Leonard Gates is through to a second round tie at the PDC
World Darts Championship with Stephen Bunting after seeing off Geert Nentjes 3-1 in sets.
Gates overcame a 1-0 sets deficit and some horrific miscounting in order to prevail in a tie which saw 'Soldier' become a fans favourite as they chanted USA after some excellent dancing.
Gates hit a 180 after stopping during the 140 and held his throw before breaking throw with an 82 checkout. Nentjes hit a 115 checkout on double 18 to break back before holding on double 10 but Gates was throwing for the set albeit the Dutchman hit double 20 for 1-0.
Gates broke throw with a 78 checkout but Nentjes came straight back only to miss 79 for 2-1 and Gates instead hit double 16 and was throwing for the set.
Gates missed three for the set but Nentjes missed one for 78 and ‘Soldier’ split 10 only to miss two at double four.
Nentjes returned again but missed two more and Gates finally hit double one. He held throw with a 100 checkout. Gates miscounted on the 105 but Nentjes couldn’t hit a double and Gates hit double 16. A 128 checkout on double 16 saw Gates go one set away.
A 666 checkout saw Gates break and he followed it up with a 111 checkout to go one away. He missed two match darts off 87 and Nentjes prolonged it.
Gates hit 134 to leave 10. He busted it though and on return initially went for double five before splitting and missing one for double four and Nentjes took aim for 69 pinning it for 2-2. Gates missed 112 for the match but returned for double four for the win.