Day 2 of Flanders Darts Trophy: Littler dominates, Van Gerwen and Price crash out early
On day two of the tenth European Tour weekend in Belgium, big names Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price suffered shock exits in their opening-round matches, losing to Gabriel Clemens and Luke Woodhouse, respectively.
The German Giant caught the eyes of many by producing a world-class average of 107.27 against the Dutchman in front of the Belgian crowd, having recovered from 3-2 and 4-3 down to win 6-4.
The day’s final match between Luke Littler and Jermaine Wattimena saw the teenage sensation deliver the goods and the best average of the day, averaging 111.13. The 2024 Premier League winner won every leg in 16 darts or less, with the only leg conceded thanks to a 12 darter from his Dutch opponent.
Elsewhere, Woodhouse narrowly avoided a successful comeback charge from Price, who recovered well from 5-2 down to force a last-leg decider. Woodhouse stayed composed throughout to seal a crucial win and will return to the action on Sunday afternoon.
No homegrown talent will appear on the final day, with Mike De Decker narrowly missing out by the finest of margins. He raced into a 4-0 lead over Michael Smith before Bully Boy reeled off three on the spin of his own. A crucial leg placed him one leg away from a big win, before Smith fought back hard to win three in a row once more and progress through thanks to a last leg decider.
Ryan Searle displayed some superb darting brilliance on the outer ring in his encounter with Joe Cullen. Despite averaging 94.35 overall, Searle hit 100, 160, 161 and 164 checkouts en route.
Perhaps more a rarity in a best of eleven game, but Damon Heta and Dirk van Duijvenbode’s eleven leg encounter was all won on throw. Van Duijvenbode kicked off and rounded off proceedings, and despite the game going to the final leg, he averaged 97.61 to Heta’s 90.38.
Flanders Darts Trophy Results – Day 2:
Ryan Joyce 6-5 Alan Soutar
Gian van Veen 6-3 Robert Owen
Josh Rock 6-0 Jitze van der Wal
Chris Dobey 6-2 Kevin Doets
Damon Heta 5-6 Dirk van Deijvenbode
Dave Chisnall 6-2 James Wade
Ross Smith 6-5 Mike de Decker
Ryan Searle 6-4 Joe Cullen
Stephen Bunting 6-3 Scott Williams
Gerwyn Price 5-6 Luke Woodhouse
Danny Noppert 6-2 Raymond van Barneveld
Michael van Gerwen 4-6 Gabriel Clemens
Martin Schindler 2-6 Peter Wright
Luke Humphries 6-3 Ritchie Edhouse
Ricardo Pietreczko 6-5 Andrew Gilding
Luke Littler 6-1 Jermaine Wattimena
