New Zealand Darts Masters (Hamilton) 2019 Night 2
Final
Michael van Gerwen 8 (97.41) Raymond van Barneveld 1 (91.18)
Michael van Gerwen overcame compatriot Raymond van Barneveld to defend his title in New Zealand, winning the now rebadged the New Zealand Darts Masters. He took out the final eight legs to one.
After opening with 100 against the throw van Barneveld chased a 132 check out in the first leg but left 68 as a 134 from MvG left him on 16. Barney missed two at double 4 to break on his next visit and van Gerwen did not let him have any more shots as he held his throw.
Neither player hit a treble in their opening visits in the next leg and RvB then failed to do so again on his next visit. Barney still managed to leave 154 first but after his attempt at it he could only leave 74. 134 left MvG on 64 and Barney then missed double ten to hold throw as MvG pounced once more, this time to break and lead 2-0.
Van Gerwen then hit 180, following up a 140 start for the leg, to leave 181 and then moved to needing only double 16 He missed on his next visit but Barney could only move from 180 to 82 and MvG did not make the same mistake on his next visit and the scoreboard now read 3-0 to van Gerwen.
Barney then failed to hold throw as his opponent completed the next leg in 17 darts and threw tops to complete a 100 check out in two darts to move to 4-0. In leg five van Gerwen quickly moved to requiring 125, mainly built on opening visits of 140 and 139. He left 66 with his opponent well behind and on his next visit a double nine gave him a 5-0 lead.
5-1 at the break came about because of a 15 darter from van Barneveld, highlighted by a 140 visit in response to a Van Gerwen opening of 174. After the break a maximum from van Barneveld left him needing 116. MvG failed to convert 170 and so Barney had a shot t his own big check out but left tops. There was no mercy from his countryman though as MvG checked out 75 with tops himself.
In the eighth leg van Barneveld opened with another 180 and then moved to 121 with two ne hundred visits as another maximum, this time from van Gerwen left him needing 130. Barney missed the bull for the leg before MvG missed the double five for his big check out. Barney then missed the double 8 and a double two gave the world number one a 7-1 lead, just one leg from the title of New Zealand Darts Master 2019.
A start of 100 and another 180 on throw had MvG closing in on the final required leg and when he hit 125 to leave 96 and Barney was 376 away it was really all over. Although van Gerwen did not do it on his next visit, he left 32, Barney could only hit the oche one last time and throw 125 to leave 151. MvG threw his 13th dart of the leg and it landed in the double 16 bed to secure the match and defeat his countryman for the title.
Statistics:
Averages MvG 97.41 RvB 91.18
Check outs MvG 8/14 RvB 1/9
Legs against the throw MvG 3-0
180s MvG 3-2
Semi Final 1
Raymond van Barneveld 8 (97.41) James Wade 5 (94.11)
Raymond van Barneveld won through to his third final in World Series events in New Zealand with an 8 – 5 victory over James Wade in the opening semi final in Hamilton.
A 180 from Wade in the opening leg moved him to 261 and he then left 115. To took two visits but Wade finally checked out with a double 8 to hold his throw. Barney then opened with 180 but could only follow up with a 60. He did move to 40 first but Wade was soon on that mark as well. Barney converted before Wade got a chance at his tops though to tie the match up after two legs.
A 140 left Wade on 161 but the same score moved van Barneveld to 16 in leg three. With Wade on 96 Barney then broke the throw with a double eight. Barney then went behind in the fourth leg but Wade missed 40 to give his opponent an outside chance only for Barney to miss the double 16 for a 101 check out. Wade then left 2 after his next visit and Barney held throw with a double 16 to go 3-1 up.
In the next leg Wade moved ahead strongly on throw and was soon at 144 .He left 56 with van Barneveld a long way behind but on his next visit he missed the double ten once more for a leg. Barney missed the bull for another unlikely leg and this time Wade held throw on his next visit, with his next dart to move within one at 2-3.
A 140 in the next leg moved van Barneveld from 224 to 84 as 60 could only move Wade to 164. Barney set up 32 for the leg to give Wade an outside shot at it but he could only collect one hundred. With his last dart in hand successful Barney led the match 4-2.
With visits of 134, and two 140s van Barneveld needed 87 as Wade hit 140 to put some pressure on but at his next visit Barney moved to a 5-2 lead with a 12 dart leg. He then opened his throw with a 140 which was matched by Wade. Wade then hit another 140 to move to 221 after six darts. A treble twenty last dart left Wade needing 121 as a 105 left Barney requiring 96. The bullseye gave Wade the 121 check out to get one of the breaks back in a 12 darter of his own.
The next leg saw both players start with one hundred in each of their opening two visits. Wade then moved to 181 as van Barneveld could only move to 241. Wade moved from 91 to 54 before Barney missed double tops low to miss checking out 145. Wade made no mistake on his next visit to hold throw and move within two legs of his opponent. Wade then upped the scoring pressure on the Barney throw only for a 140 to get the Dutchman back in the leg with visits of 140 and 145. Barney had left 156 and hit 140 to leave a double on the next visit. He hit the double 8 required with his second dart to lead 6-4.
Wade threw some excellent darts (visits of 134, 177 and 140) in the next leg to gain a strong lead and he required 50 after nine darts. He missed out on the next visit but hit tops with the next dart after that to move the match to 6-5. Wade took a small lead in the next leg as he tried to break his opponents throw and a 138 left him needing 167 to even things back up on the scoreboard. Wade left 60 after six more darts and it opened the leg up slightly, an opportunity Barney was too good not to take as he checked out 154 in a critical leg where he had looked out of it.
Wade got a 140 on his second visit of the next leg, having to win it to stay in the match. A sixty left Wade on 182 as Barney hit 140 to move to 68. With Wade unable to check out van Barneveld stepped up to try and convert 68. He missed double 16 for the match and Wade had to hit 82 for the match but missed two at tops. Barney hit double eight to make the final for the third time in New Zealand.
Statistics:
Averages RvB 97.41 JW 94.11
Check outs RvB 8/17 JW 5/17
Legs against the throw RvB 3-1
180s JW 2-1
Semi Final 2
Michael van Gerwen 8 (96.02) Rob Cross 3 (93.6)
Michael van Gerwen made the final an all dutch affair after he eliminated Rob Cross with an 8-3 victory in the second semi final.
A 180 on his second visit to the oche in the first leg from MVG moved the tournament count to 59 and his score to 222. Nine darts later and he was 1-0 up. In the second leg a 137 visit moved Cross to 271 as a 139 visit moved his opponent to 302. Another 137 and 138 from both players left them on 134 and 164 respectively. Cross then left 12 and MVG 75 before a double six with his first dart meant Cross held throw and the match was level at one all.
Cross opened up with a maximum in the third leg but a 140 from van Gerwen left him needing 86. Van Gerwen missed the bull at his next visit but Cross was not on a finish so two darts later MvG was 2-1 up on throw.
Van Gerwen then hit another 180 in the fourth leg as a follow up visit of 139 left him requiring 51. Cross had to check out 127 but missed the bull with his last dart and van Gerwen made him pay on his next visit to lead the match 3-1.
A 180 against the throw from Cross opened up the next leg but Cross then left 197. A last dart treble twenty on his next visit helped him move to 97 as MvG moved to 170 on his own throw. Cross then left 60 as remarkably van Gerwen’s second dart was hit by his third one to dislodge it from the bull. In the scheme of things it made no difference as Cross broke his opponent on his next visit. 3-2 to MvG.
On throw Cross hit double twenty when chasing 80 and then missed a dart at double ten to make the match 3-3 and van Gerwen pounced with a double 16 on his 17th dart leaving the match ate 4-2 at the break. Both players started strongly after the break but van Gerwen moved to a check out first with a 170 leaving just 16. Two darts later and he was 5-2 up. In leg eight and on throw Cross moved from 172 to 72 with a ton but he missed a double three with his last dart on his next visit. Both players then failed at their next visits before MvG threw a double 20 to lead the match 6-2.
Both players hit 140s early in the next leg but a follow up 137 from Cross helped him set up the first shot at check out, leaving 124 three darts later. Cross missed the bull for the check out to break back but MvG then missed double 16 to hold throw. Cross hit double four with his last dart in hand to move back to within three legs of his opponent at 6-3.
MvG then broke Cross once more to move one leg away from the win after Cross was unable to check out 96 and MvG collected 118 for the tenth leg. In what would be the final leg MvG missed out on a 143 check out and as he missed double 16 for the leg. Cross then missed the double 16 for himself, thus missing out on a 140 check out as, and MvG returned to the oche to throw the winner with his next dart. He had secured entry into the final with an 8-3 win over Cross.
Statistics:
Averages MvG 96.02 RC 93.6
Check outs MvG 8/15 RC 3/12
Legs against the throw MvG 4-2
180s 2-2
Quarter Final 1
James Wade 8 (93.09) Peter Wright 4 (90.39)
In the opening match of the night James Wade progressed through to the semi finals of the New Zealand Darts Masters in Hamilton with an 8-4 win over Peter Wright.
The opening leg saw Wright hit a 140 on is second visit but he could not check out 142 in 12 darts and instead Wade broke with a double ten getting him over the line. Wade then held throw after Wright left 16 having tried to check out 95 and instead Wade stepped up and checked out 52 with his next two darts.
Leg three also went the way of Wade. He hit a 180 on his penultimate visit and finished the leg with a double 12 for a second break in the match. He then held throw in 14 darts to move to 4-0, thanks in part to two successive visits of 140. Leg five saw Wade hit another two 140s, on his second and fourth visits and he completed it in 14 darts.
Finally in the sixth leg Wright gained a leg, against the Wade throw. He threw a maximum to start then 82 and 100 before checking out 139. He then held throw by completing Shanghai. Having won the seventh leg Wright moved to within three of his opponent but the next leg was on the Wade throw and a 100 left him requiring 164. Under no real pressure he left 104 and then cleaned it up on the next visit, completing the leg with tops. 6-2 down Wright had to hold throw and he did so in leg nine, starting with a 121 and checking out 66 with double 8.
Wright started with a 140 in the next leg but Wade bettered it with a 140. Wright got to a check out first with 137 but left 66 as Wade moved to 112 with an 89. The bull and double 8 gave Wright a third leg. Wade then held throw in 15 darts, completing an 80 check out with tops. Wright then hit 180 on his second visit to the oche to move to 221. Requiring 91 he hit it in two darts to move back to within three legs of the match once again at 7-4.
In leg twelve both players opened with 140 and Wright repeated it on his third visit. Requiring 31 Wade missed double ten and double five for the match. Wright would not have expected to return and chasing 80 he had a wild first dart and ended up only having a shot at the bull, which he missed. Wade’s next dart went in the double five bed and he had secured the match eight legs to four.
Statistics:
Averages JW 93.09 PW 90.39
Check outs RC 8/15 PW 4/10
Legs against the throw 3-1 JW
180s 2-2
Quarter Final 2
Raymond van Barneveld 8 (92.52) Daryl Gurney 6 (94.71)
Barney held his throw in the first game thanks to two 140 visits early on and a 60 finish, including his 17th dart landing in tops. Gurney then opened with a 100 and a maximum on his third visit. After 15 darts he threw a double 16 to move the match to 1-1. On throw van Barneveld hit 180 on his third visit to move to 216 but Gurney replied with the same to move to 87. Gurney then checked out in two darts to throw an eleven darter and lead two against the throw.
In the next leg Gurney failed to score chasing 52 and had to watch as Barney responded by checking out 100. Gurney then seemed to gain the upper hand by starting with a 180 only to watch Barney respond with the same result on his next visit. Later in the leg Barney left four trying to check out 64 and Gurney was able to step up and take down 80. Remarkably Barney then had the chance to break his opponent after Gurney left two chasing 12 and a double 18 was enough to move the match back to level terms.
Barney then held throw in 16 darts before Gurney responded by doing the same in 18 darts. RvB upped the tempo with a 13 dart leg moving him in front once more before Gurney threw 119 and 180 in his opening two visits of the tenth leg and check out 32 with his 16th dart.
At 5-5 Barney threw to hold throw and got the first check out chance at 107. Gurney put some pressure on by moving to 96 and it seemed to work as Barney could only move to 32. A treble 20 later and Gurney had two shots at double 18 for the leg but missed both. Barney then missed double 16 but hit double eight with his last dart in hand to move a leg in front once more.
Gurney then hit 96 before both players had 140 visits. Gurney moved ahead towards the end of the leg and a ton left him needing 82. Barney could only move to 150 and Gurney hit his one shot at the leg with tops the finishing result. At 6-6 Barney had to hold throw but a 140 on Gurney’s second visit piled pressure on and Barney could only respond with a 60. A 100 visit from Gurney left him on 164 but he failed to convert it on his next visit. Barney hit 140 to leave 56 and Gurney failed to gain a shot at a check out from 104. Van Barneveld hit 16 and tops to hold throw and move a leg away from the win.
Gurney started with a maximum on throw in leg 14. Barney had a much slower start but two 140 visits in visits two and four gave him the motivation he needed and with Gurney failing to check out 70 his opponent pounced, securing the 67 with a double eight. The final scoreline 8-6 to van Barneveld.
Statistics:
Averages RvB 94.71 DG 92.52
Check outs RvB 8/14 DG 6/17
Legs against the throw 3-2 RvB
180s 6-2 DG
Quarter Final 3
Michael van Gerwen 8 (106.33) Gary Anderson 5 (98.1)
Michael van Gerwen continued his push for back to back title in New Zealand with an 8-5 win over Gary Anderson in the quarter finals in Hamilton.
Van Gerwen opened with a 140 and a 100 before a 97 left him needing 164 on throw. Anderson hit a maximum to leave 127 as Van Gerwen then left 40. On his next visit MvG missed three at the leg in a reminder of some of his issues he had the night before. Anderson then pounced to break the MvG throw.
Anderson moved well ahead on throw in the second leg with a 140 and a maximum two visits later. In the end MvG failed to take out 44 after Anderson had missed out on tops on his previous visit. The double 5 came to the rescue for Anderson with last dart in hand on his next visit as he went two nil up.
Leg three saw MvG hit some big scores including a 140 and a 174 that left him needing 97. Anderson only secured 60 and thus under no pressure van Gerwen left tops for his next visit and this time he got it.
A 180 start helped Anderson on throw in the next leg and 8 darts later he was 3-1 up. Van Gerwen held throw with a double 16 in the next leg and he then got to a check out first in the next leg with a 156 chance. He left 40 as Anderson had to convert 148. He left 48 and finally van Gerwen converted tops for a leg to even things up after six legs.
A 180 moved van Gerwen to 187 in the next leg and at his next visit he left 48. Anderson had to hit the big fish but missed the second treble twenty and left 72. MvG missed two darts to go ahead at the double 16. Anderson hit tops to get the break of throw straight back and move ahead in the match once again at 4-3.
Anderson then moved to 92 in the next leg as a 140 left his opponent needing 86. A treble twenty was then followed by two missed darts at double 16 for Anderson and this time van Gerwen punished his opponent with a double 16 converting the 86.
A 100 start from the Dutchman was bettered by the Scotsman with a 140 at the beginning of leg nine. Two ton visits from each player then was followed by a 140 from Van Gerwen. One hundred from Anderson left both players needing 161. MvG then missed a treble and left 104 as Anderson missed the bull for the leg. MvG missed a dart at double 18 at his next visit and two darts later Anderson had made it three breaks of throw in a row and retaken the lead by 5 legs to 4.
MvG opened the net leg against the throw with a 180 and soon needed only 47 to break throw once more. Anderson stood behind his opponent on 92 as Van Gerwen got the target in two darts. A 140 start from MvG then was followed by 180 from Anderson. Another 140 and then 97 were the players next visits before another 180 left van Gerwen needing 41. 140 left Anderson on 84 but he never got a dart at it as MvG powered to a lead for the first time in the match, 6-5, by converting 41 with his eleventh dart.
A 140 start against the throw from McG piled the pressure on in the next leg and another 140 on his fourth visit left him requiring 40 which he hit with his 15th dart to leave 7-5. Both players hit big numbers in the next leg but MvG set himself up with a 140 to leave 52. With Anderson on 113 MvG won the match with his 11th dart, his third 11 darter in the final four legs.
Statistics:
Averages MvG 106.33 GA 98.1
Check outs MvG 8/19 GA 5/13
Legs against the throw MvG 4-3
180s GA 4-3
Quarter Final 4
Rob Cross 8 (96.59) Ben Robb 3 (96.48)
Rob Cross dismissed the Kiwi charge with an 8-3 victory over Ben Robb in the last of the quarter finals in Hamilton.
Robb started with a 134 against the throw but Cross hit a maximum straight after to move things back in his direction. He moved to 161 soon afterwards but 58 left him on 103. Robb was on 129 when Cross next stepped up but a double 18 was missed with his last dart. Robb then missed the bull for the leg as he failed to convert 104 and Cross then hit double 18 to successfully hold throw at the first attempt. Robb then had three poor visits on throw to fall behind in the second leg and Cross set up a 125 finish as Robb moved to 131. Cross hit 65 as Robb scored 91 to leave tops. The break of throw came with a second dart double ten for the visitor. 2-0 to Cross
A 140 left Robb needing 121 in the third leg but Cross checked out 110 for a 3-0 lead. Robb hit a maximum on throw in his second visit the next leg but still found himself behind as Cross moved from 221 to 91. Robb had to score 108 for the leg but missed the chance and left 32. Cross then hit the required 50 with an 18 and then a double 16 with his last dart in hand to go 3-0 up.
A 177 from Robb was then bettered by a maximum from Cross before a 140 two visits later left Robb on 84. Cross missed out on 91 but Robb missed the bull to give Cross the chance to return to the oche and he hit 20 and double 16 (with his 15th dart) to go five nil up.
Robb opened the next leg with visits of 140 and 134 and despite a poor take up of 42 on his third visit his followup of 121 left him requiring 64. Cross piled the pressure on with a visit of 134 leaving 89 but double 8 on dart 14 gave Robb his first leg of the night.
A maximum from the Kiwi in the next leg was not enough as he Robb chased 123 to break the Cross throw but left 68 as Cross moved from 168 to 100. Requiring 68 Robb missed double 16 for the leg. Cross missed out once again and the Kiwi knew the importance of the next darts but he missed and double ten gave Cross a 6-1 lead.
A 140 start from Robb in leg eight was just the tone he needed to set. He followed it up with one hundred as Cross hit another maximum to go to 221. 81 left Robb on 180 as Cross moved to 167. A 140 left Robb needing tops and Cross was able to convert the big check out. Leaving 76. Robb hit tops to win his second leg. 6-2 to Cross.
Cross then hit the 53rd maximum of the tournament and followed it up with a 140 on throw. He chased a 122 check out and only missed the final double six. With Robb well behind Cross still secured the leg with a double three on his next visit.
On his second visit in the next leg Robb hit another 180 to move to 261. Robb then had a go at the big fish but missed the bull for it. He completed his third leg of the match on his next visit but cleaning up the required 48. Rob Cross then opened up with a 93 before hitting a 140 and another 98 to take a big lead in the leg. Robb scored a maximum to move a little closer but 60 left Cross requiring 110. With Robb needing 127 Cross stepped up and completed his second 110 check out of the match. Cross had triumphed by eight legs to three and the Kiwi dream was over for this event.
Statistics:
Averages RC 96.59 BR 96.48
Check outs RC 8/15 BR 3/12
Legs against the throw RC 2-0
180s 4-4
Night 1 New Zealand Darts Masters (Hamilton 2019)
Match 1
James Wade 6 (92.71) Craig Caldwell 5 (87.71)
James Wade edged past Wellington’s Craig Caldwell with a come from behind 6-5 win. It was Wade’s first win of the tour.
Wade kicked off the tournament in Hamilton by securing the first 180 on the first visit to the oche of the event. He moved from 221 to 100 to set up the first shot at a checkout but missed two at tops to leave 20. He moved one leg up with his next throw.
He then started with a 140 against the throw and backed it up with a ton. However a 145 moved Caldwell to a check out opportunity first and he hit 142 with tops to tie the match up after two legs. Wade moved well clear on throw in the third leg and a 140 soon had him requiring 188. Nine darts later and he still had not taken it out but Caldwell could only put some pressure on by moving to 32 having hit 150. Wade took no notice and checked out the leg with his next dart.
Visits of 100 and 140 played out well for Caldwell on throw in the next leg as another ton left him requiring 161. He hit 82 for 79 as Wade could only leave 181. Caldwell missed 20 and had to leave 40 as Wade left 41. Caldwell then missed three more darts for the leg but then Wade left 20 himself. With his next dart Caldwell held throw and moved the match to two all.
Wade’s second 180 of the match on his second visit looked good for him but he only left 152 as Caldwell’s first maximum left him requiring 61. With Wade needing 52 Caldwell missed two darts for the leg but Wade failed to secure the 52 on his next visit. The Wade throw was broken with a double 9 from Caldwell’s next throw.
Caldwell fell behind Wade in the next leg as a 134 left him on 265 with Wade hitting 140 to move to 240. Wade then sat on 117 as Caldwell left 68. The Englishman did not even get a check out as double 12 saw Caldwell hold throw. At 4-2 Wade was able to hold throw in the seventh leg with a 140 moving him to 161. Six darts later he had moved the match back to one leg off being square at 4-3.
Caldwell started with a ton visit on throw before a 140 left him requiring 105 after 12 darts. Wade was left on 221 as Caldwell did not secure a great visit but still moved to 74. With one dart at double 16 Caldwell moved to within one leg of the match at 5-3.
A 180 on his second visit of the next leg helped Caldwell against the Wade throw once more and a 140 put the pressure on his opponent, leaving 96 but a 116 finish demonstrated how that kind of pressure does not faze the Englishman. It was the first of the three legs in succession Wade required to win the match. Caldwell then started with a 125 but failed to hit a treble on his next visit as Wade moved slightly ahead in the leg. A 134 left Caldwell on 184 as a 140 left Wade needing 140. Caldwell moved to 102 as Wade hit the 140 check out to regain the break and tie the match back up at 5-5.
In the deciding leg Wade opened with a 140 on throw but that was matched by his opponent. Another 140 on his third visit was not matched by Caldwell and chasing 140 Wade left tops. Caldwell moved from 180 to 125 but never revisited the oche again as Wade hit tops with his second dart to secure the match 6-5.
Statistics:
Averages JW 92.71 CC 87.71
Check outs JW 6/15 CC 5/10
Legs against the throw 1-1
180s 2-2
Match 2
Ben Robb 6 (96.87) Simon Whitlock 4 (93.51)
Ben Robb gained revenge on Simon Whitlock in front of his home fans with a 6-4 victory over Simon Whitlock, putting to bed the memory of the double 16 miss that cost him the match at this stage last year in Auckland.
Whitlock opened up by holding throw with a penultimate maximum setting up a required 44 which he concluded with a double 16. Robb then had four missed darts to hold his throw and fell behind by two legs.
Robb opened up an early lead against the throw in the third leg but a 47 visit from him handed the darts back to Whitlock. Robb was able to gain back the advantage and a double ten gave him the break back. He then opened with 90 before hitting a 140 in leg four. An 84 left him requiring double eight for the leg and on the next visit he hit it with his first dart (and the 13th dart of the leg) to tie the match up at 2-2.
A 140 against the throw from Robb moved him into the lead in the next leg and a follow up ton helped his cause, at the same time moving his average to the mid 90s. Another 140 left Robb on 121 as Whitlock could only leave 210. Robb moved to 56 and with a double ten he had won three legs on a row, and secured a break.
Robb required the big fish to hold throw, with Whitlock standing behind him on 164, and left tops for the leg. The Australian could only get 64 as Robb missed two at the leg before hitting double ten once more and locking in a 4-2 lead. On throw Whitlock looked better but a 130 moved Robb to requiring 221. A poor follow up visit of 54 left him needing 167 though and Whitlock moved from 183 to 83 with a ton visit. Robb and Whitlock then missed good opportunities, in fact the Australian did not even have a shot at a check out at his penultimate visit before hitting double 16 with his 16th dart.
Robb then opened the eighth leg with a 134 and followed it up with a 140. He left 134 as a massive maximum in terms of the right moment moved Whitlock to 127. 93 left Robb on 41 as Whitlock hit the bull with his 12th dart for the leg to tie the match up at four all.
Robb moved ahead in the next leg as a 140 from the Kiwi left him on 108. A 134 from his Australian opponent left him needing 154. With Whitlock unable to check out the 154, leaving tops, Robb hit the double eight with his 16th dart to break Whitlock once more and move within a leg of the match at 5-4.
A 100 start was helpful for Robb on throw but Whitlock responded with a 96 on his first visit. A 140 from Robb moved him ahead and a visit of 137 then put him in prime position. Despite a 44 visit he was far enough ahead to have first shot at a check out and the target that had been faithful to him all match did it again as a double ten handed him the match in a historic victory as he became the first Kiwi to win in Hamilton and only the second to win in a New Zealand World Series event after Mark McGrath won on the Auckland stage last year.
Statistics:
Averages BR 96.87 SW 93.51
Check outs BR 6/16 SW 4/4
Legs against the throw BR 3-2
180s SW 2-0
Match 3
Daryl Gurney 6 (95.98) David Platt 2 (89.51)
The third match of the night went to Daryl Gurney by six legs to two after he started strongly and then stopped a mini comeback from David Platt before it became too serious an issue for him.
Visits of 100, 140 and 168 mid leg one gave Gurney the opportunity to bust and still go one nil up in the match. He then threw 137, 94 and 100 in his first three visits on throw to set up his second winning leg.
Unable to check out 147 on throw Platt then had to watch as Gurney secured a second break with a double nine before ton plus finishes through the middle of the next leg had Gurney able to throw a double 12 with his 14th dart to secure a 4-0 lead in very quick fashion.
In the fifth leg Platt secured his first maximum visit of the match but requiring a ton soon after he missed the double ten for the leg and Gurney hit double 19 to complete a 118 check out and go five legs to nil up.
A 140 visit in the sixth leg was enough to leave Gurney on 205 as Platt could only move to 263. A 177 visit then left Gurney requiring 28 for the match. He busted but Platt was not on a finish. Gurney tried to bust again after stuffing up his first two throws but accidently left 3. Platt then hit double four to complete a 64 check out and steel a break of throw back, but the hill was still large in front of him at 5-1. It got a little smaller because despite Gurney’s first maximum of the match moving him to 169 Platt was able to move to 80 with a 140 visit. With Gurney standing behind him requiring 70 Platt soon hit double 5 with his last dart in hand to gain a second leg.
On throw in leg eight Gurney opened up with a 55 as Platt jumped on it with a 140 visit. Gurney, though, replied with a big visit of 134 to move to 312 as Platt hit tons in successive visits. With Gurney requiring 116 Platt could only leave 66. Gurney then missed one dart at tops for the match but Platt missed his own shot at tops to stay in the match and this time Gurney showed no more charity as he hit double tops with his next dart in hand to secure the match by six legs to two.
Statistics:
Averages DG 95.98 DP 89.51
Check outs DG 6/19 DP 2/7
Legs against the throw DG 3-1
180s 1-1
Match 4
Rob Cross 6 (99.84) Warren Parry 2 (79.06)
Warren Parry had got a very late call up to play in this tournament and started the match strongly before falling to Rob Cross by six legs to two in the fourth match of the evening in Hamilton.
Rob Cross tried to secure an 82 finish for the first leg but hit two successive 25s to leave 25. Parry then had a shot at double six for the break, having missed double 12 with his first dart and landed it to lead the match 1-0. Parry then moved to 212 on throw as Cross could only move to 269. Parry left 152 but only managed 22 on his next visit. Cross smelt a chance and moved from 170 to 76 as Parry missed the bullseye for the leg. Cross put his last dart into the double 8 bed to break straight back.
An easier leg on throw and a double 16 finish had Cross in front for the first time in the competition after three legs. Cross then required 77 for the fourth leg but left 20. Parry was a long way back on throw at 166. He moved to 76 but Cross got the break with his next dart to move 3-1 up.
A 96 start on throw and a 132 check out from Cross clinically moved him to a 4-1 lead. In the next leg Parry moved from 70 to 16 and a double 8 on his next visit (after Cross was unable to check out 110) gave Parry a second leg to move the match to 4-2 against the World Matchplay champion.
Cross held comfortably with visits of 134 122 and 161 mid round setting up a shot at double 12 which he completed with his 13th dart to move to within a leg of taking on Ben Robb in the next round at 5-2.
On throw Parry was able to move to 175 with a 140 but his opponent then stepped up to move from 261 to 121. 83 from Parry left him requiring 92 as Cross left 36 on his next visit. Parry missed the double 8 to hold throw and Cross hit double 18 with his first dart in hand on what proved to be the last visit to the oche of the match. Cross had prevailed 6-2 against the Kiwi darting legend that is Warren Parry.
Statistics:
Averages RC 99.84 WP 79.06
Check outs RC 6/10 WP 2/8
Legs against the throw RC 3-1
180s 0-0
Match 5
Gary Anderson 6 (84.08) Haupai Puha 3 (84.99)
Gary Anderson had fought a tooth ache all day but was good enough to still come out and perform on the Hamilton stage by defeating Haupai Puha by six legs to three in a match that presented opportunities for Puha to overcome his wounded Scottish opponent.
Anderson started strongly to move well ahead in the first leg but the frustration at his game was evident as he moved from 130 to 116 and then to 70. He still had his chance though as his opponent was still on 171 and two darts later Anderson finally held his throw. Puha then started with a 134 but his opponent stayed close by and with Anderson needing 139 the pressure was on for Puha to check out 124. Puha missed the bull for the leg but then Anderson missed tops for the same. Two darts later and Puha was level with the two time world champion at 1-1.
In the next leg Anderson was well ahead once more but chasing 88 he left 16 (having already moved from 130 to 88 on the previous visit.) Puha needed 120 but missed tops for the break and Anderson hit the double eight he needed for the leg. The Kiwi then started with a 125 but that was bettered by Anderson’s 140. Puha then matched that before Anderson had another big visit with a 134. Both players then had poorer visits before Anderson aimed for another 130 check out but stuffed it up again, this time leaving 89. Puha came up to the oche requiring 116 but missed a treble twenty for a check out dart. He had a shot at the leg though as Anderson missed out once more on his visit but Puha missed his one dart at tops for the leg. Two darts later and Anderson had a 3-1 lead.
In the fifth leg Anderson required 116 but Puha checked out 76 to break straight back and move to within a leg of his opponent. Leg six saw a 180 move Puha to 225 before he did it once again to leave 45. With his eleventh dart of the leg the match was level at 3-3
Gary Anderson then opened with a maximum and followed it up with a 135 soon leaving himself requiring 40. He missed all three darts at the target on his fifth visit before finally securing the leg with last dart in hand on his next visit.
Puha had to hold throw in the next leg but Anderson took the darts from him and soon left 171. Puha could not get back ahead in the leg as he only scored 43 to leave 219. A 97 moved Anderson to 74 but he then missed his chance for the break. Puha could not convert 120 though and Anderson hit double eight with his second dart on his next visit to move back to two legs in front and he had the throw in the next leg.
Anderson opened with an 81 but on his second visit Puha hit a 140 to grab the darts mid leg. An 83 left Puha on 182 and he was punished as a 140 left Anderson needing 106 for the match. An errant first dart and poor follow ups left Anderson still needing 80 as Puha hit the oche requiring 82. Puha missed tops for another leg but Anderson then did the same. Puha failed to take the chance on his next visit and Anderson threw the winning dart with his first of the next visit, tops closing out a 6-3 win to the visiting Scotsman.
Statistics:
Averages GA 84.08 HP 84.99
Check outs GA 6/18 HP 3/11
Legs against the throw GA 2-1
180s 2-2
Match 6
Peter Wright 6 (94.24) Damon Heta 1 (82.17)
In a first in the history of the tournament two current winners of World Series events in the one year played off against each other in the first round and it was German Darts Master Peter Wright who disposed of Brisbane Darts Master Damon Heta by six legs to one.
Heta started slowly and Wright pounced as he hit tops with his 16th dart to hold throw. He then upped the scoring pressure on the Heta throw with two visits of 140 followed up by 100 and 105 leaving a double 8 required with his 13th dart, an obligation he duly met.
The next leg on the Wright throw saw Heta stand behind his opponent requiring tops for a break only to watch as the Scotsman hit a 130 check out to lead 3-0. It was the kind of thing that had gone Heta’s way in previous weeks. Heta then got his chance to check out 40 in the next leg but left 20 and Wright showed him how it was done on his next visit to quickly move the match to 4-0.
Heta needed something and against the Wright throw he produced it. After Wright had failed to convert 62, leaving twenty, Heta hit a 117 check out, completing it with tops, to gain his first leg of the match. Unfortunately for him it was all he would get in the match as normal service resumed in the next leg, Wright hitting double 10 with his 17th dart after Heta had failed to secure a 36 finish, the scoreboard now reading 5-1 to Wright.
Visits of 100, 180 and 137 then left Wright needing 84 for the match and with his 12th dart landing in the double twelve Wright had secured the match by six legs to one.
Statistics:
Averages PW 94.24 DH 82.17
Check outs PW 6/13 DH 1/8
Legs against the throw PW 3-1
180s PW 1-0
Match 7
Michael van Gerwen 6 (92.09) Kyle Anderson 5 (88.37)
In a case of what might have been Kyle Anderson put on a much better performance and almost stole a famous victory from a poor Michael van Gerwen but missed match darts and lost the match 6-5 in the deciding leg.
Anderson opened the first leg at the oche but it was van Gerwen who set up the first finish after 15 darts with a 152 but did not get the check out. Anderson then hit 46 and kept his throw with his 20th dart to move one leg to the good in the match. In the next leg MvG slowly made his way to 124 but then could only leave himself on 61. Anderson moved from 244 to 64 with a maximum to put some pressure on and it seemed to work as MvG failed at his next visit. Anderson took full toll as he hit double eight for the break and the leg.
A 135 on his second visit in the next leg put Anderson on 285 but a poorer visit of 85 left him requiring 200. MvG failed to make the most of it and Anderson moved to 104. A 140 from van Gerwen then left him needing 88 as a missed double 16 saw Anderson fail to grab the leg. Both players would then squander opportunity after opportunity before van Gerwen hit double 16 for the leg.
The fourth leg saw MvG become more frustrated with his game but a 138 visit (straight after a maximum from Anderson) left the Dutchman requiring 80. MvG left tops as Anderson hit 56 to leave the same. Tops from van Gerwen put the match back into parity after four legs.
Anderson then opened with an 85 as MvG pounced with a maximum. Van Gerwen soon moved to needing 90 and Anderson stood behind him needing 76 assuming he would not get a shot at it but van Gerwen did not leave a check out chance with his last dart. Anderson then missed tops with his last dart before van Gerwen failed to collect on his next visit and a double ten from Anderson finally put the leg to bed to move back to a 3-2 lead.
The next leg was comfortably van Gerwens as he moved from 131 to 32 and hit the required total with last dart in hand on his next visit. The seventh leg saw a 135 visit move Anderson to 186 as a 134 from MvG left him behind on 226. Visits of 98 and 90 from each player set up check out opportunities. Requiring 88 a double 14 put Anderson ahead (on throw) once again, 4-3.
MvG then opened with a 134 as Anderson hit a ton. Visits of 95 and 140 from the Dutchman left 132 and a 104 visit then left him needing double 14 to hold throw. His 13th dart moved the match back to equal terms at four legs apiece.
In leg 9 a ton start from Anderson was trumped by a maximum from the three time World Champion but in a demonstration of what the match was like for him could only follow it up with a 58. Anderson had hit another 100 by then and his third visit left him needing 161. Sixty from Anderson was not enough as van Gerwen hit 134 chasing 170. Anderson left 60 as MvG missed all three at the checkout once more on his next visit. Anderson hit tops with last dart in hand to go 5-4 up.
Both players started with an 83 in the next leg. Kyle Anderson had a poor visit of 45 when he had a chance to steel the darts mid leg and he left a 170 chance. He never got to it as MvG hit a 164 finish of his own for the leg and move the match into a deciding leg.
Anderson opened the eleventh and final leg on throw but could only score 85. Surprisingly MvG could only respond with a 57. Anderson then hit 55 as MvG could not hit a treble on his next visit either. Anderson moved to 181 with a third 180, as MvG moves to 245 with a 140. The match seemed set up for Anderson as he left himself requiring 116 but a 134 from MvG left him needing 111 himself. Anderson then hit the lower wire for tops for the match. Van Gerwen did not even successfully set up a check out dart on his next visit as both players required twenty. Anderson left five after three darts and van Gerwen got the win with his second dart on his next visit, the 17th dart of the leg. Anderson had spurned four shots at the match and van Gerwen had avoided a huge banana skin to move into the second night in Hamilton by defeating Anderson six legs to five.
Statistics:
Averages MvG 92.09 KA 88.37
Check outs MvG 6/16 KA 5/16
Legs against the throw MvG 2-1
180s 3-3
Match 8
Raymond van Barneveld 6 (95.49) Cody Harris 5 (90.35)
In his final PDC event downunder, and as the last man to have played in all of those events, Raymond van Barneveld overcame a defiant Cody Harris as he became the second Dutchman in succession to successfully see off match darts against him and progress to the next night in Hamilton with a 6-5 victory.
On throw Barney hit a maximum in the first leg to leave 107 and hit tops for the check out to move comfortably to a 1-0 lead in the match. Harris then added his own maximum to move to 181 on his throw. It took seven darts but he moved the match to 1-1 soon after.
Leg three saw a visit of 140 from Harris put some pressure on the Barney throw but two darts later a double ten moved van Barneveld in front. Harris then threw a maximum to start the next leg but could only follow it up with a 60. A 140 moved Barney to a 136 finish as Harris could only move up one hundred to 101. Barney missed the double eight for the major check out but had another visit to the oche and hit the double four with his last dart in hand to secure the break and a 3-1 lead.
The next leg saw another 180 from Harris and before Barney missed double 16 for a 131 check out. Harris moved from 164 to 40 as Barney missed double two with his fourth dart at the leg. Harris pounced with a double ten to break straight back and move the match to 3-2. Harris then opened his own throw with a 140 but it was matched by van Barneveld. Both players followed up with visits of 60. Barney then hit 180 to set up a finish but left 25 for the leg. He missed more darts for the leg as Harris pounced once again with double 10 to tie the match up at 3-3.
Van Barneveld moved through the next leg comfortably early but failed to convert multiple chances and lost out to Harris who did not get any visit above 100 and still managed hit double 18 with his 21st dart for a 4-3 match lead. In the next leg a 140 visit from Harris moved him to 208 and another 140 left him requiring 68. He missed and Barney pounced to break back by checking out 44 (set up by a 134 previous visit.) Barney then hit bullseye for a 161 check out to hold throw and move 5-4 up. This 12 dart leg looked ominous for the home town hero who would now have to hold throw and break van Barneveld in the deciding leg.
Barney took a lead mid leg against the Harris throw and got to a check out, at 170, score first. Harris left 150 with an 87 visit as Barney scored 94 to leave him needing 76 for the match. He did not get the chance though as Harris hit the 150 check out to move the match to a deciding leg.
One hundred from van Barneveld was bettered by a maximum from the Kiwi in that last leg. A poor follow up visit was pounced on by Barney who secured a maximum of his own with the 180 leaving 161. A 140 from Harris left him needing 123. Harris missed the bull on his next visit for the 123 check out and a double 16 with his last dart in hand was enough to give the van Barneveld the 6-5 win.
Statistics:
Averages RvB 95.49 CH 5 90.35
Check outs RvB 6/28 CH 5/12
Legs against the throw 2-2
180s RvB 5-4
Final
Michael van Gerwen 8 (97.41) Raymond van Barneveld 1 (91.18)
Michael van Gerwen overcame compatriot Raymond van Barneveld to defend his title in New Zealand, winning the now rebadged the New Zealand Darts Masters. He took out the final eight legs to one.
After opening with 100 against the throw van Barneveld chased a 132 check out in the first leg but left 68 as a 134 from MvG left him on 16. Barney missed two at double 4 to break on his next visit and van Gerwen did not let him have any more shots as he held his throw.
Neither player hit a treble in their opening visits in the next leg and RvB then failed to do so again on his next visit. Barney still managed to leave 154 first but after his attempt at it he could only leave 74. 134 left MvG on 64 and Barney then missed double ten to hold throw as MvG pounced once more, this time to break and lead 2-0.
Van Gerwen then hit 180, following up a 140 start for the leg, to leave 181 and then moved to needing only double 16 He missed on his next visit but Barney could only move from 180 to 82 and MvG did not make the same mistake on his next visit and the scoreboard now read 3-0 to van Gerwen.
Barney then failed to hold throw as his opponent completed the next leg in 17 darts and threw tops to complete a 100 check out in two darts to move to 4-0. In leg five van Gerwen quickly moved to requiring 125, mainly built on opening visits of 140 and 139. He left 66 with his opponent well behind and on his next visit a double nine gave him a 5-0 lead.
5-1 at the break came about because of a 15 darter from van Barneveld, highlighted by a 140 visit in response to a Van Gerwen opening of 174. After the break a maximum from van Barneveld left him needing 116. MvG failed to convert 170 and so Barney had a shot t his own big check out but left tops. There was no mercy from his countryman though as MvG checked out 75 with tops himself.
In the eighth leg van Barneveld opened with another 180 and then moved to 121 with two ne hundred visits as another maximum, this time from van Gerwen left him needing 130. Barney missed the bull for the leg before MvG missed the double five for his big check out. Barney then missed the double 8 and a double two gave the world number one a 7-1 lead, just one leg from the title of New Zealand Darts Master 2019.
A start of 100 and another 180 on throw had MvG closing in on the final required leg and when he hit 125 to leave 96 and Barney was 376 away it was really all over. Although van Gerwen did not do it on his next visit, he left 32, Barney could only hit the oche one last time and throw 125 to leave 151. MvG threw his 13th dart of the leg and it landed in the double 16 bed to secure the match and defeat his countryman for the title.
Statistics:
Averages MvG 97.41 RvB 91.18
Check outs MvG 8/14 RvB 1/9
Legs against the throw MvG 3-0
180s MvG 3-2
Semi Final 1
Raymond van Barneveld 8 (97.41) James Wade 5 (94.11)
Raymond van Barneveld won through to his third final in World Series events in New Zealand with an 8 – 5 victory over James Wade in the opening semi final in Hamilton.
A 180 from Wade in the opening leg moved him to 261 and he then left 115. To took two visits but Wade finally checked out with a double 8 to hold his throw. Barney then opened with 180 but could only follow up with a 60. He did move to 40 first but Wade was soon on that mark as well. Barney converted before Wade got a chance at his tops though to tie the match up after two legs.
A 140 left Wade on 161 but the same score moved van Barneveld to 16 in leg three. With Wade on 96 Barney then broke the throw with a double eight. Barney then went behind in the fourth leg but Wade missed 40 to give his opponent an outside chance only for Barney to miss the double 16 for a 101 check out. Wade then left 2 after his next visit and Barney held throw with a double 16 to go 3-1 up.
In the next leg Wade moved ahead strongly on throw and was soon at 144 .He left 56 with van Barneveld a long way behind but on his next visit he missed the double ten once more for a leg. Barney missed the bull for another unlikely leg and this time Wade held throw on his next visit, with his next dart to move within one at 2-3.
A 140 in the next leg moved van Barneveld from 224 to 84 as 60 could only move Wade to 164. Barney set up 32 for the leg to give Wade an outside shot at it but he could only collect one hundred. With his last dart in hand successful Barney led the match 4-2.
With visits of 134, and two 140s van Barneveld needed 87 as Wade hit 140 to put some pressure on but at his next visit Barney moved to a 5-2 lead with a 12 dart leg. He then opened his throw with a 140 which was matched by Wade. Wade then hit another 140 to move to 221 after six darts. A treble twenty last dart left Wade needing 121 as a 105 left Barney requiring 96. The bullseye gave Wade the 121 check out to get one of the breaks back in a 12 darter of his own.
The next leg saw both players start with one hundred in each of their opening two visits. Wade then moved to 181 as van Barneveld could only move to 241. Wade moved from 91 to 54 before Barney missed double tops low to miss checking out 145. Wade made no mistake on his next visit to hold throw and move within two legs of his opponent. Wade then upped the scoring pressure on the Barney throw only for a 140 to get the Dutchman back in the leg with visits of 140 and 145. Barney had left 156 and hit 140 to leave a double on the next visit. He hit the double 8 required with his second dart to lead 6-4.
Wade threw some excellent darts (visits of 134, 177 and 140) in the next leg to gain a strong lead and he required 50 after nine darts. He missed out on the next visit but hit tops with the next dart after that to move the match to 6-5. Wade took a small lead in the next leg as he tried to break his opponents throw and a 138 left him needing 167 to even things back up on the scoreboard. Wade left 60 after six more darts and it opened the leg up slightly, an opportunity Barney was too good not to take as he checked out 154 in a critical leg where he had looked out of it.
Wade got a 140 on his second visit of the next leg, having to win it to stay in the match. A sixty left Wade on 182 as Barney hit 140 to move to 68. With Wade unable to check out van Barneveld stepped up to try and convert 68. He missed double 16 for the match and Wade had to hit 82 for the match but missed two at tops. Barney hit double eight to make the final for the third time in New Zealand.
Statistics:
Averages RvB 97.41 JW 94.11
Check outs RvB 8/17 JW 5/17
Legs against the throw RvB 3-1
180s JW 2-1
Semi Final 2
Michael van Gerwen 8 (96.02) Rob Cross 3 (93.6)
Michael van Gerwen made the final an all dutch affair after he eliminated Rob Cross with an 8-3 victory in the second semi final.
A 180 on his second visit to the oche in the first leg from MVG moved the tournament count to 59 and his score to 222. Nine darts later and he was 1-0 up. In the second leg a 137 visit moved Cross to 271 as a 139 visit moved his opponent to 302. Another 137 and 138 from both players left them on 134 and 164 respectively. Cross then left 12 and MVG 75 before a double six with his first dart meant Cross held throw and the match was level at one all.
Cross opened up with a maximum in the third leg but a 140 from van Gerwen left him needing 86. Van Gerwen missed the bull at his next visit but Cross was not on a finish so two darts later MvG was 2-1 up on throw.
Van Gerwen then hit another 180 in the fourth leg as a follow up visit of 139 left him requiring 51. Cross had to check out 127 but missed the bull with his last dart and van Gerwen made him pay on his next visit to lead the match 3-1.
A 180 against the throw from Cross opened up the next leg but Cross then left 197. A last dart treble twenty on his next visit helped him move to 97 as MvG moved to 170 on his own throw. Cross then left 60 as remarkably van Gerwen’s second dart was hit by his third one to dislodge it from the bull. In the scheme of things it made no difference as Cross broke his opponent on his next visit. 3-2 to MvG.
On throw Cross hit double twenty when chasing 80 and then missed a dart at double ten to make the match 3-3 and van Gerwen pounced with a double 16 on his 17th dart leaving the match ate 4-2 at the break. Both players started strongly after the break but van Gerwen moved to a check out first with a 170 leaving just 16. Two darts later and he was 5-2 up. In leg eight and on throw Cross moved from 172 to 72 with a ton but he missed a double three with his last dart on his next visit. Both players then failed at their next visits before MvG threw a double 20 to lead the match 6-2.
Both players hit 140s early in the next leg but a follow up 137 from Cross helped him set up the first shot at check out, leaving 124 three darts later. Cross missed the bull for the check out to break back but MvG then missed double 16 to hold throw. Cross hit double four with his last dart in hand to move back to within three legs of his opponent at 6-3.
MvG then broke Cross once more to move one leg away from the win after Cross was unable to check out 96 and MvG collected 118 for the tenth leg. In what would be the final leg MvG missed out on a 143 check out and as he missed double 16 for the leg. Cross then missed the double 16 for himself, thus missing out on a 140 check out as, and MvG returned to the oche to throw the winner with his next dart. He had secured entry into the final with an 8-3 win over Cross.
Statistics:
Averages MvG 96.02 RC 93.6
Check outs MvG 8/15 RC 3/12
Legs against the throw MvG 4-2
180s 2-2
Quarter Final 1
James Wade 8 (93.09) Peter Wright 4 (90.39)
In the opening match of the night James Wade progressed through to the semi finals of the New Zealand Darts Masters in Hamilton with an 8-4 win over Peter Wright.
The opening leg saw Wright hit a 140 on is second visit but he could not check out 142 in 12 darts and instead Wade broke with a double ten getting him over the line. Wade then held throw after Wright left 16 having tried to check out 95 and instead Wade stepped up and checked out 52 with his next two darts.
Leg three also went the way of Wade. He hit a 180 on his penultimate visit and finished the leg with a double 12 for a second break in the match. He then held throw in 14 darts to move to 4-0, thanks in part to two successive visits of 140. Leg five saw Wade hit another two 140s, on his second and fourth visits and he completed it in 14 darts.
Finally in the sixth leg Wright gained a leg, against the Wade throw. He threw a maximum to start then 82 and 100 before checking out 139. He then held throw by completing Shanghai. Having won the seventh leg Wright moved to within three of his opponent but the next leg was on the Wade throw and a 100 left him requiring 164. Under no real pressure he left 104 and then cleaned it up on the next visit, completing the leg with tops. 6-2 down Wright had to hold throw and he did so in leg nine, starting with a 121 and checking out 66 with double 8.
Wright started with a 140 in the next leg but Wade bettered it with a 140. Wright got to a check out first with 137 but left 66 as Wade moved to 112 with an 89. The bull and double 8 gave Wright a third leg. Wade then held throw in 15 darts, completing an 80 check out with tops. Wright then hit 180 on his second visit to the oche to move to 221. Requiring 91 he hit it in two darts to move back to within three legs of the match once again at 7-4.
In leg twelve both players opened with 140 and Wright repeated it on his third visit. Requiring 31 Wade missed double ten and double five for the match. Wright would not have expected to return and chasing 80 he had a wild first dart and ended up only having a shot at the bull, which he missed. Wade’s next dart went in the double five bed and he had secured the match eight legs to four.
Statistics:
Averages JW 93.09 PW 90.39
Check outs RC 8/15 PW 4/10
Legs against the throw 3-1 JW
180s 2-2
Quarter Final 2
Raymond van Barneveld 8 (92.52) Daryl Gurney 6 (94.71)
Barney held his throw in the first game thanks to two 140 visits early on and a 60 finish, including his 17th dart landing in tops. Gurney then opened with a 100 and a maximum on his third visit. After 15 darts he threw a double 16 to move the match to 1-1. On throw van Barneveld hit 180 on his third visit to move to 216 but Gurney replied with the same to move to 87. Gurney then checked out in two darts to throw an eleven darter and lead two against the throw.
In the next leg Gurney failed to score chasing 52 and had to watch as Barney responded by checking out 100. Gurney then seemed to gain the upper hand by starting with a 180 only to watch Barney respond with the same result on his next visit. Later in the leg Barney left four trying to check out 64 and Gurney was able to step up and take down 80. Remarkably Barney then had the chance to break his opponent after Gurney left two chasing 12 and a double 18 was enough to move the match back to level terms.
Barney then held throw in 16 darts before Gurney responded by doing the same in 18 darts. RvB upped the tempo with a 13 dart leg moving him in front once more before Gurney threw 119 and 180 in his opening two visits of the tenth leg and check out 32 with his 16th dart.
At 5-5 Barney threw to hold throw and got the first check out chance at 107. Gurney put some pressure on by moving to 96 and it seemed to work as Barney could only move to 32. A treble 20 later and Gurney had two shots at double 18 for the leg but missed both. Barney then missed double 16 but hit double eight with his last dart in hand to move a leg in front once more.
Gurney then hit 96 before both players had 140 visits. Gurney moved ahead towards the end of the leg and a ton left him needing 82. Barney could only move to 150 and Gurney hit his one shot at the leg with tops the finishing result. At 6-6 Barney had to hold throw but a 140 on Gurney’s second visit piled pressure on and Barney could only respond with a 60. A 100 visit from Gurney left him on 164 but he failed to convert it on his next visit. Barney hit 140 to leave 56 and Gurney failed to gain a shot at a check out from 104. Van Barneveld hit 16 and tops to hold throw and move a leg away from the win.
Gurney started with a maximum on throw in leg 14. Barney had a much slower start but two 140 visits in visits two and four gave him the motivation he needed and with Gurney failing to check out 70 his opponent pounced, securing the 67 with a double eight. The final scoreline 8-6 to van Barneveld.
Statistics:
Averages RvB 94.71 DG 92.52
Check outs RvB 8/14 DG 6/17
Legs against the throw 3-2 RvB
180s 6-2 DG
Quarter Final 3
Michael van Gerwen 8 (106.33) Gary Anderson 5 (98.1)
Michael van Gerwen continued his push for back to back title in New Zealand with an 8-5 win over Gary Anderson in the quarter finals in Hamilton.
Van Gerwen opened with a 140 and a 100 before a 97 left him needing 164 on throw. Anderson hit a maximum to leave 127 as Van Gerwen then left 40. On his next visit MvG missed three at the leg in a reminder of some of his issues he had the night before. Anderson then pounced to break the MvG throw.
Anderson moved well ahead on throw in the second leg with a 140 and a maximum two visits later. In the end MvG failed to take out 44 after Anderson had missed out on tops on his previous visit. The double 5 came to the rescue for Anderson with last dart in hand on his next visit as he went two nil up.
Leg three saw MvG hit some big scores including a 140 and a 174 that left him needing 97. Anderson only secured 60 and thus under no pressure van Gerwen left tops for his next visit and this time he got it.
A 180 start helped Anderson on throw in the next leg and 8 darts later he was 3-1 up. Van Gerwen held throw with a double 16 in the next leg and he then got to a check out first in the next leg with a 156 chance. He left 40 as Anderson had to convert 148. He left 48 and finally van Gerwen converted tops for a leg to even things up after six legs.
A 180 moved van Gerwen to 187 in the next leg and at his next visit he left 48. Anderson had to hit the big fish but missed the second treble twenty and left 72. MvG missed two darts to go ahead at the double 16. Anderson hit tops to get the break of throw straight back and move ahead in the match once again at 4-3.
Anderson then moved to 92 in the next leg as a 140 left his opponent needing 86. A treble twenty was then followed by two missed darts at double 16 for Anderson and this time van Gerwen punished his opponent with a double 16 converting the 86.
A 100 start from the Dutchman was bettered by the Scotsman with a 140 at the beginning of leg nine. Two ton visits from each player then was followed by a 140 from Van Gerwen. One hundred from Anderson left both players needing 161. MvG then missed a treble and left 104 as Anderson missed the bull for the leg. MvG missed a dart at double 18 at his next visit and two darts later Anderson had made it three breaks of throw in a row and retaken the lead by 5 legs to 4.
MvG opened the net leg against the throw with a 180 and soon needed only 47 to break throw once more. Anderson stood behind his opponent on 92 as Van Gerwen got the target in two darts. A 140 start from MvG then was followed by 180 from Anderson. Another 140 and then 97 were the players next visits before another 180 left van Gerwen needing 41. 140 left Anderson on 84 but he never got a dart at it as MvG powered to a lead for the first time in the match, 6-5, by converting 41 with his eleventh dart.
A 140 start against the throw from McG piled the pressure on in the next leg and another 140 on his fourth visit left him requiring 40 which he hit with his 15th dart to leave 7-5. Both players hit big numbers in the next leg but MvG set himself up with a 140 to leave 52. With Anderson on 113 MvG won the match with his 11th dart, his third 11 darter in the final four legs.
Statistics:
Averages MvG 106.33 GA 98.1
Check outs MvG 8/19 GA 5/13
Legs against the throw MvG 4-3
180s GA 4-3
Quarter Final 4
Rob Cross 8 (96.59) Ben Robb 3 (96.48)
Rob Cross dismissed the Kiwi charge with an 8-3 victory over Ben Robb in the last of the quarter finals in Hamilton.
Robb started with a 134 against the throw but Cross hit a maximum straight after to move things back in his direction. He moved to 161 soon afterwards but 58 left him on 103. Robb was on 129 when Cross next stepped up but a double 18 was missed with his last dart. Robb then missed the bull for the leg as he failed to convert 104 and Cross then hit double 18 to successfully hold throw at the first attempt. Robb then had three poor visits on throw to fall behind in the second leg and Cross set up a 125 finish as Robb moved to 131. Cross hit 65 as Robb scored 91 to leave tops. The break of throw came with a second dart double ten for the visitor. 2-0 to Cross
A 140 left Robb needing 121 in the third leg but Cross checked out 110 for a 3-0 lead. Robb hit a maximum on throw in his second visit the next leg but still found himself behind as Cross moved from 221 to 91. Robb had to score 108 for the leg but missed the chance and left 32. Cross then hit the required 50 with an 18 and then a double 16 with his last dart in hand to go 3-0 up.
A 177 from Robb was then bettered by a maximum from Cross before a 140 two visits later left Robb on 84. Cross missed out on 91 but Robb missed the bull to give Cross the chance to return to the oche and he hit 20 and double 16 (with his 15th dart) to go five nil up.
Robb opened the next leg with visits of 140 and 134 and despite a poor take up of 42 on his third visit his followup of 121 left him requiring 64. Cross piled the pressure on with a visit of 134 leaving 89 but double 8 on dart 14 gave Robb his first leg of the night.
A maximum from the Kiwi in the next leg was not enough as he Robb chased 123 to break the Cross throw but left 68 as Cross moved from 168 to 100. Requiring 68 Robb missed double 16 for the leg. Cross missed out once again and the Kiwi knew the importance of the next darts but he missed and double ten gave Cross a 6-1 lead.
A 140 start from Robb in leg eight was just the tone he needed to set. He followed it up with one hundred as Cross hit another maximum to go to 221. 81 left Robb on 180 as Cross moved to 167. A 140 left Robb needing tops and Cross was able to convert the big check out. Leaving 76. Robb hit tops to win his second leg. 6-2 to Cross.
Cross then hit the 53rd maximum of the tournament and followed it up with a 140 on throw. He chased a 122 check out and only missed the final double six. With Robb well behind Cross still secured the leg with a double three on his next visit.
On his second visit in the next leg Robb hit another 180 to move to 261. Robb then had a go at the big fish but missed the bull for it. He completed his third leg of the match on his next visit but cleaning up the required 48. Rob Cross then opened up with a 93 before hitting a 140 and another 98 to take a big lead in the leg. Robb scored a maximum to move a little closer but 60 left Cross requiring 110. With Robb needing 127 Cross stepped up and completed his second 110 check out of the match. Cross had triumphed by eight legs to three and the Kiwi dream was over for this event.
Statistics:
Averages RC 96.59 BR 96.48
Check outs RC 8/15 BR 3/12
Legs against the throw RC 2-0
180s 4-4
Night 1 New Zealand Darts Masters (Hamilton 2019)
Match 1
James Wade 6 (92.71) Craig Caldwell 5 (87.71)
James Wade edged past Wellington’s Craig Caldwell with a come from behind 6-5 win. It was Wade’s first win of the tour.
Wade kicked off the tournament in Hamilton by securing the first 180 on the first visit to the oche of the event. He moved from 221 to 100 to set up the first shot at a checkout but missed two at tops to leave 20. He moved one leg up with his next throw.
He then started with a 140 against the throw and backed it up with a ton. However a 145 moved Caldwell to a check out opportunity first and he hit 142 with tops to tie the match up after two legs. Wade moved well clear on throw in the third leg and a 140 soon had him requiring 188. Nine darts later and he still had not taken it out but Caldwell could only put some pressure on by moving to 32 having hit 150. Wade took no notice and checked out the leg with his next dart.
Visits of 100 and 140 played out well for Caldwell on throw in the next leg as another ton left him requiring 161. He hit 82 for 79 as Wade could only leave 181. Caldwell missed 20 and had to leave 40 as Wade left 41. Caldwell then missed three more darts for the leg but then Wade left 20 himself. With his next dart Caldwell held throw and moved the match to two all.
Wade’s second 180 of the match on his second visit looked good for him but he only left 152 as Caldwell’s first maximum left him requiring 61. With Wade needing 52 Caldwell missed two darts for the leg but Wade failed to secure the 52 on his next visit. The Wade throw was broken with a double 9 from Caldwell’s next throw.
Caldwell fell behind Wade in the next leg as a 134 left him on 265 with Wade hitting 140 to move to 240. Wade then sat on 117 as Caldwell left 68. The Englishman did not even get a check out as double 12 saw Caldwell hold throw. At 4-2 Wade was able to hold throw in the seventh leg with a 140 moving him to 161. Six darts later he had moved the match back to one leg off being square at 4-3.
Caldwell started with a ton visit on throw before a 140 left him requiring 105 after 12 darts. Wade was left on 221 as Caldwell did not secure a great visit but still moved to 74. With one dart at double 16 Caldwell moved to within one leg of the match at 5-3.
A 180 on his second visit of the next leg helped Caldwell against the Wade throw once more and a 140 put the pressure on his opponent, leaving 96 but a 116 finish demonstrated how that kind of pressure does not faze the Englishman. It was the first of the three legs in succession Wade required to win the match. Caldwell then started with a 125 but failed to hit a treble on his next visit as Wade moved slightly ahead in the leg. A 134 left Caldwell on 184 as a 140 left Wade needing 140. Caldwell moved to 102 as Wade hit the 140 check out to regain the break and tie the match back up at 5-5.
In the deciding leg Wade opened with a 140 on throw but that was matched by his opponent. Another 140 on his third visit was not matched by Caldwell and chasing 140 Wade left tops. Caldwell moved from 180 to 125 but never revisited the oche again as Wade hit tops with his second dart to secure the match 6-5.
Statistics:
Averages JW 92.71 CC 87.71
Check outs JW 6/15 CC 5/10
Legs against the throw 1-1
180s 2-2
Match 2
Ben Robb 6 (96.87) Simon Whitlock 4 (93.51)
Ben Robb gained revenge on Simon Whitlock in front of his home fans with a 6-4 victory over Simon Whitlock, putting to bed the memory of the double 16 miss that cost him the match at this stage last year in Auckland.
Whitlock opened up by holding throw with a penultimate maximum setting up a required 44 which he concluded with a double 16. Robb then had four missed darts to hold his throw and fell behind by two legs.
Robb opened up an early lead against the throw in the third leg but a 47 visit from him handed the darts back to Whitlock. Robb was able to gain back the advantage and a double ten gave him the break back. He then opened with 90 before hitting a 140 in leg four. An 84 left him requiring double eight for the leg and on the next visit he hit it with his first dart (and the 13th dart of the leg) to tie the match up at 2-2.
A 140 against the throw from Robb moved him into the lead in the next leg and a follow up ton helped his cause, at the same time moving his average to the mid 90s. Another 140 left Robb on 121 as Whitlock could only leave 210. Robb moved to 56 and with a double ten he had won three legs on a row, and secured a break.
Robb required the big fish to hold throw, with Whitlock standing behind him on 164, and left tops for the leg. The Australian could only get 64 as Robb missed two at the leg before hitting double ten once more and locking in a 4-2 lead. On throw Whitlock looked better but a 130 moved Robb to requiring 221. A poor follow up visit of 54 left him needing 167 though and Whitlock moved from 183 to 83 with a ton visit. Robb and Whitlock then missed good opportunities, in fact the Australian did not even have a shot at a check out at his penultimate visit before hitting double 16 with his 16th dart.
Robb then opened the eighth leg with a 134 and followed it up with a 140. He left 134 as a massive maximum in terms of the right moment moved Whitlock to 127. 93 left Robb on 41 as Whitlock hit the bull with his 12th dart for the leg to tie the match up at four all.
Robb moved ahead in the next leg as a 140 from the Kiwi left him on 108. A 134 from his Australian opponent left him needing 154. With Whitlock unable to check out the 154, leaving tops, Robb hit the double eight with his 16th dart to break Whitlock once more and move within a leg of the match at 5-4.
A 100 start was helpful for Robb on throw but Whitlock responded with a 96 on his first visit. A 140 from Robb moved him ahead and a visit of 137 then put him in prime position. Despite a 44 visit he was far enough ahead to have first shot at a check out and the target that had been faithful to him all match did it again as a double ten handed him the match in a historic victory as he became the first Kiwi to win in Hamilton and only the second to win in a New Zealand World Series event after Mark McGrath won on the Auckland stage last year.
Statistics:
Averages BR 96.87 SW 93.51
Check outs BR 6/16 SW 4/4
Legs against the throw BR 3-2
180s SW 2-0
Match 3
Daryl Gurney 6 (95.98) David Platt 2 (89.51)
The third match of the night went to Daryl Gurney by six legs to two after he started strongly and then stopped a mini comeback from David Platt before it became too serious an issue for him.
Visits of 100, 140 and 168 mid leg one gave Gurney the opportunity to bust and still go one nil up in the match. He then threw 137, 94 and 100 in his first three visits on throw to set up his second winning leg.
Unable to check out 147 on throw Platt then had to watch as Gurney secured a second break with a double nine before ton plus finishes through the middle of the next leg had Gurney able to throw a double 12 with his 14th dart to secure a 4-0 lead in very quick fashion.
In the fifth leg Platt secured his first maximum visit of the match but requiring a ton soon after he missed the double ten for the leg and Gurney hit double 19 to complete a 118 check out and go five legs to nil up.
A 140 visit in the sixth leg was enough to leave Gurney on 205 as Platt could only move to 263. A 177 visit then left Gurney requiring 28 for the match. He busted but Platt was not on a finish. Gurney tried to bust again after stuffing up his first two throws but accidently left 3. Platt then hit double four to complete a 64 check out and steel a break of throw back, but the hill was still large in front of him at 5-1. It got a little smaller because despite Gurney’s first maximum of the match moving him to 169 Platt was able to move to 80 with a 140 visit. With Gurney standing behind him requiring 70 Platt soon hit double 5 with his last dart in hand to gain a second leg.
On throw in leg eight Gurney opened up with a 55 as Platt jumped on it with a 140 visit. Gurney, though, replied with a big visit of 134 to move to 312 as Platt hit tons in successive visits. With Gurney requiring 116 Platt could only leave 66. Gurney then missed one dart at tops for the match but Platt missed his own shot at tops to stay in the match and this time Gurney showed no more charity as he hit double tops with his next dart in hand to secure the match by six legs to two.
Statistics:
Averages DG 95.98 DP 89.51
Check outs DG 6/19 DP 2/7
Legs against the throw DG 3-1
180s 1-1
Match 4
Rob Cross 6 (99.84) Warren Parry 2 (79.06)
Warren Parry had got a very late call up to play in this tournament and started the match strongly before falling to Rob Cross by six legs to two in the fourth match of the evening in Hamilton.
Rob Cross tried to secure an 82 finish for the first leg but hit two successive 25s to leave 25. Parry then had a shot at double six for the break, having missed double 12 with his first dart and landed it to lead the match 1-0. Parry then moved to 212 on throw as Cross could only move to 269. Parry left 152 but only managed 22 on his next visit. Cross smelt a chance and moved from 170 to 76 as Parry missed the bullseye for the leg. Cross put his last dart into the double 8 bed to break straight back.
An easier leg on throw and a double 16 finish had Cross in front for the first time in the competition after three legs. Cross then required 77 for the fourth leg but left 20. Parry was a long way back on throw at 166. He moved to 76 but Cross got the break with his next dart to move 3-1 up.
A 96 start on throw and a 132 check out from Cross clinically moved him to a 4-1 lead. In the next leg Parry moved from 70 to 16 and a double 8 on his next visit (after Cross was unable to check out 110) gave Parry a second leg to move the match to 4-2 against the World Matchplay champion.
Cross held comfortably with visits of 134 122 and 161 mid round setting up a shot at double 12 which he completed with his 13th dart to move to within a leg of taking on Ben Robb in the next round at 5-2.
On throw Parry was able to move to 175 with a 140 but his opponent then stepped up to move from 261 to 121. 83 from Parry left him requiring 92 as Cross left 36 on his next visit. Parry missed the double 8 to hold throw and Cross hit double 18 with his first dart in hand on what proved to be the last visit to the oche of the match. Cross had prevailed 6-2 against the Kiwi darting legend that is Warren Parry.
Statistics:
Averages RC 99.84 WP 79.06
Check outs RC 6/10 WP 2/8
Legs against the throw RC 3-1
180s 0-0
Match 5
Gary Anderson 6 (84.08) Haupai Puha 3 (84.99)
Gary Anderson had fought a tooth ache all day but was good enough to still come out and perform on the Hamilton stage by defeating Haupai Puha by six legs to three in a match that presented opportunities for Puha to overcome his wounded Scottish opponent.
Anderson started strongly to move well ahead in the first leg but the frustration at his game was evident as he moved from 130 to 116 and then to 70. He still had his chance though as his opponent was still on 171 and two darts later Anderson finally held his throw. Puha then started with a 134 but his opponent stayed close by and with Anderson needing 139 the pressure was on for Puha to check out 124. Puha missed the bull for the leg but then Anderson missed tops for the same. Two darts later and Puha was level with the two time world champion at 1-1.
In the next leg Anderson was well ahead once more but chasing 88 he left 16 (having already moved from 130 to 88 on the previous visit.) Puha needed 120 but missed tops for the break and Anderson hit the double eight he needed for the leg. The Kiwi then started with a 125 but that was bettered by Anderson’s 140. Puha then matched that before Anderson had another big visit with a 134. Both players then had poorer visits before Anderson aimed for another 130 check out but stuffed it up again, this time leaving 89. Puha came up to the oche requiring 116 but missed a treble twenty for a check out dart. He had a shot at the leg though as Anderson missed out once more on his visit but Puha missed his one dart at tops for the leg. Two darts later and Anderson had a 3-1 lead.
In the fifth leg Anderson required 116 but Puha checked out 76 to break straight back and move to within a leg of his opponent. Leg six saw a 180 move Puha to 225 before he did it once again to leave 45. With his eleventh dart of the leg the match was level at 3-3
Gary Anderson then opened with a maximum and followed it up with a 135 soon leaving himself requiring 40. He missed all three darts at the target on his fifth visit before finally securing the leg with last dart in hand on his next visit.
Puha had to hold throw in the next leg but Anderson took the darts from him and soon left 171. Puha could not get back ahead in the leg as he only scored 43 to leave 219. A 97 moved Anderson to 74 but he then missed his chance for the break. Puha could not convert 120 though and Anderson hit double eight with his second dart on his next visit to move back to two legs in front and he had the throw in the next leg.
Anderson opened with an 81 but on his second visit Puha hit a 140 to grab the darts mid leg. An 83 left Puha on 182 and he was punished as a 140 left Anderson needing 106 for the match. An errant first dart and poor follow ups left Anderson still needing 80 as Puha hit the oche requiring 82. Puha missed tops for another leg but Anderson then did the same. Puha failed to take the chance on his next visit and Anderson threw the winning dart with his first of the next visit, tops closing out a 6-3 win to the visiting Scotsman.
Statistics:
Averages GA 84.08 HP 84.99
Check outs GA 6/18 HP 3/11
Legs against the throw GA 2-1
180s 2-2
Match 6
Peter Wright 6 (94.24) Damon Heta 1 (82.17)
In a first in the history of the tournament two current winners of World Series events in the one year played off against each other in the first round and it was German Darts Master Peter Wright who disposed of Brisbane Darts Master Damon Heta by six legs to one.
Heta started slowly and Wright pounced as he hit tops with his 16th dart to hold throw. He then upped the scoring pressure on the Heta throw with two visits of 140 followed up by 100 and 105 leaving a double 8 required with his 13th dart, an obligation he duly met.
The next leg on the Wright throw saw Heta stand behind his opponent requiring tops for a break only to watch as the Scotsman hit a 130 check out to lead 3-0. It was the kind of thing that had gone Heta’s way in previous weeks. Heta then got his chance to check out 40 in the next leg but left 20 and Wright showed him how it was done on his next visit to quickly move the match to 4-0.
Heta needed something and against the Wright throw he produced it. After Wright had failed to convert 62, leaving twenty, Heta hit a 117 check out, completing it with tops, to gain his first leg of the match. Unfortunately for him it was all he would get in the match as normal service resumed in the next leg, Wright hitting double 10 with his 17th dart after Heta had failed to secure a 36 finish, the scoreboard now reading 5-1 to Wright.
Visits of 100, 180 and 137 then left Wright needing 84 for the match and with his 12th dart landing in the double twelve Wright had secured the match by six legs to one.
Statistics:
Averages PW 94.24 DH 82.17
Check outs PW 6/13 DH 1/8
Legs against the throw PW 3-1
180s PW 1-0
Match 7
Michael van Gerwen 6 (92.09) Kyle Anderson 5 (88.37)
In a case of what might have been Kyle Anderson put on a much better performance and almost stole a famous victory from a poor Michael van Gerwen but missed match darts and lost the match 6-5 in the deciding leg.
Anderson opened the first leg at the oche but it was van Gerwen who set up the first finish after 15 darts with a 152 but did not get the check out. Anderson then hit 46 and kept his throw with his 20th dart to move one leg to the good in the match. In the next leg MvG slowly made his way to 124 but then could only leave himself on 61. Anderson moved from 244 to 64 with a maximum to put some pressure on and it seemed to work as MvG failed at his next visit. Anderson took full toll as he hit double eight for the break and the leg.
A 135 on his second visit in the next leg put Anderson on 285 but a poorer visit of 85 left him requiring 200. MvG failed to make the most of it and Anderson moved to 104. A 140 from van Gerwen then left him needing 88 as a missed double 16 saw Anderson fail to grab the leg. Both players would then squander opportunity after opportunity before van Gerwen hit double 16 for the leg.
The fourth leg saw MvG become more frustrated with his game but a 138 visit (straight after a maximum from Anderson) left the Dutchman requiring 80. MvG left tops as Anderson hit 56 to leave the same. Tops from van Gerwen put the match back into parity after four legs.
Anderson then opened with an 85 as MvG pounced with a maximum. Van Gerwen soon moved to needing 90 and Anderson stood behind him needing 76 assuming he would not get a shot at it but van Gerwen did not leave a check out chance with his last dart. Anderson then missed tops with his last dart before van Gerwen failed to collect on his next visit and a double ten from Anderson finally put the leg to bed to move back to a 3-2 lead.
The next leg was comfortably van Gerwens as he moved from 131 to 32 and hit the required total with last dart in hand on his next visit. The seventh leg saw a 135 visit move Anderson to 186 as a 134 from MvG left him behind on 226. Visits of 98 and 90 from each player set up check out opportunities. Requiring 88 a double 14 put Anderson ahead (on throw) once again, 4-3.
MvG then opened with a 134 as Anderson hit a ton. Visits of 95 and 140 from the Dutchman left 132 and a 104 visit then left him needing double 14 to hold throw. His 13th dart moved the match back to equal terms at four legs apiece.
In leg 9 a ton start from Anderson was trumped by a maximum from the three time World Champion but in a demonstration of what the match was like for him could only follow it up with a 58. Anderson had hit another 100 by then and his third visit left him needing 161. Sixty from Anderson was not enough as van Gerwen hit 134 chasing 170. Anderson left 60 as MvG missed all three at the checkout once more on his next visit. Anderson hit tops with last dart in hand to go 5-4 up.
Both players started with an 83 in the next leg. Kyle Anderson had a poor visit of 45 when he had a chance to steel the darts mid leg and he left a 170 chance. He never got to it as MvG hit a 164 finish of his own for the leg and move the match into a deciding leg.
Anderson opened the eleventh and final leg on throw but could only score 85. Surprisingly MvG could only respond with a 57. Anderson then hit 55 as MvG could not hit a treble on his next visit either. Anderson moved to 181 with a third 180, as MvG moves to 245 with a 140. The match seemed set up for Anderson as he left himself requiring 116 but a 134 from MvG left him needing 111 himself. Anderson then hit the lower wire for tops for the match. Van Gerwen did not even successfully set up a check out dart on his next visit as both players required twenty. Anderson left five after three darts and van Gerwen got the win with his second dart on his next visit, the 17th dart of the leg. Anderson had spurned four shots at the match and van Gerwen had avoided a huge banana skin to move into the second night in Hamilton by defeating Anderson six legs to five.
Statistics:
Averages MvG 92.09 KA 88.37
Check outs MvG 6/16 KA 5/16
Legs against the throw MvG 2-1
180s 3-3
Match 8
Raymond van Barneveld 6 (95.49) Cody Harris 5 (90.35)
In his final PDC event downunder, and as the last man to have played in all of those events, Raymond van Barneveld overcame a defiant Cody Harris as he became the second Dutchman in succession to successfully see off match darts against him and progress to the next night in Hamilton with a 6-5 victory.
On throw Barney hit a maximum in the first leg to leave 107 and hit tops for the check out to move comfortably to a 1-0 lead in the match. Harris then added his own maximum to move to 181 on his throw. It took seven darts but he moved the match to 1-1 soon after.
Leg three saw a visit of 140 from Harris put some pressure on the Barney throw but two darts later a double ten moved van Barneveld in front. Harris then threw a maximum to start the next leg but could only follow it up with a 60. A 140 moved Barney to a 136 finish as Harris could only move up one hundred to 101. Barney missed the double eight for the major check out but had another visit to the oche and hit the double four with his last dart in hand to secure the break and a 3-1 lead.
The next leg saw another 180 from Harris and before Barney missed double 16 for a 131 check out. Harris moved from 164 to 40 as Barney missed double two with his fourth dart at the leg. Harris pounced with a double ten to break straight back and move the match to 3-2. Harris then opened his own throw with a 140 but it was matched by van Barneveld. Both players followed up with visits of 60. Barney then hit 180 to set up a finish but left 25 for the leg. He missed more darts for the leg as Harris pounced once again with double 10 to tie the match up at 3-3.
Van Barneveld moved through the next leg comfortably early but failed to convert multiple chances and lost out to Harris who did not get any visit above 100 and still managed hit double 18 with his 21st dart for a 4-3 match lead. In the next leg a 140 visit from Harris moved him to 208 and another 140 left him requiring 68. He missed and Barney pounced to break back by checking out 44 (set up by a 134 previous visit.) Barney then hit bullseye for a 161 check out to hold throw and move 5-4 up. This 12 dart leg looked ominous for the home town hero who would now have to hold throw and break van Barneveld in the deciding leg.
Barney took a lead mid leg against the Harris throw and got to a check out, at 170, score first. Harris left 150 with an 87 visit as Barney scored 94 to leave him needing 76 for the match. He did not get the chance though as Harris hit the 150 check out to move the match to a deciding leg.
One hundred from van Barneveld was bettered by a maximum from the Kiwi in that last leg. A poor follow up visit was pounced on by Barney who secured a maximum of his own with the 180 leaving 161. A 140 from Harris left him needing 123. Harris missed the bull on his next visit for the 123 check out and a double 16 with his last dart in hand was enough to give the van Barneveld the 6-5 win.
Statistics:
Averages RvB 95.49 CH 5 90.35
Check outs RvB 6/28 CH 5/12
Legs against the throw 2-2
180s RvB 5-4
