The action from the ADC Championship Tour was intense from the very start in Bristol today. Big-name players, in form names, faces from the ranking tables, and plenty more who fancy making.
Former World Master Adams Smith Neale was straight out of the blocks with a 4-0 demolition of Adam Gallett. Other famous faces such as Steve Brown, Steve Hine, and James Richardson were also into their strides from the off.
However, the big names were going to get it all their own way. Several players in the top echelons of the ADC’s ranking table and three Darts World/Toff London Amateur Award winners were keen to make an impression.
Ranking leader Matt Jackson together with Graham Hall and Tony Wood have all been in fine form and it was no surprise to see them move smoothly through the early stage.
By the L16 stars had begun to fall by the wayside. Colin Osborne was KO’d by the in form Kev Garcia, Smith-Neale had ended Jackson’s run and Gary Blades defeated Wood as he tried to go one better than in event 2.
Despite playing down his chances it was clear that The Bomber was in good order and his 4-2 defeat of Garcia in the L16 demonstrated this perfectly. Dan read had been dealt a tough hand but rose to the occasion to join the last 8.
Callum Goffin has been quietly picking up ADC points all year and was showing he is more than a flat-track bully as he also reached the Qtr finals.
Blades failed in his quest for a Championship League title as he fell (3-4) to Amateur Award winner Chris Wickenden.
Perhaps the smoothest run to the Super 8s was James Richardson’s effort. Ruthless seemed to ease through despite a path that looked far from easy: Eddie Mordica and Lee Evans being amongst his victims.
More to come as the event progresses
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Images: Harry Masterson
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