Michael Smith sent packing by Richard Veenstra as Gary Anderson survives Steve Beaton scare
PDCFriday, 24 November 2023 at 22:18
World champion and world number one Michael Smith has been routinely sent packing from the Players Championship Finals in the opening round by Richard Veenstra.
Veenstra jumped out to a break lead in the sixth leg against the world number one by throwing out 20. A 58 finish then put Veenstra up 5-2. Smith closed the gap to 5-3, before Veenstra decided the match with a 40 finish in the ninth leg.
Gary Anderson narrowly advanced to the last 32 in Minehead. Opponent Steve Beaton couldn't get 102 out in the final leg, after which the two-time world champion narrowly struck with a 32 finish for a spot in the next round.
Brendan Dolan advanced a round after a 6-4 thrashing of Ritchie Edhouse. Andrew Gilding suffered a surprise defeat after going down 6-3 to Steve Lennon.
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SMITH'S SENT PACKING! ❌
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) November 24, 2023
What a performance from Richard Veenstra, averaging just shy of a ton in defeating the World Champion Michael Smith 6-3 for a huge upset here on the Main Stage!
📺 https://t.co/cWgx5loy06#PCF | R1 pic.twitter.com/NHjKwRpOJc
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- The pundits glossing over the other factor at play in that match. They appear to be somewhat constrained in what they can say publicly.
UndartedWaters16-11-2024 - So, you don't like Littler, then? I was cheering him on, being a fellow Englishman. Honestly, some of us get far too offended nowadays. If you want to see crowd passion... watch a match when German and Dutch players face off... that can be just as bad if not worse for crowd noises. It happens, I have watched and heard Littler being jeered - Dirk van Duijvenbode in Holland, January this year. Where was your outrage then? Yes, I can clearly see what is going on here.MrYnyslas197116-11-2024
- It happens. Remember, anyone who has watched German and Dutch players in matches - their respective countries will have seen/heard just as bad jeering (if not worse). Taylor and MVG are two prime examples of professionals who are able to cope with the crowds mentally and not take it personally. This is not just an English crowd problem, FFS.MrYnyslas197116-11-2024
- Was watching an old World Masters final the other day between Eric Bristow and John Lowe, the crowd respect for both players on throw was first class, not a sound. You can imagine now the idiots who were whistling on De Deckers throw proudly boasting about it on social media. I blame the PDC to a certain extent though doubt they really care as they win regardless of which player wins or loses.Mysstree16-11-2024
- @UndartedWaters I totally agree with your thoughts! I totally respect Kirk but in this instance I was disappointed with his lack of crowd control. I even turned to my husband and said "Could you imagine this happening if Russ Bray was the referee tonight? At least there would have been a crowd admonishment- Ladies and Gentleman please." I so felt for Mike DeDecker...MamaVenus15-11-2024