Heta Doubles up his Success on Day One of Qualifiers The first qualifier for the Darts ANZ World Series of Darts event in Brisbane went to Damon Heta as he repeated his success in the first qualifier for Melbourne. This final saw Heta defeat David Platt 6-3. The earlier board finals were won by Raymond O’Donnell (5-4 over Zinzan Culshaw), Loz Ryder (5-4 over Lucas Cameron), Chippy Miller (5-2 over Ash Britt), James Bailey (5-2 over Rhys Mathewson), Anton Soc (5-4 over fellow West Australian Barry Gardner), John Bunyard (5-3 over Andrew Eagers), David Platt (5-1 over GG Mathers), and Damon Heta (5-3 over Kevin Luland.) In the quarter finals Platt defeated Bunyard 5-3, with Miller replicating that scoreline over Ryder. O’Donnell defeated Bailey in the last leg of nine. The most comprehensive result was Heta’s 5-1 win over Soc. The semi finals saw Platt win 5-3 over ODonnell and Heta came from 2-3 behind to win the last three legs on the trot and take the match 5-3. The final saw David Platt open with a maximum against the throw and he consolidated his good stat by hitting double 20 for the first leg. Damon Heta then matched Platt’s early effort by scoring a maximum in his first visit to the oche on his opponents throw. Platt had a chance to win the leg but left 32 and Heta punishe him by securing double 18 for the leg. Heta then opened with 180 and two visits later Platt matched him. This leg Heta was not going to give Platt a chance as he checked out 128 for a 2-1 leg lead. In the 4th leg Heta hit another 180 to move to 58 and on his next visit he had secured a break against his opponent (3-1.) He then opened with a 134 and 100 before Platt hit another maximum. Platt tried to check out 131 but could only score 119 to leave 12. Heta took full advantage again by securing the required 28 for a 4-1 lead. Platt then opened with another maximum and high scoring saw the match move quickly through this leg. With a 133 Platt left 58 and watched as a 100 left his opponent on 76. With his next two darts Platt secured his second leg. (4-2) In leg 7 Heta had another 180 opening and with a 138 later in the leg moved to 128. Platt then secured a 140 to leave 167. Heta chased 128 but only got 41 to leave 87. Platt then moved from 167 to 137 before Heta scored 47 to leave tops. Platt then scored 97 to leave tops himself but Heta got it first with the initial dart of his next visit and moved to within a leg of the match at 5-2. Platt then opened with a 100 and was the first to get a chance to check the leg out but only scored 60 to leave 100. His opponent then missed two chances for the match as Platt on his next visit missed his chance and left double 20 for the leg. Heta then missed all three at tops as Platt secured a 5-3 scoreline with his first dart of his next visit. Both players had lower starts in the next leg but a 140 and 180 seemed to put Platt in a better place until 145 left Heta on 36. Platt could not get a 131 check out and left himself on 93 as Heta left 18. Platt missed a double 16 for the leg on his next visit and instead left that 32 as Heta stepped up and took out the double 18 with his next dart to take out the match 6-3. The final was another classy affair as Platt hit 6 maximums to Heta’s 4, although Heta made an average of 101.09 compared to his opponent’s 98.59 excellent average. The most important statistic was Heta’s 6 legs to Platt’s 3 which secured him another appearance on the PDC stage, this time in Brisbane’s Darts ANZ World Series of Darts debut event.
Final Damon Heta 6-4 Gordon-Glen Mathers Final 4 Colin Edwards 0-5 Damon Heta Gordon-Glen Mathers 5-4 Koha Kokiri Final 8 Jack Devries 3-5 Colin Edwards Stephen Schmitt 0-5 Damon Heta Mal Cuming 3-5 Gordon-Glen Mathers Lucas Cameron 0-5 Koha Kokiri Final 16 Jack Devries 5-4 Steve MacArthur Colin Edwards 5-2 Jeremy Fagg Stephen Schmitt 5-0 Patrick Dargan Damon Heta 5-4 Raymond O’Donnell Ash Britt 3-5 Mal Cuming Gordon-Glen Mathers 5-1 James McDonald Lucas Cameron 5-3 Kalani Hillman Brian McCann 0-5 Koha Kokiri Final 32 Jack Devries 5-1 Mat Leahy Greg Major 1-5 Steve MacArthur Loz Ryder 4-5 Colin Edwards Jeremy Fagg 5-3 Johnny Yew Anton Soc 0-5 Stephen Schmitt Paul Cotton 3-5 Patrick Dargan Damon Heta 5-3 David Platt Raymond O’Donnell 5-2 Jerry Weyman Ash Britt 5-4 Chippy Miller Mal Cuming 5-0 Darren Wolter-Gumley Gordon-Glen Mathers 5-3 Brendan McCausland James McDonald 5-2 Mick Lacey Lucas Cameron 5-3 James Bailey Kalani Hillman 5-4 Barry Gardner Brian McCann 5-4 Rhys Mathewson Steve Fitzpatrick 3-5 Koha Kokiri
Mathers Makes His Mark Once More 2017 PDC World Championships Australian representative GG Mathers of Team Rebel will be returning to the World Series of Darts stage in 2018, but this time in his home state’s debut event of the series after he overcame David Platt in the second qualifier for the Brisbane event. Earlier in the day the board finals were taken out by Barry Gardner (5-3 over Shane Wolter), Mal Cuming (5-3 over Mick Lavey), Brendon McClausland (5-3 over Mat Leahy), GG Mathers (over Steve Fitzpatrick), James Bailey (5-2 over James Doherty), 8 Marland (5-3 over Cody Harris), David Platt (5-0 over Craig Prizeman) and Jack Devries (5-4 over Jeremy Fagg.) The quarter final affairs were very different affairs with Bailey defeating Marland in the ninth and final leg whilst GG Mathers defeated McClausland 5-0. Cuming defeated Gardner 5-3 to make his second semi final of the day and David Platt securing his match 5-2 over Jack Devries. It was the two losing finalists from Sunday’s qualifiers that made it to the final after Mathers defeated Cuming 5-1 in the semi final and Platt eliminated James Bailey, 5-3 being that final score. In the final the first leg saw Platt have a dart at breaking his opponent but he missed the early chance and sitting on 10 watched as Mathers secured the leg with his last dart in hand. Platt then took an early lead on his own throw but Mathers was able to hit a 140 to move to 66 although he was not able to convert on his next visit and this time Platt was able to hold the leg with two darts collecting the required 100. A 140 opening from GG in the next leg saw him open up his own early lead. Within 12 darts he had shots at doubles for the leg and although he did not make them on his first visit Mathers was well enough ahead to come back again and secure the leg with his first dart of the next visit. GG edged slightly ahead after two visits each on the next leg but was not able to hold it as both players sat on 181. With a 133 Platt moved into favouritism for the leg and he took on his next visit to the oche. The match was level after four legs. Good scoring from both players in the next leg soon sat them on check outs. GG missed out on 129 and Platt also missed with his chance of 147. The 24 Mathers had left was cleaned up on his next visit to take a lead once more. In leg 6 Platt took a comfortable lead and a 180 left him on 20. Despite his opponent gaining 180 as well it looked as though Platt would take the leg but he missed out on the next visit and Mathers took full advantage at his next time on the oche to move to a two leg lead for the first time in the match, 4 legs to 2. With GG on 70 Platt chased a 130 check out to break straight back but left tops only to watch Mathers take out the required 70 to go 5-2 up in the match. A 140 start on his throw gave Platt some confidence and another similar visit later in the leg moved him to a 120 Shanghai target. Platt had two mote unsuccessful visits before finally winning the leg. It was 5-3 to Mathers as he had the throw for the match. Some early heavy scoring in the leg gave Mathers the upper hand and despite missing out on a 167 check out he was able to come up on the next visit and throw his third dart for the match. He was unable to convert but with Platt unable to score the 126 required Mathers took out the final with his next dart. For Platt it was his second loss in the final of the Brisbane Qualifiers in two days whilst Mathers made amends for his loss in the first qualifying final for the Melbourne Darts ANZ World Series of Darts event.
Final GG Mathers 6-3 Dave Platt Semi Final Mal Cuming 1-5 GG Mathers James Bailey 3-5 Dave Platt Last 8 Barry Gardner 3-5 Mal Cuming Brendan McClausand 0-5 GG Mathers James Bailey 5-4 Dave Marland Dave Platt 5-2 Jack Devries Last 16 Shane Wolter 3-5 Barry Gardner Mal Cuming 5-3 Mick Lacey Brendan McClausland 5-3 Mat Leahy GG Mathers 5-3 Steve Fitzpatrick James Bailey 5-2 James Doherty Cody Harris 3-5 Dave Marland Craig Prizeman 0-5 Dave Platt Jack Devries 5-4 Jeremy Fagg Last 32 Kevin Luland 3-5 Shane Wolter Mike Bonser 3-5 Barry Gardner Paul Cotton 5-4 Mal Cuming John Bunyard 4-5 Mick Lacey Stephan Schmitt 3-5 Brendan McClaussland John Riley 2-5 Mat Leahy GG Mathers 5-1 Greg Major Steve Fitzpatrick 5-0 Jen Lange James Bailey 5-1 Ray O'Donnell Alex Evans 2-5 James Doherty Cody Harris 5-0 Jerry Weyman Dave Marland v Paul Hill Jess Smiely 0-5 Craig Prizeman Dave Platt 5-4 Rhys Mathewson Ash Britt 4-5 Jack Devries Steve MacArthur 3-5 Jeremy Fagg
Gardner’s Delight Barry Gardner qualified for the Darts ANZ World Series of Darts event in Brisbane after defeating Koha Kokiri in the third qualifying final at the Warilla Bowls and Recreation Club by six legs to three. In the board finals Barry Gardner defeated Rhys Mathewson 5-3, Colin Edwards defeated Steve MacArthur 5-2, Lucas Cameron defeated Paul Cotton 5-3, Koha Kokiri 5-1 over Mike Bonser, Mat Leahy 5-3 over Steve Fitsimmons, Cody Harris 5-2 over Kerry Allen, David Platt 5-0 over Andrew Eagers, and Mark Smyth over James Bailey. That left some top class head to head clashes in the quarter finals as Barry Gardner defeated Edwards 5-1, Mark Smyth took out Cameron 5-2, Koha Kokiri eliminated Leahy 5-1, and Cody Harris whitewashed Platt. In an all Kiwi semi-final Koha Kokiri took a 4-1 lead but Cody Harris drew level after eight legs. In the final leg Kokiri broke the throw of Harris and took out the match 5-4. The other match was much more comprehensive with Barry Gardner winning 5-1 over Smyth. The final saw Gardner score a maximum with his second visit to the oche and tops with his first dart on sixth visit gave him the first leg. In the second leg Kokiri took an early lead but was unable to check out 104 or 78 and Gardner took two darts to take out 85 to take a break in the match. The third leg saw three century plus visits from Gardner in a row and he comfortably took a 3-0 lead. The fourth leg saw Gardner take a lead and although he was unable to take out 157 his opponent could not convert 138 and with 2 darts on his next visit Gardner checked out 32. The fifth leg saw nerves kick in for both players and both players had multiple chances to take the leg until Gardner checked out twenty and put himself one leg from victory. Kokiri had nothing to lose and opening the next leg he threw more consistently and took the leg. In leg 7 both players opened with 140 but a pair of 100s later in the leg put Kokiri ahead and he checked out 30 to move to a 5-2 score line. He also held his next throw easily and momentum seemed to be in his favour as Gardner opened leg 9 with a 58. However critically Kokiri only matched that score and then Gardner through a 140. It put Gardner well enough ahead that he could set up 40 for the win and with his first dart at that target he was the victor. Thus Barry Gardner, champion of the Perth Premier League of Darts from 2018, qualified for an even grander stage at the Darts ANZ World Series of Darts Brisbane leg. For Kokiri it was his second loss in a final on the same day.
Final Barry Gardner 6-3 Koha Kokiri Semi Finals Barry Gardner 5-1 Mark Smyth Cody Harris 3-5 Koha Kokiri Quarter finals Barry Gardner 5-2 Colin Edwards Mark Smyth 5-2 Lucas Cameron Koha Kokiri 5-1 Mat Leahy Cody Harris 5-0 David Platt Last 16 Rhys Mathewson 3-5 Barry Gardner Steve Macarthur 2-5 Colin Edwards Lucas Cameron 5-3 Paul Cotton James Bailey 4-5 Mark Smyth Koha Kokiri 5-1 Mike Bonser Steve Fitzpatrick 3-5 Mat Leahy Kerry Allen 2-5 Cody Harris David Platt 5-0 Andrew Eagers Last 32 Ray ODonnell 3-5 Rhys Mathewson Barry Gardner 5-4 Mick Lacey Brendon McCausland 1-5 Steve Macarthur Colin Edwards 5-0 Jessica Smiley Lucas Cameron 5-2 Loz Ryder James McDonald 1-5 Paul Cotton James Bailey 5-2 Barb Smyth Marshall Allen 2-5 Mark Smyth Koha Kokiri 5-2 Dave Marland Mike Bonser 5-0 Leanne Shooter Steve Fitzpatrick 5-2 Chippy Miller Mat Leahy 5-1 Darren Wolter Gumley Kerry Allen 5-0 Jeremy Fagg Stephen Schmitt 1-5 Cody Harris Mick McCreedie 0-5 David Platt Daniel Sim 2-5 Andrew Eagers
Thompson Triumphs to take up the last spot in Brisbane Justin Thompson played just one day of qualifiers but left his mark by securing the final spot for the debut of the PDC World Series of Darts events in Brisbane. Another elimination leg was required to separate two protagonists as Thompson defeated fellow Victorian Rhys Mathewson 6-5. The board winners were Rhys Mathewson (over Jeremy Fagg), Mark Smyth (over Ray O’Donnell), Chippy Miller (over Jerry Weyman), Alex Evans (over Matt Clarke), Mike Bonser (over Mick Lacey), Steve Macarthur (over Darren Wolter Gumley), Justin Thompson (over Koha Kokiri) and Jake Devries (over Mark Taafe.) In the final eight Mathewson returned to some good form, defeating Smyth 5-1. Alex Evans upset a very consistent Chippy Miller 5-3. Steve MacArthur defeated Melbourne bound Mike 5-3 and Justin Thompson showed his class in a 5-1 win over Devries. Mathewson continued his good for in the semi finals with a 5-2 win over Alex Evans and set up a final clash against fellow Victorian Justin Thompson who defeated MacArthur 3-5, preventing the Queenslander from being on stage at his local event. The final started well for Thompson as he won the bull to throw first forcing Mathewson to break him to take the match. Thompson opened with a 100 but on his second visit Mathewson hit a maximum. A 125 response from Thommo had him well and truly in the leg although it was Mathewson who had first shot at a check out. With Thompson needing 50 Mathewson was unable to convert 121 (leaving 32) and Thompson took out the leg. A poor start of 59 for Mathewson was pounced on by Thompson with a 140. Thompson scored 100 when chasing 148 but with Mathewson far behind on the leg he got another visit to the oche but missed his check out. Mathewson could not convert 100, leaving tops, and Thompson was able to hit the required target with his last dart in hand. 2-0 to Thompson. The next leg started well for Mathewson with a 135 and two 140 visits but Thompson threw good consistent numbers to stay in the leg. Both players required 86 but Mathewson got it at the first attempt to get the break back off his opponent. Mathewson then opened with 100 which was matched by his opponent. Thompson then moved ahead by 75 points but missed a chance to leave a check out after his next visit. A 140 left 80 for Thompson as Mathewson moved from 180 to 80. Thompson then left twenty as Mathewson held throw with his last dart in hand. 2-2. Thommo opened the next leg with 45 whilst a 134 demonstrated a mini momentum shift to Mathewson. Thompson had to do something to stifle this and he did so by throwing a maximum. A second 180 in consecutive visits set Thompson up for the leg but he failed to convert 96. With Mathewson unable to take out a huge 167, missing the bull, Thompson hit tops with his next dart. The sixth leg started out close but mid leg a maximum to Mathewson left him on 128. He had six darts to complete the score and used them all to do so. The match was tied at three legs each. Thompson and Mathewson traded some big visits midway through the seventh leg but a 171 from Mathewson left him with a 132 checkout. He was unable to convert this and then had to watch as Thompson checked out 105 to hold throw. After nine darts of the next leg Mathewson was on 127 and with a 95 visit left himself 32. He secured it with the last dart in hand on his next visit. 4-4 and both players had to hold their nerve. Thompson showed all his experience by opening the next leg with a 140 and then backed it up with another. Eventually he took the leg out (it did take another 16 darts and along the way Mathewson missed the bull to steal the leg.) A 60 opening from his opponent gave Thompson a chance to take the match in this leg and he took it by scoring 140. His next visit was not as comprehensive but a 136 left him on 170 as Mathewson sat on 101. 134 from Thompson left the pressure on Mathewson but he showed great character in converting it to move the match into an elimination leg. Thompson started with an 83 and Mathewson opened with 140. Thompson then hit two maximums in a row to leave 58 and he hit it in style with the first two darts of his next visit. Justin Thompson therefore secured the last place in the Darts ANZ World Series of Darts Brisbane event.
Final Justin Thompson 6-5 Rhys Mathewson Semi Finals Rhys Mathewson 5-2 Alex Evans Steve MacArthur 3-5 Justin Thompson Quarter Finals Rhys Mathewson 5-1 Mark Smyth Chippy Miller 3-5 Alex Evans Mike Bonser 3-5 Steve MacArthur Justin Thompson 5-1 Jack Devries Round of 16 Rhys Mathewson 5-1 Jeremy Fagg Raymond Odonnell 3-5 Mark Smyth Chippy Miller 5-4 Jerry Weyman Matt Clarke 0-5 Alex Evans Mick Lacey 4-5 Mike Bonser Steve Macarthur 5-0 Darren Wolter Gumley Koha Kokiri 2-5 Justin Thompson Mark Taafe 3-5 Jack Devries Final 32 Steve Fitzpatrick 2-5 Rhys Mathewson Jeremy Fagg 5-2 Nathan Simpson Raymond Odonnell 5-1 Kevin Luland Mick McCreedie 1-5 Mark Smyth James Macdonald 2-5 Chippy Miller Anton Soc 4-5 Jerry Weyman Jen Lange 1-5 Matt Clarke Stephen Schmitt 1-5 Alex Evans Cody Harris 3-5 Mick Lacey Lucas Cameron 3-5 Mike Bonser Steve Macarthur 5-2 Mat Leahy Shane Harris 2-5 Darren Wolter Gumley Clayton Collins 0-5 Koha Kokiri Justin Thompson 5-3 James Bailey Darrell Logue 1-5 Mark Taafe Jack Devries 5-4 Loz Ryder
Qualifiers were held at the Warilla Bowls and Entertainment Club, Warilla NSW.