Canada produced a brilliant display to dump out Northern Ireland as the opening day of the
World Cup of Darts continues in Salzburg.
The duo of
Jeff Smith and
Matt Campbell hit a 94 average and were clinical on their doubles with 45% hit as they emerged as a potential pair to watch this weekend.
Dolan took out 117 to claim a lead for Northern Ireland but it
was level with Smith hitting three treble 19’s and Campbell leaving double nine
after missing double 18 for a 132 checkout and ‘The Silencer’ cleaned up.
Their excellence continued with Smith hitting a 154 to give
Canada an early break and a 2-1 lead. Campbell played his part with a 180 to
leave 43 and despite Smith not hitting it first time, the CDC standout made it
3-1 after Gurney fluffed his lines.
Canada continued to add the pressure but a first helicopter celebration
from Dolan ushered in a 180. This left 43 which Gurney pinned last dart in hand
to hold. A 134 from Campbell handed Canada the impetus once more and
Smith left 130 continuing their brilliant scoring. They had six darts at it and
a last dart in hand at double six for a 72 checkout saw a 4-2 lead.
Campbell was frustrated at not hitting a 96 checkout but left it
handily placed at double eight for Smith to conclude proceedings.
Also through are the New Zealand pairing of
Cody Harris and
Haupai Puha who saw off Danish pair Per Laursen and Niels Heinsøe in a 5-2 win with Puha in particular impressing on the doubles in a composed display from 'Hopes'.
They made a strong start to
proceedings with Puha taking out 112 to give them the lead. Heinsøe produced a brilliant
180 but it didn’t lead to anything for the Danish duo with Puha given a second
opportunity after Harris missed double 20 for a 100 checkout and he pinned
double 10 to go 2-0 up with a break of throw.
It was another great finish from ‘Hopes’ as he pinned a 100
checkout to go 3-0 up despite a relatively poor leg from the New Zealand duo.
His run of hitting doubles continued as he went 4-1 up and
one away. But he missed a match dart and Laursen returned to make it 4-2. He made
no mistake second time around as he pinned 60 to claim victory.
World Cup of Darts 2020 schedule
Friday 6 November
Afternoon session (12:00 GMT)
Lithuania (87.23) 5-3 (77.17) Gibraltar
Portugal (85.4) 5-0 (73.32) Hungary
New Zealand (86.22) 5-2 (72.85) Denmark
Northern Ireland (87.78) 2-5 (94.51) Canada
Belgium v Czech Republic
Austria v USA
England v Philippines
Italy v Spain