Waites and O'Connor impress in German Darts Championship opening victories

Scott Waites is through to a battle of multiple Lakeside World Champions with Glen Durrant in the second round at the German Darts Championship after seeing off Darren Penhall on his European Tour debut.

Waites surged into a 3-0 lead in the early going including two 12-darters and attempted to run away with it with a 164 checkout giving him a 4-1 lead.

It was two big finishes in a row with a 123 checkout making it 5-1 but Waites had trouble finishing proceedings off in the end with Penhall reducing the arrears and the former Grand Slam champion missing multiple match darts at double 18 and double nine in particular at 5-3 up in a frustrating series from the two time Lakeside champion.

But despite Penhall asking the question missing 156 on double 18 in the requisite leg, ‘Scotty 2 Hotty’ returned and pinned double seven for the victory.

William O’Connor is also through to the second round after a similarly impressive display against Daniel Larsson claiming the tie 6-1 with Rob Cross next.

Stats wise it was 97.2 average with four 180’s and 55% on the doubles as ‘The Magpie’ made an impressive return to the stage.

O’Connor similarly started his tie well against Larsson going 3-0 up with a double break of throw including in the first leg when he pinned an 83 checkout.

Another 180 from O’Connor saw him assert his dominance on his throw and he pinned a 117 checkout to go two away.

Larsson replied with a 180 himself on his throw but O’Connor suffered an unlucky bounceout which would have seen him almost on level terms. A visit of 43 gave Larsson a reprieve and the chance to get down to double nine from 121.

He pinned it to finally get a leg on the board. But it had no impact as O’Connor kicked off 180 on his throw. He went on to hit double 20 to make it 5-1. It was back-to-back 13-darters as he claimed it 6-1.

Schedule of Play - Friday September 25

First Round - Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)

Scott Waites (93.66) 6-3 (90.35) Darren Penhall

Daniel Larsson (82.89) 1-6 (97.21) William O'Connor

Ron Meulenkamp v Richard North

Boris Koltsov v Steve Lennon

Franz Roetzsch v Jeff Smith

Lukas Wenig v Cody Harris

Ronny Huybrechts v Dragutin Horvat

Steffen Siepmann v Mervyn King