Van Veen and De Decker boost hopes of World Grand Prix participation with wins over Dolan and Gilding as first session concludes at the Hungarian Darts Trophy

As the first session of the 2023 Hungarian Darts Trophy draws to a conclusion, Mike De Decker and Gian van Veen have secured a Saturday return thanks to wins over Andrew Gilding and Brendan Dolan.

In the penultimate match of the session, Mike De Decker faced Andrew Gilding. After 'Goldfinger' took the opening leg, De Decker came roaring back and thanks in part to finishes of 122 and 144, began to get on a roll. As the pair traded legs in the subsequent ones, De Decker was again the man to produce a bit of magic as a double-double 100 checkout took him to a 5-3 lead. Although Gilding got one leg back, victory went to the Belgian 6-4.

Finally, rounding off the Friday afternoon session, Brendan Dolan went head-to-head with Gian van Veen who was looking to secure himself a spot at the upcoming World Grand Prix. Whilst both were below their usual level, it was the young Dutch prodigy who was on top early on, moving into a 4-1 lead. After van Veen wired double 10 for a 140, Dolan pounced with a ruthless 81. Sadly for Dolan, there was nothing more in terms of a comeback as van Veen secured himself a 6-2 victory.