π£π₯πππ π¦π‘ππ§ππππ¦ ππ§! βοΈ Gerwyn Price survives a match dart at the bull as he clinches a hard-fought deciding leg victory over debutant Nathan Rafferty!
Price survives Rafferty scare, Rodriguez produces great start with impressive Dobey win
PDCSaturday, 13 November 2021 at 17:50
Gerwyn Price is through his opener at the 2021 Grand Slam of Darts but he survived a match dart and a real scare against Nathan Rafferty as he returned to the home of his two previous triumphs in Wolverhampton.
Price will be relieved to be through in a tricky opener and will now face Krzysztof Ratajski, the other Group A winner tomorrow.
All is not lost though for Rafferty who in narrowly losing to Price faces Martin Schindler tomorrow who has a big mountain to climb after losing 5-1 to The Polish Eagle.
To begin the tie, Rafferty had a break opportunity at 2-2 but spurned it missing double 20 to make it 3-2 and Price held a narrow lead.
But with Price thumping in a 171, he left himself 100 which seemed like a potential match winning shot at 4-3 but he busted 100.
Rafferty still had an opportunity to level and despite missing 110 first time round to hold, Price couldn't pin two double 20's and 'The Natural' forced a decider.
He missed a match dart on the bull though from 82 and Price returned to his relief as he pinned double five last dart in hand with Rafferty waiting for the win.
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While for Rowby-John Rodriguez, he continued his brilliant return to form with a 5-3 win over Chris Dobey to conclude the opening session of the tournament.
Dobey was a late replacement for Dimitri van den Bergh but found himself on the end of an impressive display from the Austrian.
Rodriguez started well with a 180, 140 and double 20 with a 13-darter. He had a golden opportunity for a break but missed two darts to claim it.
This allowed Dobey back for double 16 for a hold to make it 1-1. Rodriguez continued to play well on throw and pinned 65 to go 2-1 up after Dobey couldn't take 110.
He pressured the Dobey throw with a 127 leaving 140 which he missed inside. He returned for the break last dart at 3-1 with Dobey unable to make inroads on the 109.
A superb 125 set up to leave 36 aimed to give Dobey a way back in as he broke back for 3-2 behind.
Rodriguez missed a dart for 110 for 4-2 but a missed big number from Dobey gave him only one at a hold which he missed. The Austrian returned for double four to go one away.
It was a first 180 for Dobey but a poor visit saw Rodriguez first to a finish at 161. A visit of only 26 saw Dobey add another twist leaving 66 with Rodriguez sat on double 20 for the win.
Dobey pinned the same target for a skin saver to make it 4-3.
A 180 from Rodriguez sent a hammer blow leaving 76 but Dobey missed a 156 on double 18 to hold.
A match dart came and went for Rodriguez but Dobey went inside the single nine on return allowing the Austrian to finally get it done.
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