White and Anderson ease past opening tests at Grand Slam of Darts

Ian White and Gary Anderson have eased past their opening tests at the Grand Slam of Darts with victories over Steve Lennon and Dave Parletti respectively.

White saw off Lennon comfortably in a 5-2 win in a tie that wasn't the most high quality but saw 'Diamond' collect an important two points in a tough group.

Anderson put his problems behind him of the World Series of Darts Finals when he averaged just over the 70 mark by easing past debutant Dave Parletti who didn't play badly but just couldn't find the doubles.

Lennon took back-to-back legs to move 2-1 up on White in the early going but White levelled it up and smashed in a 177 en route to breaking throw and going 3-2 up.

White improved that lead to 4-2 and put Lennon under the cosh as a result to produce the goods and he didn't. White hit a 60 checkout and this allowed him to claim a 5-2 win in what was a game that never really caught light.

Anderson and Parletti fired in a maximum to begin their tie but it was the Scot who diminished bad memories of the World Series of Darts Finals fairly quickly with double four to go one up.

Anderson hit a second 180 and a 67 checkout and saw his advantage double. Parletti's problem came with the missed doubles and Anderson showed his experience punishing to go 4-0 up and one away.

There was real relief on the Surrey ace's face when he hit the double to go 4-1 up. Parletti's resistance didn't last long though as he went down to a 5-1 defeat.

Click here to view more information on the Grand Slam of Darts, the only cross-code tournament on the PDC calendar.

Grand Slam of Darts 2019, Day One

Evening session schedule

Darren Webster (96.7) 3-5 (98.87) William O'Connor (D)
Gerwyn Price (88.21) 5-3 (84.24) Mikuru Suzuki (C)
Ian White (88.94) 5-2 (90.42) Steve Lennon (B)
Gary Anderson (94.75) 5-1 (86.2) Dave Parletti (D)
22:00 James Wade v Wesley Harms (B)
22:30 Michael van Gerwen v Jim Williams (A)
23:00 Adrian Lewis v Ross Smith (A)
23:30 Dimitri Van den Bergh v Robert Thornton (C)

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