Former Baltic Sea Darts Open champion Dave Chisnall bowed out at the hands of Daryl Gurney, following a decidedly un-Chizzy-like and rather forgettable Euro Tour performance.
OK – this is only the third staging of the tournament but he won the inaugural one.The St Helens slinger usually enjoys his continental jaunts – with eight career Euro Tour titles tucked into his hand luggage – but he won’t be adding to that tally this weekend.
Instead, World Cup champ Superchin advances, still clinging to hopes of a swift return to the winner’s circle on German soil.
Ryan Searle was the first to secure his spot on the final day of action, seeing off Cameron Menzies 6–3.
Both men played well – but Searle was simply better in all the areas that actually matter. Surprisingly, Heavy Metal is still yet to claim a Euro Tour title – his best effort being a runners-up spot in Switzerland last year. Top Aussie dog Damon Heta also stumbled at the first hurdle, losing 6–3 to Dutch youngster Wessel Nijman.
Despite both averaging just shy of 94, it was Nijman who created twice the number of chances on the outer ring – and, as is so often the case in darts and dentistry, it all comes down to finishing.Elsewhere, Gary Anderson’s clinical touch on the doubles sent the Polish Eagle, Krzysztof Ratajski, flying home.
Meanwhile, Danny Noppert hit seven 180s to KO Mike De Decker in a match that somehow saw The Freeze average over a ton – despite hitting just 25% of his doubles. It was a brilliant reminder that scoring power will give you all the chances in the world… if you can eventually take one.
Ross Smudger Smith absolutely walloped Kim Huybrechts, with the Belgian barely getting a look-in. James Wade did what James Wade does – nothing flashy, nothing chaotic, just a steady professional job to brush past Luke Woodhouse in second gear.
And finally, Jonny Clayton – still very much in the hunt for silverware (or whatever the trophy’s made of) – got the better of Gian van Veen in one of the highest quality contests of the day.
Both men scored well and finished even better, but the match turned on a break of throw in leg six. Clayton edged 4–2 ahead and never looked back, holding his advantage to book his place in the next round.
Second Round – Afternoon Session
Ryan Searle 6-3 Cameron Menzies
Damon Heta 3-6 Wessel Nijman
Gary Anderson 6-2 Krzysztof Ratajski
Danny Noppert 6-3 Mike De Decker
Dave Chisnall 3-6 Daryl Gurney
Ross Smith 6-0 Kim Huybrechts
Jonny Clayton 6-4 Gian Van Veen
James Wade 6-1 Luke Woodhouse
—–Ends—–
Images: PDC