Michael Smith begins title defence with Williams win as sensational Searle thrashes Van den Bergh with 109 average

Michael Smith and Ryan Searle are the latest players through to the Last 16 at the Dutch Darts Championship in Leeuwarden after victories over Jim Williams and Dimitri van den Bergh.

Smith began his title defence after winning the title last year with a superb display to see off Jim Williams who has been in good form. He produced a 100.5 average with six 180's in sealing the win.

Initially going 4-1 up with a 90 checkout using bull-double 10, he missed darts to go one away and Williams made it 4-3. 'The Quiff' sealed parity but Smith had a late surge with a 13-darter and finally a 20-darter on double five after Smith had missed multiple darts to force a decider.

While Searle was utterly sensational as he moved through with a 109 average to thrash Dimitri van den Bergh 6-1.

It was 'Heavy Metal's best display ever on the European Tour as he defied a 105 average from the Belgian who only got one leg for his troubles.

It was the doubling of Searle in particular that was deadly with 6/11 with Van den Bergh only getting two darts at double.