Another dramatic evening in Wolverhampton as the group stages reached their nail-biting conclusion. A night that had everything – redemption, heartbreak, and a few well-timed favours between friends.
Eight players confirmed their passage to the knockout rounds, while others bowed out clutching consolation cheques and regrets about missed doubles.
James Wade 5–2 Ricky Evans (Group D)
The Machine departs Wolverhampton with a grin and a victory, despite being mathematically eliminated before a dart was even thrown. His 5–2 win gives him a fighting chance to finish third – banking £8,000 instead of £5,000. Now it’s all down to his mate, Gerwyn Price, to hammer Stefan Bellmont and do him a financial favour.
A whitewash or 5–1 would do nicely for Wadey, but as far as The Iceman is concerned, he’s only focused on winning – and winning big.
Chris Dobey 5–1 Martin Lukeman (Group B)It was a stroll in the park for Hollywood, who barely had to get out of second gear to dispatch a lacklustre Lukeman. The Geordie’s comfortable win secures top spot in Group B and a seat in the last 16.
For Smash, last year’s finalist, it’s been a campaign to forget. He’ll know he’s been well off the pace, but he’s also honest enough to admit it.
Stephen Bunting 4–5 Luke Woodhouse (Group C)
Woody clinched top spot in dramatic fashion, edging The Bullet in a deciding leg that sent the pre-tournament group favourite crashing to bottom place. Bunting can’t say he didn’t have his chances – one match dart for third spot went begging, sealing a miserable run of three 5–4 defeats.
Woodhouse, meanwhile, awaits the winner of Gerwyn Price vs. Stefan Bellmont. He’ll claim he doesn’t care who it is – but secretly, he’ll be praying it’s the Swiss lad.
Martin Schindler 5–2 Alexis Toylo (Group C)
The Wall is through to the Grand Slam knockout stage for the first time, defeating the slowest man in darts, Alexis Toylo, in their winner-takes-all clash. Nothing against Toylo, but with the longer format coming next, a best-of-19 featuring him might’ve lasted longer than a flight to Manila.
Damon Heta 3–5 Jurjen van der Velde (Group B)
Another big name bites the dust. The young Dutchman held his nerve to knock out the Australian No. 1, booking his place in the last 16.
Heta will rue his missed doubles, which proved costly. With Lukeman losing earlier, The Heat can take minor comfort in finishing third and pocketing £8,000.
For Van der Velde, looking like a Dutch version of the Milky Bar Kid, it’s turning into a dream debut.Gerwyn Price 5–1 Stefan Bellmont (Group D)
A ruthless display from Gezzy, who reminded everyone exactly why he’s a three-time Grand Slam champion. Bellmont barely got a sniff as the Welshman cruised to victory, reclaiming top spot in the group.
That result also means Ricky Evans drops to second and James Wade gets a tidy £3,000 bonus for his trouble. Not bad for a night’s work and an early drive home.
Michael Smith 5–2 Alex Spellman (Group A)
Job done for Bullyboy, who did what he needed to stay in contention. Now all he could do was sit back in the players’ lounge and hope Luke Humphries do him a favour against Nathan Aspinall.
For Spellman, it’s the end of the road, but the American leaves richer in experience after facing three of the sport’s heavyweights.
Smith wants three Cool Hand legs, and he will no doubt be counting them down.
Luke Humphries 5–3 Nathan Aspinall (Group A)
A fitting finale to the evening – two of the world’s best going toe-to-toe and battering the treble 20 for fun. Cool Hand roared into a 3–1 lead, effectively ending Aspinall’s hopes of progression and putting Smith into the knockout stage.
With the pressure off, the pair treated the crowd to a cracking exhibition of high scoring and sportsmanship. Humphries finishes the group with three wins from three, while The Asp will be haunted by the doubles he missed in his opener against Bullyboy.
And with that, the group stage curtain comes down in Wolverhampton. The favourites march on, the underdogs count their earnings, and the calculators can finally be put away.
Next stop – the knockout rounds, where reputations are tested, tempers flare, and someone’s dream of Grand Slam glory will end in tears before the treble twenty.
—–Ends—–
Images:PDC
