Cool Hand Red Hot in Rosmalen

The 2025 Dutch Darts Championship round two reached its conclusion after another night of high quality action.

World number one Luke Humphries showed exactly why he’s top of the tree, averaging just shy of 106 in a high-octane win over Cameron Menzies. The Scot led 5–3 and even had a match dart, but Cool Hand Luke reeled off three straight legs to steal it, in a game that featured a colossal 13 maximums. He now meets Michael Smith in a blockbuster third-round tie as last year’s World Cup winning duo collide.

Home fans were initially disappointed by the absence of Michael van Gerwen, but were soon consoled by Dirk van Duijvenbode’s fireworks on stage. The Titan stormed past James Wade 6–3, producing three superb ton-plus finishes in the opening three legs – highlighted by a stunning 161 checkout that brought the Rosmalen crowd to their feet.

Even better followed as the Aubergenius produced a magnificent ‘Big Fish’ to go 5–1 up, showing finishing as clinical as countryman Dennis Bergkamp in his prime. The Machine nicked a couple of legs back and narrowly missed a 164 on the bull, but Dirk wrapped it up in style soon after.

Willie O’Connor, drafted in following Gerwyn Price’s late withdrawal, made the most of his unexpected opportunity. After a frantic dash from Limerick to the Netherlands, The Magpie soared to a 6–3 win over Boris Krcmar. Racing into a 4–1 lead, he briefly nodded off, allowing Big Boris back into the match, but woke up just in time to close it out. He now faces reigning European Champion Ritchie Edhouse.

Rosmalen’s euphoria was dampened when Ross Smith delivered a clinical performance to silence the Barney Army. Smudger was razor sharp, Barney was blunt, and that combination saw the former Euro Champion move on. He now faces Jonny Clayton in a mouth-watering third-round clash. Smith, former European Champ, is still chasing a tour title – could this be the one?

Dutch hopes were reignited when Wessel Nijman comfortably saw off an out-of-sorts Peter Wright. Following a comically long board adjustment, Snakebite – minus his signature mohawk – looked as flat as his hair. Nijman took full advantage, setting up an all-Dutch showdown with Dirk van Duijvenbode and thus guaranteeing home representation in the quarter-finals.

It wasn’t Stephen Bunting’s night, as last month’s International Darts Open winner lost in a final-leg shoot-out to talented German youngster Niko Springer. A rare off-day for The Bullet saw Meenzer Bub take full advantage and set up an all-German clash with Martin Schindler for a spot in the quarter-finals.

The evening concluded with Ricardo Pietreczko knocking out the reigning Dutch Darts Champion, Josh Rock, in a hard-fought battle. Pikachu’s win boosts his World Matchplay hopes and edges him closer to a second Euro Tour crown. He’ll face Daryl Gurney tomorrow in what promises to be another exhilarating contest.