European Darts Grand Prix Friday afternoon Round-Up | Rob Cross dumped out as Wessel Nijman continues recent form

The European Darts Grand Prix takes place this weekend and on Friday afternoon, it is the opening round with the big names finding out their fate.

Rob Cross, Andrew Gilding, Kevin Doets and Wessel Nijman headlined proceedings at the European Darts Grand Prix and it was mixed fortunes.

Cross was soundly beaten in a 6-2 loss to Mickey Mansell in which the Clonoe Cyclone averaged 100.32 amid earlier travel issues this weekend so pretty good all things considered while for 'Voltage' it was not the return he would've wanted considering he is under pressure to qualify for the World Matchplay.

It was holds early with Mansell 2-1 up with a 68 checkout but he held the impetus towards a break and managed to secure it. A 98 checkout for an 11-darter for Mansell which he followed up with a 12-darter for 4-1 to go two away.

A 77 checkout on double 16 to go 4-2 down followed as Cross looked to hit back but Mansell was on the verge pinning double 12. He sealed it from there with an 86 checkout.

Dave Chisnall also moved through in the final game of the session taking down Petr Krivka in a bet of a war of attrition between the pair despite Chisnall averaging 95. He hit three 180's but his doubling was suspect hitting 6/16 en route to booking his spot in Saturday.

Wessel Nijman was utterly superb earlier in the week as he won a third ProTour of the year to follow also sealing his maiden European Tour and he followed that up with another win seeing off Ian White 6-2.

A 16-darter on double eight and Nijman held throw to go 1-0 up. Nijman pinned double six to go 2-1 up and he then pinned double 16 to break through with an 11-darter. Nijman followed that up with a continued dominant riposte as he hit double four to go 4-1 ahead.

White held to prolong the tie further on double 10 for 4-2. Nijman though sealed the win hitting double 16 for a 5-2 lead before hitting 80 on double 10 for a 6-2 win.

Niels Zonneveld like Nijman has been in wonderful form as of late and in particular on the European Tour but that won't be continuing this week after he lost to a similarly resurgent Keane Barry.

Zonneveld pinned 90 for an 11-darter early at 1-1. But a superb 124 with Zonneveld unable to pin 104 saw Barry claim a 2-1 lead. A 72 checkout for Barry saw him continue to edge in front at 3-2.

Barry finally broke for 5-3 on double 13 after holding again with a 70 checkout for 4-3. Finishing in style with a 130 checkout, Barry sealed a 6-3 win.

Andrew Gilding is also through surviving a tough test on paper against the German ace Paul Krohne who has also wowed on the WDF system and is only really not on the main tour due to work. So is a bit of a bogey draw. But 'Goldfinger' took care of it 6-3.

Kevin Doets also survived late pressure from Jurjen van der Velde to win 6-4. While Krzysztof Ratajski eased past Michael Hurtz 6-3. There was less luck though to start the session for Karel Sedlacek.

Sedlacek has also been in great form as of late but was edged past by Valters Melderis in the surprise result of today's session.