Gurney dumps out 2018 champion Anderson in first round at World Matchplay

Gary Anderson will not add a second World Matchplay to his resume this week at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool with Daryl Gurney accounting for the Flying Scotsman in the opening round on Sunday afternoon.

Always a dark horse, Anderson lost out 10-7 to Gurney with 'Superchin' producing a 92 average and five 180's en route with Danny Noppert now awaiting.

At the first interval, Gurney sealed an early lead at 3-2 and on return sealed a first break hitting 64 to make it 4-2.

But he couldn't consolidate as he squandered multiple darts at doubles and Anderson hit a 130 checkout on the bull to trail 4-3. They went back and forth from there as Gurney produced a 68 checkout to restore the break at 5-3.

Only for Anderson to take out 134 to make it 5-4 and parity was achieved at the interval. But Superchin surged ahead again producing three successive legs to make it 8-5.

The Scot battled with a vintage 116 checkout to make it 8-7 just as it looked like Gurney was getting away. But pinning double 20, he did as he went 9-7 up throwing for the match.

Gurney looked to fire himself towards the finishing line looking away as the final dart left his hand for a maximum as he left 126 with Anderson way back.

The latter still couldn't find himself on a finish and it allowed Gurney six at 68 as he messed around missing the bull for it. But two match darts went begging on double eight.

This allowed Anderson who was on 42 the chance to break back but he couldn't affording Gurney more match darts.