SMITH SURVIVES!😰 Sheer relief for Michael Smith who comes back from 8-4 down to defeat Andrew Gilding 11-9 via the first tie-break of the tournament. #WMDarts | R1 📺 bit.ly/WM22HowToWatch
Smith battles back to survive Gilding scare in first tie-break of 2022 World Matchplay
PDCSunday, 17 July 2022 at 18:03
Michael Smith for many is a pick to win this year's World Matchplay but he nearly fell at the hands of Andrew Gilding in the opening round with 'Bully Boy' having to come from 8-4 down to seal an 11-9 tie-break win.
Smith produced a 98.2 average, six 180's and 58% on the doubles with sheer relief etched upon his face after surviving an almighty scare with Dirk van Duijvenbode next up.
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Gilding was solid to begin the tie and stole an early break despite initially busting 64 hitting double 20 to go 1-0 up. A 180 from ‘Goldfinger’ and 136 to leave double 20 but he spurned multiple hold opportunities and Smith broke back immediately with a 70 checkout for 1-1.
A 120 to leave 20 from 180 saw Smith en route to a 2-1 lead and the first hold. But Gilding found his range to turn it around and seal an 11-dart break into the interval after a 104 checkout.
He continued to punish an out of sorts Smith going 5-2 up and was throwing for a 6-2 lead which would put Smith in real trouble.
Gilding though missed 106 on double 20 and after a superb set up shot, Smith pinned 60 to make it 5-3 and he was throwing to go one behind.
Gilding produced another maximum on Smith’s throw as he looked to ramp up the pressure again. A superb 170 setup left 91 for Gilding but Smith pinned a 161 checkout on the bull to hold to not give him a chance.
As usual set in his ways, Gilding recomposed himself to throw for a 6-4 lead hitting double five to do so and it was two 3-2 mini session wins for the Suffolk thrower.
On return from the break, a fourth 180 and double 20 saw Gilding go three clear before consolidating with another blow in the form of a 130 checkout to lead 8-4.
Smith hit double 20 to stop the rot at 8-5 down. Gilding missed a 74 checkout for a 9-5 lead and Smith broke throw at 8-6 down.
Both exchanged maximums with Smith hitting a 140 to leave 85 which he missed on the bull but Gilding couldn’t pin the 131 which allowed Smith back for 42 at 8-7 down.
Gilding’s trebles continued to desert him and Smith hit a 180 to leave double 20 to break again and make it 8-8. He couldn’t trouble Smith’s throw and Smith led at 9-8.
He hit a timely 180 to leave 81 but missed three match darts and Gilding saved his skin on double five at 9-9. Smith hit a maximum to leave 122 and missed double seven to go 10-9 up. But Gilding couldn’t get a shot at 101 and Smith pinned double two to go one away and the tie was not prolonged with ‘Bully Boy’ getting over the line.
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