The first round has concluded at the
Players Championship Finals and as has the bumper session of action due to the World Cup with double sessions going forward.
A lot of the big names fell this afternoon but to end the session, it was very much the favoured players on top with
Michael van Gerwen,
Luke Humphries,
Dave Chisnall and
Gary Anderson all moving through to Saturday.
Van Gerwen saw Ryan Meikle come from 3-1 down to trouble him at times but 'The Barber' couldn't mount enough of a challenge to add the Dutchman to Gerwyn Price in particular in heading out. A 6-3 triumph in the end with a 102.6 average saw MVG over the line and he will now face Cameron Menzies.
Next for Anderson who was out on Stage Two in a surprise up until recently and he did the business in Red's Bar seeing off Gabriel Clemens 6-4. At times, he made hard work of it but the former champion in this tournament will now face Rob Cross tomorrow in a tie very likely to move him onto the Main Stage.
A tie that was moved onto the Main Stage was Dave Chisnall who continued his form with a 6-3 success over Niels Zonneveld. This after Luke Humphries also moved through after an assured win over Nathan Rafferty, a potentially tricky tie for 'Cool Hand Luke' to open which he navigated successfully 6-3.
Other ties from Stage Two saw
Matt Campbell take out 100 to seal a dominant 6-3 win over Steve Beaton who recently got to a final of a ProTour delighting darting fans the world over but he won't remain in Minehead. Neither will John O'Shea after a swift exit 6-0 to
Jonny Clayton.