The draw was made on Tuesday nights for all four events across Brisbane, Gold Coast, Townsville and Mackay in the Pro Darts Series. Sponsored by CUB (Cougar Brand), UBET, Formula Sports, Newscorp, Rydges, Helloworld Travel and Target Darts.
Hosted by MC Russ Bray the draw covered all the events across January Will Evans, the Sports Marketing Manager of UBET, and Key Accounts Manager at CUB Michael Parlby drew the numbers on the night and there were some juicy matches in the preliminary rounds.
The Brisbane event sees Kyle Anderson take on kiwi young gun Tahuna Irwin who took Bernie Smith all the way when challenging for the Oceanic Masters last year. Simon Whitlock takes on Lucas Cameron as the Victorian returns to the big stage against the man just named as returning to the Premier League in the UK. Queenslander Robbie King will be looking for home state support to get him over the line against legendary Scotsman Jamie Harvey. Raymond Smith will conclude the first night as he takes on 16 time World Champion Phil Taylor.
The Gold Coast event sees home town boy Robbie King take on the bravedart himself, Jamie Harvey. The African Warrior Devon Peterson matches wits with Lucas Cameron, who represented Australia in the Stewart Frampton trophy competition in 2017. Andy Hamilton will take on the returning Australian domestic number one from 2017 in GG Mathers whilst Kyle Anderson’s match promises to be top notch as he takes on local star Rhys Mathewson who has more than held his own against the top professionals on the big stage of the World Series of Darts events.
Townsville sees Russell Stewart matched up against Tic Bridge, the Barney slayer, in a repeat of the opening round in Brisbane. Kyle Anderson v Raymond Smith in a battle of the Queenslanders should be a great match, whilst local star Jeremy Fagg will take on Scottish legend Jamie Harvey. Andy Hamilton verses another Queenslander, in world championship contestant GG Mathers, also looks to be a rather tasty affair.
Mackay has some great match ups as Kyle Anderson will take on Rhys Mathewson for the second time in the series. Meanwhile Russell Stewart will take on GG Mathers and Phil Taylor will step up to the oche against Kevin McCarthy. Another classic encounter could be Dmitri van Den Bergh, current World Youth Champion, against local star Lucas Cameron.
Each player commented on their enthusiasm for the event when spoken to by Russ Bray after the dray was concluded. Johnny Kuczynski “This is an unbelievable event. Las Vegas is the biggest we have in the US, but I love coming here. I was here in 2012 and it is an honour to be here for this event.”
Russell Stewart “This is one of the most exciting things we have in darts in Australia. This is brilliant and I hope this really puts our sport on TV and the fans all enjoy it.”
Devon Petersen “For the last 12 months I have initiated the last man standing African darts corporation emulating the PDC. This kind of series shows us what it is to host such an event in South Africa. I am excited to be here.”
Kyle Anderson “I can say from a youth perspective this is what you dreamt of, to be an Australian player and play in big hometown events. We wished for events like this and now it has come on a regular basis.”
Andy Hamilton “I am looking to do the best I can and The Hammer is coming back better and stronger. This is a great platform for that improvement.”
Jamie Harvey: It is exciting to be here in Australia, I am looking forward to getting on the stage again and performing well.”
Simon Whitlock “The end of the year has been great I am over the moon. I have worked really hard and it was my goal to get back in the Premier League and in the top ten and I am back. It is hard to come back the young kids are exceptional but I have made it. I am look forward to playing in Australia again.”
Phil Taylor “I have really looked forward to coming back to Austalia and it is great to see familiar faces. I am looking forward to this new phase of my darts. I can also relax and enjoy Australia for a change properly.”
Each Preliminary match is the best of 11 legs.
Brisbane
1 Andy Hamilton v Lewis Kirk 2 Johnny K v Rhys Mathewson 3 Jamie Harvey v Robbie King 4 Russell Stewart v Tic Bridge 5 Devon Peterson v Raymond O’Donnell 6 Kyle Anderson v Tahuna Irwin 7 Simon Whitlock v Lucas Cameron 8 Phil Taylor v Raymond Smith
Gold Coast
1 Jamie Harvey v Steven Macarthur 2 Russell Stewart v Brad Thorp 3 Johnny K v Robbie King 4 Andy Hamilton v Gg Mathers 5 Devon Peterson v Lucas Cameron 6 Kyle Anderson v Rhys Mathewson 7 Simon Whitlock v Stuart Leach 8 Phil Taylor v Tic Bridge
Townsville
1 Jamie Harvey v Jeremy Fagg 2 Dmitri Van Den Bergh v Pat Molloy 3 Johnny K v Lucas Cameron 4 Andy Hamilton v GG Mathers 5 Devon Peterson v Rhys Mathewson 6 Russell Stewart v Tic Bridge 7 Kyle Anderson v Raymond Smith 8 Phil Taylor v Greg Major
Mackay
1 Andy Hamilton v John Bunyard 2 Devon Peterson v Dave Littleboy 3 Johnny K v Tic Bridge 4 Jamie Harvey v Raymond Smith 5 Russell Stewart v GG Mathers 6 Dmitri Van Den Bergh v Lucas Cameron 7 Kyle Anderson v Rhys Mathewson 8 Phil Taylor v Kevin McCarthy
Promotion of Events
Brisbane (event 1)
The Fans rock up
Match 1 Andy Hamilton 6 Lewis Kirk 1
Match 2 Rhys Mathewson 6 Johnny Kuzcynski 3
Match 3 Robbie King 6 Jamie Harvey 3
Match 4 Russell Stewart 6 Tic Bridge 4
Match 5 Raymond O’Donnell 6 Devon Petersen 4
Match 6 Kyle Anderson 6 Tahuna Irwin 4
Match 7 Simon Whitlock 6 Lucas Cameron 0
Match 8 Phil Taylor 6 Raymond Smith 1
Quarter Final 1 Robbie King 7 Russell Stewart 2
Quarter Final 2 Simon Whitlock 7 Ray O’Donnell 4
Quarter Final 3 Phil Taylor 7 Rhys Mathewson 0
Quarter Final 4 Andy Hamilton 7 Kyle Anderson 6
Semi Final 1 Phil Taylor 7 Simon Whitlock 4
Semi Final 2 Andy Hamilton 7 Robbie King 3
Final Phil Taylor 7 Andy Hamilton 0
2018 Pro Darts Series First Leg Brisbane Night 1: Round of 16 The Brisbane pro darts series was held in the International Convention Centre on Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th January 2018. It pitched 8 legends of worldwide and Australian darts against some of the up and coming oceanic talent and was played in front of huge crowds, including a sell out on the second night. The competition kicked off with Andy “the Hammer” Hamilton showing he was not done with darts by defeating Western Australian representative Lewis Kirk 6-1. He was certainly pleased to be back on the big stage in Australia as he rebuilds his career, “I enjoyed myself tonight, I felt at times the timing of my game coming back but it needs to be more consistent still.” In other first round matches Johnny Kuczynski was upset by World Series of Darts regular Rhys Mathewson 6-3 in a very competitive match. Australian darting royalty Russell Stewart defeated Tic Bridge 6-4 whilst Robbie King took out Scottish legend Jamie Harvey 6-3 to make the second night as well. Kyle Anderson kept the loyal fans happy with a 6-4 win over Tahuna Tahu. The match was close throughout with the Kiwi showing the rising talent across the ditch. It was only the last two legs that Anderson was able to break away from the youngster. Simon Whitlock was comprehensive in defeating Lucas Cameron 6-0 in a demonstration of what is hopefully in store for his opponents in the Premier League. In the biggest upset of the night Broken Hill native Ray O’Donnell defeated dancing Devon Peterson, the African Warrior, 6 -4. A tight match it was the South African who blinked first and despite missing some doubles O’Donnell’s consistent scoring was able to secure the match. In the last match of the night Phil Taylor was victorious over one of Australia’s most consistent scorers in Raymond Smith. Early on the match was tight but with Smith unable to make the most of his early chances after taking a leg off Taylor, it was the 16 time World Champion who gained the momentum and continued his success on the east coast of Australia with a 6-1 victory. Taylor was certainly pleased with how things went, “I had fun out there tonight, the lad played well and I needed to play well against him. I was really happy with the whole match. It is great to be able to enjoy my darts and spend more time discovering Australia.” Match 1: Andy Hamilton 6 Lewis Kirk 1 Match 2: Rhys Mathewson 6 Johnny Kuczynski 3 Match 3: Robbie King 6 Jamie Harvey 3 Match 4: Russell Stewart 6 Tic Bridge 4 Match 5: Raymond O’Donnell 6 Devon Peterson 4 Match 6: Kyle Anderson 6 Tahuna Tahu 4 Match 7: Simon Whitlock 6 Lucas Cameron 0 Match 8: Phil Taylor 6 Raymond Smith 1
Night 2 Quarter Finals, Semi Finals, and Final Quarter Final 1: Robbie King v Russell Stewart Night two opened with the quarter finals as Russell Stewart took on Robbie King. Stewart had the first chance in the opening leg but missed the bull and then missed check outs on his next visit. Queenslander King took out the leg instead with a double six. The next leg was all King but towards the end it tightened up as Stewart sat on 59 as King needed 32. He missed the double 16 but with his second dart he hit the double eight required to take a 2-0 lead. After a strong check out in the third leg King could only get 96 chasing 164 and Stewart collected his first double check out of the match with double 6 to change the scoreboard to 3-1 to his opponent. Mid leg Stewart collected a maximum but he could not make the most of it as King secures the 40 required to take a 4-1 lead. In the next leg it was King’s turn to miss the bull for the leg but with Stewart missing four finishing darts across the leg King threw the 9 and double 8 required to move to 5-1 and just two legs away from a win. King won the next leg thanks to a pair of consecutive 180s and a 60 finish before Stewart was able to take a leg back. In the ninth game Stewart was unable to punish King after he had missed double tops for the match, with the Aussie legend not even leaving a check out final dart. King finally put his fifth dart for the match on target to secure the match 7 legs to 2. Afterward King was satisfied with the result but looking for more, “I was happy to get a win second time on stage, I was happy with that, next time I hope to build on it more. I’ve not been nervous yet, let us see what the next game brings. It was good to get one over Rusty as he is one of the legends of the sport, it was a privilege to play him.” Robbie King 7 Russell Stewart 2
Quarter Final 2: Simon Whitlock v Raymond O’Donnell In the second match of the night the Men at Work theme song Downunder rang out as Simon Whitlock hit the stage again, this time against the previous nights surprise package Ray O’Donnell. Both players had regularly played each other through their local careers but not on such a stage as this one. It was O’Donnell who took out the first leg as both players missed darts at double tops for the checkout but it was the lad from Broken Hill who hit the double ten for the lead. The next leg was also a story of missed doubles as Whitlock missed three at double top before his opponent missed two at the same target. At his next visit it takes Whitlock until his last dart in hand to draw the score level at 1-1. With O’Donnell on 121 in the third leg the Wizard moved from 207 to 74 and with Bubba unable to convert the big finish it was Whitlock who took the leg with a double 4 finish. 2-1. Despite a 140 start it was Whitlock who gets to a finish first and with a double ten was able to move further ahead in the match, 3-1. The next leg saw Whitlock leave double one as his check out but he only needed one dart at the madhouse to take out the leg. O’Donnell then had a 144 check out, with Whitlock sitting on 104, to get a leg back. 4-2. Whitlock then moved to 68 but could not convert it and left double 16 in the next leg. Bubba left 36 and would have expected not to visit the oche again that leg but Whitlock left 8 and a double 9 after going inside the wire on the double 18 gave O’Donnell the 7th leg, 4-3. Whitlock needed to stem the revival and he hit 180 to move to 263 and then secured another treble score before converting a double to move back to a two leg lead, 5-3. The next leg was all O’Donnell after he started with the perfect 6 darts. There was much excitement and anticipation in the room for his next visit to the oche but his seventh dart was a long way off and he missed five check out darts for Whitlock to steal the leg by converting the 72 required. 6-3. It proved to be a critical leg as despite winning the next one the challenge was too much to overcome for O’Donnell as Whitlock converts a 124 check out in the 11th leg to win the match 7-4. Whitlock was praiseworthy of his opponent post-match, “I know Raymond and have played him plenty of times in the past and he always plays really well. I thought he was going to throw a nine darter out there tonight and I wanted him to do it. We have loads of talent here and we want the exposure like we are getting here. I am happy I won, they were not landing too well but I will adjust.” Simon Whitlock 7 Raymond O’Donnell 4
Quarter Final 3: Phil Taylor v Rhys Mathewson The third quarter final of the night saw Phil Taylor at his finest as he trounced Rhys Mathewson 7-0. Indications were not good for Mathewson early as he watched from behind his opponent as he hit 180, 121, 180 and then hit the double ten for an opening leg of ten darts. The second leg did not start any better as Taylor hit 180 and then 110 against the Mathewson throw. A check out of double 17 and then a check out of the same as he closed the first leg and in a flash Taylor was 3-0 up. In the fourth leg Mathewson opens with a 133 which is not match by Taylor, who opened with 97. Later in the leg Mathewson was not able to leave a check out as Taylor scores 120 despite a bounce out and left 144. Despite not converting that large check out Taylor did score the 48 required, with the 16 and double 16 he has mastered for all these years. The fifth leg saw Taylor move well ahead and with Mathewson on 239 Taylor chased a 161 finish. He only missed the bull at the end but was able to convert on his next visit with his opponent so far back. 5-0 to Taylor and at this point his match average was 127. The opening of the sixth leg was poorer from both players than the standard Taylor had set throughout and this looked to give Mathewson half a chance for a leg but Taylor secured a 140 to move from 278 to 138 and into the lead for the leg. The Aussie did move to 153 but could only watch as Taylor checked out the 138 for a six nil lead. High scoring returned in the seventh leg for Taylor as he hit a maximum on his second visit that moved him to 266. A 117 from Mathewson was not enough as Taylor scored 99 and then 127 to leave tops for the match. A century score of his own leaves Matthewson on 140 but Taylor does not give him another visit to the oche as he secures double 20 for the win. At the end of the match Taylor had an average of 111 and was delighted with his darts, although he had a kind word to say about his opponent as well, “I am relaxed and enjoying it, the score did not reflect how good that lad is but I am enjoying it here and it makes such a difference.” Phil Taylor 7 Rhys Mathewson 0
Quarter Final 4 Andy Hamilton v Kyle Anderson Early on in the fourth quarter final it was all Kyle Anderson. Anderson had a shot at a 121 check out but missed the double 18 having scored 25 and 60 with his first two darts. With Hamilton unable to check out on his next visit Anderson came back to the oche to secure the required double to go one leg up. Leg two was much closer as Anderson left tops trying to check out 131 and then Hamilton missed the double 16 he required to get a 146 finish. Anderson got the required score on his next visit. In leg three a 140 left Anderson on 120 as Hamilton moved to 95. Neither player were able to convert on their next visit and it was the Aussie who finally secured the leg with the required double to go three nil up in the match. The match was slipping away from Hamilton but it was the fourth leg he set about fixing that. With Anderson on 156 Hamilton looks to check out 123. Neither player can get the big check out, and this time it is Hamilton who takes advantage and secure a leg that was on his own throw. 3-1. Against the throw and Hamilton steal the dart early. He moves to 76 with a 140. Kyle Anderson had got himself back into the leg at the same time but could not convert 20, leaving 5. Hamilton checked out 57 to move to within a leg of his opponent. Anderson moved to 116 in leg six as Hamilton sat on a bogey score of 168. However the Aussie could only get to 40 and then missed tops for the leg on his next visit. Hamilton had slowly progressed his own score and on the next visit punished his opponent to draw level in the match. The tide had turned and Anderson had to hit back, a difficult thing to do in such a short format. In the next leg Anderson responded by quickly moving to 367 and then 227 with Hamilton well behind. A hundred left ‘The Original’ on 94 as Hamilton moved from 348 to 248 with the same score on his next visit. A triple 18 and double 20 got Anderson back into the lead, 4 legs to 3. Now it was all Anderson as he looked to break his opponent in the next leg, moving from 305 to 184 with a 121. Hamilton can only then advance by 40 after a bounce out as Anderson left 133 after his next visit. Hammer put the pressure on his opponent by leaving 129 and Anderson blinked, leaving 78. Hamilton can’t punish him on his next visit though and Anderson throws the required darts to go two legs up again. 5 – 3. The opening of the ninth leg is a 140 for Anderson and he follows it up with a 180. He left 59 after his next visit and with Hamilton well behind Anderson hits the fat 19 and tops for a 6-3 lead. He was just a leg away and a comeback even larger than his first in this match was needed if Hamilton was to play in the semi-finals. Both players started the tenth leg poorly but it was Hamilton who settled the quickest as he took a considerable lead in the leg. With Anderson on 170 and an outside chance of finishing it on his next visit, Hamilton did not give him the chance as he gets the required 78 for the leg. 6 – 4. The next leg looked more promising for the Aussie as he started with 140 and then move to 270. However in the middle of the leg his darts went slightly wayward and Hamilton took advantage, moving from 231 to 97. Anderson missed a match dart and had to sit back and watch his opponent check out 97 for the leg. 6 – 5. In a body blow for his opponent Hamilton checked out a 152 to draw back level in the match. After 12 legs they were equal, as they had been after six. So a one leg shoot off and it was close throughout. With Anderson on 241 he scored 60 to move to 184. Hamilton moved from 221 to 164 as nerves had hit in. Anderson missed another treble on his next visit as Hamilton left 40. Anderson was on 95 as his opponent made a hash of things and left five. Anderson, though, could only leave 32 and had to watch as Hamilton hit one (only just) and double two for the match. 7 – 6. Hamilton was ecstatic at his never say die attitude afterwards, “It was a scrappy game but a win is a win and I never gave up on the match. That is the hammer, I don’t give up.” Andy Hamilton 7 Kyle Anderson 6
Semi Final 1: Phil Taylor v Simon Whitlock Simon Whitlock broke Phil Taylor in the opening leg of their semi final as he converted 88 with his opponent requiring 39. He then opened with a 99 on his own throw and at the end of the leg looked to have missed too many doubles for the leg but Taylor uncharacteristically missed two of his own check outs for the Wizard to then move two legs clear. The missed chances would come back to haunt Whitlock in the next leg as he missed double two for the leg and Taylor, having missed leg darts of his own, threw the double required to hold throw. Taylor then broke the Whitlock throw and held throw to move into the lead in the blink of an eye. Taylor was then in a comfortable lead in the sixth leg, requiring just 44. Whitlock put some pressure on by throwing a maximum to require 109 but Taylor converted to lead by two legs. In the next leg another Whitlock maximum moved him to 44 and this time Taylor can only leave 97. A double 16 moved Whitlock back within a leg at 4-3. On throw Whitlock moved ahead comfortably but stuttered towards the end and missed a fat 20 for a shot at the bull to leave 50. On his second attempt Taylor hit tops to leave the 50 unanswered. With an opening of 180 and a second visit of 140 Taylor comfortably moved to within a leg of the match. The local hero then got a leg back in comfortable fashion to move the match to 6-4. A 97 opening from Taylor was then responded to with a 140 visit from Whitlock before Taylor threw the same. A follow up maximum from Taylor moved him ahead in the leg and on his next visit he converted to take the match 7-4 Phil Taylor 7 Simon Whitlock 4
Semi Final 2: Andy Hamilton v Robbie King In their semi final Robbie king required just 53 for the leg but knew he was up for a fight when Hamilton hit 78 to take the first leg. King then missed a tops check out in the next leg and had to watch as Hamilton hit with his first dart at the same. The local had been in it for the opening two legs but the scoreline read 2-0 against him. The script seemed to be reading the same way when King missed more darts for check out in the next leg but this time King missed the Bull for the leg and Rocket secured double ten for his first leg. In the next leg Hamilton chased a 167 and left 74 whilst a 180 from King moved to him to needing 120. Hamilton missed the first dart on his next visit but readjusted well with a triple 15 before missing the double ten. King wanted to give the Hammer a taste of his own medicine and thanks to Shanghai he did so to tie things up at 2 2. In the next leg with Hamilton on Tops King missed three at double 10 to move to a lead for the first time in the match. Instead Hamilton hit the required tops to go 3-2 up. A pair of 57s started the next leg before a 140 put Hamilton ahead. A bounce out did no favours for King. Chasing 150 Hamilton hit a pair of 19s and treble twenty. A 134 from King moved him to 116 but the Englishman got the double 16 required to close out 52 and move 4-2 up. King opened the next leg but a 140 on his second visit from Hamilton put him well ahead. A century from King moved him to 148 but Hamilton put more pressure on by collecting 140 to leave him needing 57. 56 left 92 for the hometown hero but Hamilton gave him a shot at It by missing two leg darts. King missed the treble 19 and had to suffice with leaving 21. Hamilton took three shots at the double ten and missed them all. King then left 4 before Hamilton had to readjust with his last dart but again missed all three. King had to move across the oche on his next visit after two throws to find a shot but could only get a single two to leave the madhouse. Hamilton went a different way by hitting the ten and then collected the double five at the first go. He was now up 5-2 in what looked like the critical leg of the match. King took a small lead against the throw and threw 140 to leave 99. A 134 from Hamilton left 95 as King left 20 to check out. King failed to take his chance and Hamilton pounced once more to lead 6-2 A century opening from King saw him move clear in the next leg and an even better 140 on his third visit put him in the box seat. The Rocket checked out with 84 to stay in the match at six legs to three. A 125 start from Hamilton put him ahead in the ninth leg. King was on 187 as Hamilton moved from 240 to 144 and then on his visit left just 12. With King unable to convert 90 a double six from Hamilton on his next visit gave him the leg and the match, by seven legs to three. Andy Hamilton 7 Robbie King 3
Final: Phil Taylor v Andy Hamilton The final itself was one way traffic as Taylor was victorious 7 legs to nil. Andy Hamilton had the first throw but it was Taylor who got out of the blocks faster as he moved quickly to 180. With Hamilton only on 208 a 140 left Taylor on tops and at his next visit Taylor got the check out with a double ten on his last dart at hand. In the next leg Taylor threw a 123 and then a maximum to leave himself on 198. He completed the leg with another double ten to go two up. Through the middle of the match it was all Phil Taylor including visits of 100 and 180 which left him on 125 in the fourth leg. After a less successful visit Taylor converted 79 with a treble 13 and tops. The fifth leg saw Taylor move from 177 to tops which he collected at his next visit. In the sixth leg Taylor opened with a maximum and quickly moved to 136. He left tops but missed all three attempts at his next visit, leaving himself double 10. Hamilton was on 134 but left tops. Taylor missed double ten at his next visit but got double five at the first attempt to go six up. In what turned out to be the final leg Taylor opened with another 180 and then hit another treble twenty before missing that same target with his fifth dart (although he did get it with his sixth peg.) With Hamilton a long way behind Taylor converted to make the final a whitewash 7-0. Overall Taylor was delighted with the result and said that he was enjoying this new phase of his life. “It is a lot of fun out here and I am enjoying my darts. To win in Brisbane is fantastic.” Phil Taylor 7 Andy Hamilton 0
Gold Coast (event 2)
Crowd rocks up
Match 1 Steve MacArthur 6 Jamie Harvey 1
Match 2 Brad Thorp 6 Russell Stewart 5
Match 3 Robbie King 6 Johnny Kuczynski 5
Match 4 Lucas Cameron 6 Devon Petersen 2
Match 5 Phil Taylor 6 Tic Bridge 3
Match 6 Andy Hamilton 6 GG Mathers 4
Match 7 Kyle Anderson 6 Rhys Mathewson 5
Match 8 Simon Whitlock 6 Stuart Leach 1
Quarter Final 1 Lucas Cameron 7 Robbie King 4
Quarter Final 2 Simon Whitlock 7 Andy Hamilton 4
Quarter Final 3 Phil Taylor 7 Steve Macarthur 2
Quarter Final 4 Kyle Anderson 7 Brad Thorp 4
Semi Final 1 Simon Whitlock 7 Lucas Cameron 1
Semi Final 2 Kyle Anderson 7 Phil Taylor 5
Final Simon Whitlock 7 Kyle Anderson 4
An Aussie Affair
Night one of the Prodarts Series on the Gold Coast was really the night of the Australians with some notable exclusions. Simon Whitlock nearly capped off the night with an incredible nine darter as his eighth dart was well off the treble 15 he was aiming for so he could check out with a double 18. It was a rare miss for him on the night as he defeated Stuart Leach 6-1. Earlier in the night Steve McArthur reminded us all of how he made the world championships a decade ago as he comfortably defeated Jamie Harvey 6-1 in the first match of the night.
The second match was much more competitive as Hall of Famer Russell Stewart took on Tasmanian Brad Thorp. The match had been tight throughout but Thorp had looked to break it open when he went 5-2 up. However Stewart struck back, first with an unlikely double 3 check out in leg 8 and then with some power scoring and good finishing he secured the next two legs as well. Thorp had won the bull but it was Stewart who got to the more likely check out of 116 first. However, he could only score 60 and with Thorp needing 72 he went the 16, 16 and double 20 route for the leg and the match, winning 6-5.
The third match was also extra competitive as Johnny K showed glimpses of times gone past as he took on local Gold Coast resident Robbie King. It was Johnny K who took a two leg lead as he was able to take his chances but King was able to break back in the third leg. A 52 check out in leg four puts the match back on par and over the next couple of legs it is the local player who takes his own two leg lead.
Johnny K was not done though and he hit a double ten with his last dart in hand to make the score 3-4. King was able to return the favour in the next leg to move back into a two leg lead. The match was not down though as Kuczynski moved well ahead in the next leg and despite King putting some pressure on by leaving 100 the American put his third dart into the corner of the double bed to move the score to 4-5.
The next leg demonstrated Kuczynski at his best. He seemed out of it and King even had a shot at double 16 for the match but was unable to convert. Kuczynski then stepped up to the oche and converted a 116 to bring the match back to equilibrium. The final leg was King’s chance to return serve and so he did with a 114 check out for the match, 6-5.
The fourth match saw Lucas Cameron overcome Devon Petersen. Early on it was leg for leg as the scoreboard moved to 2-2. There were glimpses of brilliance from both players but often let down by bounce outs or poor visits in between. A 140 saw Cameron move to just that score in the next leg and despite not securing that check out he did get 95 on his next visit to go three up. However it was leg six that would prove critical. Petersen had moved to 49 with relative ease but then manages to miss the big number and then hits double 8 and not double 16. Both players then busted when opportunities for the leg were presented to them until Cameron was able to secure the break with a double 8.
Cameron was able to move to a further leg in front after the next leg when he secured the check out just after Petersen had hit a 180 to leave just 6 remaining. Then Cameron opens with a 180 and secures maximums with darts 4 and 5 but missed his next treble to leave 182. With Petersen on 299 Cameron moved from 182 to 87 and by leaving 159 Petersen could not put pressure on Cameron as it was a bogey score. Cameron sets it up to leave 40 and on his next visit uses all the six darts Petersen presented to him to finally get the win, 6 legs to 2.
The other Aussie win on the night was Kyle Anderson over Rhys Mathewson. It was a tough affair as both players broke each other early, Mathewson with a 107 check out. After three breaks of throw Anderson held his own to lead 3-1. The next few legs went with throw and Anderson moved to a 4—2 lead.
In the next leg Mathewson scored 95 but Anderson was able to better it by 40. Through the leg Mathewson left a 170 check out. Mathewson could only get to 143 though but his opponent does not take full toll and leaves 58. Again Mathewson misses double 16 but Anderson then fails to secure the match and with a double four Mathewson was back in the match at 3-4.
Anderson then had a comfortable leg to move to win one leg of the match, with the last five legs staying on throw. In the next leg Anderson has a shot at double tops for the match but could not convert and despite missing a check out of his own, a double six finally gave Mathewson another leg. The same check out then drew the match level as Anderson missed numerous match darts in that leg as well.
In the last leg both players had a shot at the bull and missed for the match. It was to be a big miss for Mathewson as Anderson got the first chance at 25 and got it with a double 5 for the match, another final leg decider on the night, this time going 6-5 to Kyle Anderson.
The two overseas players who did progress on the night were the finalists from the Brisbane leg of the event.
Andy Hamilton had a great tussle with GG Mathers, fresh back from the World Championships. At 2-0 down GG secured check outs of 158 and then 150 to draw level. After being level after six legs Hammer was able to move 5-3 before Mathers put a scare into things by securing another leg. Unlike the rest of the night though this was not to go to a deciding leg as Hamilton demonstrated all his experience in taking it out and winning the match 6-4.
Phil Taylor was also challenged, but came away victorious, against another DPA order of merit player in Tic Bridge. Taylor went one up but Bridge equalised with a 121 check out. Taylor then bounced straight back and not only secured his own throw but broke Bridge in the fourth leg. Taylor then gave Bridge a chance at the bull in the next leg but after his opponent missed it he made him pay by securing double 16.
The next leg saw Bridge get one back on his own throw. The following leg was critical as Bridge was well ahead throughout it but missed the double 8 to get the break back and Taylor made him pay by stealing a leg he really had not been in. At 5 – 2 it seemed that the match would soon be over but Bridge had other plans as he checks out double 5 to move the score to 5 – 3 to Taylor. The next leg saw Bridge hit a maximum to move to 181 with his opponent scoring 140 to leave 176. Bridge could only score 96 as Taylor hit 136 to leave 40. Bridge left 68 but Taylor missed three at double tops for the match. Bridge missed the bull for the leg and Taylor finally finished the match off with a double ten. The final score was 6 – 3 to Phil Taylor.
Steve MacArthur 6 Jamie Harvey 1 Brad Thorp 6 Russell Stewart 5 Robbie King 6 Johnny Kuczynski 5 Lucas Cameron 6 Devon Petersen 2 Phil Taylor 6 Tic Bridge 3 Andy Hamilton 6 GG Mathers 4 Kyle Anderson 6 Rhys Mathewson 5 Simon Whitlock 6 Stuart Leach 1
International Prodarts Series Gold Coast Night 2
Simon Whitlock prepared for his return to the Premier League in the best way possible on the Gold Coast version of the Prodarts Series. He defeated Kyle Anderson in a battle of the top two ranked Australian players, and World Cup teammates. In the opening semi-final of the night local Robbie King took on Geelong player Lucas Cameron and it was close at the start. Cameron took the lead twice early on only for King to peg him back on both occasions.
In the fifth leg Cameron missed the bull but King was well behind and at his next visit Cameron secured the lead for the third time. The next leg was critical as King was broken by his opponent. It was a high scoring affair early as King’s 140 was met by a maximum by Cameron. With Cameron on 129 and King on 182 Cameron set up to leave 140 with his 13th dart. King had his chance to convert with 124 but left 56. Having missed all three check out chances on his previous visit, Cameron came back and secured the required double ten. He consolidated the next leg on throw to grab a three leg lead.
King threw to open the next leg and thoughts of his previous night’s comeback came to mind. At his first shot at tops King had drawn back within two legs, albeit on throw. 5-3. In the next leg Cameron hit the wire twice on the wrong side to miss his chance of taking the leg and King pounces to grab the break back and move the score to within one. With century starts on their next visits it looked tight but mid leg Cameron sneaked ahead. He missed a double 8 to give King the chance to tie things up but he missed the same checkout. Cameron then scored the double eight to stop his opponent’s momentum. King had a chance in the next leg to win it but missed two darts and Cameron was able to come back to the oche to secure the match 7-4.
In the second match two of the big guns of darts face off as Simon Whitlock took on Andy Hamilton. Whitlock opened the first leg with a bullseyes finish before a triple 20 double 16 finish in two darts doubled his lead. The third leg saw Andy Hamilton secure the first 180 of the match to move himself to 181 with Whitlock on 224. However a poor visit from the Englishman left him on 126 as a maximum moved the Wizard to 44. King missed the bull for 126 check out and Whitlock checks out to take a three nil lead. The next leg saw Hamilton take a lead and keep it this time as a double 16 moved the score to 3-1. However Whitlock was not finished. Two big starts from both players actually sees Hammer take the darts but was unable to collect the required double 16 and despite nearly busting, Wizard secured a 4-1 lead. The whole match was coming done to conversions of doubles.
In the next leg it seemed to be the local players only for him to not convert 58. However Hamilton could not convert his own leg darts and at his next visit Whitlock went 5-1 clear.
Hamilton is anything but a quitter though and in the next leg, with the Wizard on 16, Hamilton gets double tops for the leg with last dart in hand. A 15 dart leg then saw Hamilton reduce the gap to two legs before Whitlock seemed to grab the impetus in the next leg with a 180 moving him to 38. However Hamilton did not feel the pressure and scored the double 8 required to move the match with one leg difference, 5-4.
Hamilton had the throw on the next leg but it was Whitlock who took a big lead until Hamilton moved from 221 to 87 in one visit. Whitlock had something special in mind as he hit the bull once more in a crunch leg, in this case checking out a 164 finish. This was a hammer blow and in the last leg it looked like Whitlock would do the business until he missed the bull for the match. It gave Hamilton a chance but he missed two at double16 (his nemesis for this match) and Whitlock scored9 and double 8 for the leg and the match, 7-4.
The third match saw Phil Taylor secure another win with a 7-2 victory over Steve Macarthur. Macarthur had gone to a large lead at the beginning of the match, including Taylor scoring a 158 finish with Macarthur sitting on 32 to secure his first break. Macarthur took a couple of legs further in to the match but Taylor was not going to be denied, securing the ninth leg of the match to win 7-2. The last quarter final looked very competitive throughout with Tasmanian Brad Thorp going toe to toe with Kyle Anderson. Thorp took the first leg and despite missing two at tops Anderson was able to secure a 1-1 scoreline after the second leg. With Thorp not on a finish Anderson moved from 132 to 40 and on the next leg secures an early break, 2-1.
Thorp started better in the next leg and moves to 155 before Kyle gets to 136. A loose dart and Thorp leaves 77 but watches just behind Anderson as he missed double eight for 136. A 77 check out meant Thorp broke straight back. 2-2.
A 180 opening for Anderson was not enough as he missed the bull for the leg and Thorp gets the double 16 to move 3-2 ahead, now back on throw. The two combatants matched score for score in the next leg but it was Anderson who snuck the vital double first to tie the match up after six legs.
With Anderson on 123 the Tasmanian secured 60 to retake the lad, 4-3. The next leg went to Anderson, before he took a strong lead in the next leg against the throw and a finish of treble 16, treble 16 and tops saw Anderson tie things back up at four legs all. A maximum from Anderson in the next leg moved him to 81 and in the next visit he was in front 5-4. Anderson then took the next leg comfortably before Thorp missed chances to take a leg off Australia’s number two player and Thorp was eliminated, losing 7-4 to Anderson.
The first semi-final started with an 11 darter from the Wizard before he checked out 52 to take a two leg lead. An 80 finish and then a 20 (after throwing a 180 and 140) finish in the next two legs saw Whitlock double his lead.
In the fifth leg Cameron got his first 180 of the match but even this was not enough as he missed the bull for the steal. Whitlock then stepped up and took a leg he had no right to.
Finally in the sixth leg Cameron was able to slow the onslaught as he converted 24 with his last dart in hand and his opponent sitting on 80. It was to be his last joy as the final two legs went empathically Whitlock’s way and the score finished 7-1. The second semi-final saw Phil Taylor take the first leg against Kyle Anderson but it was not emphatic as the Aussie missed two chances at a tops check out. Despite missing double eight and double four Taylor was able to double that lead through double two. Things seemed to be going to script in the third leg as Taylor hit a double 8 to leave Anderson on 78 and three legs behind. The next leg saw Taylor only open with 41 and Anderson took his chance by moving to 270 after six darts. A maximum and with Taylor well behind his Aussie opponent was able to leave 16. Taylor score 140 to leave 120 and Anderson missed all three on his next visit. The next visit would be one of those points in a match that changed things. Chasing Shanghai Taylor missed tops and left 20. Anderson checked out on his next visit and the momentum had changed but it was still 3-1 to Taylor.
In the next leg Taylor left tops when chasing 100 and Anderson was able to take full advantage to draw back within a leg thanks to the break of throw. On his next throw Anderson was able to convert 119 with a bull finish and tie things up. An opening maximum from the Aussie in the seventh leg and a follow up 140 pushed Anderson well ahead. A double ten gave Anderson a second break in a row for a 4-3 lead. Consistent throwing from Anderson then saw him leave 87 with Taylor one hundred behind. The Original threw his double clinically to take a 5-3 lead.
A 167 from Phil Taylor in the next leg left him a check out which he took to slow his opponent’s push temporarily but in the tenth leg it was power scoring from both players at the start that gave each opportunities. Anderson missed his chance before Taylor did the same with his chance to square things up again. Anderson took his second opportunity to move to 6-4 and be just a leg away from the match.
The next leg saw the 16 time world champion take full control and at 6-5 it came down to Anderson on his throw keeping a level head. With a 140 start he showed he could do just that and was able to keep his throw consistent throughout this pressure leg to take out the match 7-5 and inflict Phil Taylor’s first defeat on the east coast of Australia since 2012, when he lost to the man Anderson would now face in the final, Simon Whitlock.
The final itself saw Simon Whitlock get off to a confident start but Anderson was able to stay with him and after three legs it was 2-1 to the Wizard. An early critical leg was the fourth as both players had decent shots at a check out but Whitlock was the first to convert and thus took the first considerable lead of the match, 3-1.
He consolidated in the next leg with power hitting and then opened with a maximum to move ahead in the next leg. Chasing 110 for the check-out Whitlock seemed to have screwed it up by hitting treble 3 but a treble 17 and the bull gave him the leg anyway, and a four leg lead.
It was time for a comeback and Anderson provided just that by checking out 108 in the next leg and then, aided by his third maximum in four legs, he was able to secure his second double tops check out in a row to move the score back to 5-3. Another break was critical for Anderson and with Whitlock on 18 a 122 check out on the bull gave The Original just that. With the score at 5-4 Anderson threw first to tie the match back up. He started with 100 and the Wizard pounced with a 180. Anderson moved to 267 as Whitlock got to 224. A poor visit of 60 was pounced upon by his opponent who moved to 126. With Anderson on 114 Wizard hit the bull once more, it seemed to be the largest segment on the board for Whitlock tonight, as he converted the 126, broke Anderson, and took a 6-4 lead.
It would prove to be too much for Anderson to fight back once more as consistent throwing from Whitlock moved him to 162. Another good visit left the Wizard needing just 24 and a single 12 and double six at his next turn at the oche was enough to give him the match 7-4.
For Whitlock it was just the kind of preparation to help him moving forward, “I have loved my time out here and to win in front of my family again is awesome. Kyle was great tonight and together we are going to win the World Cup this year. I am really looking forward to what the next few months hold for my darts now.”
QF1 Lucas Cameron 7 Robbie King 4 QF2 Simon Whitlock 7 Andy Hamilton 4 QF3 Phil Taylor 7 Steve Macarthur 2 QF4 Kyle Anderson 7 Brad Thorp 4 SF1 Simon Whitlock 7 Lucas Cameron 1 SF2 Kyle Anderson 7 Phil Taylor 5 F Simon Whitlock 7 Kyle Anderson 4
Townsville (event 3)
Townsville Night 1
LOCAL favourite Jeremy Fagg says he is just going to enjoy himself when he takes on Phil Taylor at the Townsville Stadium on Thursday night.
Fagg, nicknamed Jezza, defeated Scottish veteran Jamie Harvey 6-2 on the first evening of News Corp’s International Pro Darts Showdown Series in north Queensland.
The Townsville product was backed by a huge home support at the Murray Sports Complex and expects the same on Thursday night.
He said he was happy to have got through to reach the quarter-finals and face up to the 16-time world champion.
“When they first announced it obviously everyone wants to draw Phil,” Fagg said.
“But the only goal I had was to win my first game so I could get to play Thursday night.
“I am really happy how it turned out and I am sure the home crowd will be as well.
“When the tickets went on sale I got on to all my friends who I play with and I ended up selling 119.
“There will be a good crowd singing for me and because I am a local boy. There will be people I don’t even know barracking for me, which is great.”
Fagg said he knew he was a big underdog against Taylor but was just going to savour the moment and concentrate on his own game.
“I do my own practice, so I try to put that into the match,” he said.
“I will just try and do what comes natural and play the game. At the same time I will be excited because I am playing Phil Taylor.
“It’s going to be great fun, I can’t wait.”
Fagg was joined in the quarter-finals by Geelong’s Lucas Cameron, who came from 3-0 down to defeat former American No.1 John Kuczkinski 6-5.
Another Geelong player, Tic Bridge, was too strong for Aussie veteran Russell Stewart, winning 6-1.
Taylor defeated indigenous All Star player Greg Major from Rockhampton, 6-1 before Kyle Anderson also won through to the last eight with a 6-4 win over Raymond Smith.
South African No.1 Devon Petersen lost for the third time on the month-long tour in the first round, going down 6-4 to Rhys Mathewson from Victoria.
Andy Hamilton continued his good form of the series, defeating Ipswich’s Gordon G Mathers 6-2 before the Dream Maker, Dimitri Van den Bergh, defeated Sydney’s Pat Molloy 6-2.
Courtesy of Phil Dillon
Townsville Night 2
DIMITRI Van den Bergh proved why he is the rising star of world darts by winning the Townsville leg of News Corp’s International Pro Darts Showdown Series on Thursday night.
In front of a packed crowd, which included North Queensland Cowboys stars and former Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds, the reigning world youth champion defeated 16-time world champion Phil Taylor in the final 7-5 to cap off a brilliant night of darts. At one point in the final both Taylor and the 23-year-old Belgian were on a three-dart average of about 111, such was the quality of darts shown.
Van den Bergh ended with an average of 108 with Taylor also impressive with 102.
Taylor had earlier whitewashed both Townsville player Jeremy Fagg and Geelong’s Lucas Cameron 7-0 (who had defeated Geelong colleague and friend Tic Bridge 7-4 in the previous round) in the quarter-finals and semi-finals.
Van den Bergh, who came on the month-long tour for the last two legs in place of Simon Whitlock who had PDC commitments in the UK, was the other form player, defeating Andy Hamilton in the last eight 7-2 before beating Kyle Anderson 7-3 in the semi. Anderson had earlier been involved in a thrilling 7-6 win over Rhys Mathewson.
In the quarter-final Van den Bergh produced some magic darts as the Townsville crowd warmed to the youngster from Antwerp. He threw five maximum 180s and had finishes of 121 and 122 before hitting the bullseye with a 127 checkout for an average of 110.
Van den Bergh also hit the bull to defeat Taylor in the Final, his second 10-darter of the night as the raucous crowd chanted his name. While Van den Bergh picked up 20 points for the win, it will not be enough for him to take the series trophy, which looks to be heading Taylor’s way.
The 16 points he picked up for second place on Thursday night puts him on 48 with Anderson on second with 32.
Courtesy of Phil Dillon
Townsville Results: First Round Night 1: Jeremy Fagg 6 Jamie Harvey 3 Lucas Cameron 6 John Kuczynski 5 Tic Bridge 6 Russell Stewart 1 Phil Taylor 6 Greg Major 1 Kyle Anderson 6 Raymond Smith 4 Rhys Mathewson 6 Devon Peterson 4 Andy Hamilton 6 GG Mathers 2 Dmitri Van Den Bergh 6 Pat Molloy 2
Night 2 Quarter Finals: Lucas Cameron 7 Tic Bridge 4 Phil Taylor 7 Jeremy Fagg 0 Kyle Anderson 7 Rhys Mathewson 6 Dmitri Van Den Bergh7 Andy Hamilton 2
Semi Finals: Phil Taylor 7 Lucas Cameron 0 Dmitri Van Den Bergh 7 Kyle Anderson 3
Final: Dmitri Van Den Bergh 7 Phil Taylor 5
Mackay (event 4)
Mackay Night 1
Match 1 Russell Stewart v Gordon Mathers
In the first match of the night Australia’s domestic number one player from 2017 took on the legend of Aussie darts in Rusty Stewart. Early up Mathers took a 2-0 lead before Stewart broke back with a double five. The next leg saw Stewart miss tops for a 116 check out and then both players missed chances before a double 8 gave Mathers a critical 3-1 lead.
The next leg saw a 32 finish from Mathers before Stewart checked out 25 in the next leg through a 9, 8, double 4 route. The next leg was all Mathers as he moved within one leg of the match.
Having left tops the next leg looked to be Mathers but he missed three darts at it. He then missed all three and double 10 and gave Stewart a chance. It was not to be though as Stewart missed all three shots at his check out score and on his next visit Mathers put his second dart into the right double for the match.
GG Mathers 6 Russell Stewart 2
Match 2 Jamie Harvey v Raymond Smith
With some heavy scoring Raymond Smith started his match against Jamie Harvey well, breaking the Scotsman in the first leg with a double eight check out. However Harvey hit back as Smith missed chances to double his lead and instead a double 16 put Harvey back on level terms. The next leg saw contrasting openings of 26 and 180. Smith looked to take full advantage but he missed three at tops for the leg as Harvey drew closer. However with his first dart of the next visit Smith moved ahead and his lead was consolidated with a solid next leg on his own throw.
The next leg saw Harvey broken again and the game looked all Smith until Harvey hit tops to break back after Smith had busted chasing the check out. At 4-2 Harvey needed to hold throw, something he had failed to do so far. With Jamie Harvey on 88 Smith hit the required 32 to bust any revival Harvey seemed to have going.
However the Scotsman was not done yet as a 125 moved him to 76. The Aussie had a shot at 82 by hitting the bull with his first dart but he missed the next two darts at double 16 and Harvey threw tops to complete the 76 required to break Smith again. Yet again it was down to the Harvey throw and yet again Smith would break. With Harvey on 97 Smith secured the required check out with his second dart, the match finishing 6-3 in his favour.
Raymond Smith 6 Jamie Harvey 3
Match 3 Andy Hamilton v John Bunyard
A 180 start from Hamilton indicated things to come and despite missing many darts at check out in the first leg he was able to throw the first check out dart to take a 1-0 lead. In the second leg he got the check out with his second attempt and in the third leg he converted 77 with just two darts.
The fourth leg saw Bunyard finally punish Hamilton for his misses of check out throws with a double ten giving him his first leg. 3-1. JB then could not get the 42 required on the next leg and with a 10 and double 5 Hammer took a three leg lead. More missed darts at check out in the next leg from Hamilton but with his opponent so far behind and needing 40 he hit it with his last dart in hand to take a 5-1 lead.
The last leg saw Hamilton miss the bull for the match but Bunyard could not check out the big number required (throwing 91 to leave 36 instead) and Hamilton won the match with a double 4.
Andy Hamilton 6 John Bunyard 1
Match 4 Phil Taylor v Kevin McCarthy
The fourth match saw Phil Taylor secure another whitewash, this time against Kevin McCarthy. After slicing through the first two legs a 140 start from Taylor was capped off by a double 16 at the end to go three up. The same double takes him four legs up with a double break.
The fifth leg saw McCarthy collect his first 180 but scores of 140 and 125 from Taylor around it still gave him the lead. Taylor got a double ten with his second shot at it to take the leg. Two 140 visits from Taylor in the sixth leg puts him well ahead and he went for bull, 25, bull for a 125 finish only for his last dart to bounce out of the bull bed. An 18 and double 16 on his next visit gave Taylor the match 6-0.
Phil Taylor 6 Kevin McCarthy 0
Match 5 Johnny Kuzynski v Tic Bridge
The first leg of the next match went to Tic Bridge as he got double 12 to check out at his second attempt. With Bridge well ahead in the next leg he was not able to convert 160 with the six darts he had and after two shots at it the Johnny K finally threw the required double 11 to tie the match up.
The next leg saw Bridge miss two darts at tops as his opponent moved to 106. Bridge then busts with the wrong double on his next visit and his opponent steps up to secure the 106 check out to take the lead with a break of throw. Bridge broke straight back, though, as Kuzynski missed another 106 finish at the double 20.
With Bridge on 183 the American moved from 146 to 46. Two darts on his next visit put Kuzynski 3-2 up with the break once more. The next leg saw Kuzynski go well ahead and despite missing tops for the leg was able to come back to the oche and secure the leg with his next throw.
The next leg saw Bridge hold throw and his opponent did the same in the 8th leg to retake a two leg lead, 5-3. Bridge had to win the next leg but was well behind for most of it. However his opponent failed to secure one hundred in six darts and Bridge was able to steal the leg with a double ten at the second attempt.
In the next leg both players missed multiple attempts at check out before a double 18 gave Kuzynski the leg and the match, 6-4.
Johnny Kuzynski 6 Tic Bridge 4
Match 6 Dimitri Van Den Bergh v Lucas Cameron
The first leg was a story of missed doubles for Lucas Cameron as he missed six darts for the leg and his opponent scored a double eight for the first leg. The same double gave Van Den Bergh a two leg lead (scoring a bull and double 16 for the 82 check out.)
Cameron scored two maximums in the next leg and his opponent missed double 12 three times but still it was not to be as Cameron missed his own check outs and a double six gave Van Den Bergh a three leg lead.
The next leg saw Van Den Bergh take the darts but he missed his doubles as Cameron put away double ten for the leg. It was a resumption of service in the next leg though as Van Den Bergh takes advantage of Cameron’s missed check outs to secure double 18 with his second attempt at it and move out to a 4-1 lead. He then just missed a 145 check out with Cameron missing check out darts around that attempt. At his next throw the Belgian went 5-1 up.
A 74 finish gave Cameron the next leg and with his doubles now working again, the Aussie was able to get his second shot into the double 20 bed and move the match back to 5-3.
Having already missed one match dart Van Den Bergh then had to stand back and watch to see if Cameron could convert 118. He could not and Van Den Bergh came back to throw the double and secure the match 6-3.
Dimitri Van Den Bergh 6 Lucas Cameron 3
Match 7 Devon Peterson v Dave Littleboy
In what was the best match of the night it was the Aussie veteran who took an early lead with an 84 check out thanks to a double 18. With the break Littleboy was then able to take advantage of his opponent missing critical doubles to hold his throw and go two nil up.
With a 180 start Petersen was able to relatively comfortably hold his throw and secure his first leg of the night. However with Petersen well behind Littleboy almost checked out 147 and was able to come back and throw the leftover double 9 on his next visit to go 3-1 up.
Another comfortable leg on throw for the South African saw him go within a leg before Littleboy checked out 103 to take the score to 4-2 in legs. Another comfortable leg on throw for Petersen saw him move to within one with a double four.
The next leg was one of missed chances for both players but Petersen finally threw a double 5 to break back and draw the match level after eight legs. He then threw a 14 dart leg to take the lead for the first time in the match, albeit on throw. Peterson missed one double 16 for the match in the next leg before his opponent missed the bull. The South African then burst 32 and a 17 and double 4 gave the Australian the leg on his throw.
So to a final leg with Peterson throwing first and openings of 100 and 125 were followed by heavy scoring that left Peterson on 120. Peterson scored 80 to leave tops and assumed he would be back only for his opponent to throw treble 20, 16 and double tops for the required 116 to give Littleboy the match, 6-5.
Dave Littleboy 6 Devon Peterson 5
Match 8 Kyle Anderson v Rhys Mathewson
In the final match of the night a 140 start from Kyle Anderson helped him take a good lead against the throw of Rhys Mathewson. He went on to take the break and lead one nil but Mathewson came back and broke Anderson’s first throw. Anderson then broke Mathewson again before Rhys tied things back up by winning against the throw for a second time.
After Anderson broke for a third time he finally held on to his own throw to take a 4-2 lead. He took the next leg against the throw - as he has done on every other throw of his opponent and held on once more to win the match 6-2.
Kyle Anderson 6 Rhys Mathewson 1
GG Mathers 6 Russell Stewart 2 Raymond Smith 6 Jamie Harvey 3 Andy Hamilton 6 John Bunyard 1 Phil Taylor 6 Kevin McCarthy 0 Johnny Kuzynski 6 Tic Bridge 4 Dimitri Van Den Bergh 6 Lucas Cameron 3 Dave Littleboy 6 Devon Peterson 5 Kyle Anderson 6 Rhys Mathewson 1
Mackay Night 2
QF 1: GG Mathers v Raymond Smith
GG threw first and both players scored 140s in their second visit. Mathers had first go at a check out with 136 but only secured 78 as Smith attempted 130 but he missed the bull for the leg. Two darts at double 20 were well over the top for Mathers but Smith failed to secure the 30 he required and Mathers got tops with his first dart on the next visit. 1-0 to Mathers on throw.
With Smith’s opening throw he got first shot at a check out score with 96 whilst Mathers moved to 108. Triple 20, 18 and a double 9 tied the game back up for Smith. The next leg was tight as Mathers moved to 122 and had six darts at it. Smith moving from 180 to 40 put the pressure on Mathers and he buckled, leaving 40 for himself. Smith scored the break with last dart in hand. 2-1 to Smith. A century opening from Smith and a follow up of the same looked to have put him well ahead until Mathers scored 180, although 135 helped Smith as it put him on 170. He required 86 from his next visit and got it with two darts to move him 3-1 ahead.
Mathers opened poorly in the next leg and Smith punished him but the leg tightened through the middle. Smith left himself on another 170 checkout as Mathers sat on 126. Smith got the two treble 20s and then 25 attempting the maximum check out but failed to convert the remaining 25 on his next visit. Mathers was missing some fat numbers to set up the appropriate check out and this led Smith to have another shot at the leg but he left himself two. Mathers missed three at tops as Smith failed to get the two on his next visit. Mathers got the leg with double 5 to hold his throw. 3-2.
Smith took a considerable lead on his next throw as 140 left him on 64. Mathers was on 140 as Smith missed tops for the leg. Mathers scored 100 on his return to the oche but then Smith hit double ten with his next dart to win the leg and move the score to 4-2.
A 132 start helped Mathers in the next leg and he moved well ahead, requiring just 90 on his fourth visit. He secured 21, leaving 69 but with Smith well behind he had another shot at it and collected it for the leg. 4-3.
A 140 helped Smith in the next leg on throw and a 135 left him on 170 again. A 131 left 102 for Mathers as Smith could not collect Shanghai which he had left himself after only getting 50 on his previous visit. Mathers left 54 as Smith failed to convert his check out. Both players missed the double ten for the leg as Smith finally got a check out with the double 5 at his next visit. 5-3.
A 140 for Smith left him on 161 in leg nine. Next visit a 135 left Mathers on 115 and he secured it when required to hold throw. 5-4. Smith scored a 140 with his next start which was almost matched by Mathers (119). A poor next visit from Smith was not punished by Mathers. However a few lesser visits still left Smith on 144 and with Mathers well behind he did not have to chase it and left himself requiring 50 which he collected with last dart in hand on his next visit. 6-4.
A Mathers 65 start in the opening of the next leg was punished by Smith with 131, followed up by a 140 visit. Another 140 left him needing 90 for the match after just nine darts. Triple 18 and double 18 from Raymond Smith put the match away, 7-4.
Raymond Smith 7 GG Mathers 4
QF 2 Andy Hamilton v Phil Taylor
This match could have been played in a pub in Talke, near Stoke, called the Skylark, but it was played in Mackay Queensland. It was Taylor on throw showing all the experience to win the first leg with great accuracy. A 180 on his second visit against the throw moved Taylor ahead in the second leg as well. A 140 left Taylor on 121. With a double 14 Taylor checked out for the break and a 209 lead.
A poor opening from Taylor in the next leg was not punished by Hamilton. He had another shot at it after Taylor only scored 84 in two visits and scored 93. 99 left Taylor on 138 as Hamilton moved from 214 to 76. Taylor missed the double 9 for the leg as Hamilton secured tops for the leg on his last dart at hand. It was a break of throw and the score read 2-1 to Taylor.
A 120 start from Hamilton was beaten by Taylor (132) and he then put the foot down with a 137. A 140 then pushed Hamilton even further back. His 13th dart secured double 16 for Taylor and he got the break straight back, the score going to 3-1 to Taylor. He then started with a 140 in the next leg and quickly moved ahead, soon leaving himself on 99. A 59 visit left Taylor on tops and he secured the leg with a double ten on his 15th dart. 4-1 to Taylor.
Hamilton moved well ahead in the next leg until Taylor secured a maximum, the second of the match for him. A follow up 81 was enough to put pressure on his opponent but Hamilton did score 117 to leave 141. Taylor moved to 80 as Hamilton left himself on 100. Taylor missed tops for the leg and with two double 20s Hammer was able to secure the 100 needed to hold throw. 4-2 to Taylor. The next leg started 140 for Taylor and Hamilton could not match it this time around. Taylor moved well ahead but with Hamilton needing 140 Taylor chased 108 unsuccessfully, missing the double 16 required. Hamilton left 40 but Taylor made no mistake with his double 16 at his next throw. 5-2 to Taylor.
Hamilton needed to win the next leg on throw but soon lost the advantage. Hamilton hit a 135 finish with great bull work (25, treble 20, bull), securing a 12 dart leg with Taylor ready to pounce if he failed to convert. 5-3 to Taylor.
Hamilton then started with 180 on Taylor’s throw and moved ahead, leaving 132 with Taylor on 164. Hamilton then secured 88 to leave 44, as 124 left Taylor on 44. Two misses at double 16 were Hamilton’s chances to break throw but instead Taylor took the chance the misses provided him to move 6-3 ahead.
A 140 start from Hamilton in the tenth leg was backed up with the same on his next visit. 89 left Hamilton on 132 as Taylor moved to 241. Hammer just missed the bull as he went 25, treble 19 and 25 for the leg but scored the checkout with his second dart on his next visit. 6-4 to Taylor.
The next leg saw Taylor take a good lead early but 134 from Hamilton tied things up after two visits each. 140 from Taylor moved him to 166 and a further 59 left him on 107 for the match. Hamilton moved from 248 to 125 with a 123 as Taylor missed double 16 for the match at his next visit. Hamilton then extraordinarily hit two bulls in a row (he needed 25 as the second dart) and had to suffice with a further 9. With two darts Taylor was able to take out the match 7-4.
Phil Taylor 7 Andy Hamilton 4
QF 3 Dimitri Van Den Bergh v John Kuczynski
Van Den Bergh threw first in the third quarter final and scored a double 16 with his 16th dart for the leg. The second leg was tight as Johnny K moved from 225 to 95 with a 130. His Belgian opponent moved from 180 to 55. The American missed his chance at the leg and Van Den Bergh took full advantage to go two legs up.
The next leg was not high scoring from either player until Van Den Bergh hit 180 to move to 103. He missed the double 18 for the leg and it took a further six darts for him to take the third leg. A 140 in the next leg from the Belgian was matched by his American opponent. Van Den Bergh just missed the double 18 for the leg but got it with the first dart of his next visit. 4-0 to Van Den Bergh.
A 140 from Van Den Bergh moved him to 178 and a follow up 162 left him needing double 8 for the leg. He secured it with his second shot at that double. The next leg was Kuczynski’s throw and he scored 100 which was bettered by his opponent (131). A 135 second visit verses 60 put the American ahead. Another 140 left Kuczynski on 126. However 180 put him under pressure with the Belgian now needing 130. The American missed the bull for the leg as his opponent did the same on his next visit. With last dart in hand Johnny Kuczynski won the leg. 5-1 to Van Den Bergh.
Van Den Bergh took a good lead in the next leg as 133 moved him to only needing 32 for the leg. It took him two darts on his next visit to move 6-1 ahead.
A 180 start against the throw put Van Den Bergh well ahead in the eighth leg and he followed it up with a 75. He moved to 170 after nine darts but could only collect 100 on his next visit. With a double 16 Van Den Bergh made light work of the last leg to win the match 7-1.
Dimitri Van Den Bergh 7 John Kuczynski 1
QF 4 Kyle Anderson v Dave Littleboy
Kyle Anderson started well on Dave Littleboy’s throw as a 140 left him on 50. A 135 response from his opponent left 70 and Anderson could not convert his chances. Littleboy missed bull for the leg and Anderson made him pay with his second dart and a double five for the break. 1-0 to Anderson.
A 180 in the next leg moved Anderson to 230 but 60 the visit after left him on 170. With Littleboy so far behind the 40 ‘The Original’ threw did not seem problematic at the time but a follow up 24 was more troublesome. With 164 required Littleboy scored 85 to leave 79. 88 from Anderson then left 18 as Littleboy then left 8. A double 9 with his first dart next visit put Anderson 2-0 up.
A 140 from Littleboy put him back in the next leg after Anderson had etched out a small lead. 100 put Anderson on 96 as Littleboy secured a maximum to leave 4. 74 from Anderson was not enough for the leg but the double 2 eluded Littleboy and Anderson stepped back up to the oche to break his opponent again. 3-0.
Another maximum from Littleboy in the next leg was well received by the crowd. With Littleboy on 96 a 140 left Anderson on 43. Littleboy left tops as Anderson missed two darts at tops for the leg. Littleboy did not convert with his next three darts and Anderson made him pay at his next visit to lead 4-0.
Littleboy fell behind again in the fifth leg and a 180 helped Anderson move to 94 after 12 darts. 123 was useful for his opponent as he moved to 109. Both players could not convert on their next visit but another double 5 from Anderson with his last dart in hand gave him another leg. 5-0.
On his own throw a 135 moved Anderson to 180. 41 then moved him to 139 and 99 left tops. Littleboy put a little pressure on with 100 leaving 81 and sure enough Anderson did not get the required double. However Littleboy then missed tops for the leg and Anderson took full advantage of the miss, hitting yet another double 5 with his last dart in hand (the third time he has done this in the match) for a 6-0 lead.
140 from Anderson left 79 in the seventh leg. A century left his opponent on 110. 19 and double tops left the same dart needed for the match but Anderson hit 20 instead. Littleboy could not finish with his next visit after a wayward first throw and Anderson hit the double 10 required for the match. 7-0 was the final score to Kyle Anderson.
Kyle Anderson 7 Dave Littleboy 0
SF 1 Phil Taylor v Raymond Smith
Taylor’s first visit of the match was a 180 and his second a 140 against the throw and with 76 he moved to 105. Smith moved to 101 but a century plus check out and 12 darter, Taylor went a leg ahead. In the second leg the players went blow for blow early until a 60 from Smith could not match Taylor’s 100. Taylor then just missed a 141 for the leg. With Smith on 58 Taylor left six and Smith took full advantage to break Taylor’s throw straight away.
The third leg saw Smith move from 164 to 124 as Taylor left 188. Smith then left 82 as Taylor scored a 140, leaving Taylor on 48. Smith then missed tops for the leg and Taylor missed two double 16s for his own finish and with the checkout on his next visit Smith went a leg ahead.
A 177 start in the next leg for Smith was only followed up by a 41 and Taylor managed to get back ahead. However with 60 needed Smith scored a double 5 to go 3-1 ahead. A 100 start from Smith was bettered by a 140 on Taylor’s second visit to the oche. Another 140 left Taylor on 161. He could not convert but Smith was not on a finish so he had another visit, although under pressure as Smith moved to 81. Taylor could not convert and left 58 as a double 12 gave Smith a 4-1 lead.
A 140 helped Taylor on his own throw in the next leg and he moved a long way ahead in that leg. A 134 visit left Taylor needing 50 and he converted at the next visit. 4-2 to Smith.
In leg seven a 134 from Taylor left himself on 32 with Smith was well behind on 131. The double 16 put the match back on throw at 4-3. The next leg on Taylor’s throw saw the man from Stoke dominate, although Smith did secure a 180 to move to 105. Taylor scored the 24 required though to move the match to 4-4.
A 140 start from Taylor put the pressure on his opponent and he followed it up with a maximum to move to 181 after six darts. 99 then left 82 for Taylor with his opponent well behind (at 198) and the 16 time world champion did the business on his next visit. 5-4 to Taylor.
He then celebrated a maximum start in the next leg and got 101 to move to 220 on his next visit. Another 100 left Shanghai for Taylor but he could not secure it. With Smith on 198 Taylor got the treble 20 and double 8 required for a 14 dart leg and a 6-4 lead. Smith started the next leg with a 140 and looked to take maximum advantage with 100 second time around. 92 left the Queenslander on 112 and another 80 left him needing 32. Taylor could not get 160 but left 20 which he was not able to return to the oche to chase as Smith checked out. 6-5.
Smith took a small lead after the first visit on the next leg. A 125 from Taylor on his third visit put pressure on Smith but he was up to it with a 100 visit. Taylor could only then secure 45 as Smith moved from 218 to 38 with a maximum visit. Taylor scored 83 to move to 65. A double 19 with last dart in hand broke Taylor to move the match back to parity at 6-6.
A 43 start was not great for Smith as Taylor scored 80 at his first visit in the final leg. A 140 helped Smith move to 318 as Taylor hit 136 to go to 285. A great last dart moved Smith to 218 before Taylor hit 100 to leave 185. Another 100 left Smith on 118. Taylor could only throw 65 to leave 120. Smith then missed one dart at tops for the match. Then Taylor missed the same for the match (after taking the first two parts of Shanghai.) Smith then hit double 20 for a historic victory, 7-6.
Raymond Smith 7 Phil Taylor 6
SF 2 Dimitri Van Den Bergh v Kyle Anderson
Dimitri Van Den Bergh started poorly with a 41 but Kyle Anderson could not punish it properly. A few bounce outs for both players did not help either through the leg. Van Den Bergh chased 144 with Anderson on 170 but could only get 52. Anderson then checked out the 170 required for an early break.
Two 57 starts from each player was followed by a big visit from Anderson and then a 123 to leave 181. 95 left Anderson on 86 and well ahead of his opponent. He got the 86 required for another leg. 2-0 to Anderson.
A useful 140 for Van Den Bergh in the next leg moved him to 208 and he then left himself needing 152. Anderson was on 130 when Van Den Bergh scored 64 to leave 88. Anderson just missed the double 5 for the leg after scoring two treble 20s and his opponent got the 88 to get his first leg of the match and move the score to 2-1.
Heavy scoring early from both players in the next leg. Anderson needed another 170 check out as Van Den Bergh just missed 135, however the Aussie could not convert at his next visit. Amazingly the Belgian then missed the 25 he required and instead Anderson collected 72 to take a 3-1 lead.
More high scoring in the next leg as a 140 left Anderson on 140 and the same left Van Den Bergh on 60. Anderson missed the double ten for the leg and Van Den Bergh invited him back to the oche after missing two of his own checkouts. Anderson took full advantage to lead 4-1.
Anderson then opened the next leg on his throw with a 180. With Anderson on 196 he could only get sixty but Van Den Bergh was on a bogey score of 178. Anderson needed tops and with his 13th dart he took another leg. 5-1.
A poor start from the Belgian was only punished a little by Anderson. 59 left Anderson on yet another 170 as Van Den Bergh scored 84 to leave Shanghai. 82 left 88 with a good last dart from Anderson. Dimitri then went 20, bull, and bull for the leg. 5-2 to Anderson. Van Den Bergh then scored 177 before Anderson hit 180 in response in the eighth leg. 75 left Anderson on 146 with 140 leaving Van Den Bergh on 124. With Anderson on 90 the Belgian could not make the 124. Anderson left double ten for the leg as his opponent could not convert on his next visit. Anderson missed all three darts at double ten and Van Den Bergh got the double 16 required to move within two legs.
Another good start from Van Den Bergh and he took a good lead in the ninth leg. He needed 152 but missed the double 16 required. However with Anderson well behind (187) Van Den Bergh returned to the oche and got the 32 required. 5-4 to Anderson.
A 180 start in the 10th leg from Anderson was followed up by a visit of 134. Anderson then moved from 187 to 88 with Van Den Bergh way back on 261. Anderson scored 78 and left ten which he got with his second dart on his next visit to move the score to 6-4 to Anderson.
A 57 start from the Belgian was not punished by his opponent and indeed Anderson quickly fell well behind. 164 played 291 after a bounce out for Anderson. 106 then played 166 in the favour of Van Den Bergh, as he left 18 for the leg. A 130 left 36 for Anderson but Van Den Bergh hit the double nine required with the second dart on his next visit. 6-5 to Anderson.
A 60 start from Anderson in the next leg was not fully punished by his opponent. Poor throwing by both players through the middle slowed the leg down until Van Den Bergh secured a 140. A 180 moved the Belgian to 58. With Anderson on 107 his opponent took the leg in two darts and the match was on level terms.
Van Den Bergh started with 77 on throw in the final leg of the match. A 125 from Anderson was a helpful start. 83 on his next visit left Van Den Bergh behind as his opponent then scored 100. Sixty from Van Den Bergh and 48 from Anderson kept the crowd quiet. One hundred left Van Den Bergh on 181 but a maximum at just the right time from the local moved Anderson to 48. 65 seemed not enough for Van Den Bergh but Anderson then missed two at tops. Van Den Bergh then had a go at 116 but the double 18 required for the win hit the wire just above the target bed. Kyle Anderson revisited the oche and hit double tops for the match. 7-6.
Kyle Anderson 7 Dimitri Van Den Bergh 6
Final: Kyle Anderson v Raymond Smith
Raymond Smith won the bull and threw first with both players scoring early 140s. Kyle Anderson missed the 170 required and could not convert the remainder at his next visit. Chasing 24 Smith could not convert either and Anderson came back to break the throw. 1-0 to Anderson.
A 180 start from Anderson on his throw put him well ahead in the next leg. Anderson moved from 179 to 40 with a 139 visit and then got the second leg at his next visit. 2-0 to Anderson. The next leg saw Smith stay ahead and with Anderson well behind he chased 78, albeit unsuccessfully. With Anderson sitting on tops Smith hit the double 6 required with his second dart. 2-1.
A poor 28 start from Kyle Anderson was somewhat punished by Raymond Smith with 95 before 140 put Anderson back in more positive territory. A century saw Anderson move to 148 as 78 moved Smith to 144. With Anderson on 70 Smith scored 94 and left 50. Anderson left 16 after his next visit and to break throw Smith hit 18 but missed two at double 16. Double four eventually gave Anderson the leg. 3-1.
In the next leg inconsistent scoring hampered both players but it was Smith who was able to collect a check out and move to within a leg of his opponent, 3-2. A 140 in the next leg moved Kyle Anderson to 68 as Raymond Smith sat on 116. With two darts Anderson was able to hold throw and move 4-2 ahead.
Against the throw Anderson hit his second maximum and followed it up with a 134 to leave 187. 97 at his next visit left Anderson on 90 and he left tops for his next visit which he hit on his first dart. A 120 start in the next leg helped Anderson move ahead yet again and another 140 put him on 141. With his opponent well behind Anderson left 46 for a check out on his next visit to the oche. A ten and double 18 saw Anderson complete a 14 dart leg put Anderson 6-2 ahead.
Smith started with a 140 in the next leg which was not quite matched by his opponent. Another 100 from Smith was this time matched by his opponent. A 131 moved Smith to 130 as 88 moved Anderson to 194. Smith could only get 58 to leave 72 as a 121 left Anderson on 73. Smith could not convert his lead as Anderson hit tops for the match. 7-2.
Kyle Anderson 7 Raymond Smith 2
QF1 Raymond Smith 7 GG Mathers 4 QF2 Phil Taylor 7 Andy Hamilton 4 QF3 Dimitri Van Den Bergh 7 John Kuczynski 1 QF4 Kyle Anderson 7 Dave Littleboy 0 SF1 Raymond Smith 7 Phil Taylor 6 SF2 Kyle Anderson 7 Dimitri Van Den Bergh 6 F Kyle Anderson 7 Raymond Smith 2
Overall Results of the ProDarts 2018 series:
1 Taylor 60 2 Anderson 56 3 Hamilton 40 4 Cameron 32 4 Van Den Bergh 32 4 Whitlock 32 7 Mathewson 24 7 Smith 24 9 Bridge 20 9 King 20 9 Kuczynski 20 9 Stewart 20 13 Harvey 16 13 Mathers 16 13 Petersen 16 16 Fagg 8 16 Littleboy 8 16 Macarthur 8 16 O'Donnell 8 16 Thorp 8 21 Bunyard 4 21 Irwin 4 21 Kirk 4 21 Leach 4 21 Major 4 21 McCarthy 4 21 Molloy 4
20 points for an event win 16 points as a runners up 12 points losing semi finalist 8 points losing quarter finalist 4 points losing first round competitor.