Gerwyn Price is through to the Quarter-Finals of the
Queensland Darts Masters after seeing off Damon Heta in a thrilling tie which nearly gleamed a nine-dart finish and a fifth of the season on TV at that for 'The Iceman'.
But despite it not happening, Price edged through 6-5 with a 98.6 average and five 180's as he showed signs of his top form in Townsville.
After a scrappy opening leg, Price sealed a break on double two. He doubled his lead on double 20 to hold.
Heta missed double 16 for a 111 checkout but Price missed two darts to break again and Heta held on double eight at 2-1.
He followed that with a break back on double 16 at 2-2. It was a hold on double 20 for Heta as he led for the first time at 3-2.
Heta produced a superb 136 checkout to follow up and go 4-2 up as he riled the home crowd up. Price missed bull for a 170 but Heta could not get a shot at 98 and ‘The Iceman’ pinned double 12 to break back at 4-3.
Price followed that up with a 128 checkout with Heta sat on 95 looking to break back and they were sat at 4-4 and parity. Heta missed 137 on double 16 to hold but returned eventually to hit double six to go 5-4 up.
Heta was sat on 80 to win after a 180 and Price returned to pin a 120 checkout to send it to a decider. Price though produced an expert last leg missing double 12 for a nine-dart finish before hitting double 12 to seal it.
While
Michael Smith concluded proceedings making light work of DPA qualifier, Joe Comito who came into his TV debut having nearly made Ally Pally through the Tour Play-offs recently.
But Smith showed his class hitting a 104.8 average, four 180's all in a timely fashion and 60% on the doubles as he looks to add to his Madison Square Garden triumph.
It was an assured 14-dart start from Smith who hit a 58 checkout to lead 1-0. A 180 and 77 checkout for an 11-darter saw Smith go 2-0 up.
A 180 and double four saw the break consolidated as Smith went halfway to the finishing line. A 124 checkout from Smith saw him go two away with a break again.
A fourth 180 and 50 checkout saw Smith hold and go one away and he sealed it from there with a 25 checkout.