It is a mixed run for the big names as the Players Championship Finals continues in Minehead. Michael Smith is out but Luke Humphries, the defending champion is successfully through.
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Humphries averaged 102. He was at around the 109 mark and was romping towards victory at 5-1 up after hitting a 102 checkout to go one away. But in the end, he struggled as Van Barneveld took his chances when 'Cool Hand Luke' failed. But it was too big of a comeback as Humphries fell over the line at 6-3 to move through.
While Smith was poor on the outer ring and was punished to the hilt by Gurney who has shown real glimmers of form as of late. He hit 85.7% on the doubles with 116 as the highest checkout in what was a 6-4 win.
Connor Scutt also continued his superb form. He clinched a 6-3 win over Mario Vandenbogaerde on Stage Two with four 180's as he moved into the Last 16 in Minehead.
While Damon Heta prevented elimination against Krzysztof Ratajski. After two quick breaks in the first two legs, the legs went with the darts until 4-4. Ratajski then took advantage of Heta's double trouble to make it 5-4 via double 14. The Pole was then allowed to start the tenth leg, but could not finish in five visits. Heta broke back and was then allowed to start the leg-decider himself. With a 72 finish, the Australian pulled off the win.
Dirk van Duijvenbode and Jeffrey de Graaf also have entered the last sixteen at the Players Championship Finals at the Butlin's Resort in Minehead. ‘Aubergenius’ won 6-3 over Florian Hempel in his second match.
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It was not a high-class match between Van Duijvenbode and Hempel. In the first three legs, Van Duijvenbode was broken twice by Hempel, but in between, the Dutchman posted a rebreak of his own. Hempel missed three chances on double 12 in the fourth leg to lead 3-1, after which Van Duijvenbode produced a 75 finish for a second rebreak.
Van Duijvenbode took the lead for the first time in the match via a 14-darter in the fifth leg. With a 102 finish and a 15-darter, the darter from ‘s-Gravenzande made it 5-3. Van Duijvenbode then sealed the match with a 16-darter.
De Graaf continued in the tournament at the expense of Thibault Tricole. Tricole had caused a shock in the first round by beating Gerwyn Price, but now went down 6-3 to the Swedish Dutchman.
De Graaf won the first leg with a 13-darter, before extending his lead to 4-1. With a 16-darter, Tricole clung to 2-4, before De Graaf made it 5-2 with a fine 123 finish. Tricole responded with a 13-darter, coming back to 5-3.
De Graaf then got to start the tenth leg himself. After four innings he was on 66, but De Graaf missed his first four matchdarts. Tricole could not take advantage from 140, after which De Graaf did throw his sixth matchdart into the double.
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BULLY BOY BEATEN BY GURNEY!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) November 23, 2024
Yet another big name bows out in Minehead, as Daryl Gurney capitalises on double trouble from Michael Smith to book his place in round three!
📺 https://t.co/AmuG0PMn18 #PCF2024 | R2 pic.twitter.com/UIXHQk3BnY
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