Humphries edges an epic as day two catches light in Rosmalen “It was nice to get some emotion out and feel that good after winning the game”

Luke Humphries began his quest for Elten Safety Shoes Dutch Darts Championship title on Saturday by defeating Cameron Menzies in a thrilling final-leg match.

On an exciting day of competition in Rosmalen, world number one Humphries overcame a 5-3 deficit to defeat Menzies with a 105.76 average and six 180s.

Humphries produced legs of 12, 13, and 12 darts to cap off an incredible comeback, but despite Menzies’ seven maximums in defeat, the Scot was unable to seal a historic triumph.

“I’m proud of myself there,” reflected top seed Humphries, who will play 2022/23 World Champion Michael Smith for a place in the quarter-finals tomorrow afternoon.

“I didn’t give up, and I managed to fight back and get the win with a decent performance.

“It was nice to get some emotion out and feel that good after winning the game.

“Now I need to build on my performance and be better tomorrow against Michael.”

In other news, Wessel Nijman, Danny Noppert, and Dirk van Duijvenbode all maintained Dutch hopes at the Autotron with strong second-round victories.

In the opening match on Saturday night, Van Duijvenbode defeated ten-time TV title winner James Wade 6-3 with four huge checkouts, including incredible 161 and 170 combinations.

Nijman defeated two-time World Champion Peter Wright 6-1 with a hat-trick of ton-topping finishes, while Dutch number two Noppert defeated Mario Vandenbogaerde 6-2.

Five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld lost 6-2 against former European Champion Ross Smith, who averaged 99.4 along the way to victory, preventing him from joining his countrymen in the round of sixteen.

Smith’s prize is a matchup in the third round with 2024 runner-up Jonny Clayton, who defeated Max Hopp by the same score with an average just under 100.

One of Saturday’s most impressive performances was that of Hopp’s countryman Martin Schindler, who defeated Grand Slam runner-up Martin Lukeman 6-4 with an average of 102.

Schindler will now face his younger countryman Niko Springer in round three after the up-and-coming prodigy defeated third seed Stephen Bunting with a fearless 100 checkout.

German number two Ricardo Pietreczko was also happy after defeating defending champion Josh Rock 6-4 to increase his chances of qualifying for World Matchplay.

After surviving two match darts to account for Premier League standout Chris Dobey, Daryl Gurney also celebrated a priceless victory in his attempt to earn a spot in the July Blackpool climax.

While 2022 champion Michael Smith prevailed in an incredible battle against Ryan Joyce, fifth seed Damon Heta defeated Host Nation Qualifier Jeffrey Sparidaans by averaging over a tonne.

In the penultimate leg of his match against Joyce, Smith survived twelve match darts before delivering a clinical 106 kill to set up an exciting matchup with Humphries.

Ritchie Edhouse, the European champion, defeated 2023 champion Dave Chisnall by a slim margin in his second last-leg shootout of the weekend, after defeating Kim Huybrechts.

William O’Connor, who took advantage of his late call-up by eliminating Croatian World Cup standout Boris Krcmar, will now face Edhouse in the round of 16.

In the other second round match on Saturday, Ryan Searle defeated Ryan Meikle in a thrilling match, average 99 and smashing six maximums to win 6-4.

Having been given a bye after Michael van Gerwen pulled out of the event, Searle will face Mickey Mansell for a spot in the round of eight.

Humphries edges an epic as day two catches light in Rosmalen 

Dutch Darts Championship

Saturday May 24

Second Round

Afternoon Session

Damon Heta 6-3 Jeffrey Sparidaans

Ritchie Edhouse 6-5 Dave Chisnall

Michael Smith 6-5 Ryan Joyce

Jonny Clayton 6-2 Max Hopp

Daryl Gurney 6-5 Chris Dobey

Martin Schindler 6-4 Martin Lukeman

Danny Noppert 6-2 Mario Vandenbogaerde

Ryan Searle 6-4 Ryan Meikle

Evening Session

Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-3 James Wade

William O’Connor 6-3 Boris Krcmar

Ross Smith 6-2 Raymond van Barneveld

Wessel Nijman 6-1 Peter Wright

Luke Humphries 6-5 Cameron Menzies

Niko Springer 6-5 Stephen Bunting

Ricardo Pietreczko 6-4 Josh Rock

Mickey Mansell Bye (Michael van Gerwen withdrew from the tournament)