complete and Smith got the double eight with his second dart to tie things up at 1-1. A century start from Cadby followed by 140 was a good start in the next leg for Cadby. Further on and a century left him on 161. He completed the leg pretty comprehensively to take a 2-1 lead on throw. Two great visits from Smith put him well ahead in the next leg until a maximum from Cadby gave him half a chance. With Smith only needing 24 Cadby had to convert a 132 but was unable to do so. Smith then missed a double 12 and a double 6 to present Cadby with an unexpected opportunity to break, which he did to take a 3-1 lead. A 92 start from Cadby was met with a 140 in the leg before the break by Smith who took the darts off the Aussie but Cadby again responded with a maximum and after Smith’s next visit they both left 170 to check out. Cadby missed the bull but Smith did not give himself the chance to have a shot at it. Cadby secured the leg and led 4-1 at the break. After the break a 60 from Smith was met by a 140 from Cadby. The Aussie took the darts off Smith and scored 140 to leave 135 before Smith hit a maximum to leave 104. Cadby then missed the bull as he looked to complete his 135. Smith stuffed up his lines to leave 24 and Cadby took two darts to complete the remaining 25 and lead 5-1. An opening 100 from Cadby was met by only 57 from his opponent in the next leg. The Aussie could only get 55 from his next visit and watched on as Smith hit 134. Cadby secured the same score on his next visit before Smith got 140 to leave 170. A score of sixty left Cadby on 152 as Bully Boy left 74. A century from Cadby kind of put some pressure on but Smith completed his task with ease. 5-2 and a break back for Smith. 57 to open for Michael Smith in a leg that he needed to consolidate was not punished by Cadby and 137 piled the pressure on the Aussie who responded with a 140. A 162 from Cadby left 140 with three treble 18s. Sixty was not enough from Cadby but Smith could not throw Shanghai. A treble twenty opened up the double ten for Cadby and he hit it with the second attempt. 6-2 to the Australian. A poor visit of 45 from the World Youth Champion at the start of the next leg was followed up by a 96. Smith took the darts off Cadby early in the leg and a 131 left him on 130. A 13 dart leg for Smith was completed with a double 18 and the score moved to 6-3. Each player threw consistently to start the leg before the second break but a maximum left Cadby on 98 as Smith sat on a bogey number. 58 left Cadby on double tops but Smith could not secure the 108 he needed and instead he left himself 57. Cadby threw twenty and then double ten to take a 7-3 lead into the second break. At 267 Cadby / 263 to Smith neither player could set up a finish. Cadby eventually threw 60 for a 148 and Smith 140 for 78. A 140 for Cadby left double four as Smith stole the leg with a great 78 to get back into the match 7-4. A 100 start from Smith was met by a 140 from the Aussie. 140 from Smith was then met by 96 from Cadby. Smith left himself 130 with a 131 as Cadby left himself 170. Smith hit 120 leaving him the double five which he got with his second throw on his next visit to make the score board a whole lot closer at 7-5 In the next leg Cadby took a good lead only for Smith to throw a 180. Cadby left himself 40 on his next visit and with his 13th dart he took the leg to go back out to a three leg lead at 8-5. A maximum start from Smith was not backed up by a good second score but Cadby was still well behind. With Cadby on 203 Smith had a chance at 167 but set himself up well to leave 36. 139 from Cadby left 64 and Smith under some pressure and it seemed to work as Bully Boy could not convert his opportunity, splitting the 36 and then the 18. With one dart at tops Cadby took a leg he was a long way behind in for most of it. Cadby was not one leg away at 9-5. A 177 start from Cadby on throw was met by only 30 from Smith. 54 from Cadby meant Smith had a chance but he only scored one hundred. Cadby was then visibly disappointed to only score 140 but 85 from Smith meant he was a long way behind (156 behind in fact). Cadby had a shot at 130 but set the leg instead with a 90 to leave double tops. 58 did not even leave Smith on a score. Cadby missed the double tops but threw the double ten on his first attempt to secure another famous win 10-5.
Night 1 Match 1: Michael Smith 6 Rob Szabo 0
The first match of the night saw Michael Smith debut in the World Series and he was fired up to start well, wiping the slate with Rob Szabo 6-0. Bully Boy Smith started with a 140 and Szabo got 93 in reply in the opening visits of the tournament. Smith got the same result on his next visit and Szabo collected 96 before Smith hits the first 180. With that kind of scoring pressure Szabo was unable to keep up and despite Smith not converting on his next visit he did so with the first dart of his next time at the ochy, scoring a double 10 to take a one nil lead. It was more important that Szabo held his throw but his first visit of 85 was met with a 130 from his opponent. Szabo hit a couple of treble 20s before the last dart strayed in to the 5 and Smith stepped up and living up to his name, showed how a 180 on this stage was done. A 140 score from Szabo left him 155 but the pressure was on as 130 from Smith left 51. An opening single 20 from Szabo meant the Kiwi could not close it out and instead he left himself 113. In response Smith took two darts to complete an 11 dart leg and take a two nil lead.
More big scoring from Smith in the next leg saw him open with another 140. A maximum score from Smith further into the leg left him on 122. With Szabo still unable to check out Smith left 56 after his next visit. With Szabo on 102 Smith takes out the leg to lead 3-0.
Szabo's 99 start beat the 96 start of Smith in the fourth leg before Szabo scored another 100. Smith, though, hits another 180, his fourth in four legs. The scores drew level at 225 as Smith looks to take the lead against the throw in this leg and hits another 140, his average to this point standing at just under 120. Smith leaves 20 with Szabo still on 186 and Szabo's next visit only gains 40. His opponent hit the double ten eventually to win the fourth leg.
The fifth leg saw Smith set up to finish with a 58 whilst Szabo was back on 233 and with three darts Bully takes out the leg and is just one away from a whitewash. In the sixth leg Szabo actually loses his darts twice when preparing to throw them. Another 140 from Smith left him on 304 with Szabo on 299. Smith set himself up by leaving 144 but Szabo is on 118. Smith was just the wrong side of the wire of checking out the 144. Despite this Szabo can’t take out the 118 so does not have a single shot at a leg and Smith finishes with a double three at his next visit to the ochy to make it 6-0.
MS 103.66 v RS 79.37 (averages)
Match 2: Daryl Gurney 6 Rob Modra 2
In the second match on the night it was Daryl Gurney who continued his World Series good form with a 6-2 win over Australian Rob Modra.
Modra was the first to throw in this match but could only open with 60. His opponent scored 100 from his first visit. On his second visit Gurney scored another 100 which was actually matched by Modra. A second century in a row left Modra on 198 while 140 left 103 for Gurney which he checked out on his next visit to break in the first leg of the match.
The next leg saw 135 from Modra leave 246 but at his next visit Gurney threw to leave himself 80. A century left Modra on 146 and Gurney could only get 60. Modra could not take this outside chance only for Gurney to miss all three at double ten. This second invitation was enough as Modra hit 102 with an opening treble 20 to draw level at one all.
The next leg played out to a position where with Daryl Gurney on 167 Modra could only get 45 to leave 256. 60 was not enough for Gurney but Modra was unable to pile on the pressure with a visit of 40. Gurney then missed the double 16 for another ton plus finish but he was able to check out with his first dart on his next visit. Gurney 2-1
A 140 opening at the next visit by Gurney was almost matched by a 125 from Modra but a 134 put the scoring pressure on and Modra was the first to blink. Gurney missed chasing 27 and left 8 but the Aussie was not on a finish and Gurney made sure of it with his next dart to take a two leg lead, 3-1 to Gurney.
Despite an opening of 60 from Modra and 180 from Gurney the fifth leg was fairly even, until a maximum left Gurney on 24. Modra left double tops but Gurney was able to take out his double first to take a 4-1 lead.
The sixth leg saw Gurney unable to check out a 126 but Modra was still on 202 it did not seem to bother Gurney too much. A 95 from Modra should not have meant much but Gurney missed double 16 for the leg. Modra then needed to check out 107 but could only collect 47. Gurney seemed even more in the box seat but missed the double 4. Modra took his chance to break the throw and clawed back some of the lead to 4-2.
A 60 start from Modra was challenged from the off when Gurney scored 180 on his visit. Thanks to more high scoring through the leg Gurney left himself needing 161. Modra then got 60 to be on 181. 65 left Gurney on 96. Under pressure Gurney was able to check out and move to within a leg of the match 5-2.
The last leg saw two openings of 140. Later a 134 from Gurney piled the pressure on as an 83 took Modra to 167. In response Gurney moved from 195 to 72. Both players could not convert on their next visit with Gurney having to chase the bull for the win but Modra missed his chance to take the leg and Gurney converted his 25 to win the match 6-2.’
DG 90.45 v RM 70.66 (averages)
Match 3: James Wade 6 Mark Cleaver 2
As Cleaver hit the stage the crowd were wanting more, more, more, but the boy (as in James Wade) was back in town. In the first leg Wade left 170 check out but could only score 58 to leave 112. With Mark Cleaver on 181 it did not look a problem but Wade could only score 88 on his next visit. Cleaver had a shot at bull for the win but missed and Wade finally closes out the first leg on his next visit.
Cleaver opened the next leg and scored 140 on his second visit. Another ton plus result gave Cleaver a shot at 161 as Wade collects 140 to leave his second attempt at 170. 87 is not enough for Cleaver but Wade could only score 96 in reply, leaving both needing 74. Cleaver missed the single 16 to leave tops and Wade takes him out at the next visit to lead two nil.
A 140 opening from Wade in the next leg is only matched by 100 from Cleaver before the Machine hit his first maximum of the match. Chasing the check-out a treble seven confused things a little but Wade had plenty of opportunities at the double eight left and he took it out to lead 3-0.
James Wade hit a second maximum in the next leg to leave himself on 172 but in reply the Kiwi got 140 to leave 120. With Wade on 112 Cleaver only got 40 to leave 80 but Wade missed the big 12 and ended up leaving tops on his next visit. Cleaver got himself a shot at tops for the leg but missed it by a long way. Then Wade could not convert his 40 and Cleaver hit tops to win the first leg for a Kiwi on stage tonight. This made the score 3-1 to Wade.
Another 140 start from Wade saw Cleaver score a century in reply. But it was all Wade as he completed the leg with a 120 check out for a 4-1 lead. Leg six and Cleaver took a good lead 252 to 281. He then scored a 100 to leave 152 but Wade gets 123 to leave 158. Cleaver managed just 24 and Wade 58. Then Cleaver hit 100 whilst Wade missed two shots at tops to secure the 100 he needed. Cleaver missed out on his next visit to leave 4 but James Wade hit the double 5 he needed with his last dart in hand to lead 5-1.
Cleaver had opportunities in four legs but it is Wade up by four. A poor opening from both players was improved upon in their second visits. A 92 from Wade left him on 290 but with Cleaver already on 261 he scored 140. Cleaver had six darts from 121 but only got 55 at his first visit. With Wade getting 78 to leave 112, Cleaver chased 66 and hit triple ten and then the double with his second dart to break Wade's throw and the scoreboard read 5-2.
Cleaver opened what ended up being the final leg with another century on his throw but could only followed it up with a 60. Wade meanwhile threw 127 to go to 279. Wade sat on 181 when Cleaver could only get 60 to go to the same score. A 140 from Wade piled the pressure on whilst 97 left 84 for Cleaver. Wade's beloved double ten may have been letting him down all night but his last dart at hand on his next visit hit that bed and therefore he secured the 6-2 win.
JW 87 v MC 83.84 (averages)
Match 4: Raymond van Barneveld 6 Warren Parry 4
In the fourth match of the night Kiwi legend Warren Parry but a scare through another Dutchman but was unable to secure enough legs and lost the match 6-4. Parry had his chances in the opening leg to go ahead, including getting 140 to leave 152 but a 136 left RVB on tops. Parry threw 78 to leave 74 but Barney hit the target with his first throw of the next visit to take the lead early. In the second leg a 140 throw from Parry is followed up by another century whilst Barney hit 60 twice. 57 from Parry gives Barney a chance and he hit 135 but Parry was still ahead and hit 140 to leave 64. After Barney’s next visit Parry had six darts at the score but only needed three for a 15 dart leg to tie the score at one leg each. A 135 opening from Barney and a follow up of 125 had him leading well in the next leg. A 116 finish was on offer for Barney with Parry on 163 and the Dutchman converted it with aplomb to lead 2-1.
The next leg started slowly for both players but Parry took a lead mid leg until he hit a 26 and his opponent responded with his first 140 of the match. A century left Parry on 111 but RVB chased 120 and he only missed it on double tops. Parry then missed tops for the leg himself before watching as Barney blew his chance on the same target, hitting the wire with his third dart. Both players ended up missing six leg darts but Parry finally gets the tops he needed to win the leg and put the match back on par at two all.
On 261 in the next leg Parry had a chance but could only get 41. Sitting at 196 RVB hit 140 and on his next visit he threw the two darts necessary to keep all legs on throw. 3-2. 140 from both players towards the end of the next leg saw the scores fairly even at 178 and 180. Parry could only manage 44 whilst Barney could only get 60. 27 left 107 for Parry whilst Barney missed tops for 120 and Parry punished him with a tremendous 107 check out leaving the score even at three all.
140 again from Barney was only matched by 60 from Parry in the seventh leg. Barney scored another 140 to take a comprehensive lead. Then a third 140 left him 81 for the win whilst Parry remained on 360. Barney could only get 49 and had to watch as Parry hit 140 but it was too late for his Kiwi opponent as the Dutchman threw the double 16 necessary to go 4-3 ahead.
A disastrous start from Parry in the next leg and Barney threw a ton. Mid leg a 134 left 132 for Barney. He is so far ahead he tried to hit two consecutive bulls and got the first before missing the second. He left 15 whilst Parry was on 150 and with little pressure on the leg Barney got the first break of throw in the match. 5-3 to RvB, and he was just a leg away from the win. However a 55 start from the Dutchman and a century from Parry gave the Kiwi a sniff but 119 further into the leg left Barney a 167 check out. Barney missed his first shot at it and 140 left Parry on 80. Barney then missed double 16 for the win and watched as Parry broke him with tops to claw a leg back and leave the score at 5-4 to Barney. Both players started the next leg poorly but his second 60 saw Parry punished as Van Barneveld scored 135. With another 60 Parry was well behind in the leg but Barney seemed unable to throw in the killer blow. Barney had six darts from 163 and got 96 on his first visit, taking two darts on his next one to get over the finish line 6-4 in a match that the crowd had got behind both players, but especially Warren Parry.
RvB 90.82 v WP 76.06 (averages)
Match 5: Phil Taylor 6 Darren Herewini 4
This looked like being one of the matches of the night at various stages of it and Darren Herewini was obviously not threatened by the environment or his opponent, giving Phil Taylor one almighty scare. The debutant opened the match with a 50 but Taylor could only score ten more. A century for the local and Taylor again only threw 81. Herewini’s momentum stymied mid leg and Taylor took advantage as he hit 100 to leave 125. With Herewini on 125 Taylor hits 25 and triple 20 but just missed tops. Herewini got his first chance at the leg with his last dart in hand on the next visit but missed the bull and Taylor took out the first leg with his next dart.
Taylor opened his own throw with a 140 and then backed it up with another on his second visit. Herewini scored his own 140 and put the pressure on a bit as Taylor hit only 44. Herewini just missed for maximum but gets his second 140 of the leg. 137 then from Taylor left him needing 140. Chasing 161 Herewini just missed with his final dart as he moved the wire. Taylor then missed his chance chasing 40. Herewini missed double four twice and Taylor could not get the 10 required. With Taylor requiring 4 Herewini hit 4 and then finally threw a closing double (2). Herewini breaks back straight away to tie the scoreboard after two legs. Herewini needed a strong start in the next leg but 40 was not enough as Taylor threw 125 and then 135. Herewini threw 100 to be on 224 but on 241 Taylor scores 140 to leave just 101 which he got on his next visit. With all legs going against the throw Taylor now led 2-1. Taylor hit the first 180 of the match in his opening to leg four and then backs it up with another on his second visit. He got the triple 20 needed for the nine darter but missed the treble 19 and left 32 which he collected in two darts on the next visit. It looked as though Taylor was now in his stride and at 3-1 this was going to be a procession, but Herewini had other ideas in mind.
After both players threw some good numbers early on the next leg a 59 left the local players on 208 with an 85 leaving Taylor on 177. Another 140 from Herewini left 68 but he was under pressure as a 137 left Taylor on tops. However the local converted to change the score to 3-2 to Taylor. A 60 and 80 from Taylor was responded with a 40 and 140 by the Kiwi. A century from Phil Taylor then left him on 261 but his first maximum (which the locals lapped up) saw Herewini needing 138. Sixty left 78 with Taylor a long way back (although 140 left pressure on the Kiwi.) It seemed that the pressure worked as Herewini missed double tops. However Taylor then missed two darts at double 12 for the leg after hitting the triple 19 with his first dart and Herewini could not convert. Surprisingly Taylor missed his chance again and Herewini finally threw the double two needed to make it three all.
Herewini opened the next leg with another maximum but had a poor visit to follow up. With Taylor a bit off the Kiwi was still in front and one hundred (thanks to a good last dart) helped. However Taylor was still sniffing around, throwing a 138 to leave 170. Another century for Herewini left 100. He would have his chance as Phil Taylor left 70 after his next visit but Herewini could only throw 40. Taylor missed another leg dart but so did the local (twice) and Taylor finally did the business with a double 16. 4-3 to Phil and this was the leg Herewini could look back upon with some disappointment.
In the next leg Phil’s 100 opening was not matched by the Kiwi and neither was the 140 visit. Taylor left himself 69 whilst Herewini was still on 140 (a 135 helped that) and this time Taylor threw his double 16 at the first attempt to go 5-3 up in the match. A 180 start from the Kiwi in the next leg (his third) and a third maximum from Taylor were highlights of the early part of the next round before Herewini got another one to leave 46. A magical 170 for Taylor left 15 but Herewini got tops for an eleven dart leg and brought the match back to 5-4 with the crowd right into the match. The next leg had Taylor throw first and he collected 100. Herewini scored the same and this was followed up by another from Taylor with Herewini collecting the fourth century in a row. A 95 and then an 85 left just ten points in the leg before a 137 from Taylor left him needing 69 for the match. Herewini needed to put some pressure on but only 90 left his target at 126. Taylor won the match with a double 16, 6-4 being the final score.
PT 102.31 v DH 88.96 (averages)
Match 6: Simon Whitlock 6 Cody Harris 4
For many in New Zealand this was the match that they thought the Kiwi break through would come. In the end though the Australian number one was able to outlast his Kiwi number on opponent.
Cody Harris opened with a 140 (just missing his last shot at treble 20) and then repeated the dose at his next visit. With Whitlock on 120 Harris chased 80 but both players missed these targets (Whitlock missing double tops for Shanghai) and on his third dart of his next visit local Harris took out double tops to take an early lead in the match. A 40 opening from Whitlock was not punished by his opponent and the Aussie was able to get 100 on his second visit. A century from from Harris and there was only one point in it. Further into the leg and a 131 left 130 for Whitlock and he had the comfort of knowing he had six darts at ii if he needed them. He left double tops and gets it with his first dart on the next visit to tie the match up after two legs.
In the next leg Harris started well but Whitlock matches it and Harris then blinks, scoring just 41 but Wizard can only collect 59. A 140 from Harris left 95 but the same score left 64 for Whitlock. Harris missed the bull for the leg and Whitlock made the local pay by collecting the double 4 he needed to break Harris and lead 2-1. A 55 start from Whitlock gave Harris a chance in the next leg and he responded with the first 180 of the match. Another 140 left 181 for the Kiwi whilst his opponent was on 308. Another ton plus visit (105) left 76 for Harris which he collected on his next visit to return the scoreline to equity – 2-2. The fifth leg did not start well for either player. At the end of the leg Whitlock chased 124 but missed the bull with Harris on 60. Harris hit 1 when he was chasing tops but Whitlock then let him off by not closing out the left. Harris then missed two at double 8 to give the Wizard another chance but Whitlock unbelievably hit the outside of the wire on all three of his attempts at double. Harris then only got 12 to leave 4 and Whitlock finally broke again to lead 3-2.
A century start from Whitlock in the next leg was match by Harris (in direct contrast to the end of the previous leg). Then a maximum from the Aussie set the leg up, or so it seemed. Whitlock left 16 with the Kiwi way back but Harris checked out 122 in a leg he was never in until the last throw. At three all, and with four breaks in a row, it was anyone’s match but the crowd were anticipating something special but for that to happen Harris had to start holding his throw. A maximum from Whitlock put pay to that idea as he hit double 18 with his tenth dart to go 4-3 up and break yet again. A 134 start from Harris looked good but his Aussie opponent hit maximum again (3 in the last 3 legs) before another 140 left 101. One hundred from Harris left 167. Whitlock then scored 93 to leave a double 4 needed. With Harris on 126 Whitlock missed to leave 2. Harris then left 28 but Whitlock hit the wrong double (18 not 1). In a leg of misses Harris joined in, missing the double seven twice before Whitlock missed his chance yet again. Finally Harris stole another leg and the score was now 4-4 with six consecutive legs going against the throw.
Harris had to hold his throw and a 140 put pressure on his opponent. 77 seemed not to be enough for the Wizard but then Harris only scored 59 in each of his next two visits. With Whitlock on 186 and Harris on 160 the Kiwi could only score 45. A 140 from the Aussie left 46. Another 59 from Harris and Whitlock had the chance to steal a leg he was never in as had happened to him previously a couple of times in this match. Whitlock took full advantage to do so and move the score to 5-4 in his favour. If he could break the nexus, now standing at seven breaks in a row, it would be the Aussie’s match. Again it did not start well as Whitlock scored 59 and Harris hit three trebles. However the Wizard was still in the match as Harris’s total was only 66. Another 59 and Harris hit 140 to move ahead. Whitlock then scored 140 himself. Later in the leg Harris was on 157 with Whitlock at 140. A century from the Kiwi left 57 and Whitlock got a bounce out that would prove a blessing as it would have blown his score. To tie up the match Harris missed double tops and with Whitlock chasing 60, it is in the Aussies hands to finally hold throw again. After his single 20 the bed is partially covered for Whitlock but he is good enough to readjust and put his dart in for the match, the final score 6-4 to Whitlock, silencing the crowd. Whitlock would be the first Australian to win on the night, but definitely not the last!
SW 87.9 v CH 84.69 (averages)
Match 7: Gary Anderson 4 Kyle Anderson 6
On form many considered this the match of the night, with some consideration being given to the fact that maybe the Kyle version of the Andersons should actually have been regarded as favourite. In the end his recent form and heavy scoring continued as he eliminated the reigning Auckland Darts Masters champion. A quality opening leg of just over a minute and in a blink of an eye Gary Anderson had won it with both players on ten darters. With the third 180 of the match Kyle left 121 in the second leg and the 36 was scored with his 13th dart to put the match back into equilibrium. Another 180 from Kyle in the third leg put the scoring pressure on the two time world champion. A 78 left Kyle Anderson needing 120 and in response a 134 left Gary on 110. In his next visit Gary missed tops for the leg and Kyle secured the 64 needed to take a 2-1 lead.
60 seemed a bad opening in the next leg for the Australian until the Scot hit 45 at his first visit. Towards the end of the leg Kyle just missed double tops whilst Gary scored 135 to leave 81 but with his last dart in hand Kyle hit double 5 to hold an important leg and further widen the gap in the match to 3-1. In the next leg a 131 start from Gary was then matched and more by his opponent (140). A 78 left Gary on 199 with 56 leaving Kyle on 206. A 144 score left 55 for Anderson which he gets on his next visit it with his first two darts. The gap is closed back to 3-2.
For the second leg in a row Kyle opened with a 140. The Aussie then scored another century which this time is responded to well by Gary as he scored 140 (he had opened with 50.) The Aussie then scored his fourth maximum of the match to leave just 81. He is unable to convert on his next visit but hits the double three that is left with his first dart the following visit to regain a two leg lead, 4-2.
A 100 start from Gary was bettered by Kyle with his third 140 start in a row, which he then repeated at the next visit. Gary is not out of this leg though and puts his stamp on the match with a maximum to leave only 121. With Kyle on 156 Gary missed the bull but only 60 from Kyle was enough for Gary to take the next opportunity presented to him and pull the match back to a gap of just one leg, 4-3. Another 140 start from Kyle but then the scoring tempo slowed through the middle of this leg. 81 left 139 for the Aussie but a 65 put Gary on 150. Having watched Kyle not convert the 139, leaving 56, Gary hit the wrong side of the wire for the double 15 to check out the 150. Kyle took his chance and scored double tops to take the lead back out to 5-3. However this was not going to be an easy match to close out with a 180 start from Gary in the next leg demonstrating his clearly. Another 140 for Gary and soon enough he had completed a 100 check out to draw within a leg once more, 5-4.
In the all critical tenth leg Kyle opened with a maximum of 180 himself and then scored 100 with Gary getting only 60 twice. A 140 left 81 for Kyle and despite Gary scoring 140 as well he was still on 241. Kyle only secured 65 on his next visit. Gary needed to put the pressure on but his 99 was really not enough as it left him with an outside chance at 142. However Kyle never gave him the chance as he scored the double eight he needed with his first throw to win the match 6-4 and become the first unseeded player to win on the night. The question was would he be the last of the night? GA 98.73 v KA 102.91 (averages)
Match 8: Peter Wright 4 Corey Cadby 6
This was the main event and the World Youth Champion demonstrated his prowess once more by outgunning Wright 6-4. He was the second unseeded player to win in a row on the night, and the third Aussie to win his match in a row.
The match saw Cadby open with a maximum and Wright responded with 140. 60 from the Aussie was matched by Wright. 55 and 60 visits from the two combatants were secured before Cadby hit 100 to leave 106. A century left 141 for Wright and both players could not get all the way on the next two visits. Cadby missed two darts at the double for a finish and Wright made the Aussie pay to break early. For Cadby the match could have got out of hand should he not break back quickly, as the opening round is such a quick format.
81 was Wright's start on his throw and 43 from Cadby did not look good enough but mid leg the Aussie hit his second maximum in two legs. A 140 backed that up and left him on 138. 78 left 60 as Wright could not convert 170. Cadby missed his first dart at double tops but then gets it to break Wright straight back and tie the match after two at 1-1.
An opening of 59 from Cadby in the next leg was not punished by Wright but he did so second visit around with 140. However Cadby hit his third 180 in three legs and 60 was not enough for Wright. A thirty left 172 for Cadby but another poor visit, with just 60, left 184 for Wright. Cadby then scored 140 to leave 32 and 81 left 103 for Wright. A double 16 for Cadby had a player hold throw for the first time in the match as Cadby went 2-1 up.
Wright opened with a 60 in the next leg which Cadby matches with his first dart on the way to a 140. Another 60 was beaten by the same score from Cadby, who was now in the box seat. Wright was on 260 when Cadby hit another 180, his fourth in four legs, leaving just 41. With Wright on 160 Cadby missed his chance to take the leg. Another hundred from Snakebite put the pressure on and Cadby cracked as he missed double six. Wright hit tops to steal the fourth leg and draw the match back up at two all.
Scoring built up through the next leg as Cadby collected 44, 100, 180, and 99 from his visits to sit on 78 with Wright scoring a 140 to leave 107 at the same point. Cadby threw a brave combination to secure the leg with a double 18. The lead was 3-2.
An 85 start from Wright in the next leg paled compared to Cadby’s 180, his sixth. This time Wright responded with a 174. A 140 from Cadby was met with a 30 from Wright. 181 plays 212 but Cadby could only get 55. 41 from Wright left 171 whilst Cadby is on 126. Cadby then left himself 82 whilst Wright scored 97 to leave 74. The Aussie cannot convert and leaves a difficult 3 before Wright steals the leg with a 74 checkout and the match was back level, this time at three all.
This leg was all about a change of tactic from Peter Wright. With Cadby staring poorly (45), Wright ignored the treble 20s to gain treble 19s and the tactic worked a treat to get him more effectively through the leg. Wright required 74 when he missed tops but he did win the leg with a double ten to take a 4-3 lead.
Wright started the next leg poorly though and Cadby capitalised early. A 140 left 137 whilst Wright, on 260, hit 100. A 97 left double tops for Cadby and Wright could not secure the 160 he needed. Cadby threw 20 and then double 10 to break straight break and change the scoreboard to 4-4. The next leg was going to be critical in the scheme of things as whoever one it would be just one leg away from victory.
Cadby started with 137 and Wright 133 (still chasing treble 19s) in the next leg. 98 from the Aussie was more than matched by Wright with 133. Cadby left himself a 167 check out as Wright left 152. Cadby could not convert his number but then watched on as Wright could not either. Securing a 112 finish demonstrated intent (for the last leg) from Cadby and took him to an all-important 5-4 lead.
Neither player started the next leg well and after a 95 Cadby needed to throw a big score at his next visit to help. He did this with a 140 to sneak ahead in the leg. A 95 from Wright then was matched and more with another 140 visit from Cadby. As Cadby stood behind his opponent needing 38 Wright chased 93. He only collected 41 to leave 52. It was enough of a chance for Cadby as a double 16 saw him collect the break and the match, 6-4.