Nathan Aspinall latest big name to fall at Players Championship Finals

Two-time major winner Nathan Aspinall is the latest to fall after defeat to Niels Zonneveld 6-3. This puts 'Triple Z'in the last sixteen in Minehead for the second consecutive year.

The 26-year-old Dutchman got off to an excellent start by throwing out 156 for a 12-darter. The next two legs also went with the darts, before Zonneveld forced a break in the fourth leg with a 14-darter. Aspinall then threw out 80 for a rebreak, but Zonneveld immediately took the break back with a 13-darter for 4-2.

Aspinall was then unable to take advantage of a lesser leg from Zonneveld, and saw the deficit increase further to 5-2. Aspinall extended the match with a 15-darter, before Zonneveld decided the match with a fine 128 finish.

Kim Huybrechts could not convert a break lead into a win against Scott Williams. 'The Hurricane' was ahead 4-2 against 'Shaggy,' but lost the next four legs.

Both players had won from a Dutchman in the first round. Williams defeated Gian van Veen, while Huybrechts was too strong for Wessel Nijman. Huybrechts took a break lead against Williams in the third leg by throwing out 66. Williams got that break back, but a 22-darter and a 20-darter gave the Belgian a 4-2 lead.

Williams threw out 100 to close to 3-4, then produced a 12-darter to tie the score after eight legs. Huybrechts then missed three chances to post another break, before Williams regained the lead with a 17-darter. The semifinalist of the last world championship then ended the match with a 13-darter.

Ryan Joyce prevailed in a yo-yo match against Cameron Menzies. 'Relentless' grabbed a 4-1 lead early in the match, but then was not out in three legs in a row in five innings. Menzies came back to 4-4 as a result.

The Scot took over the initiative with a 12-darter for a 5-4 lead. However, Menzies did not get the tenth out in five innings, whereupon Joyce forced a deciding leg. In the deciding leg, it was Menzies who got to throw for the match for the first time, but 'Cammy' wasted a total of four match darts. Joyce took advantage and then struck on his first matchdart.

The showdown between Dave Chisnall and Andrew Gilding turned out to be a triumph for 'Goldfinger,' who won the UK Open at the same venue in Minehead a year and a half ago. In the duel between the two Englishmen, all legs went with the darts. Gilding had the advantage of starting the last leg and the 53-year-old Englishman won the leg-decider with a 16-darter.