Issue 58 (February 10, 2017)

Friday 10 February 2017

Darts Weekly

DUTCH OPEN

Mark is the man!

Mark McGeeney lifts Dutch Open title for the first time P2-3

Tight at the top! Taylor and Wade share the points, while MVG sees off Wright for first win Reports & reaction from the Premier League last night Pages 4-5

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Friday 10 February 2017 Darts Weekly

McGeeney conquers all to be crowed the new BAUHAUS Dutch Open champion Alex Moss CHIEF DARTS WRITER

Emotional victory: Mark McGeeney celebrates with the Dutch Open trophy

From heartbreak to ecstasy. When Mark McGeeney looks back on 2016 it will be with bittersweet emotions.

A run to the final of the Winmau World Masters last December, his first televised final, ended the Stockport thrower’s year on a high, a year in which he lost his mother, who sadly past away three months earlier in September.

On Sunday evening, McGeeney landed the biggest win of his career to date, beating Ross Montgomery by three sets to one to be crowned BAUHAUS Dutch Open champion.

After hitting double one with his last dart to clinch the title, McGeeney raised his hands in the air, looked to the ceiling and dropped to his knees.

Tears began to fill up as Montgomery embraced him, before McGeeney returned to his feet, looked to the skies and blew a

kiss to his late mother, who will no doubt be looking down on his son full of pride.

The final itself brought to an end a tournament which had once again drawn in thousands and thousands of players from all

‘Tears began to fill up for McGeeney as Montgomery embraced him’ around the world.

With recently crowned world champion Glen Durrant absent from the field, Lakeside runner-up Danny Noppert took up the mantle as the number one seed.

The Dutchman rose to prominence when he reached the final of this tournament 12 months ago, but it would not be a repeat story. After breezing through the

stores.ebay.co.uk/Mojo-DARTS

first three rounds, Noppert suffered a shock 3-1 defeat to Peter Klein in the last 256.

At the conclusion of Saturday’s play the field had been cut to 64, with the tournament resuming the next morning, where the remaining players were battling it out to reach the stage finals.

Geert de Vos and Scott Waites both fell at the last 64 hurdle, while the BDO world youth champion Justin van Tergouw was enjoying a fine run.

After edging past Arie van den Eijkel and Kjeld Cousijn in deciding legs to reach the last 64, the teenager had to pull out of the youth event to continue in the men’s draw.

Another deciding leg win, this time against Yoeri Duijster, followed by a whitewash triumph over Patrick Slor set up a clash with former world champion Scott Mitchell in the last 16.

Mitchell’s experience won the day as he ended van Tergouw’s run with a 4-0 win to move into the

Darts Weekly Friday 10 February 2017

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Hedman pips Ashton in decider to win ladies title

quarter-finals, where he was joined

by McGeeney, Dean Reynolds and Montgomery.

Defending champion Martin Adams saw his title defence brought to an end by Montgomery in the last 16, losing 4-3 to the Scot, who was now dreaming of a second Dutch Open success.

The quarter-final line-up included a mixture of familiar names and new faces, with the first of those last eight ties seeing Wales’ Rhys Griffin see off Richard Huizinga 5-2.

McGeeney set up a clash with Griffin in the semi-finals after beating home favourite Willem Mandigers 5-3.

While in the bottom half of the draw, Montgomery edged past Reynolds 5-4 and Mitchell beat Richie Edwards 5-3.

In the semi-finals, McGeeney impressed as he averaged 98.04 in a 2-1 sets win over Griffin, while Montgomery saw off Mitchell in straight sets to reach the final.

The final was a low quality affair,

with a host of missed doubles bringing the averages down.

After missing double 16 for a 134 to clinch the first set, McGeeney hit double one to win the opening set in straight legs.

McGeeney moved a set away from victory as he took the second set 3-1 on double 10, before he checked out 120 on tops to take a 2-0 lead in the third set.

A missed dart from McGeeney for the match in the next leg handed Montgomery a lifeline, with the Scot checking out 100 to keep his hopes alive.

Three more missed match darts in the next leg gave Montgomery another chance to extend the match, which he took, hitting double three with his last dart to level the set up at 2-2.

Montgomery took the decider on tops, after McGeeney had missed two more darts for the match.

In the decider of the fourth set, McGeeney missed the bull for a 170, before getting over the line on double one to win the title.

Deta Hedman was crowned Dutch Open ladies champion for the second time after edging past Lisa Ashton 5-4 in the final on Sunday.

Hedman’s previous Dutch Open singles success had come seven years ago when she won the title in 2010, and in the final the number one ranked ladies player became champion again after beating Ashton in a deciding leg.

After suffering a surprise first round exit at Lakeside only last month, Hedman bounced back in style by coming through a tough field to lift the Dutch Open ladies title for the second time.

Such was Hedman’s dominance on her way to reaching the final, the 57-year-old did not drop a leg until the semi-finals.

Whitewash wins over Petra Kroeders, Jacqueline Dobber, Mandy Smith, Andreea Brad, Danielle Ashton and Anca Zijlstra saw her progress to the last four, where she saw off doubles partner Lorraine Winstanley 4-1.

Ashton, who won her third World Championship title at Lakeside last month, also enjoyed a fairly routine route to the final, with her trickiest tests coming in the latter rounds, in the quarterfinals (Rhian Griffiths 4-1) and semi-finals (Sharon Prins 4-2).

The final proved to be a nervy affair with all nine legs going with throw, but the finest moment of the match came in the sixth leg.

With Hedman waiting on 41 to break the throw for a 4-2 lead, Ashton fired in a sublime 160 checkout to level the match up again at 3-3.

The final went to a deciding leg and Ashton looked to be in pole position to take the title, hitting a maximum to leave 61.

But after Hedman hit a ton to set up 82, Ashton then missed with her match dart at double 16 in the next visit.

Hedman stepped up and checked out 82 in two darts, bullseye, double 16, to win the title.

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Friday 10 February 2017 Darts Weekly

Van Gerwen bounces back with victory against Wright Peter Wright 3 Michael van Gerwen 7 Michael van Gerwen bounced back to winning ways in the Betway Premier League with a 170 finish as he thumped Peter Wright 7-3 in Nottingham last night.

Reigning Premier League champion van Gerwen had drawn with Gary Anderson on the opening night in Newcastle a week

ago to see his winning run on TV which stretches back to last October - ended.

However, the world number one showed his class with a brilliant response, coming agonisingly close to only the eighth whitewash in Premier League history.

“I could have won 7-0, maybe I was trying too hard,” van Gerwen said. “As long as you win, that’s the most important thing.”

Taylor and Wade battle out a draw James Wade 6 Phil Taylor 6 Phil Taylor and James Wade battled out an entertaining draw in a game which featured four tonplus finishes and a quartet of 180s from the 2009 champion as both players remain unbeaten.

An early 121 finish from Wade moved him into a 2-0 lead before Taylor matched the checkout to respond and then took out 104 to level at three-all.

Wade followed two maximums with tops finishes as he led 4-3 and 5-4, only for Taylor to level in leg ten with double 19 and then fire in a sensational 142 combination to lead 6-5.

Wade, though, would not be denied as he took out 56 on tops in

the decider to claim his share of the points.

“I’m happy with the point,” said Taylor, a six-time Premier League winner.

“It’s a shame that I didn’t win but the result was fair and it was about even.

“I thought I’d got him when the 142 went in, but James hit the right shot at the right time in the last leg.

“He hit a few 180s and he pulled it out at the end, but I’m enjoying it.”

Taylor and Wade are two of five players on three points following the first two weeks of the season, with Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson and Raymond van Barneveld also having won one and drawn one of their two games.

Huybrechts and Barney draw, Kim Huybrechts 6 Raymond van Barneveld 6 2014 Premier League champion Raymond van Barneveld became the fifth player to move onto three points as he followed up his opening-night win with a draw

against Kim Huybrechts, who claimed his first point of the season.

A see-saw game saw Huybrechts’ early 3-1 lead wiped out as van Barneveld moved 4-3 up, with the Belgian then taking out 79 to move back in front and double four to

claim a point at 6-5. Van Barneveld, though, showed his quality with a seventh 180 of the contest in the deciding leg before finishing 80 to share the spoils.

“Both of us could have won it and both of us maybe think we should have won it,” said Huybrechts. “I

Darts Weekly Friday 10 February 2017

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Ando powers past Klaasen to pick up first win of the season Jelle Klaasen 3 Gary Anderson 7 World number two Gary Anderson picked up his first win of the season to move onto three points in the league table, powering past Jelle Klaasen with a 7-3 win.

Klaasen opened with a 180 and took out 80 for the opening leg, but Anderson’s 119 checkout levelled before he pulled clear to

lead 3-1 and 6-2. A 122 finish saw Klaasen hit back, but he missed his chance to stay in the game in the tenth leg as the two-time Premier League champion returned on double two to seal the win.

“I played well against Michael last week but I didn’t think it was as good as tonight,” said Anderson.

“It’s going alright so far but it’s always hard and every point is important.”

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while Lewis sees off Chisnall think we’re both happy with that.

“It could have been more points but it could have been less as well because Barney had a couple of darts to go 5-3 up, so at the end I think a draw is maybe fair.”

Adrian Lewis claimed his first victory of the season as he swept

past Dave Chisnall 7-2, leaving the St Helens ace without a point following two weeks.

Finishes of 81 and 76 helped Lewis into an early 3-1 lead before he took out a brilliant 160 checkout to move five legs clear, and he then took out 76 to

complete a big win.

“It was quite a big two points and you need all the points you can get in this league,” Lewis said.

“Last week I missed three darts to get a draw with Barney and I didn’t take my chance, but tonight I put it right.”

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Friday 10 February 2017 Darts Weekly

DAVE SOUTH DARTS WRITER

Will Wright ever win a major title in the PDC? The title above is an interesting topic, which deserves column inches in a well-respected weekly feature named Darts Weekly, rather than the brief discussion we hear on TV every so often.

In an article I began before the recent World Championships, my initial findings were that identifying Peter Wright at 16/1 each way to win the PDC World Championship was a shade of value, based on his consistent performances and appearing as good as he has ever thrown.

My expectation was for a place in the final at Alexandra Palace for Snakebite, which was curtailed by the excellent Gary Anderson in the semi-finals.

Nevertheless, I stand by that Wright can get over the winning line to lift a major, but defining what is a major is another feature in itself.

The major events in my view are events which are not exclusively invitational, thus the World Championship, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, Players Championship Finals, and of course the UK Open.

Wright is not getting any younger and turns 47 in March.

With the potential of acquiring the title ‘the best player to have never won a major’ from Terry Jenkins, Snakebite would be credible as we see it in this era to agree with this.

Having climbed the rankings to number three in the world, Wright has positioned himself well in most events to avoid Michael van

Gerwen until the final if seedings went as planned, but that would also mean having to potentially beat Anderson in the semi-finals.

At the moment, Anderson and MVG are in a league of their own.

With a memorable world final last month still fresh in the memory, Wright is up there as the best of the rest.

Wright has the ability to get over the line, but fell short again in 2016. Snakebite has made three major finals and four other singles TV finals, losing six of the seven to van Gerwen, with the other to Phil Taylor.

The three major final defeats were all to van Gerwen, in the World Championship in 2014, followed by the final of the UK Open for the last two years.

Wright wants to win everything, which has

LAWRENCE LUSTIG/PDC Gerwen until the final if seedings

elevated him to number three, but time is running out.

With darts as competitive as ever, trying to defend money on the Order of Merit will become increasingly difficult.

With a positive end to 2016 at number three in the rankings, and regular Premier League stage exposure for the next few months, my mere view is that the UK Open next month could be the opening of Snakebite’s major account in the PDC, like it was for his fellow Scot Robert Thornton a few years ago.

The UK Open can spring surprises and some closes calls, as MVG faced last year.

With the luck of the draw my view is that the UK Open is a good place for Wright having made back-toback finals for the last two years.

Will he make it third time lucky?

The ability of the UK Open is the luck of the draw, but also with Wright having pocketed the winner’s prize in not one, but two, of the three qualifiers at the weekend, the indications suggest Wright could be a dark horse come the UK Open, where we know anything is possible given the nature of this event.

To conclude, when you compare the format with the other majors, if Wright is to win a PDC major, his best chance in the current environment will be to lift the UK Open.

Will it be this year?

Find out in March!

‘With the luck of the draw my view is that the UK Open is a good place for Wright to open his major account in the PDC’ x

Darts Weekly Friday 10 February 2017

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Taylor snubs UK Open in last year of professional career LAWRENCE LUSTIG/PDC

Alex Moss CHIEF DARTS WRITER Phil Taylor will not play in the Coral UK Open in his final year of his professional career after electing not to enter any of the six UK Open Qualifiers.

The 16-time world champion, who last month announced that the current 2017-18 season will be his last on the PDC circuit, has won the UK Open a record five times in his career.

After missing the first three qualifiers in Wigan last weekend, the entry list for this weekend’s final three qualifiers also has Taylor’s name omitted, meaning he can no longer qualify for the ITV4-televised event.

The UK Open is one of the longest running televised events on the PDC calendar, its first staging in 2003 was won by Taylor, who beat Shayne Burgess 18-8 in the final, held at the Reebok Stadium, in Bolton.

Taylor is one of just eight players to have featured in every UK Open so far, but he will not get the chance to try and win the event for a sixth time after deciding to skip all six of the qualifiers.

Qualification for the tournament is based on the UK Open Order of Merit, with the top 96 players from the list, which is based on money earned from the six qualifiers, joining the 32 Riley’s Amateur Qualifiers in the main draw.

The second triple header of qualifiers gets underway at the Robin Park Tennis Centre, in Wigan, this afternoon, with the fifth and sixth qualifiers taking place on Saturday and Sunday.

Peter Wright tops the current Order of Merit heading into today, with his victories in the first and third qualifiers last weekend helping him earn £21,500.

Saturday’s winner Simon Whitlock is second on £10,250.

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Friday 10 February 2017 Darts Weekly

Behind the scenes at a darts Open in Carshalton, London Matthew Kiernan THE DARTING NERD There is something quite special about a local darts Open. I’m very passionate about the grassroots of the game, and there’s no better way to see the foundation of the sport than at a local open to all competition.

The one that I attended at the St Peters Social Club in Carshalton is a particularly special one on a number of levels.

Firstly there was an injection of prize money with £500 to the men’s winner, which brought in a few more travelling darters from afar.

But on a sadder note it was the final competition being run by various stalwarts of the grassroots game in the area.

Sue and Geoff Donald, owners of the club retire after twenty years of valiant service.

It also marks competition organiser Liz Fletcher-Wright’s

final one after more than three decades of tournament organisation. They are incredible troopers. More on them later.

From the exterior, the club is unassuming, but once inside it becomes quickly apparent that the venue is everything a darter could possibly wish for.

Eight boards across two rooms with a stage at the far end - it is

‘I can though tell you how long my first match lasted...

40 minutes’ essentially a perfect setup.

Glancing around, it becomes quickly apparent that there were significantly more players this time round compared with the usual Opens here.

The lure of an increased first prize clearly had a positive effect on numbers.

Looking around, a few of the bigger names had made the trip to

the Carshalton venue. Previous PDC tour card holders Dennis Smith, Johnny Haines and Stephen Willard were the big names that jumped out at me, amidst the usual throng of County and Super League stalwarts.

I always fear wary of being out of place. But darts is darts, and frankly I love it too much to be intimidated now.

After the usual greetings, I was immediately called against an opponent I didn’t recognise.

The match itself is all a bit of blur but needless to say it was a slog for both of us.

The odd treble to keep me interested but enough spraying of the 12s and 18s (when aiming at a 20) to swiftly remove any allusions of grandeur.

Somehow I clung on and won 42, I’m still not entirely sure how.

Although there were no stats to speak of in relation to the match, I can though tell you how long it lasted… 40 minutes.

There was a massive clock right next to the board which seemingly rushed by at every glance over to it.

To reflect the gulf between us and the board directly to our left two games had already finished on that board by the time ours concluded.

But that’s why I love a local Open, you just never know…

The afternoon ticked along, the crowds grew smaller. Characters began to emerge, sometimes of the unsavoury variety.

Now it has to be said at this point that 95 per cent of my darting life I’ve had very enjoyable experiences at competitions, but sometimes as with anything it’s spoilt by a minority.

Lowlights I’ve experienced include: being screamed at for moving while chalking (he had a point, but perhaps silencing the pub wasn’t the best way to go about it); and seeing a full on fight

Darts Weekly Friday 10 February 2017 between players… one of whom was playing in the final. The police turned up and the flashing blue light lit up the board through the window.

On this occasion, however, the mantle of most irritating player fell to a ranty blotto’ed guy who no one in the whole place seemed to know.

Let’s call him Gerald - name changed just in case he tracks me down, although this is unlikely as I would imagine the fact that he has opposable thumbs is something that befuddles him.

Gerald’s first indiscretion was not chalking after his first round loss.

This has always been a bug bear of mine. If you pay to enter a tournament, why would you not stay to mark the next game - it is actual madness. I just can’t understand what goes through people’s heads - we are all in this together!

Liz immediately got on the microphone and said “You’re barred!” to rapturous applause.

Not content with simply not chalking, Gerald decided to stick around, upping the nuisance factor wherever he could.

The main hobby of his appeared to be shouting at the highest possible decibel at any game that was going on.

“Just focus just throw!”

“Yes one eeeeiiighteeeeee” “Caaaaaaaarrrm on!”

Highbrow stuff. At various points he stood right next to the player at a 90 degree angle shouting “come on come on”. One player in question was winning 2-0 at the time, he lost 4-2.

Ever the persistent tyrant, Gerald kept gravitating from group to group. Shortly after chasing a girl around the club with a paper and pen in an attempt to get her number (swiftly rebuffed) he proclaimed very loudly that his pregnant girlfriend was driving to come and pick him up.

In a rare moment of selfawareness, he added “I’m a terrible partner” before swigging another pint.

“Bye Liz!” He screamed across the hall while games were still

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going on of course. “Yeah bye Gerald” replied Liz before turning to the rest of us whispering “who was that guy?”

My second game came against London’s Steve Ferguson, a County A player.

Steve had no real need to worry about me, and trundling along in second gear he was 3-0 up in a heartbeat.

On completion of the third leg, the marker promptly put down his chalk and told us he needed the toilet and walked off.

“Well that’s a first!” Steve said. I was relieved to hear this wasn’t

‘Upon his return I was able to steal a leg, much to my excitement’ usual practice.

Upon his return I was able to steal a leg, much to my excitement, before Steve raced away in the next to progress.

It was my first leg ever won against a County player so I had that positive to cling onto.

Steve stuck around for a chat afterwards which is a rarity in my experience and it was much appreciated.

The late afternoon soon became the evening. The last eight included former tour card holders Willard and Scott Marsh, as well as County players Diogo Portela,

Tommy Sanwell (who had beaten Dennis Smith earlier), Steve Lovett, Ritchie Edhouse and Ferguson.

The singles tournament started at 2.30pm, the sheer volume of entrants in the singles and pairs meaning that it would eventually conclude at around 10pm.

Considering most of the finalists had travelled from the other side of London and Essex, the mind boggles as to what time they got home. I’ll never fault the time commitment of dart players, it is often overlooked in my opinion.

And speaking of those that often get overlooked, those that actually run these Opens are absolute heroes.

Liz Fletcher-Wright has been organising darts tournaments for over 30 years at multiple venues.

It is no exaggeration to say that over the years that thousands of players have participated in her events.

Also retiring were Geoff and Sue Donald owners of the club. If it wasn’t for their sponsorship of these events, as well as being willing hosts, then opportunities for local darts to thrive would be cut back severely. Again, we salute you!

With the club now being renovated under new ownership of experienced darters Lisa Munt and Peter Arnold, the future is bright for the sport at the club once again. I for one, can’t wait to go back once again for the next competition.

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Friday 10 February 2017 Darts Weekly

CHRISTOPHER KEMPF MATCH OF THE WEEK - JOHN MICHAEL 6-5 CHRIS QUANTOCK (UK OPEN QUALIFIERS)

Michael edges Quantock in wild Wigan clash Now that many of the PDC floor events are streamed online, with excellent video quality and commentary via PDC.TV, we can come to grips with how much we had been missing before the era of streaming video.

Consider, for instance, a match which understandably escaped the notice of many darts fans.

In Friday’s fourth round clash between John Michael and Chris Quantock, who finished the weekend as the PDC’s 68th and 101st ranked players, respectively, a crucial £750 of additional ranking money - and a concomitant place in the UK Open - were at stake for the winner.

In spite of the festivity and fanfare of the ongoing Premier League, matches such as this one have immediate, tangible consequences.

Players’ darting dreams are on the line and can be dashed in twenty minutes’ time.

Though pursuing the same dream, Quantock and Michael could not be more dissimilar in every respect.

The 25-year-old Quantock only just earned his tour card on points at Q-School two weeks prior, while Greek ace Michael has been a seasoned veteran and the undisputed number one player in his home country since 2000.

Quantock’s throw involves his entire body in a sweeping, fluid gesture; Michael’s emphasises economy of movement.

Michael pounds away at the treble 20, while Quantock is a prolific switcher, throwing three times as many darts at treble 18

and 19 as his opponent. The fact that the players’ averages were separated by just over a point belies the extraordinary series of comebacks, triumphs and disasters that the players packed into 11 legs of darts.

Michael won the first four legs, hitting four out of five doubles while his opponent missed six legwinning darts in the last three.

By the time Quantock finally won a leg, the fifth, it had taken until his 12th attempt at a double before the referee called out “game shot”.

Even after that break of throw for Quantock, it still seemed as though the Greek player’s experience would see him through to the fifth round.

But Michael’s early 4-0 lead continued to slip away, as his scoring trailed off to a dismal first nine darts average of 79.6 by the ninth leg.

Meanwhile, Quantock hammered away relentlessly at the treble beds, finding seven trebles in both the eighth and ninth legs.

By pulling so far ahead in each leg, he even allowed himself time to work through his double trouble.

Five 180s, a 177, and a beautiful 150 setup shot to leave 36 allowed Quantock to mount an incredible comeback.

Five consecutive legs culminated in a masterful 11darter for the York native, who found himself throwing for the match in the 10th leg.

Chris Murphy, commentating on the live stream with an obvious note of incredulity to his voice, reminded his viewers that “John Michael led this darts match 4-0…”

LAWRENCE LUSTIG/PDC

But then, disaster. Quantock’s scoring power deserted him; he miscounted in leaving a bogey 168; he lost all composure with the finish line in sight.

With more deflections into the single and treble one than he had treble 20s, Quantock put no pressure on his opponent at all.

Michael set up double 20 and double 15 and took them out with one dart apiece to finally finish the match.

Missing only one double in the match (6/7) demonstrated Michael’s relaxation under pressure, while Quantock, perhaps due to his inexperience in highstakes matches, only managed 22 per cent (5/23).

This was Quantock’s PDC streaming debut, a courageous performance which was not a bad way to introduce yourself to the darting world.

Darts Weekly Friday 3 February 2017

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Ryan Joyce (pictured) will be one of two men making their England debuts next month after being selected in the squad for the upcoming British Internationals. Joyce, along with Dave Copley, make up the two men’s debutants, while Sarah Roberts is also set for her first appearance for the England ladies team.

Database PDC CORAL UK OPEN RILEY’S AMATEUR QUALIFIERS - Aberdeen (Scott Robertson); Chester (Jimmy McKirdy); Chorlton (Paul Cartwright); Norwich (Paul Barham); Sheffield (Brian Dawson); Wolverhampton (Andy Roberts and Johnny Haines); Coventry (Martin Biggs); London Victoria (Darryl Pilgrim and Dave Parletti); South Benfleet (John Ferrell); Worcester (Mark Layton).

CORAL UK OPEN QUALIFIERS (Robin Park Tennis Centre, Wigan) Qualifier One last 32 - K Shepherd bt K Painter 6-4; P Hudson bt M King 6-0; B van de Pas bt M De Decker 6-2; M Dennant bt J Dekker 6-5; P Wright bt J Wade 6-5; M Webster bt P Rowley 6-5; S Beaton bt A Gilding 6-3; J Henderson bt G Anderson 6-2; K Anderson bt I White 6-4; J Klaasen bt D Chisnall 6-5; R van Barneveld bt D van Duijvenbode 6-5; A Lewis bt C Reyes 6-5; J Michael bt C Quantock 6-5; R Evans bt A Tabern 6-5; D Petersen bt D Portela 6-2; W O’Connor bt R Edhouse 6-3. Last 16 - P Hudson bt K Shepherd 6-3; B van de Pas bt M Dennant 64; P Wright bt M Webster 6-1; S Beaton bt J Henderson 6-1; K Anderson bt J Klaasen 6-2; A Lewis bt R van Barneveld 6-1; R Evans bt J Michael 6-3; W O’Connor bt D Petersen 6-2.

Quarter-finals - P Hudson bt B van de Pas 6-4; P Wright bt S Beaton 6-3; A Lewis bt K Anderson 6-1; R Evans bt W O’Connor 6-2.

Semi-finals - P Wright bt P Hudson 6-0; A Lewis bt R Evans 6-4. Final - P Wright bt A Lewis 6-4. Qualifier Two last 32 - P Wright bt C Reyes 6-5; S Whitlock bt J Wattimena 6-4; C Dobey bt S Bunting 6-1; I White bt G Price 6-5; J Wade bt K Huybrechts 6-1; D Chisnall bt R de Vreede 63; B van de Pas bt M Todd 6-1; S Beaton bt M van Gerwen 6-2; G Anderson bt C Quantock 6-2; J Lewis bt R Meulenkamp 6-3; R van Barneveld bt M Smith 6-4; B Dolan bt M King 6-5; R Palmer bt S Lennon 6-3; M

Barilli bt R Murray 6-4; J Klaasen bt J Henderson 6-5; R North bt J Dekker 6-4.

Last 16 - S Whitlock bt P Wright 6-3; I White bt C Dobey 6-2; D Chisnall bt J Wade 6-5; S Beaton bt B van de Pas 6-4; G Anderson bt J Lewis 6-3; B Dolan bt R van Barneveld 6-5; R Palmer bt M Barilli 6-1; J Klaasen bt R North 6-5. Quarter-finals - S Whitlock bt I White 6-5; D Chisnall bt S Beaton 6-5; G Anderson bt B Dolan 6-1; J Klaasen bt R Palmer 6-1. Semi-finals - S Whitlock bt D Chisnall 6-2; G Anderson bt J Klaasen 6-3. Final - S Whitlock bt G Anderson 6-4. Qualifier Three last 32 - S Bunting bt V van der Voort 6-3; P Wright bt P Harvey 6-2; D Chisnall bt G Price 6-4; M van Gerwen bt J Cullen 6-4; M Todd bt J Davis 6-3; S Kellett bt K Brown 6-5; A Norris bt D Gurney 6-2; R Cross bt J Henderson 61; S Beaton bt M Lukeman 6-5; I White bt T Evetts 6-3; D Webster bt A Gilding 6-3; M King bt K Painter 6-1; C Kist bt R van Barneveld 6-4; C Reyes bt T Newell 6-4; J Wade bt J Klaasen 6-3; M Smith bt A Lewis 6-4. Last 16 - P Wright bt S Bunting 6-1; M van Gerwen bt D Chisnall 6-2; M Todd bt S Kellett 6-4; A Norris bt R Cross 6-4; I White bt S Beaton 6-2; M King bt D Webster 6-2; C Reyes bt C Kist 6-3; M Smith bt J Wade 6-3.

Quarter-finals - P Wright bt M van Gerwen 6-4; M Todd bt A Norris 6-4; I White bt M King 6-3; M Smith bt C Reyes 6-2. Semifinals - P Wright bt M Todd 6-2; M Smith bt I White 6-5. Final - P Wright bt M Smith 6-5.

BETWAY PREMIER LEAGUE (Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham) Week Two - A Lewis (94.40) bt D Chisnall (90.48) 7-2; J Wade (98.88) drew with P Taylor (92.07) 6-6; G Anderson (100.04) bt J Klaasen (97.41) 7-3; M van Gerwen (105.21) bt P Wright (89.83) 7-3; K Huybrechts (96.99) drew with R van Barneveld (93.91) 66. Highest checkout: M van Gerwen 170.

Most 180s: R van Barneveld 7.

WDF DUTCH OPEN (De Bonte Wever, Assen) Men’s last 16 - R Huizinga bt S Lap 4-3; R Griffin bt W Harms 4-3; W Mandigers bt M Kleermaker 4-2; M McGeeney bt R Hofstra 4-1; D Reynolds bt K Neyens 4-1; R Montgomery bt M Adams 4-3; R Edwards bt D van der Zande 4-2; S Mitchell bt J van Tergouw 4-0. Quarter-finals - R Griffin bt R Huizinga 5-2; M McGeeney bt W Mandigers 5-3; R Montgomery bt D Reynolds 5-4; S Mitchell bt R Edwards 5-3.

Semi-finals - M McGeeney (98.04) bt R Griffin (92.13) 2-1; R Montgomery (87.72) bt S Mitchell (85.62) 2-0. Final - M McGeeney (84.87) bt R Montgomery (79.32) 3-1.

Ladies last 16 - D Hedman bt D Ashton 40; A Zijlstra bt P Jacklin 4-3; T Gulliver bt S Edwards 4-3; L Winstanley bt S Cusick 4-0; A de Graaf bt K Krappen 4-1; S Prins bt P Rudolph 4-0; R Griffiths bt M Noijens 4-3; L Ashton bt B Los 4-0. Quarter-finals - D Hedman bt A Zijlstra 4-0; L Winstanley bt T Gulliver 4-1; S Prins bt A de Graaf 4-2; L Ashton bt R Griffiths 4-1. Semi-finals - D Hedman bt L Winstanley 4-1; L Ashton bt S Prins 4-2. Final - D Hedman (86.67) bt L Ashton (84.09) 5-4.

CANTERBURY CLASSIC (New Zealand) Men’s final - C Caldwell bt M McGrath 6-4.

Ladies final - J Fenton bt D Mercer 6-4.

TODAY CORAL UK OPEN RILEY’S AMATEUR QUALIFIERS (Nottingham) TODAY - SUNDAY CORAL UK OPEN QUALIFIERS 4-6 (Robin Park Tennis Centre, Wigan) CAMELLIA CLASSIC (Crowne Plaza Hotel, California) TOMORROW CORAL UK OPEN RILEY’S AMATEUR QUALIFIERS (Greenock, Liverpool, Solihull, Twickenham) TOMORROW - SUNDAY BRITISH INTER-COUNTIES CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES (Various venues) THURSDAY BETWAY PREMIER LEAGUE WEEK THREE (First Direct Arena, Leeds) DARTS WEEKLY DOZEN (02/02/2017) Data compiled by Christopher Kempf Change LLE Player 0.109 14.996 M van Gerwen 0.131 16.680 R van Barneveld -0.041 16.727 P Taylor N/C 17.302 M Suljovic N/C 17.696 D Gurney N/C 17.724 S Whitlock 0.002 17.835 J Klaasen N/C 17.966 B van de Pas N/C 18.216 S Beaton N/C 18.232 A Norris N/C 18.728 M King N/C 18.844 J Cullen ◊ The Darts Weekly Dozen estimates and compares the length of the average leg over players’ last 180 televised and streamed legs. ◊ Michael van Gerwen breaks the 15-dart leg0.301 length estimate barrier despite draw against -0.222 Gary Anderson; his is the lowest 180-leg length estimate ever recorded. -0.081 -0.824 ◊ Raymond van Barneveld leapfrogs Phil 0.029 Taylor on the back of impressive scoring against Adrian Lewis; Taylor is third in the rankings for the first time.

N/C

12

Friday 10 February Darts Weekly

DAVE McNALLY DARTS WRITER LAWRENCE LUSTIG/PDC

Premier League is just not my cup of tea Over the last week I’ve been trying to get peoples thoughts on various things in darts, and one thing that kept raising its head was that of the Premier League.

It seems that there is a 50/50 split on those who like it and those who can’t really take to it.

Some think it’s slightly contrived and all a bit too closed shop, while others revel in the league table style tournament, with the chance to snatch a draw in matches adding to the drama and excitement.

I personally cannot take to it. I watch it like every other darts tournament, but can’t help to think that it has been set up to reward a selected few and to create another tournament that is not really needed.

It also allows the chance for players to be involved in ‘dead rubbers’ where matches have no actual meaning or won’t affect the outcome of league placings.

Add to this the players who cannot possibly qualify having no real interest and using it as nothing more than a glorified throwing practice.

Others argue that it gives the most consistent players a chance to shine and one bad game will not see them crashing out, but it just doesn’t sit right with me, I’ll be honest I’m not a huge fan.

Obviously, thousands disagree as the attendance and viewing figures will substantiate so it will always be open to debate about the worthiness and validity of the competition.

On a different note, I’d like to congratulate Mark McGeeney for

his success in the BAUHAUS Dutch Open in a field that attracted nearly 3,000 entrants last weekend.

McGeeney claimed the title for the first time with a 3-1 win over Scotland’s Ross Montgomery in the final, after beating Rhys Griffin in the semi-finals.

‘I can’t help but think it has been set up to reward a selected few players’ McGeeney, based in Stockport, is a great character on the BDO circuit and is always happy to talk about darts and his dubious musical tastes whenever he’s around, so well done Mark and let’s hope it’s the first of many tournament wins for him.

Finally, I know it’s a bit late but I’ve only just managed to find time to watch House of Flying Arrows.

For those who have not seen it yet, it is well worth picking up a copy as it gives us a decent insight into what goes on backstage with the players and how they see darts and the role it plays in their lives.

It also might give you a different view on some of the players that you held opinions about, while it shows the camaraderie between some of the players and the needle among others.

It’s a very well produced ‘fly on the wall’ documentary and throws up some interesting guests who combine their views with a genuine knowledge and love of the sport.

Moreover, it also adds that little bit of nostalgia to send you reminiscing while painting a blueprint for the future of the game.