''At the end I feel like I'm giving it away'' - Danny Noppert frustrated at missing out on Grand Slam of Darts group bonus

Danny Noppert played one of his best matches ever on television on Tuesday night, but it was not enough to end his group stage at the Grand Slam of Darts undefeated. Despite an average of 107 and four maximum scores, the Friesian had to bow to Jonny Clayton 5-4.

The defeat came at a time when the stakes were low for Noppert, who had already secured a place in the Grand Slam of Darts Last 16 with earlier victories over Lukas Wenig and Cameron Crabtree. Yet the 33-year-old was visibly disappointed, because the group win and the accompanying prize money of 3,500 pounds slipped through his fingers.

The match got off to an excellent start for Noppert. With a stunning 122 finish on the bull he immediately broke Clayton's leg. The Welshman, however, hit back immediately, after which the game turned into a high quality battle between two players in form. Halfway through, Noppert again took the initiative and ran out to 4-2.

But as victory came into view, the match tipped over. Clayton took advantage of a missed matchdart by Noppert and fought his way back to 4-4, only to win the deciding leg.

To Viaplay, Noppert reacted with disappointment but realism. "I think I play a fantastic match, but at the end I feel like I'm giving it away. It's a defeat, but I know myself that I played a fantastic match," he said.

The high level was also numerically special. Never before had he thrown such a high average at a television tournament. "Scoring-wise it was good. It could have been special if I had won this match. Now I'll probably be second in the group ... It is what it is. I played well, but just not good enough," sighed Noppert.

Because Noppert now finishes second in his group, he misses out on the extra £3,500 bonus. The group win eventually went to Lukas Wenig, who settled with Cam Crabtree. Noppert will now play Michael van Gerwen at the last sixteen, while Wenig faces Niko Springer.