Twice the king of Alexandra Palace, His Royal Highlandness Gary Anderson survived a wild, wind-tunnel scrap with Adam Hunt to ignite his latest World Championship crusade with all the subtlety of a tartan-wrapped firework.
If ever there was a match that captured the essence of Ally Pally chaos — dodgy doubling, gasping crowd, a Scotsman muttering at imaginary ghosts — this was it. Anderson came out of the gates like a man who’d finally been reunited with his favourite practice board… only for The Hunter to immediately slap the crown off his head by nicking the first set in a decider.
Then came the seesaw. Hunt leads. The Flying Scotsman levels. Hunt digs in. Anderson growls back. Eventually, class whispered louder than panic, and the 54-year-old decorated darting royalty edged a thriller to put his campaign officially in motion. Next up? Conor Scutt or the delicious prospect of a tungsten time warp showdown with Simon Whitlock. Strap in.
The afternoon had opened with a statement from debutant David Davies, who politely introduced himself to the World Championship by whitewashing Belgian, Mario Vandenbogaerde off the Ally Pally stage.
Two of the three sets required the full distance, but the Welshman didn’t blink — not once. He’s through… where he now gets Luke Littler. Yes, that Luke Littler. Good luck, David. Bring snacks.
Between Super Mario being unplugged and Anderson’s five-set drama, we got a sharp double-dose of English progress. First came Andrew Gilding, the quiet assassin with the golden fingertips, dispatching youngster Cameron Crabtree 3–1.
The numbers tell the tale: just under a ton average, ice-cold finishing, and a 161 checkout that reminded everyone why he owns a UK Open title. Crabtree played well… he just picked the wrong draw.
If Chris Dobey beats his Chinese opponent, Goldfinger might be staring down a Geordie shootout next.
Then came Luke Woodhouse, who began by surrendering the first set to Boris Krcmar before deciding, rather abruptly, that enough was enough. From 0–1 down, Woody barrelled through the next three sets like a man who’d found a second Christmas dinner waiting backstage.
Ruthless, composed, clinical.He now awaits the winner of Martin Lukeman vs Max Hopp — a battle between “relative calm” and “absolute chaos,” depending on which version of either man shows up.
A wild afternoon. A roaring Scot. A Welsh debutant marching into the lion’s den. Goldfinger glistening. Woody warming up.
And we’re only just getting started. Part two coming very soon.
SATURDAY 13th DECEMBER
(Afternoon Session)
Results
Mario Vandenbogaerde 0-3 David Davies
Andrew Gilding 3-1 Cameron Crabtree
Luke Woodhouse 3-1 Boris Krcmar
Gary Anderson 3-2 Adam Hunt
—–Ends—
Images: PDC
