By Harry Eddolls, in Blackpool
This evening saw the conclusion of the first round of the World Matchplay in Blackpool, with four more thrilling encounters for the Winter Gardens crowd to enjoy.
MATCH 1: CHRIS DOBEY vs RICARDO PIETRECZKO
The first match of the evening saw Chris Dobey take on the German Ricardo Pietreczko. The match began with two holds of throw, which included a 122 out on the bull from Pikachu in leg two. There were then three breaks in a row to end the session, and leave the German with a slim 3-2 advantage going into the interval.
The breaks continued into the second session, eventually totalling six in a row, leaving the game locked at 4-4. Dobey would be the one to end the streak, as he himself got a 122 out to hold in leg nine. Hollywood then broke in leg ten to ensure he went into the final interval with a 6-4 lead.
The pair traded legs at the beginning of the final session, before Dobey pushed on towards the finish line, winning the last three legs on the bounce, which included a 108 out to win the match, ensuring a 10-5 victory and safe passage into the second round.
MATCH 2: GERWYN PRICE vs DARYL GURNEY
Following on from that was a clash between 2021 world champion Gerwyn Price and one half of the Northern Irish World Cup winning team in Daryl Gurney. Gurney won the first leg with a break of throw, but that would be as good as it would get for him in the opening session. Price roared back, winning the remaining four legs, which included a 114 out to level in leg two, to leave him in a commanding position going into the interval.
The second session began with four straight breaks of throw, the final one from Price with another ton-plus checkout, this time a 126, to put him 6-3 to the good. Superchin would have the final say before the interval however, securing the first hold of the session, to reduce the deficit to two.
The final session began with four straight holds of throw, which was ended by Gurney, who produced a spectacular 150 out to break in leg 15. The Iceman immediately broke back however, before holding to secure a 10-7 victory.
MATCH 3: MICHAEL VAN GERWEN vs RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD
Next to grace the Winter Gardens stage was a huge clash between two Dutch darting titans, namely Michael Van Gerwen and Raymond Van Barneveld. Barney took the opening leg of the match, but Van Gerwen soon got a foothold, winning the next three legs to leave himself looking pretty. It would be Van Barneveld who took the last leg of the session however, to ensure he’d only be trailing 3-2 going into the break.
He came out into the second session well, winning two legs in a row to take the lead for the first time. This wouldn’t last however, as MVG found a burst, winning the last three legs of the session to put himself into a 6-4 lead.
His run continued into the final session, winning two more legs to bring the streak to five in a row and put him in a comfortable position at 8-4 up. That 12th leg began a run of five legs which were holds of throw, which ultimately led to Van Gerwen taking the match, a 10-6 scoreline enough to see him into the second round.
MATCH 4: ROSS SMITH vs JOSH ROCK
The final match of both the night and first round saw Ross Smith take on the other half of the Northern Ireland World Cup pair in Josh Rock. The first session was an absolute nightmare for Smudger, as Rock stormed through, taking all five legs, which included a sublime 167 out in leg three.
Smith would finally get on the board at the start of the second session, as he traded legs with Rock, before winning two on the bounce to reduce the deficit to 6-3. Rocky came roaring back though, winning the last leg of the session with a 10-darter to give himself a commanding 7-3 lead heading into the final interval.
Smudger won the first leg for a second session in a row, but lost the break straight back to Rock, who then held in leg 13 with a beautiful 140 out. Smith managed one more leg, before Rocky got the job done in leg 15, completing an impressive 10-5 victory and becoming the last name to book their place in the second round here at the Winter Gardens.