Van Gerwen sees off defending champion Aspinall to return to winning ways at UK Open, Bunting and Van Duijvenbode among winners on outer boards

Friday, 06 March 2020 at 21:57

Michael van Gerwen has defeated the defending UK Open champion Nathan Aspinall in a thriller which went to a 10-8 conclusion with the World Number One just edging it.

Van Gerwen has not won since winning the title back in 2016 at the event but is back to winning ways in Minehead averaging 105.5 with six 180's to boot to book his place in Round Five.

Van Gerwen had a really poor start and despite Aspinall not being at his best on the doubles either, he took an early break of throw to go 2-0 up.

He kicked off his throw with a 180 as he looked to build on an out of sorts Van Gerwen but he was given a foothold with a 54 checkout to break back as Aspinall missed darts to go 3-0 up.

It was Van Gerwen's turn to let Aspinall win but Aspinall missed his tenth dart at double in the match as he spurned another opportunity. It was parity as Van Gerwen looked to kick into gear on Aspinall's throw.

Van Gerwen was allowed an opportunity at a 112 checkout and of course he hit it to complete an early turnaround to lead 3-2 at the break.

MVG started to really streak ahead and he left himself on 147 for a nine-dart finish but couldn't thrill the crowd.

Aspinall was left frustrated as he couldn't get a shot at a 160 checkout but was allowed a shot at 64 to stop the rot and he succeeded to hold throw at 4-3 behind.

MVG missed a dart at double 17 for a 154 checkout and Aspinall came back to hit double eight and let out a roar as he restored parity at 4-4.

A brilliant 112 with Van Gerwen on double nine saw the defending champion go 5-4 up as the game began to catch light as the break approached.

Van Gerwen perhaps made a mistake in going for the bull with Aspinall well back but he pinned 25 on double eight to restore parity and make it very much anybody's at this point. Van Gerwen pulled two ahead but Aspinall continued to produce and he made it 7-7 to keep in touch and break back again.

Mighty Mike regained control with a remarkable 150 checkout as he broke again to head towards the finishing line. The onus was now on Aspinall to produce again and break back at this pivotal moment.

Some quite brilliant cover shooting saw Van Gerwen leave double eight to go one away, Aspinall needed to win three legs in a row. He had a match dart; but Aspinall kept in it.

Maximum number six saw Van Gerwen hoist control again and he went five in; as he looked for a perfect end but he secured it with a 42 checkout.

Update from Other Boards - Bunting recovers to defeat Van der Voort, Van Duijvenbode continues brilliance

The action also continues on the other boards with the likes of Stephen Bunting and Dirk van Duijvenbode through to Saturday's schedule.

Bunting had to produce a comeback to see off Vincent van der Voort recovering from 9-7 down and surviving three match darts to end the hopes of the Dutch Destroyer.

Like alluded to though another Dutchman will join Michael van Gerwen in the draw and that is Dirk van Duijvenbode. He defeated Jermaine Wattimena in a thrilling tie which saw 'The Titan' hit a 40 checkout in the last leg to continue his great form. Will we see 'The Titan' grace the big stage tomorrow?

Other wins came from the likes of Gabriel Clemens who saw off Ryan Joyce in a decider 10-9, Jonny Clayton who ended the run of Scott Waites and Jamie Hughes who edged past Brendan Dolan.

There was also a first time run to the Last 32 for Matthew Edgar. 'Prime Time' will not get his tie against Glen Durrant which he has called for all day but it is a big step for the Daventry thrower as he will be in the draw later.

Click here for more information on the event which is known as the FA Cup of Darts.

2020 UK Open Schedule
Evening Session (1900) - Fourth Round

Main Stage

Gerwyn Price 10-3 Danny Noppert
Glen Durrant 8-10 Peter Wright
Michael van Gerwen v Nathan Aspinall
Gary Anderson v Steve Beaton

Stage Two

Rhys Hayden 5-10 Dimitri Van den Bergh
Dave Chisnall 8-10 William O’Connor
Vincent van der Voort 9-10 Stephen Bunting
Krzysztof Ratajski v Chris Dobey

Stage Three

Harry Ward 6-10 Ian White
Mensur Suljovic 10-4 Jamie Lewis
Ryan Joyce 9-10 Gabriel Clemens
Michael Smith v James Wilson

Stage Four

Kim Huybrechts 10-8 Ryan Searle
Richard North 10-6 Alan Tabern
Dirk van Duijvenbode 10-9 Jermaine Wattimena
Jeffrey de Zwaan v Simon Whitlock

Stage Five

Kyle McKinstry 10-8 Bradley Brooks
Rob Cross 10-7 Niels Zonneveld
Joe Cullen 10-7 Mervyn King
Adrian Lewis v Jason Lowe

Stage Six

William Borland 5-10 Jelle Klaasen
Joe Murnan 4-10 Ricky Evans
Simon Stevenson 10-9 Darren Webster
Jonny Clayton 10-7 Scott Waites

Stage Seven

Luke Humphries 8-10 Andy Boulton
Lewis Williams 9-10 Steve West
Matthew Edgar 10-5 Josh Payne
James Wade v John Henderson

Stage Eight

Keegan Brown 8-10 Daryl Gurney
Justin Pipe 2-10 Martin Schindler
Brendan Dolan 9-10 Jamie Hughes

Bye - Martin Atkins

Samuel GillChief Content Officer

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Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.

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