Scott Williams dumps out in-form Gian van Veen, success for Schindler and Gilding

Scott Williams dumped out Gian van Veen, with ‘Shaggy’ razor-sharp on the finishes. Van Veen threw an average of 104.21, but suffered a huge blow early in the match when Williams hit 160 while Van Veen was waiting on 32. The Dutchman then threw out 167 himself to cut the deficit to 1-2.

Van Veen then had to chase to reverse his break deficit, but Williams initially held firm by also finishing 97 and 140. However, with a 16-darter and a 109 finish 'GVV The Giant' came back from 3-5 to 5-5. Van Veen then started the last leg, but Williams was on a double after nine arrows. After Van Veen could not get 170 out, Williams decided the game with an 11-darter.

Niels Zonneveld though fared better to secure a spot in the second round at the Players Championship Finals in Minehead. 'Triple Z' won 6-3 over William O'Connor in his opening match.

In the beginning of the match, Zonneveld was still a break behind against the Irishman. By throwing out 74 and 72, 'The Magpie' took a 2-0 lead. However, Zonneveld responded with a 120 finish in the third leg and then levelled the score with a 15-darter. In the fifth leg, O'Connor missed three chances to keep his own leg, after which Zonneveld forced another break.

A 59 finish then brought Zonneveld to 4-2. O'Connor hooked up by hitting double 9 in the seventh leg, but then had to pass when Zonneveld finished the match very nicely with two 12-darters in a row.

Andrew Gilding was too strong also. The former UK Open champion was 6-3 too strong for Doets. Martin Schindler also reached the last 32 in Minehead by winning 6-2 over Brendan Dolan.