World Darts Championships: Day 2 Evening - Major Upset as 'Ally Pally Wasp' returns with a vengeance - 180UK.com
Darts News PDC World Championships Sarah Leaver

World Darts Championships: Day 2 Evening – Major Upset as ‘Ally Pally Wasp’ returns with a vengeance

15 December 2025
Tom Sansom

The evening session of the World’s Darts Championships’ second day delivered the first major upset of the tournament. The evening also witnessed the return of the revered ‘Ally Pally Wasp’, as numerous of the top stars took to the oche for a swatting match with the air-born insect.

By Sarah Leaver

Ross Smith (12) v Andreas Harrysson

World number 12 Ross Smith took on newcomer Andreas Harrysson in the first match of the evening. Smith started well but a few double misses meant that the 50-year-old Swede had the opportunity to take the first two legs.

Smith, who has only ever made it to the third round of the World Championships, got the first 180 of the match which gave him two chances to win a leg back, which he successfully executed. Smith then took a second equalising leg and looking well back in it, he hit the bullseye to win the first set.

Set two started in similar fashion, with Harrysson taking the first two legs, before once again being pegged back by Smith, but this time the Swede took his chance and won his equalising set.

The third set saw the Ally Pally Wasp make his third appearance in three sessions, which seemingly spurred Smith on to win the set and a further two legs before Harrysson extended the match, with help from Smith’s six missed match darts.

The luck of the Ally Pally Wasp appeared to run out for Smith, as three consecutive legs from Harryson meant that the match went all the way to a final set. Harrysson took this set in his stride, hitting double five after numerous missed match darts to knock out the 12th seed Smith in the first major upset of the tournament.

Ricky Evans v Man Lok Leung

Ricky Evans, as expected, entered the Ally Pally dressed in all of his Christmas gear to the tune of Shakin’ Stevens, although his match didn’t start with the same joy that he brought in his walkout – with Man Lok Leung taking the first leg before Rapid Ricky equalised not long after.

Evans’ form shifted after this, hitting a 180 and taking out a 134 finish to put himself ahead, then taking double 16 to take the first set. His fine, speedy form continued, averaging over 100 but resistance from Lok Leung, also known as Hugo, took the set to a deciding leg – won by Evans.

Rapid Ricky narrowly missed out on a 170-checkout before finishing double 10 to put himself one leg away from the second round. Hugo’s darts didn’t seem to be working for him, but he still managed to level the set after some poor visits from Evans, but the Englishman powered through to take out 84 and win the match.

Gian van Veen (10) v Cristo Reyes

10th ranked Gian van Veen faced Cristo Reyes in the penultimate match of the night and the Dutchman started as expected, winning the first two legs before being pegged back by the Spaniard, but van Veen easily took the first set.

Van Veen’s dominant form continued, with the Dutchman hitting two 180s to effortlessly take the three legs in the second set. Reyes showed he still had some fight in him during the third set, going two legs to the good after van Veen missed three chances at double 20, and then taking the set.

Despite the match looking to be swinging in van Veen’s favour, Reyes managed to put himself up by two legs to one, but the Dutchman persevered to win the throw and keep himself in it to win the tie in the fourth set.

With the help of a maximum throw, van Veen secured the victory and a place in the second round against either Alan Soutar or Teemu Harju.

Damon Heta (16) v Steve Lennon

Australia’s number one and the world number 16 Damon Heta walked out in his usual fashion with his flame headpiece and Bruce Springsteens’ Dancing in the Dark playing, and the Aussie really was on fire in his first match of the tournament – hitting 180s galore and smoothly taking the first set.

Despite a small setback from the Irishman Steve Lennon, Heta rediscovered his form to win three consecutive legs and the second set. Lennon hardly got a chance to get himself into the match until Heta won a leg but missed a few trebles in the third set, allowing Lennon to equalise the legs and then go one up on the Aussie.

Heta’s form dipped, and two missed match darts gifted Lennon the set and took the match to a fourth. After a nervous start for Heta, he once again found himself one leg from the win, this time without Lennon breathing down his neck. The Aussie eventually won the match with a cool and collected set in which he defeated the Irishman 3-0.

AS IT HAPPENS: 2025/26 PDC WORLD DARTS CHAMPIONSHIPS

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