King opens up Group B account with sublime decider win over Rodriguez, Rafferty superb in Schindler win

Two players have claimed their first wins of their Grand Slam of Darts campaigns with Mervyn King and Nathan Rafferty getting on the board in Group A and B respectively.

King gave his hopes of making it through to the second round a boost by seeing off Austrian ace, Rusty-Jake Rodriguez in a 5-4 victory.

He sealed it in style with a 145 checkout in the deciding leg to add to a 99.9 average and 56% on the doubles. This after he was swept aside by Bradley Brooks on the opening day.

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While Rafferty lost narrowly to Gerwyn Price 5-4 but produced a superb victory to see off Martin Schindler to keep his hopes firmly alive.

It was a 5-2 triumph for 'The Natural' who hit an 89 average with a high checkout of 112 and 41% on the doubles compared to only 2/12 from his opponent despite a 90 average and three 180's.