The first two group games of the Grand Slam of Darts are concluded with Nathan Aspinall and Ryan Harrington coming through in Group H and F action in Wolverhampton.
Aspinall was clinical during a whitewash win against Martin Schindler who in all honesty just didn't get going in a tournament where he has been confirmed as a participant for 13 months.
Harrington with his father Rod watching on as part of the Sky Sports team produced a quality performance averaging upwards of 100+ throughout the early part of the tie as he claimed a major scalp in a decider.
Aspinall started the better of the two and after Schindler missed a chance to restore parity at 1-1; he punished going into a 2-0 lead early doors in a race to five.
With Schindler well back on 121, Aspinall went two away from the first win on double eight. Schindler started the requisite leg with a 180 though to try and force his way back into proceedings.
He missed his chance to make it 4-0 but Schindler didn't punish with a 69 checkout and he went one away. A 180 from the Stockport ace saw him go on the brink forcing Schindler into some potential last ditch darts.
He missed a 128 on the bullseye but Schindler again couldn't take his chances. Neither could Aspinall as they were down at double two and double one respectively. He finally got over the line though to claim the first whitewash win of the tournament.
Harrington started exceptionally against Noppert hitting a 177 and a 13-dart opening leg to show some surprise form. Noppert turned it around though with an 11-darter only for Harrington to regain the upper hand at 2-1 up.
He kept regaining the lead from there but he went one away and even went five darts into a nine-dart finish. The son of the Prince of Style though fluffed his lines and this allowed Noppert to force a decider. Harrington held his nerve when he made a hash of the set up and hit double 12 square to claim victory and win the first points.
Grand Slam of Darts 2019, Day One
Afternoon session schedule
Nathan Aspinall (98.88) 5-0 (91.54) Martin Schindler (H)
Danny Noppert (95.34) 4-5 (93.65) Ryan Harrington (F)
14:00 Brendan Dolan v Gabriel Clemens (G)
14:30 Dave Chisnall v Jamie Hughes (E)
15:00 Daryl Gurney v Richard Veenstra (G)
15:30 Peter Wright v Wayne Warren (F)
16:00 Rob Cross v Lisa Ashton (E)
16:30 Michael Smith v Glen Durrant (H)
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