Martin Schindler and Josh Rock edge dramatic last leg deciders at Hungarian Darts Trophy 2024

Martin Schindler and Josh Rock qualified for the third round at the Hungarian Darts Trophy on Saturday afternoon. However, both players needed a deciding leg to do so.

Schindler had a tough time with Jim Williams. The Welshman led a break in the third leg via a 14-darter, but was immediately broken back. Williams then threw a 12-darter to take another break ahead. But again he surrendered his own leg. Schindler evened the score with a 14-darter, then took over the lead by hitting the double 8. A 15-darter then made it 5-3 for the German.

In the ninth leg, Williams missed three match darts to decide the match. Williams then threw out 138 and followed up this finish with a 96 finish in the tenth leg to drag out a final leg. This leg went convincingly with a 14-darter to Schindler.

Rock escaped elimination against James Wade, who blew it right at the last. 'The Machine' had multiple chances to decide the match, but failed on the doubles. Wade had first turned a 2-1 deficit into a 5-2 lead after a 96 finish and a 12-darter, among others. Rock threw a 124 finish in the eighth leg, then Wade got his first matchdart in leg nine. However, he missed the bull, after which his Northern Irish opponent reduced the deficit further via double 7.

In leg ten there were as many as four match darts on tops for Wade, but again the double did not fall. Rock forced a final leg with a 25 finish. In the leg-decider Wade missed another three matchdarts, after which Rock took the victory with an 18-darter.