Yozza Joins Home Pair in Second Round

September’s 3^rd PDC Euro Tour kicked off in Belgium this Friday, the start of Euro Tour 12, with Jamie Hughes amongst the winners. The Red Dragon star beat Vincent van der Voort 6-3 to reach the Second Round where he will face Nathan Aspinall.

Yozza averaged 90.17 and the only maximum thrown between the pair came from the Dutch Destroyer whose doubles let him down across the nine legs, missing nine darts at the outer ring on the oche. The Englishman closed out victory with his highest finish, checking out 84 with his last dart finding the double twelve segment.

Mervyn King returned to Euro Tour action with a win in Belgium, finding a 6-3 victory over Belgian qualifier Wouter Vanrolleghem despite averaging shy of 90. The King who has played in the Premier League and reached the Last 8 of the most recent World Championship found his highest checkout in the fourth leg, hitting 77 to break throw and lead 4-0 on stage.

His inexperienced opponent produced a fantastic comeback to delight his home fans missing just one dart at double in the match, including a 100 finish in the seventh leg to gain a break of throwback.

The former Grand Prix finalist found tops with his second dart to seal his spot through to the Second Round where he will face Dirk van Duijvenbode, a man who is enjoying his best year in the PDC having impressed in the World Series of Darts Finals last week and the World Matchplay two months ago.

Two Belgians made it through to the Second Round on day 1 including World Cup star Kim Huybrechts, averaging 82.41 in a 6-4 victory over Steve West. The Hurricane will have to be on top form if he is to reach Sunday in his home country, with Michael van Gerwen the Premier League and Matchplay champion his next opponent in Wieze.

Mike de Decker is the other man through after he beat compatriot Remo Mandiau 6-3 including three maximums and an 88 checkout, going through to face 2^nd Seed Rob Cross on Saturday. Dimitri van den Bergh will enter as part of the top 16 and will face Andrew Gilding after he beat Simon Whitlock 6-5 in Friday’s evening session.

Ryan Meikle continued his strong 2022 form after he beat Gian van Veen 6-4, including the only ton-plus finish of the match in the fourth leg. The Barber held his throw with a 101 checkout to level the match at 2-2 before breaking in the next leg for the second time.

The Englishman ended with a two-double finish by complete accident, hitting double eight and then the match winning double sixteen to finish 48 and claim the tenth and final leg, going through to face Gabriel Clemens in the afternoon session.

The action in Belgium continues Saturday with the likes of Hungarian Darts Trophy winner Joe Cullen up against Dennis Nilsson whilst World Champion and recent Euro Tour winner Peter Wright faces Niels Zonneveld in the evening session.

2022 Belgian Darts Open Results:

Round 1:

Dennis Nilsson 6-2 Kevin Doets

Ryan Meikle 6-4 Gian van Veen

Karel Sedlacek 6-4 Roberto Vandaele

Boris Krcmar 6-1 Cameron Menzies

Keane Barry 6-2 Danny Baggish

Madars Razma 6-4 Andy Baetens

Niels Zonneveld 6-2 Alan Soutar

Jelle Klaasen 6-4 Francois Schweyen

Rusty-Jake Rodriguez 6-3 Jeff Smith

Bradley Brooks 6-5 Chris Dobey