Defending champion Niko Springer managed to win through his opener at the
Hungarian Darts Trophy on Friday afternoon while there were standout wins for Keane Barry, Ryan Joyce and Ritchie Edhouse among others.
Springer was facing Maik Kuivenhoven in one of the top ties of the session. He broke for 2-1. After two holds to start, he hit a 180 and double eight to lead.
He continued to add to that lead going 4-1 up pinning double five after the break with a 59 checkout. He was speeding towards the finish going two away before he sealed the win.
While there was some success for the Germans, Martin Schindler didn't enjoy as much. Barry broke early with a 180 and 41 checkout to go 2-0 up.
Schindler hit back on double seven but Barry broke back on double 20. This made the difference as he continued to hold include a 154 checkout after Schindler had missed 100. He then returned for 56 to win and break again
Andrew Gilding eased through his tie seeing off Milan Biro 6-0, while Ritchie Edhouse took down an off colour Connor Scutt 6-1. Scutt broke throw immediately hitting a 46 checkout and Edhouse broke back hitting double eight to make it 1-1. After those early breaks, he broke again for 3-1 with Scutt's missed darts at doubles crippling him. Edhouse returned for 106 for 4-1.
Chisnall and Edhouse prevail
Edhouse though sealed the win pinning double 18 to win it 6-1. While William O'Connor made light work of Samuel Price 6-2 and Ryan Joyce managed to avert the test of Cristo Reyes winning through 6-3 in a tie where he looked to win easy until the final few legs. But he managed to only lose two more after being on the verge and is through.
Albeit the same could not be said for Kevin Doets who succumbed to Jonas Masalin 6-4.
Masalin opened up with an 84 checkout. He hit a 21-darter to go 2-1 up. Masalin went 3-2 up but again Doets went back at 3-3.on double eight. Masalin went 4-3 up and then 5-3 hitting double 10 with Doets missing darts to make it 4-4.
Masalin then hit 46 to win through and now Doets is out. While finally Dave Chisnall won through 6-3. He beat Andreas Borbely. Borbely lead in this final tie 2-0 on double 20 as Chisnall was broken with a second double 18 in a row.
Chisnall broke back with a 136 checkout for 2-1 down. Double eight for Chisnall who makes it 2-2 and seals parity. Borbely hits 107 to go 3-2 up. But Chisnall hits 101 for 3-3. Chisnall went one away pinning double 20 and that seemed to work as he won through 6-3.