Mike De Decker kept his hopes alive of reaching the Machineseeker European Championships as brushed past Brett Claydon. Less than a week after claiming his first PDC major title when he beat World number 1 Luke Humphries at the World Grand Prix – the Belgian star proved he was the Real Deal averaging 104 in brushing past his opponent 6-1.

In a battle of number 1’s it was Wales’s Jonny Clayton who came out on top against Belgium’s number 1 Dimitri Van den Bergh. The Dreammaker was unable to follow his country man in making it through to day two only averaging 84. Clayton meanwhile will be happy with his 4 maximums and 96 average as he continues his way back to the form of the  old Ferret. A 6-2 victory means he’ll face Stephen Bunting in round 2.

The biggest shock of the afternoon came in the final match of the afternoon when World Grand Prix Quarter-finalist Joe Cullen fell at the first hurdle to home hero Pavel Drtil. The Rockstar led the way in 140’s and 180’s but it was his opponent who won the most important stat – the score line winning 6-4. His reward for making it through to the second round is a darting date with fourth seed Josh Rock. Drtil was the only Czech darter to taste victory.

Snakebite squeezes through in bid to retain title

Peter Wright began his defence of the Czech Darts Open with a last leg deciding victory over fellow Scotsman Cameron Menzies. Despite leading 5-3 and missing 3 match darts Snakebite eventually got over the line. Both players averaged over 97 and shared 5 180’s between them but it was Wright who just got over the line. The defeat means Menzies will not qualify for the European Darts Championship next weekend.

Peter Wright wasn’t the only Scotsman to taste victory on day one as Alan Soutar made sure it was double delight for Scottish darts at the Czech Darts Open as he got past Florian Hempel 6-2. Soutar would’ve been in dream land when he found himself 5-0 and despite Hempel starting a mini comeback it was the fire fighter who got over the line.

The only other match of the first round to go the distance in the first round saw Jermaine Wattimena get over the line against Patrik Kovacs despite Wattimena averaging 10 points more than his opponent it took a special 141 finish in the decider for the Dutch star to make it through to round 2.

Afternoon Round-up

A player who’s been enjoying his time on the European Tour this year is Ritchie Edhouse and it was no different in Czech Darts Open as he upset the local crowd in defeating Jiri Brejcha 6-2 with Edhouse hitting 4 180’s and averaging over 97.

The opening match of the afternoon ended in the same score line as Niels Zonneveld overcame Welshman Robert Owen. The reward for the Dutch star’s 6-2 win? A second round clash with top seed Dave Chisnall.

Elsewhere Madras Razma’s hopes of making the European Championship next week were shattered in round 1 as the Polish Eagle Krzysztof Ratajski clinched the match 6-3 with a 122 checkout. Ratajski will be relieved to get through having missed 17 darts at a double during the match.

Joining them in round 2 will be the German Giant Gabriel Clemens who booked his place courtesy of a 6-1 drubbing of Brendan Dolan. It was double delight for the German who secured his place in the European Championship next weekend and will be hoping for a good performance in front of his home crowd. It also turned out to be a double disappointment for Dolan who not only lost in the first round but lost his chance of making it to the European Championships in Dortmund.

In the only all English battle of round 1 – it was Martin Lukeman who came out on top as he got past Callan Rydz 6-4. Despite averaging more than his opponent – missed doubles cost Rydz and he also misses out on a place in the European Championship next weekend.

Evening Round-Up

Luke Woodhouse kicked off the evening session in fine form whitewashing Marko Kantele. Woodhouse who restricted his opponent to only a single dart at a double hit 3 180’s, a high out of 117 and ended with 50% on his doubles. He’ll be hoping to carry this form on when he faces Kim Huybrechts in round 2.

The only other whitewash of round 1 came courtesy of a Raymond van Barneveld victory against Daryl Gurney. After both players serenaded the fans with Sweet Caroline,  Barney heavily outscored Superchin who only averaged 84 and had 2 darts at a double. In contrast to that Barney averaged 98 and hit 3 maximus and only missed 2 darts at the double.

Elsewhere Nathan Aspinall and James Wade made light work of getting past their Czech opponents – with both players winning 6-1. Aspinall got the better of Michal Smejda knowing he’ll need to raise his performance in round 2 when he faces Luke Littler if he has any hopes of making it through to Sunday. Meanwhile James Wade will be hoping for more of the same in round 2 as he won with a 105 average – the highest of the first round. After sharing the first 2 legs with Daniel Markovsky it was the machine who reeled off 5 straight legs which included a 144 checkout to win it.

The final match of the evening looked to be a tasty tie as Kevin Doets faced Michael Smith. Despite losing his throw in the first leg Bully Boy bounced back finding himself 3-1 up and from there always seemed in control to get over the line 6-3. Missed doubles tells the tale of the game as they missed 27 between them in a game where they’ll both be hoping to hit better averages next time out.

The action returns on Saturday October 19.

Czech Darts Open Results Round 1

Afternoon Results

Robert Owen 2-6 Niels Zonneveld
Jermaine Wattimena 6-5 Patrik Kovacs
Ritchie Edhouse 6-2 Jiri Brejcha
Florian Hempel 2-6 Alan Soutar
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-3 Madars Razma
Brendan Dolan 1-6 Gabriel Clemens
Martin Lukeman 6-4 Callan Rydz
Joe Cullen 4-6 Pavel Drtil

Evening Results

Luke Woodhouse 6-0 Marko Kantele
James Wade 6-1 Daniel Markovsky
Mike De Decker 6-1 Brett Claydon
Michal Smejda 1-6 Nathan Aspinall
Dimitri Van den Bergh 2-6 Jonny Clayton
Daryl Gurney 0-6 Raymond van Barneveld
Cameron Menzies 5-6 Peter Wright
Kevin Doets 3-6 Michael Smith