A night that promised fireworks delivered just that – with drama, missed doubles, breakout performances, and the occasional deep breath fuelling the final four places in this year’s Matchplay quarter-finals. From a rampant Van Veen to a vintage Wade, a resurgent Bunting and a scrappy Clayton, the oche action had a bit of everything – including plumbing avoidance and golf therapy. Here’s how it all unfolded.
JAMES WADE 11-5 WESSEL NIJMAN
Wade Machine Still Purring After 20 Years
Once again, James Wade reminded us all why he’s one of the greatest to ever pick up a set of darts. Twenty years on from his first Winter Gardens appearance, The Machine is still up there creating magic and making memories. But it’s no illusion. It’s just Wade being Wade – doing what he’s done for two relentless decades: winning darts matches and, every now and then, lifting a big shiny trophy.
For his first three visits to Blackpool, Wadey reached the final each time – and in the middle one, he even left with the title in the boot of his car. Presumably. Unless he left it at the kebab van.
Tonight, he was imperious. Every time Wessel Nijman blinked, Wade pounced. Missed a treble? Punished. Missed a double? See you later. The 42-year-old didn’t offer second chances – just cold, clinical finishing from start to end.
Afterwards, I put that dominance to him. As ever, The Machine responded with all the laid-back charm of a man waiting for the bus:
“It is what it is – I was lucky. We call it men from boys. I missed so many shots… or maybe I made him miss? I don’t know. First game I played really well, but I felt nervous and detached tonight – just didn’t feel right. But I’m glad I got the win.”
That’s the thing about Wade – he has this knack of making a brutal sport look blissfully simple. Casually knocking in a 104 average like he’s just flicked the kettle on.
“Well, it wasn’t putting the kettle on,” he replied, slightly misunderstanding that I wasn’t accusing him of mid-leg brew making. Then, pulling it back with a beauty:“But I was like a duck: calm on top, paddling like mad underneath.”
Aquatic metaphors? Lovely touch in this coastal setting. But beneath the dry wit and darts genius lies the real driver – his family. It’s what keeps The Machine ticking:
“The most important thing for me is family – my boys, Arthur and Alfred. If I can give them something different in life, then why wouldn’t I? They’re the two best things in the world to me. They’re my main focus. As long as I’m healthy enough, I want to keep going for them.”
Long may it continue, Wadey. Winning World Matchplay titles twenty years apart would be some feat – proper Ronnie O’Sullivan-at-the-Crucible levels of legendary.
STEPHEN BUNTING 12-10 GARY ANDERSON
Bullet Prevails In The Match – But Fails On His Doubles
Drama-wise, this one lived up to the billing – two darting juggernauts going toe-to-toe, threatening to drag each other the full distance. In terms of scoring, it was exactly what we expected. The pair shared fifteen 180s, and Stephen Bunting came agonisingly close to the perfect leg, just missing the double for a magical nine-darter. But while they peppered the treble twenty, their real battle was with the outer ring. That was the frustrating theme of the night – and the reason why, despite the heavy scoring, they both averaged in the low 90s.
Between them, they had 82 darts at a double. As the scoreline shows, only about a quarter of those found their mark. Not quite what you’d expect from two behemoths of the oche – and I mean that in terms of reputation, not waistline. At 6-6, it was anybody’s game. Then Bunting made his move – slamming his foot on the accelerator and surging ahead to 10-7. But Anderson did what he’s made a career out of – dug in with pure Scottish tenacity and levelled things up at 10-10. Just when we were all gearing up for a final-leg decider, the Liverpudlian held firm before breaking The Flying Scotsman’s throw to clinch it.
Much has been said about Bunting’s newfound mental strength in recent years – and without the help of “Hypno Chris” (not his real title – though Chris is, in fact, his real name), would he have got through that scrap? I put that to him. For a moment, it felt like I was interviewing Steven Gerarrd, not Stephen Bunting.
“Er… course. Definitely not. Going 10-10 against Gary Anderson on one of the biggest stages – I’d have probably capitulated, to be fair. I feel like I have that extra power now to take a deep breath and get back to the oche. That mental strength will really stand me in good stead.”
So, what pearls of wisdom did he summon at 10-10, with the game hanging by a thread?
“Take a breath – just another leg. Don’t think about the situation, just think about the leg. Take the pressure away from yourself. Getting over the line when we weren’t playing our best was a big win.”
Now, look – I’d love to know how to get paid hundreds of pounds an hour to tell professional athletes to breathe. Seems a bit… fundamental. I mean, I breathe all the time and I’m still rubbish at darts. In fact, I might be better without it.
Then came the big question: after missing D12 for the nine-darter, would he be open to some advice on how to hit it – from a local teammate in his St Helens darts side?
“I know you’re talking about your brother, Glenn. I’ve still not seen him hit double 12 in his life – so you’re alright, thanks!”
Fair enough. Offer graciously declined.
JONNY CLAYTON 11-8 MIKE DE DECKER
Clayton Claws Through in Ferret-Fuelled Flurry
Another close contest, another result the bookies more or less nailed – even the scoreline felt like it was written by an algorithm. Like the match before, neither player hit their top gear, but still delivered the kind of mid-90s averages most pub players would donate a kidney for. Clayton was the heavier scorer; De Decker, the more clinical on the outer ring. But as every darting cliché goes – it’s not your percentage, it’s how many you actually hit. And The Welshman was the first to hit eleven of them.
At 4-4, we looked set for another see-saw. But Jonny Clayton had other plans and seemingly in a hurry – rattled off four straight legs like his dinner was going cold. The reigning World Grand Prix champion did fight back and halve the deficit, but that Ferret flurry proved to be the match’s turning point, and the Welsh maestro held on for the win.
Aside from one final appearance, Clayton usually packs up and swaps dodgy Blackpool sand for the green hills of Wales around this stage. But this time, he’s sticking around a little longer – with hopes of loading a big silver trophy into the boot come Sunday night. And frankly, I wouldn’t bet against him.
Still, The Ferret admitted that if he plays like that again, Bunting might tear him apart – and ironically, the Scouser was probably thinking the same after expressing his own dissatisfaction with his performance. Preparation will be key for their quarter-final, though playing last on like this evening comes with the usual fun of not knowing exactly when you’re on:
“Like you say, don’t know exactly when. All I am sure of is it’s around 10pm. That said, the first couple of games could be quick, so might be on earlier. We were both watching the Gary/Stephen match and very and tuck. In fact, Mike and I we were more interested in watching that than practising.”
Fair. Probably more entertaining than throwing in a sweaty practice room. I asked Jonny whether, if either he or Mike had sparked into life, the other would’ve followed:
“Yeah, 100%. Just wasn’t consistent enough. I couldn’t find my target – Mike definitely couldn’t, ‘cos he’s a much better player than he showed. We’re both great players on song.”
And what better way to sharpen up for a quarter-final than some golf with the lads?
“Few clubs in the trees tomorrow – with my frustration out the window.”
Classic Ferret. Golf therapy, dodgy doubles, and just enough darts to get over the line.
GIAN VAN VEEN 11-5 DANNY NOPPERT
Van Veen on the Rampage – and Avoiding DIY One Match at a Time
Last month, Van Veen and Noppert they were draped in orange, trading high-fives and looking like the happiest World Cup teammates in darts. Tonight? Same nation, matching black-and-white kits, but not a handshake in sight – just pure Dutch-on-Dutch crime.
And when the dust settled, it was the younger of the two, Gian van Veen, who continued his meteoric rise – looking every bit like a champion in waiting. Having already dumped out the world number one, Luke Humphries (no small task), Van Veen then made light work of another major winner. This time it was Danny Noppert, who found himself facing the exit door courtesy of the reigning World Youth Champion.
Noppert started well, nicking the first two legs and looked incharget. But Van Veen clicked into gear – a silky 150 checkout helped create a 3-2 lead at the first break. From there, it was a bit of a battering. Gian rattled off four on the bounce, and but for a rare double-16 wobble, it could’ve been five. The Freeze, at 7-3 down, needed to thaw out fast. He gave it a go, but Van Veen wasn’t in a generous mood. Clinical, composed, and completely in control – all things Noppert unfortunately wasn’t.
Between matches, you’d be forgiven for thinking Van Veen was glued to the practice board. Not quite.
“Just relaxing. A bit of practice yesterday, including a game of bullseye maths with the kids. Back on board today, and happy to be playing. After all, the point of being here is to enjoy the darts – not to take two days off. That sort of thing can be done back home.”
When he picked up his Tour Card in January 2023, even he didn’t imagine a rise this sharp.
“Two and a half years ago, if you’d told me I would be reaching the quarter-finals of the Matchplay or the Grand Slam, I’d have thought you were mad. Always saw myself as a decent player – but not this good. It’s been a massive rollercoaster, and I am loving the ride.”
There’s also a little side motivation to staying in Blackpool – a recently purchased house that apparently comes with a to-do list longer than a Lidl shopping one.
“Well… if she’s listening, then no. If she’s not – absolutely.”
And with Gian happy to admit he’s quite clumsy, every day spent in the tournament is another day the plumbing remains intact. Everyone’s a winner – especially the shelves back home.
——ENDS—–
Images: Taylor Lanning / PDC
