Whitlock tumbles but Norris and Gurney win in German Darts Grand Prix
NewsSunday, 01 April 2018 at 16:14
Simon Whitlock became the sixth seed to crash out of the German Darts Grand Prix in the second round afternoon session.
The eighth seed was shocked by Keegan Brown, who ran out a 6-4 winner in Munich. Whitlock looked set for victory when he established a 3-2 lead with a 102.5 average. But Brown showed the same tenacity that led him knocking James Wade out of the World Championship. The Isle of Wight thrower battled back to 3-3, and then struck an 11-darter to make it 4-4 after Whitlock took the seventh leg. Brown then showed a ruthless streak to see out the win. A 103.2 average and a 60 per cent doubles success rate ended the Wizard's hopes.
That made it six seeds knocked out in a row. But 16th seed Alan Norris succeeded where his counterparts failed, thrashing Toni Alcinas 6-1. Norris showed no sign of his recent poor form as he powered into a 3-0 lead with a 110 average. A 101 checkout in the first leg was the highlight, as Chuck strode clear. His Spanish opponent showed no sign of a fightback, and that allowed Norris to complete an easy win. Gurney did not have it all his own way against Ryan Meikle. But the fifth seed held out for a 6-3 success. Meikle struck three maximums in the opening five legs, but four of those legs went the Northern Irishman's way. Meikle took the next two, but a superb 127 finish turned the tie back in Superchin's favour. And he made no mistake in the ninth leg, finding double eight to secure a third round berth.
Click here for the prize fund breakdown for the European Tour events.
Sunday April 1
Second Round
Afternoon Session (1pm local time, 12pm BST)
Gerwyn Price (87.00) 1-6 (100.87) Luke Humphries
Dave Chisnall (102.25) 5-6 (101.59) Darren Webster
Kim Huybrechts (88.01) 3-6 (84.86) Steve West
Mervyn King (96.49) 4-6 (97.01) Max Hopp
Kyle Anderson (89.59) 5-6 (89.98) Alan Tabern
Simon Whitlock (91.27) 4-6 (103.20) Keegan Brown
Alan Norris (93.70) 6-1 (81.46) Toni Alcinas
Daryl Gurney (96.62) 6-3 (90.50) Ryan Meikle
https://twitter.com/livedarts/status/980459301226663936
That made it six seeds knocked out in a row. But 16th seed Alan Norris succeeded where his counterparts failed, thrashing Toni Alcinas 6-1. Norris showed no sign of his recent poor form as he powered into a 3-0 lead with a 110 average. A 101 checkout in the first leg was the highlight, as Chuck strode clear. His Spanish opponent showed no sign of a fightback, and that allowed Norris to complete an easy win. Gurney did not have it all his own way against Ryan Meikle. But the fifth seed held out for a 6-3 success. Meikle struck three maximums in the opening five legs, but four of those legs went the Northern Irishman's way. Meikle took the next two, but a superb 127 finish turned the tie back in Superchin's favour. And he made no mistake in the ninth leg, finding double eight to secure a third round berth.
Click here for the prize fund breakdown for the European Tour events.
Sunday April 1
Second Round
Afternoon Session (1pm local time, 12pm BST)
Gerwyn Price (87.00) 1-6 (100.87) Luke Humphries
Dave Chisnall (102.25) 5-6 (101.59) Darren Webster
Kim Huybrechts (88.01) 3-6 (84.86) Steve West
Mervyn King (96.49) 4-6 (97.01) Max Hopp
Kyle Anderson (89.59) 5-6 (89.98) Alan Tabern
Simon Whitlock (91.27) 4-6 (103.20) Keegan Brown
Alan Norris (93.70) 6-1 (81.46) Toni Alcinas
Daryl Gurney (96.62) 6-3 (90.50) Ryan Meikle
https://twitter.com/livedarts/status/980459301226663936
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