Hypothetically speaking, if the fifth-round combatants had been blessed with the same level of vocal virtuosity as they possess darting prowess, the UK Open could quite plausibly have doubled as this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
The field in Minehead resembled a veritable continental gathering, decorated with immensely talented arrow smiths representing a dozen different nations.
Fortunately for the Butlin’s faithful, singing was not the order of the day. Darts remained the specialised discipline, and the specialists on display delivered another enthralling and memorable Minehead session.The current custodian of the gleaming UK Open trophy, Luke Littler, remains firmly on course to retain his crown, though he was made to labour considerably harder than expected during a narrow victory over Kevin Doets.
When The Nuke is not operating at his most explosive level – a phenomenon that tends to occur during the earlier hours of the day for the self-confessed night owl – opponents must seize the opportunity with ruthless efficiency, because such moments of vulnerability are infrequent.
Regrettably for Hawkeye, despite producing the superior average and even outscoring the world champion in the maximum department, it was Littler who demonstrated the greater composure on the outer ring. The teenager’s clinical finishing ultimately left Hawkeye ruing what was a golden chance to dethrone the sport’s most dangerous prodigy.Luke Humphries, meanwhile, endured a lengthy wait before finally emerging onto the main stage to face Dave Chisnall. When he eventually did so, the reigning Premier League unleashed the kind of pyrotechnic scoring barrage that audiences have become accustomed to witnessing.
Nevertheless, Cool Hand maintained complete control throughout the encounter and never appeared remotely threatened by the St Helens thrower, calmly progressing to remain firmly in the title conversation.
Welsh hopes also continue to burn brightly in Minehead, with the double World Cup winning duo of Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price both advancing safely into Saturday evening’s session. The Ferret produced a composed display to edge past Darryl Pilgrim, while Price faced a more spirited challenge from the emerging Dutch talent Wessel Nijman.
For the opening half of the contest the youngster matched the Iceman stride for stride, before Price shifted into a higher gear and pulled away to secure a convincing victory.Assigned to the secondary stage, three-time UK Open champion Michael van Gerwen found himself embroiled in a surprisingly competitive battle with Germany’s Kai Gotthardt.
The pair shared the opening ten legs in an evenly balanced exchange before the Dutch colossus finally asserted his authority. Van Gerwen pressed the accelerator and completed the task with the concession of only a single additional leg.UK Open ever-present James Wade enjoyed a considerably smoother passage.
The Aldershot stalwart dismantled German giant Gabriel Clemens with ruthless efficiency, conceding just two legs as he strolled serenely into the sixth round in stereotypical stealth like fashion.Elsewhere the afternoon proved agonising for two decorated major champions who both succumbed in dramatic last leg deciders. Former world champion Michael Smith was edged out by the formidable Ryan Searle, while 2024 World Grand Prix winner Mike De Decker saw his campaign extinguished by a resurgent Rob Cross.
Opening Saturday afternoon’s proceedings was a man who appears exceptionally comfortable on the Butlin’s stage. That familiarity perhaps makes perfect sense given that Scottish legend Gary Anderson now resides in Somerset. Anderson faced Germany’s top ranked star Martin Schindler, yet The Wall found himself unable to penetrate the Flying Scotsman’s formidable throw, ultimately bringing the Berlin-born man’s Minehead journey to an end.
Among the other notable triumphs was Danny Noppert, whose Friday nine-dart heroics were followed by a commanding victory over decorated Scotsman Peter Wright. Superchin Daryl Gurney also progressed after eventually overcoming Ross Smith in a fiercely competitive encounter. Premier League representatives Stephen Bunting and Josh Rock likewise secured their places in the evening session, defeating Mensur Suljović and Dominik Gruellich respectively.
Completing the contingent for the sixth-round draw are Ireland’s Keane Barry, who produced an impressive display to defeat Ryan Joyce, and Krzysztof Ratajski. Fresh from a strong showing at Alexandra Palace earlier in the year, The Polish Eagle ended the spirited run of Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak.Remarkably, all but one member of the leading dozen on the PDC Order of Merit remain in contention, with Gian van Veen the sole high-ranking casualty.
The result is a field of extraordinary calibre still battling for Minehead glory as the tournament marches inexorably towards Sunday evening’s crowning moment.
UK OPEN – FIFTH ROUND RESULTS
Main Stage
Gary Anderson 10-7 Martin Schindler
Gerwyn Price 10-5 Wessel Nijman
Luke Littler 10-8 Kevin Doets
Luke Humphries 10-4 Dave Chisnall
Stage Two
Jonny Clayton 10-7 Darryl Pilgrim
Danny Noppert 10-2 Peter Wright
Rob Cross 10-9 Mike De Decker
Kai Gotthardt 10-6 Michael van Gerwen
Stage Three
Daryl Gurney 10-8 Ross Smith
Stephen Bunting 10-2 Mensur Suljović
Josh Rock 10-7 Dominik Gruellich
Keane Barry 10-7 Ryan Joyce
Stage Four
Martin Lukeman 10-3 Madars Razma
James Wade 10-2 Gabriel Clemens
Krzysztof Ratajski 10-5 Oskar Lukasiak
Ryan Searle 10-9 Michael Smith
—–Ends—–
Images: PDC
