Michael van Gerwen is through to the Quarter-Finals at the NZ Darts Masters but the World Number One survived multiple match darts in a deciding leg against Kyle Anderson.
Van Gerwen showed signs of his recent form creeping in despite his victory at the Melbourne Darts Masters and had to survive four match darts from Anderson who once again could not defeat him.
Mighty Mike had a poor time of it on the doubles for most of tie coming out with 33 percent on the doubles and he definitely played his get out of jail free card in Hamilton. They were neck and neck for most of the tie but Anderson most looked like winning pulling ahead 5-4 only for Van Gerwen in typical fashion to slam the door on him with a 164 checkout.
This though didn't deter Anderson who knew he had the throw in the decider, pressure from Van Gerwen told though and Anderson as a result missed multiple match darts and handed a reprieve to MVG and one he took gratefully to move through.
Raymond van Barneveld similarly had to come through in a decider in a dramatic victory with the aid of a 161 checkout and five 180's to defeat home hero Cody Harris. Van Barneveld played brilliantly to start the tie going 3-1 up on Harris including a break of throw as it looked like he was easing towards the win.
Barney though started to squander darts at doubles and as a result Harris went 3-2 behind. He missed further darts allowing parity at 3-3. Harris completed the turnaround going 4-3 up as Van Barneveld went to three out of 25 on the doubles. Despite that though he broke again to go 4-4.
A brilliant 161 checkout saw him go to within one and the reply was magnificent in the form of a 150 checkout from Harris to force a decider. Van Barneveld though was the one that claimed the win to rubber stamp a dramatic tie and see off the home favourite.
Click here for more information about this tournament, including the prize money breakdown and the tournament schedule.
NZ Darts Masters, Day One schedule
James Wade (92.71) 6-5 (87.71) Craig Caldwell
Simon Whitlock (93.51) 4-6 (96.87) Ben Robb
Daryl Gurney (95.98) 6-2 (89.51) David Platt
Rob Cross (99.84) 6-2 (79.06) Warren Parry
Gary Anderson (84.08) 6-3 (84.99) Haupai Puha
Peter Wright (94.24) 6-1 (82.17) Damon Heta
Michael van Gerwen (92.82) 6-5 (88.37) Kyle Anderson
Raymond van Barneveld (95.49) 6-5 (90.35) Cody Harris
Best of 11 legs
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