Van Duijvenbode pounces on doubling disaster from Smith to set up all-Dutch Quarter-Final tie with Noppert at World Matchplay

Dirk van Duijvenbode will face his World Cup of Darts teammate and fellow top Dutch ace, Danny Noppert in the last confirmed Quarter-Final at the World Matchplay after pouncing on a doubling disaster from Michael Smith in an 11-7 win.

It was a 98 average and a high checkout of 170 from Van Duijvenbode who went 4-0 up and staved off a comeback from Smith who missed 23 darts at doubles throughout the contest despite nine 180's and a 94 average.

Van Duijvenbode surged into a 3-0 lead to begin the tie as an out-of-sorts Smith struggled to get going and he was a double break down. He surged into a 4-0 lead holding with an incredible 170 checkout.

Smith went into the break only 4-1 down as he had a solitary leg to take from the session only to hold. On return, Van Duijvenbode missed a 97 checkout and Smith broke back for 4-2 down.

Three legs on the spin with an 87 checkout saw Smith hold and make it 4-3. But Van Duijvenbode pinned a 94 checkout to make it 5-3.

Smith kept one behind on double 20 to make it 5-4. Back to back 180’s for Smith saw ‘Bully Boy’ first at a finish but after missing a chance to level up, an 85 checkout saw Van Duijvenbode lead 6-4.

A 180 and double eight saw Van Duijvenbode open up a three leg cushion again with another break. It was a tense leg from both missing darts to seal the leg and Smith couldn’t pounce to break back with Van Duijvenbode finally sealing it to make it 8-4.

Smith continued to miss darts at double to make it 18 in all but Van Duijvenbode couldn’t seal a treble break and Smith made it 8-5.

Smith missed a 170 on the bull but Van Duijvenbode missed 127 on the bull to hand another break chance but two darts went begging from Smith again and the Dutchman made it 9-5.

Smith’s double woes continued albeit missing double 12 for a nine-dart finish but he sealed a 9-6 deficit and broke from there with a 66 checkout to make it 9-7.

He missed 123 on double nine and Van Duijvenbode reached 10-7 with an 86 checkout and he sealed a hold on double 10 to claim it.