Day 11 darts afternoon session review: Smith and Wade reach quarters

Holly Thackeray | December 29, 2015

Day 11 afternoon session reaction

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Klaasen through to last 16, Smith and Wade soar to quarters

Ally Pally came alive for the 2016 PDC World Darts Championship day 11 afternoon session, as the final second round match and a pair of last 16 games played out.

Jelle Klaasen was up first, pushing past Mervyn King for the final last 16 place. Meanwhile, Michael Smith and James Wade rounded off the afternoon by being first to reach the quarter-finals. Read on to catch-up on the session action in full…

Mervyn King 2-4 Jelle Klaasen (3-1, 2-3, 1-3, 3-2, 0-3, 3-2)

Classy King put in a royal performance for the opening few legs of this last second round rumble leaving Klaasen surprisingly in the shade and playing catch-up. Yet, the Dutchman did manage to claw one back, though still allowed The King to capture the set relatively seamlessly.

HEAD TO HEAD | Up first today is our last second round game. @m_king66 v @JelleK180. Here’s how they compare: pic.twitter.com/pRwLOp3u0T

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 29, 2015

The Englishman continued in the same consistent vein but, after missing bull for the second set, The Cobra struck late on double nine to push for a decider and eventually drew level. It was a case of more toe-to-toe tungsten tussling between the two, with Klaasen finally uncoiling to look a threat, but opting not to try for a set-stealing bull finish, much to the chagrin of the crowd. The Cobra’s considered decision to wait for another double nine did pay off, however, as the younger man marched ahead. Once Klaasen had the bit between his teeth, the former BDO World Champion rarely let up, taking out an excellent 170 checkout on the bull, thus regaining fan favour.

Top of the shop for @JelleK180 with the maximum 170 check out! #TopArras https://t.co/MYvOJPB1dO

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 29, 2015

A true moment of class from The King restored parity quite spectacularly, however, with yet another bull-finish from the match, but this time on a cracking checkout of 122. But, crafty Klaasen recovered, as King then scuppered six shots to keep himself in contention for the fourth set.

The King did not go down without a fight, but The Cobra managed to seize control and fumble into the last 16, to set up a scuffle with Phil Taylor.

Michael Smith 4-0 Benito van de Pas (3-2, 3-0, 3-1, 3-1)

Smith (a 40/1 outsider for the title with Coral) stuttered at the start, allowing foe Van de Pas to sneak ahead in legs, though Bully Boy grew into the game with five fantastic first set 180s, with only a bounce-out preventing a nine-darter, and justly recovered to lead.

GAME ON! Michael Smith v Benito van de Pas is underway… #WHDarts pic.twitter.com/JHf9GqQ2R3

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 29, 2015

As he racked-up an increasingly impressive average, at one point around 110, Smith developed a darting stranglehold in this match against his fellow young-gun, with a sublime second set whitewashing and fairly easy ride to go 3-0 up. Big Ben came to life a little as Bully Boy looked to run away with it, but it all came too late as he could merely muster one leg on the scoreboard, as star-in-the-making Smith eased to a whitewashing. Up next for the Englishman is a daunting darting task against one of dangerous Dutch duo Michael van Gerwen or Raymond van Barneveld.

STRAIGHT SETS! @BullyBoy180 defeats @BigBen180 4-0 in the first of the last 16 matches. See you in the quarters Mike pic.twitter.com/Xq5ergXg38

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 29, 2015

James Wade 4-1 Jamie Caven (3-1, 1-3, 3-2, 3-1, 3-2)

Favourite Wade signaled his intent with an early maximum and subsequently swept through the opening set, though Jabba did at least muster a one leg reply.

HEAD TO HEAD | Up next, @JamesWade180 takes on @jabba180. Here’s how the two compare: #WHDarts pic.twitter.com/qCDeYb81dM

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 29, 2015

Composed Caven kept pace better in the second, and pounced accordingly to snatch a set back after The Machine suffered a glitch in the form of a bounce-out.

It was as though Jabba smelt weakness in Wade, pushing his compatriot to the brink, but The Machine managed to nudge himself back onto the front foot. The increased competition finally brought out a little more of the elite arrowsmith’s A-game, luckily coinciding with a slump in Caven’s scoring.

Jabba clung on to make Wade sweat a little more but The Machine, though not at full efficiency, finally finished him off with a double 20 to be the second player to seal a quarters slot.

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