By Brad Williams
MATCH 1: Ryan Searle vs Brendan Dolan
The second round of the World Championship commenced this afternoon with Ryan Searle taking on the Brendan Dolan in the opening game. “Heavy Metal” eased his way past Dolan, putting up a commendable 98.67 average and hitting three 180s whilst going 9/13 on the doubles.
Dolan struggled to get any real momentum going in the match, with “The History Maker” taking just two legs and posting an 88.45 average.
Ryan Searle is now the second man through to the last 16 of the tournament, after Jonny Clayton received a bye through due to his opponent, Dom Taylor, failing a drug test.
Result: 3-0 Ryan Searle
MATCH 2: Andreas Harryson vs Motomu Sakai
The next game saw the return of two of this year’s crowd favourites. Japan’s Motomu Sakai, who stole the hearts of fans with his infectious energy and walk-on, took on the Swede Andreas Harryson, who holds one of the upsets of the tournament so far, when he defeated 12th seed Ross Smith in the opening round.
The first set saw an even game with every leg going with throw. Harryson hit a huge 141 checkout in the third leg and eventually got over the line pinning double four to win the set, with Sakai sitting in double five.
The Swede Harryson began to turn the screw in set two, as he got an early break of throw when Sakai found himself stuck in the double one madhouse. From there, it was fairly routine for “Dirty Harryson” as he wrapped straight sets for a 3-0 win to advance to the next round, despite a spirited Sakai effort.
Result: 3-0 Andreas Harryson
MATCH 3: Dirk Van Duijvenbode vs James Hurrell
Dutchman Van Duijvenbode took the first set 3-1 against a sub-par Hurrell, who averaged just over 72, despite hitting two 180s.
However, the “Hillbilly” answered back superbly in set two, averaging a remarkable 115.62, whilst landing four maximums and pinning three out of his five of attempts at the double to even the score at 1-1.
With the game tied at two sets apiece, James Hurrell pinned a 132 Champagne finish in leg two, after previously breaking Van Duijvenbode’s throw to put himself in full control of the final set.
“The Aubergenius” pulled a leg back, but his comeback attempts were thwarted after he busted his score, allowing James Hurrell to take out 52 and pull off the upset victory, marking his first time getting through to the third round.
Result: 3-2 James Hurrell
MATCH 4: Dave Chisnall vs Ricardo Pietreczko
“Pikachu” flew out of the blocks against Chisnall in the opening set of their round two clash, wrapping it up with a Shanghai finish in what was an assured start for the German.
Set two followed suit, as Pietreczko bounced back from dropping the opening leg, in which he had throw, to reel off the next three legs, punishing a poor doubling display by Chizzy, who hit just one of his twelve attempts on the outer ring.
Chizzy’s scoring prowess began to change the tide of the contest, as he rattled off six of the next seven legs to win sets three and four, hitting seven 180s along the way.
The game continued into the fifth and final set where both players were able to hold their throws leading to tiebreak. “Pikachu” drew first blood crucially breaking Chizzy’s throw, before taking out 50 to win the set 4-2 and deny Dave Chisnall an inspired comeback.
Result: 3-2 Ricardo Pietreczko