Plenty Of Home Comforts As Jack’s Dutch Darts Championship Kicks Off

The final leg of a European Tour treble kicked off on Friday as the Jack’s Dutch Darts Championship got underway in Zwolle. There were no less than nine home players in action on day one, all hoping to be there on Sunday evening to be in with a chance of the latest £25,000 winner’s cheque on offer.

Afternoon Session

Andrew Gilding opened his weekend with a strong performance, defeating home nation qualifier Wesley Plaisier 6-4. ‘Goldfinger’, fresh from reaching the last 16 in Stuttgart last weekend, averaged 99 which included three maximums along with a 114 checkout in the final leg.

There was a high quality encounter to open the afternoon’s proceedings as Boris Krcmar edged out Steve Lennon in a deciding leg. The match had gone with throw going into the last leg before Krcmar broke in 11 darts to claim the win and a place in round two.

Ryan Meikle pushed eventual winner Luke Humphries all the way in Stuttgart and ‘The Barber’ got his campaign off to a win here, easing past Andy Boulton losing just one leg in the process, averaging nearly 97.

Smith Sets Up Searle Clash

Ross Smith eased into round two
Ross Smith eased into round two

Ryan Searle awaits Ross Smith on Saturday after ‘Smudger’ swept aside Kevin Burness 6-1.

Jelle Klaasen ensured there was a home winner in the afternoon session, winning the final match of the session against Sebastian Bialecki 6-1. Neither player was at their best although Klaasen did out a 156 checkout in the opening leg. He faces old foe Michael van Gerwen on Saturday.

Daniel Larsson and Scott Waites were also winners over Mario Vandenbogaerde and Connor Scutt respectively while Ritchie Edhouse received a bye as Jim Williams was forced to withdraw.

Evening Session

Danny Noppert impressively sailed through to Saturday’s action as he whitewashed Arjan Konterman in an all-Dutch tussle. ‘Noppy’ averaged 97 as he set up a tie against Martin Schindler.

The other all-Dutch encounter saw Danny Jansen win through in a last leg decider against Vincent van der Voort. Van der Voort had threw for the match when 5-4 up and had three darts to close it out but failed to check out 18. This allowed Jansen to break in 21 darts and he held his nerve when throwing for the match. ‘The Mullet’ faces Thursday night’s Premier League winner Michael Smith on Saturday.

Jermaine Wattimena was the third of the Dutch contingent to make it through, defeating Rene Eidams 6-3. He now faces Peter Wright on Saturday.

English Trio Advance

‘Chizzy’ faces Jose de Sousa next after beating Madars Razma

Dave Chisnall registered a 97 average as he overcome Madars Razma in the final match of the evening, easing through 6-2.

Callan Rydz made it through to Saturday’s action after silencing the home crowd to defeat Martijn Kleermaker. ‘The Riot’ was far from his best, averaging just 85 but battled through to win 6-3 and set up a clash with Brendan Dolan.

Mervyn King was another who failed to find his fluent best but did enough to make it through. He beat Stefan Bellmont 6-4 and now faces Gerwyn Price on Saturday.

Simon Whitlock made light work of Jamie Hughes, averaging almost 100 to run out a 6-3 winner. He faces Joe Cullen next.

Mickey Mansell’s 75% on the outer ring proved decisive as he denied Niels Zonneveld a home victory, winning a last leg decider. He faces another Dutchman in Dirk van Duijvenbode next.

 

Schedule of Play
Friday May 27
First Round
Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)

Boris Krcmar 6-5 Steve Lennon
Ryan Meikle 6-1 Andy Boulton
Scott Waites 6-4 Connor Scutt
Ross Smith 6-1 Kevin Burness
Andrew Gilding 6-4 Wesley Plaisier
Daniel Larsson 6-1 Mario Vandenbogaerde
Jelle Klaasen 6-1 Sebastian Bialecki
Ritchie Edhouse Bye

Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Mickey Mansell 6-5 Niels Zonneveld
Jermaine Wattimena 6-3 Rene Eidams
Mervyn King 6-4 Stefan Bellmont
Simon Whitlock 6-3 Jamie Hughes
Callan Rydz 6-3 Martijn Kleermaker
Danny Noppert 6-0 Arjan Konterman
Danny Jansen 6-5 Vincent van der Voort
Dave Chisnall 6-2 Madars Razma

Saturday May 28
Second Round
Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)

Krzysztof Ratajski v Andrew Gilding
Ryan Searle v Ross Smith
Damon Heta v Scott Waites
Dimitri Van den Bergh v Boris Krcmar
Nathan Aspinall v Daniel Larsson
Brendan Dolan v Callan Rydz
Martin Schindler v Danny Noppert
Jose de Sousa v Dave Chisnall

Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Rob Cross v Ryan Meikle
Joe Cullen v Simon Whitlock
Dirk van Duijvenbode v Mickey Mansell
Peter Wright v Jermaine Wattimena
Michael van Gerwen v Jelle Klaasen
Gerwyn Price v Mervyn King
Michael Smith v Danny Jansen
Chris Dobey v Ritchie Edhouse