Match 1 Joe Cullen v Dave Marland As he had done in his debut at the World Series in Melbourne pre pandemic, Dave Marland opened another World Series of Darts event. He had the visit to the oche first, having won the bull, and started with a 100 but Joe Cullen immediately put pressure on with a 135 response. Marland then threw a 140 on his third visit and with a 120 two visits later, set up the first opportunity at a check out at 160. Cullen had put some pressure on as he moved from 210 to 164. Marland threw two treble 20s but missed at tops with his third dart. Cullen then left 68 sending Marland back to the oche and with his next dart Marland threw tops to secure his first leg in the World Series of Darts and lead 1-0. Cullen then opened the next leg with a 180 and backed it up with a 140 two visits later. However he struggled to collect the required 20 and Marland moved to 60 with two visits of a ton each. With his 16th dart Cullen held throw to draw level with Marland. Cullen opened the next leg with a 134 but Marland stayed in the leg with consecutive visits of 100, 100 and 140. Cullen threw 138 to move to 72 before Marland had an attempt at Shanghai but left 60. With two 20s and a double 16 Cullen took the leg and a 2-1 led in the match. In the fourth leg Cullen and Marland threw some inconsistent darts, visits of the likes of 121, 199, and 140 were interspersed with visits around the 40 mark. It was Cullen who got to a finish first at 152. He threw a ton to give the Aussie an outside chance at the leg but Marland could only set up tops from 131. He did not get a dart at it, however, as Cullen threw two darts and collected the required 52 for a 3-1 lead, again finishing on double 16. Marland started with a 140 on throw in leg five but Cullen responded with a 134. Cullen was first to a check out at 167 but Marland put some pressure on it as he stood behind Cullen requiring 106 thanks to two previous visits of 100. Cullen left 74 but Marland failed to make the most of it. Cullen then left 20 after missing tops with his last dart in hand but once again Marland was unable to take the leg, missing two darts at tops. As quickly as that the 3-2 scoreline was snatched away by Cullen with his 17th dart to lead 4-1. 13 darts later and Cullen was a leg away after visits of 97, 134, 140 and 114 and a double 8 with the first dart of his fifth visit gave him a 5-1 lead. Marland moved to 264 with a 140 on his second time at the oche in the 7th leg and two visits later he needed 84 for the leg. Although he failed to collect it on his next visit Cullen could not convert 88 and with his next two darts Marland had collected 16 and double 20 to secure his second leg of the match. He then backed it up on the next leg as 134, 100, 85 and 120 left him needing 62. With Cullen leaving double 16 from 106 Marland threw 10, 12 and tops to move within two legs of his opponent and secure his first break of a World Series of Darts match. Marland opened with a ton in the next leg but Cullen bettered it with a 140. Cullen comfortably kept that lead through the leg until Marland threw two consecutive tons to leave 86. With Cullen missing a match dart at double 18 Marland had the chance to convert 86 but missed the bull for the leg. Cullen stepped up to the oche and threw 10 and double 4 to put the match away, the final scoreline being 6-3 in his favour. Joe Cullen 6 (91.72) Dave Marland 3 (86.21)
Match 2 James Wade v Gordon Mathers The second match of the night saw GG Mathers out to continue his winning ways from Queensland whilst James Wade was out to secure his first win in Australia this year. The opening leg saw both players miss darts at the leg, Mathers missing the bull before spurning two throws at double 18 on his next visit. On the alternate visits Wade had missed tops for the win but returned to collect the required double 10 with his next dart. Mathers opened the next leg with a 140, and three visits later needed 110 for the second leg. He moved to 72 and had to hold his breath as Wade missed double 12 for a 126 checkout. Mathers returned and, despite missing double 12 with his second dart, cleaned up the leg to draw level at 1-1. A 180 in the third leg after visits of 100 and 134 left Wade needing 87 and although he failed at it on the first attempt, he was well enough ahead to clean up tops with his 14th dart to lead once more, again on throw. Visits of 137, 100 and 140 put pressure on the Mathers throw in the next leg. Wade could only edge his way through 64 points, however, and he thus presented his opponent with opportunities to hold throw. Mathers moved from 125 to 20 before both players failed to convert 20. With Wade unable to secure the five required on his next visit after that Mathers finally got the double 5 required to move the match back into parity. Mathers took the next leg, breaking Wade, thanks to visits of 100, 96, 123, 100 and a check out of 82 but in the sixth against the throw Wade was first to a check out at 161. Wade left 56 as Mathers moved to 161 himself but he never got a shot at it as Wade checked out with last dart in hand on his fifth visit of that leg. Thus the match was once again all level after six legs. In the seventh leg Wade got to a 161 check out once again. He then threw his third 100 of the leg to leave 61 and with Mathers unable to deny him, Wade returned to the oche to secure 61 and lead 4 – 3, the match still on throw. Wade opened the next leg with four perfect darts to gain a big lead against the throw. Mathers moved from 286 to 149 but Wade put away 86 to secure the first two leg lead of the match and move a leg away from victory. Mathers was still in the match though and threw 100, 100 and 180 to leave 121. Wade stayed with him, however, and stood behind Mathers requiring 116. Mathers missed the bull for the leg and then nodded his head standing behind Wade at the oche, knowing what was to come, the Englishman throwing 20, treble 20 and double 18 to check out 116 and take the match 6-3. James Wade 6 (91.81) Gordon Mathers 3 (79.73)
Match 3 Jonny Clayton v Haupai Puha The third match of the night saw Haupai Puha open with a 100 against the Jonny Clayton throw only for the Welshman to respond with a 140. A 100 later in the leg saw Clayton move to 106. He was well enough ahead that he got two visits to clean the leg up, throwing double 16 with his 16th dart to lead 1-0. Puha then threw 91, 100, 100 and 138 to leave 72 and a treble 20, double 6 combination moved the match score to one leg all. In the third leg Clayton missed double 8 for a 92 check out, handing his Kiwi opponent a chance to check out 100. Puha was unable to secure himself a dart at the leg, however, and a 4, double 2 combination put Clayton 2-1 up. Clayton then opened with visits of 125, 100 and 140 to put the Puha throw under threat, although visits of 140 and 100 from the Kiwi kept him in the leg. With Clayton moving from 136 to tops Puha had a shot at a 112 check out only to miss double 16 for the leg. Clayton grabbed the chance to take the leg with his 13th dart landing in the double 20 bed. Another 13 darts later and Clayton was 4-1 up, set up by initial visits of 180 and 140. The sixth leg was highlighted by excellent starts from both players with Puha’s 123 and 137 visits bettered by Clayton’s 137 and 140 totals. Later in the leg Puha left 40 chasing 142. He was well enough ahead to come back for a shot at it, Clayton moving from 184 to 84, but the Kiwi failed to secure the check out over his next two visits and Clayton finally capitalised as a double 8 took him to a 5-1 lead. Redemption over the man who had beaten him in Townsville was soon complete as Clayton secured 140 and 180 scores in his opening two visits to set the win up. A 100 and 140 from Puha later in the leg left him requiring 102 but Clayton was able to secure 40 with his last dart in hand, on his fifth visit to the oche, to take the match 6-1. Jonny Clayton 3 (95.13) Haupai Puha 1 (88.18)
Match 4 Fallon Sherrock v Mal Cuming Fallon Sherrock opened the first leg but it was Mal Cuming who had first shot at a check out as a visit of 137 left him needing 70. He failed to put it away and stood back to watch Sherrock throw two treble 20s but then miss the double 8 for a 136 check out. Both players then missed multiple darts at the leg until Sherrock finally threw double two to hold throw and take the first lead of the match. Cuming then threw a 125 to open the second leg, following it up with a visit of 95. This time Sherrock got the shot at checkout first but left 52 chasing 142. Cuming then threw for a 107 out and secured it with tops to move the match to 1-1. In leg three, and against the throw, Cuming moved into a good lead with two tons and a 123 visit helping his cause. A 134 left Cuming needing 44 but he missed out on his next visit. Sherrock had thrown 140 to leave 174 and then moved to 74 after Cuming missed out on that 44. Cuming failed to convert again and thus Sherrock had another chance to hold throw but missed tops and this time Cuming broke his opponent, the double 1 moving him into a 2-1 lead. Cuming then opened with three consecutive 140s to leave 81. It took him 4 darts but the Aussie soon held a two leg lead. Sherrock then upped the ante with a 12 dart leg thanks to visits of 140, 100 and a maximum before she checked out 81. A 140 on her fourth visit against the Cuming throw left Sherrock needing 145 to tie the match up. She did not put it away so Cuming had a shot at 122 but he was also unable to convert. Sherrock then missed a shot at the bull for the leg but once again returned to the oche and this time secured it with a 13 and double 16 to draw level at 3-3. She then opened with a 134, Cuming securing a 135 in response. A 140 from Sherrock and 100 from Cuming brought them both closer to a finish and three visits later, inclusive of a 133, Sherrock threw double 16 with her 13th dart to lead 4-3. Against the Cuming throw Sherrock then moved from 214 to 114 for the first shot at a check out in the next leg. She left 56 and had a dart at double 20 for the leg on her next visit. Cuming then missed the bull for the leg before both players spurned further opportunities until Cuming threw a double 8 to hold throw and bring the match back level at 4-4. Sherrock opened her throw in the ninth leg with a ton although Cuming did forty better on his throw. Sherrock matched the 140 and a good last dart on her third visit helped her back it up with a 95. She then missed out on a 76 check out but was far enough ahead to come back and secure the 5-4 lead with a double 2. On throw, Cuming had first shot at a check out in leg ten, with an attempt at the big fish of 170. Mal eventually left 36 after two more visits as Sherrock moved to 108. One more dart and Cuming pushed the match all the way to a deciding leg with a double 18 finish. Cuming pounced on a poor start from his opponent in that deciding leg with his first maximum of the match. Sherrock moved to 261 after 9 darts as Cuming left 140 after the same. Cuming missed out on the 140 and so Sherrock had a shot at 161 but left 36. Cuming then failed to get a match dart on his next visit and with her 16th dart Sherrock threw double 18 to secure the 6-5 victory. Fallon Sherrock 6 (80.69) Mal Cuming 5 (77.59)
Match 5 Gerwyn Price v Koha Kokiri Gerwyn Price had first shot at a check out against Koha Kokiri with a chance at 116 but missed tops for it. Kokiri then left 8 as he tried to check out 94. He would not have another go at the first leg as two darts later the world number one was a leg up. Kokiri had first shot at a check out on his own throw but left 92 chasing 152. Price could only move from 106 to 56 but Kokiri generously gave Price a chance at it by leaving tops after his next visit and the Welshman took it to lead 2-0. Leg 4 was all Price as he secured visits of 100, 123, 140 and 114 and then threw double 12 with his 13th dart to lead 3-0. Kokiri had initial visits of 100 and 138 on throw in the next leg but around that Price threw six perfect darts. After a treble 19 Price failed to throw a perfect eighth dart and in the end left 56. Kokiri scored 128 when chasing a 164 out on this dramatic leg. Price stepped up and with a 16 and double 20 he collected an 11 dart leg to lead 4-0. Price opened with 140 in leg five and got the same two visits later. He left tops when chasing 126 but with Kokiri so far behind he came back and collected the double 20 with his 14th dart. He was not done though and with visits of 140, 138 and 180 as well as a 2 and double 29 at his fourth visit, Price was able to finish the match off in style with an 11-dart leg, completing a 6-0 victory over Kokiri. Gerwyn Price 6 (104.86) Koha Kokiri 0 (83.39)
Match 6 Michael Smith v Damon Heta Match 6 would be a tight affair as for the second week in succession Damon Heta would fall to a final leg decider, this time Michael Smith being his conqueror. With a 140 start and a 180 back up Heta stormed through the first leg to hold throw with an 88 check out to lead 1-0. He then threw two tons to start the next leg but a 140 from Smith left the Englishman ahead and a further maximum left Smith needing 24 which he took with his 13 dart to move the scoreboard to 1-1. The third leg saw Heta open with 134 and Smith do even better with a 140. Heta moved to 87 with a visit of 86 as Smith left 131 on his following visit. Heta hit the wire chasing the bull for the leg but with Smith not checking out Heta had the chance to clean up, and did so with a double 8. Smith was well ahead in the next leg thanks to early visits of 134 and 180. He tried to check out 109 but missed the double 18 for the leg. He returned to the oche, with Heta behind him needing 111, and threw double 9 with his next dart to keep the match on throw at 2-2. Heta then opened with a 96 and Smith a 100 before a 140 from Heta left him on 265. Smith threw two 140s to leave a 121 check out but he spurned multiple chances across his next few visits to let Heta back in and a double 8 gave the Aussie a 3-2 lead. 12 darts later and Smith was back level, visits of 135, 180 and 100 and an 86 check out giving him the leg. Leg seven saw Smith get the first attempt at a check out as a maximum left him needing 61. Heta put some pressure on it as 133 left him needing 54. It seemed to work as Smith missed double four for the leg and Heta stepped up and threw 14 and double 20 for another lead, at 4-3. The next leg saw Smith open with three consecutive 140s but Heta hung around with opening visits of 134 and a pair of tons. Smith was unable to convert 81 and left tops as Heta moved from 167 to 109. Three misses later and Heta had a leg dart but missed double 16. Smith secured the leg with his 17th dart to move the scoreline to 4-4. Heta then took a good lead in the next leg with visits of 140 and 180 before missing out on a 32. He then had to watch as Smith missed tops for a 54 check out. Heta pounced on his second chance to take the leg in 17 darts. On throw Smith then pulled out an 11 dart leg with visits of 100, 180 and 130 and a 91 check out. Thus the match went to a deciding leg. On throw Heta started with 134 but visits of 139 and 180 put Smith in the box seat. A 100 set up Smith on 82 as the same could only leave Heta needing 150 for the match. He would not get an attempt at it, though, as Smith threw the bull and then double 16 with his last dart in hand to win the match 6-5. Michael Smith 6 (106.33) Damon Heta 5 (96.36)
Match 7 Simon Whitlock v Michael van Gerwen Whitlock won the bull for the throw and a 140 start, 136 third and 133 fourth visit left Whitlock requiring 32 which he got with a double 16 to lead 1-0. In the second leg Van Gerwen went 140, 140, 180 and 41 on throw to draw level at 1-1. Whitlock then held throw after van Gerwen could not clean up 25 for a break of throw. Van Gerwen opened with a maximum in the fourth leg and eventually cleaned it up with a 72 check out, completing it in 15 darts. In leg five Van Gerwen got to the first check out, a 144, with Whitlock behind him requiring 105. MvG left 16 as Whitlock nearly went tops / tops but the third dart deflected off the second and landed outside the target area. Van Gerwen pounced to secure the first break of the match and led 3-2. In leg six Van Gerwen started with 140 and, despite the same from Whitlock on his third visit, it was MvG who got to a first check out opportunity with another 140 seeing him require 120. A maximum from Whitlock had him needing 24 at his next visit and when Van Gerwen could only leave 32 Whitlock jumped on the chance with his next dart to secure the leg in 13 darts. The match was back to 3-3 but van Gerwen only needed 14 darts to regain the break and the lead. A 177 had moved him ahead and he then threw 140 to leave the same for the third break in a row in the match. He left 60 but with Whitlock leaving the same, after chasing 164, van Gerwen converted to lead 4-3. Whitlock opened the next leg with a 180 and followed it up with 140 and then 105 and then checked out with his 14th dart to move the match to 4-4. Van Gerwen opened the next leg against the throw with a maximum and backed it up two visits later with a 140 before checking out 38 to create a run of five successive breaks of throw and lead 5-4. To survive in the match Whitlock had to continue the run of breaks and then break the run himself. He did the first of that equation in the tenth leg thanks to opening visits of 140 and 140, a miss at tops for the match from van Gerwen (throwing treble 20, 20 and 20 when requiring Shanghai), and converting 88 with treble 20 and double 14. The deciding leg started 134 for Whitlock and 100 for Van Gerwen. The Aussie threw 100 on his third visit and MvG threw 139 in response. 96 from Whitlock left him requiring 74 as van Gerwen left 102 after throwing another ton. With last dart in hand Whitlock threw double 8 to retain the record of an Australian playing on the second night of every World Series of Darts event in Australia (indeed only once have all the players on the PDC progressed past stage one in Australia, in Perth, but on that night both Whitlock and Paul Nicholson were on the PDC side, and both won through on that night.) The final scoreline went to the Wizard 6-5. Simon Whitlock 6 (97.41) Michael van Gerwen 5 (101.5)
Match 8 Dimitri Van den Bergh v Raymond O’Donnell Dimitri Van den Bergh opened the final match of the night with a maximum and backed it up with two ton visits. It took him three more visits but eventually he checked out to lead 1-0. Against the throw the Belgian then opened with 140 and 180 before throwing double ten with his 15th dart to move his lead up to 2-0. Van Den Bergh opened the third leg on throw with a 140, provoking a 125 response from O’Donnell. Van den Bergh got to the first check out of the leg at 144. He left 100 as his opponent moved to 121. The Aussie was presented an opportunity at this check out after Van den Bergh left 24 on his next visit but O’Donnell missed bull for the leg. There were no more chances as the Belgian threw double 12 with his next dart in hand to lead 3-0. The fourth leg also went the same way, Van Den Bergh starting with visits of 100, 100 and 134, before taking the leg nine darts later, having watched O’Donnell miss two darts at tops for the leg. After a 100 start from Van Den Bergh in the fifth leg O’Donnell was denied a maximum with his last dart bouncing out of the treble twenty. On throw the Belgian set up another check out, this time 126. O’Donnell moved to 121 to put some pressure on but three darts later the bull gave Van den Bergh a 5-0 lead. On throw O’Donnell started with a 140 and moved from 176 to 82 before Van Den Bergh unsuccessfully chased a 149 check out. O’Donnell hit the bull and a double 16 to win his first leg and move the match to 5-1. Van Den Bergh then opened on his throw with visits of 137 and 140 in the seventh leg, a ton leaving him on 124. A 180 moved his opponent to 64. Neither player could get the check out over the next three visits to the oche until O’Donnell secured his first break of the match with a double 10. In leg eight a 140 opening and visits of 97 and 100 left O’Donnell requiring 164. With his opponent well behind the Aussie left double 12 after two more visits. It did open the Belgian up to an outside shot at 167 but he left 70 and O’Donnell secured his third leg in succession as his next dart landed in the double 12 bed. On throw in the next leg Van den Bergh moved well clear, 140 ahead after three visits each. A visit of 134 left Van den Bergh requiring 68 as 132 left O’Donnell on 210. With the Belgian only picking up 36, missing a double 16 for the match with his last dart of that visit, O’Donnell threw another ton to leave his target at 110 but it would remain that way as Van den Bergh’s 16th dart stuck in the double 16 bed to secure him the match 6-3. Dimitri Van den Bergh 6 (90.8) Ray O’Donnell 3 (85.73)
Quarter Final 1 James Wade v Dimitri Van den Bergh The first match saw a dominant display by James Wade against Dimitri Van den Bergh. In the first leg and on throw Wade secured his first check out with two successive tons left him requiring 148. He secured a third ton to leave 48 and then had to watch as his opponent tried to check out 156. Dimitri left double 8 and was surprised when his Sports Management Company colleague gave him another visit to the oche after leaving tops. Van Den Bergh missed three check-out darts, in what would become his story of this match, and Wade finally got the job done with tops. Van den Bergh opened his own throw with 140, 105 and 180 to leave 76 after 9 darts. Despite matching that 180 Wade only moved to 204. Van den Bergh would spurn five darts at the leg and Wade punished him with a 104 check out to go 2-0 up. Wade thew 180 to move to 207 after a slow start from both players in the third leg. Wade had first shot at a check out, a 148, and left 67. His opponent then moved from 152 to 67 as well. Wade threw it down on his first attempt to lead 3-0. Against the throw Wade threw 134 on his second visit only for his opponent to throw 140 and 134 in successive visits after. Van Den Bergh missed two more shots at a double and Wade checked out 127 to lead 4-0. He then opened with a maximum on throw and six darts later required 121. A 140 from the Belgian left Van den Bergh behind on 204 so Wade left tops. A ton from Van den Bergh was not enough as Wade hit tops from his next dart to lead 5-0. Wade threw another 180 after starting the next leg with a ton to move to 221. Visits of 100, 90 and a check out of 31 gave Wade the match 6-0. James Wade 6 94.93 Dimitri Van den Bergh 0 88.5
Quarter Final 2 Gerwyn Price v Fallon Sherrock The second quarter final was also a one-way affair between Gerwyn Price and Fallon Sherrock. Price opened on throw and secured a maximum on his third visit and backed It up with a 124. His opponent had opened with visits of 140 and 134 and had a shot at check out after Price failed to put 82 away. Sherrock did not even get a dart at a double and on his next visit Price threw tops to take a 1-0 lead. Price then opened with a 140 against the throw and a 180 two visits later left him needing 86. He checked out in 12 darts to lead 2-0. Sherrock then opened with 121 against the throw and a 140 three visits in but Price then secured another maximum to leave 95. He did not get a shot at a double at his next visit so Sherrock had the chance to check out 80. She missed tops with her last dart and tops with his next dart gave Price a 3-0 lead. Price opened with visits of 100, 139 and 140 to leave 122 after 9 darts in the fourth leg. Price checked it out on his next visit with his 12th dart to go 4-0 up. He then opened with a 177 and 100 on throw before a 174 left him needing 50. He threw 10 and tops on his next visit to collect an 11 darter and move within a leg of the semi-final. Sherrock started with a ton on throw but Price threw 180 and 140 on his second and third visits. He failed at 123, leaving 68. His opponent moved her score from 146 to 46 with a ton. With his 15th dart a double ten gave Price a 6-0 victory. Gerwyn Price 6 (109.98) Fallon Sherrock 0 (81.54)
Quarter Final 3 Joe Cullen v Simon Whitlock On throw Simon Whitlock started the match with visits of 140 and 100. He got to a check out first but left 78 attempting 143. He had been put under pressure as a maximum had stood Joe Cullen behind him needing double 14. Cullen would take full advantage with his 13th dart to 1-0. Cullen then held throw thanks to mid round visit of 125, 100 and 105 and a double 18 as check out. The first Whitlock 180 of the match in the next round helped Whitlock move towards a break and although he failed to collect 110, he got another chance as Cullen could only move from 137 to 48 and Whitlock took it to move back within a leg of his opponent. He then started with 100 and 140 against the Cullen throw but a 134 left Cullen needing 116 for the leg. Whitlock had two goes at clearing out 170 but left tops as Cullen stepped up and checked out 60 to move back to two legs clear. On throw once more Whitlock opened with 180 and 100. Cullen did the same in the opposite order but a follow up 121 from Whitlock saw him leave one hundred. Although he took two visits, with Cullen only able to move from 164 to 100, Whitlock was able to win the leg with his 15th dart to move the match to 3-2 in the Englishman’s favour. Whitlock started strongly with visits of 100, 100 and 134 to move to needing 167 with his opponent well behind. He then moved to 83 before Cullen threw 171 to leave 38. Both players missed multiple darts at a double until Cullen threw double 2 to win the leg and lead by two legs once more, this time 4-2. A couple of 140 visits helped Cullen set up the next leg, and with both players missing doubles again it was eventually Cullen who threw double four to move to within a leg of the match. Cullen then struck hard early in the next leg with visits of 125, 180 and 140. Whitlock hung around with visits of 100, 100 and 140 to leave 161, and he would get a shot at it as Cullen left ten trying to chase 56 (missing two match darts.) Whitlock left 73 on his next visit and he would not return after Cullen landed his dart in the double two bed with his last dart in hand to secure a semi-final place for the second time in eight days with a 6-2 win. Joe Cullen 6 (89.77) Simon Whitlock 1 (84.28)
Quarter Final 4 Michael Smith v Jonny Clayton In the final quarter final of the evening, it was Michael Smith who started the faster as he broke the Jonny Clayton throw first leg up, aided by initial visits of 100, 140 and 137. He then capitalised by holding throw, setting it up with visits of 140 and 134 later in the leg (although he did miss three darts at a double finish just after.) The next leg saw Clayton start slowly once more and a 131 start from Smith held him in good stead. Clayton went 140 and 137 mid leg, however, to leave a 120 out. He did not put Shanghai away but with Smith only able to leave 56 on his next visit Clayton had the chance to hold throw and he collected tops with last dart in hand to win his first leg of the match. He then drew things level as Smith missed more chances at a double and Clayton pounced with a double ten to move the match to 2-2. Both players opened the next leg with 140s and Clayton backed it up with another, Smith gaining 100 as his consolidator. Later in the le both players spurned the opportunity to check out 62 but a double 16 with his 16th dart of the leg put Clayton ahead for the first time in the match at 3-2. Smith then opened with 100 and collected 180 on his third visit before throwing tops with his 13th dart to hold his throw and move the game back level at 3-3. He then opened with a 180 and threw 100 and 117 with his third and fourth visit but never got a shot at a double as Clayton went 121, 140, 100 and 100 and threw double 20 with last dart in hand on his fifth visit to go 4-3 up. Smith then comfortably held throw, opening with 100 and securing 139 before checking out with double 10 to set up a best of three leg shoot out at 4-4. Clayton opened up with 140 and backed it up with 100 and 159 in his third and fourth visit. He left tops as Smith came from nowhere to throw 180 and leave him standing behind Clayton needing 105. Clayton made sure Smith did not get a dart at it by hitting tops with his 14th dart. 5-4 to Clayton. Smith opened his throw with a 140, 134 and 121 as Clayton stayed in the leg with responses of 140, 140 and 85. Smith then missed tops for the leg as he tried to check out 106. Clayton stepped up and threw treble 20, treble 20 and double 8 to take out the match 6-4 with a 136 check out, the biggest of the match by almost one hundred (96.) Jonny Clayton 6 (91.03) Michael Smith 4 (99.15)
Semi Final 1 James Wade v Gerwyn Price The first semi-final saw Gerwyn Price gain a maximum on his second visit to the oche but he was unable to convert 108 over two visits and James Wade pounced, first by leaving 140 with a 137 visit and then securing the 140 check out on his next time at the oche. Despite a start of 137 and 134 and a fourth visit of 145 (missing the bull for the leg) and another two darts at a double Wade could not hold his own throw as a 180 and 96 from Price’s third and fourth visit was enough to leave him needing tops and despite opening with a 5 with his 13th dart, Price cleaned up to tie things up at 1-1. Wade then threw 100, 140, 60 and 170 to leave a 31 check out, one he took after Price missed three darts at a double the previous visit (he also had missed a leg dart with his previous dart to that.) He then scored a 140 on his second visit to the oche in the fourth leg and responded with a 180 after his opponent had thrown the same the previous visit. Wade left tops after 12 darts but it would be under some pressure as Price threw 140 to leave 28. Wade put away the leg with his 15th dart to lead 3-1. Price then opened with 140, 140 and 135 and eventually checked out 24 with his 13th dart as Wade threw four consecutive 100s but never got darts at the remaining 101. He then started with 139, 180 and 100 and with his opponent well behind he was able to clean the leg up with his 14th dart to lead 4-2. Price then held throw once more, this time in 14 darts with an 86 check out. Thus, at the first break Wade led 4-3. The next leg saw Wade leave 64 after four visits. He then had one dart at tops for the leg before Price missed the bull for the same on his next visit. Two darts later and Wade had opened up another two-leg lead at 5-3. He then capitalised on Price’s two missed darts at a double 18 and one miss of double 9 to clean up 50 with 10 and double 20 to lead 6-3. Against the throw, and throwing for match survival, Price hit a maximum to move to 206 before two visits later he had an opportunity at Shanghai for the leg. He left tops as his opponent did not have a check out and had to suffice leaving 80. Price was unable to get a dart at a check out when he opened his visit with double 20 and then a single 20 and Wade pounced with a treble 20 and a firm friend in his career, the double 10, closed out the match for a final score of 7-3. James Wade 7 (93.25) Gerwyn Price 3 (94.58)
Semi Final 2 Jonny Clayton v Joe Cullen The second semi-final was a surprisingly one-way affair. In the opening leg Jonny Clayton started with 137 and 120 against the Joe Cullen throw. Cullen responded with visits of 180 and 105 but could not take out 97 and with Cullen having left 44 after a 140 visit, the Welshman put the target away in two darts to take a 1-0 lead. He then opened with 123 and 100 on throw with Cullen responding once again with a maximum. Cullen was unable to check out 128 and left tops but he did not get a dart at it, a 140 visit from Clayton having left the Welshman needing 80 this time, and again his 14th dart gave him a leg. Cullen then opened with his third maximum in three legs but he missed double 18 for the leg this time. Clayton had stuck around with visits of 100, 140, 140 and 96 (having missed the bull for the leg) and despite missing the chance to take his third leg in a row with his 14th dart, a double 8 with his 15th dart gave him a 3-0 lead. Clayton opened leg four with 140 and 137 as Cullen responded with 100 and 134. Clayton missed the chance to check out 144, leaving 48 as Cullen moved to 134. Clayton missed two leg darts and left 16 before Cullen moved to 94. Clayton missed another three-leg darts as Cullen then left 60. A double eight with his next dart gave Clayton a 4-0 lead. Clayton then threw 139, 140 and 140 at his opening visits against the Cullen throw, a leg that saw Cullen throw his fourth maximum in five legs (all of which he would lose.) Clayton missed three chances at the leg before landing the dart in the double ten bed for a 6-0 lead. Cullen then ensured a break in the match by holding throw, thanks to opening visits of 134 and 140, a fourth visit of 136 and a double 17 with his 13th dart. Thus, at the break it was Clayton 6 Cullen 1. Clayton had the throw in the next leg. A 134 and 100 at his second and third visits was matched by Cullen, in opposite order. Clayton ten moved to 138 as Cullen set up a 128. The following leg saw Clayton make better progress than Cullen with a ton but he then missed two match darts at tops. From 88 Cullen set up a dart at the bull but it landed in the green bed outside the red target and Clayton stepped up to throw double 20 with his next dart in hand to join James Wade in the first final of the NSW Darts Masters, thanks to this 7-1 semi-final victory over Cullen. Jonny Clayton 7 (96.45) Joe Cullen 1 (94.55)
Final Jonny Clayton v James Wade James Wade opened the final with the throw but it took time for the players to get into their rhythm. Jonny Clayton had first shot at a check out but his attempt at 146 left him on 108. Wade moved to 108 with a 140 visit but did not put it away after Clayton missed the chance to take the leg twice on his previous visit. Finally, after five darts at it, Clayton threw tops for the first break and a 1-0 lead. Both players threw maximums in the next leg although it was only Clayton who landed on a check out. He left 36 after an attempt at 136 and cleaned up next time of asking despite pressure from Wade who threw 131 to leave 32 in between. Clayton then opened the next leg with another 180 and later moved from 162 to 32 with a 130. He missed three darts at double 32 to hand Wade a shot at 132 but Wade was unable to take full advantage and once again Clayton punished at the second chance, creating a 3-0 for himself. Clayton then opened with a 140 but later in the leg a 180 from Wade left him needing 104. Clayton could not convert 110 and with his first shot at a double Wade broke the Clayton throw and moved to 3-1. On throw Wade opened with three tons but Clayton followed his own 100 opening with a maximum and a 140. Neither Wade nor Clayton could check out on their next visit and when Wade missed tops for the leg Clayton pounced, throwing tops with his 14th dart for a 4-1 match lead. The next leg saw a 105 visit leave Clayton requiring 120 for the leg. Wade moved from 211 to 111 before the Welshman made the attempt. A single, treble, and double twenty later and the scoreboard read Clayton 5 Wade 1. In leg seven Clayton scored one more than his opponent with his opening 100 visit. A 130 later in the leg left him needing 16, missing a leg dart at the double 16 on that visit. With Wade well behind he returned to the oche and an eight, double four combination moved him in to a 6-1 lead at the break. After the break Clayton threw a treble 20 straight away but only secured a ton in total, which his opponent matched. A 180 on his fourth visit left Clayton needing 66 before a 140 from Wade left the Englishman requiring 161. With last dart in hand Clayton threw double 16 to move one leg away from the title. He opened with a maximum but his opponent, on throw, was still able to set up the first check out, leaving 104 after four visits. Clayton then left 160 as Wade stepped up to convert 84 but missed tops with his last dart for the check out. Jonny Clayton then stepped up and threw two successive treble 20s and a double 20 to secure a remarkable final checkout, one of the highest of the whole tournament, to win the match and thus the final 8-1 and be crowned the first NSW Darts Masters champion. Jonny Clayton 8 (94.5) James Wade 1 (84.93)