By Luca Jarman
Round 2 of the World Championships keeps chugging along, with more big names involved. Fortunes were split in tough games for two of the tournament favourites, where the reigning champion battled through and a former champion crashed out.
MATCH 1: Martin Schindler (13) vs Keane Barry
A very close match despite the scoreline, where Barry will rue missed chances.
The Irishman was presented the opportunity of two darts to win the first set, but was not able to convert, allowing Schindler to limp to a win after an awkward end.
Barry started the second set well but let the German come back to take it to another deciding leg. ‘Dynamite’ produced a crafty 165 to leave tops to win, but Schindler was able to take out a 118 finish to go two up.
The final set also went down to a deciding leg.
Barry was unlucky in a frustrating defeat, but Schindler’s quality in scoring is undeniable and he was able to add resourceful, clinical finishing later in the game, something that has held him back before.
Result: Martin Schindler 3 – 0 Keane Barry
MATCH 2: Gerwyn Price (9) vs Wesley Plaisier
The biggest shock of the tournament so far. Gerwyn Price was surely one of the favourites for the title.
Plaisier started in style and took out a 130 finish with the bullseye in just the first leg. He continued the strong start and took the first set, a big surprise in itself for the World No. 92.
He managed to shuffle past Price in the first set with an average of 89.44, around 5 less than Price’s 94.91, but in the second he dominated.
He broke Price’s throw at the beginning of the next set to stamp down his authority and prove the first wasn’t just a fluke.
‘The Iceman’ was able to take a leg back and let out a classic roar to get the crowd going, but it came to nothing. The Dutchman coolly dispatched a 67 finish to go a set away from victory.
The final set was of the highest quality and went much closer. Plaisier missed two match darts to allow Price two darts at tops to win the third set and start a potential comeback, but he could not deliver on his favourite double. The World No. 92 regained composure and was able to dispatch the double to cause a colossal upset.
Result: Gerwyn Price 0 – 3 Wesley Plaisier
MATCH 3: Luke Littler (1) vs David Davies
Not the plain sailing victory the World Champion may have been expecting.
In the first set, Davies didn’t just go toe to toe with the World Champion, he outperformed him. The Welshmen had an incredible chance to take the first set, with multiple set darts missed. Nerves seemed to get the better of him.
Littler didn’t impress in the first set but was able to settle things down and go into the break avoiding an early upset.
He seemed to spark to action with a 145 finish and was able to put the second set to bed with much more ease.
Poor finishing continued to plague Davies despite an impressive scoring performance, missing 16 doubles over the course of the game.
‘The Nuke’ was able to see off the debutant and get the job done in the third set. The score makes it seem routine, but it was far from it. If Davies had been more clinical, perhaps we would have had another shock on our hands.
Result: Luke Littler 3 – 0 David Davies
MATCH 4: Damon Heta (16) vs Stefan Bellmont
Heta struggled to get off the starting blocks, whilst his opponent was characteristically solid throughout. The Australian couldn’t find his trebles in the first set and allowed Bellmont to race ahead. That extra space was needed, as he missed seven set darts before finally ending on madhouse.
‘The Heat’ enjoyed a much-improved second set. He took charge and was much more aggressive. His finishes seemed utterly routine.
The game was neck and neck as both players deservedly won another set each to take it to a decider.
The final set followed that same script, but Damon Heta was able to edge ahead and wrap a tight game up.
Result: Damon Heta 3 – 2 Stefan Bellmont