Day 9 darts afternoon session review: Smith, Big Ben, VdV through
Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | December 27, 2015
Day nine afternoon session reaction
- Smith knocks out former BDO champ Beaton in exciting opener
- Van de Pas comes through battle of youngsters against Van den Bergh
- Van der Voort edges Anderson after thrilling comeback
- Check out our previews for tonight’s evening session and tomorrow afternoon
Favourites all come through
The future of talent in darts is certainly bright, as young-guns Michael Smith and Benito van de Pas showed their brimming potential to reach the last 16 of the 2016 PDC World Championship.
In the final match of the session, meanwhile, Vincent van der Voort overcame Kyle Anderson in a nervy encounter after coming back from 2-0 down.
Michael Smith 4-2 Steve Beaton (2-3, 3-0, 3-0, 3-2, 0-3, 3-0)
Unsurprisingly, quick-throwing rising star Smith came right out the blocks to claim the opening two legs but, like the tortoise and the hare, veteran Beaton kept patient and upped his scoring to win three on the trot and thus the first set.
A stunning set of darts from Steve Beaton.
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However, Bully Boy bit back in style to whitewash the 1996 BDO world champion in the next two to take the lead. Like the first, the fourth set went the distance, though this time The Bronzed Adonis was unable to test Smith in the decider.
Beaton grabbed one back in fine fashion, but his powers then ran out with his age finally showing, as his scoring declined and Bully Boy capitalised to go through to the last 16. Former World Youth champion Smith now faces Dutchman Van de Pas.
Dimitri van den Bergh 4-2 Benito van de Pas (3-2, 1-3, 1-3, 3-2, 1-3, 1-3)
Belgian Van den Bergh came onto the oche in style once again after showing off his dancing moves in his walk-on, and that perhaps rattled fellow youngster Van de Pas, who lost the opening two legs and eventually the set.
We hope his darts are as good as his moves! LIVE on Sky Sports Darts or here: https://t.co/njPBGva6Z4 #LoveTheDarts https://t.co/PxIcopJYv1
— Sky Sports (@SkySports) December 27, 2015
But, The Dreammaker’s adrenaline soon seemed to die down, as a passionate 22-year-old Big Ben went ahead to lead 2-1 with decent finishing along the way.
Van de Pas sees off dancing Dimitri van den Bergh! LIVE on Sky Sports Darts: https://t.co/njPBGva6Z4 #LoveTheDarts https://t.co/B2zxTit0Rp
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The slightly younger Van den Bergh, 21, was not out yet and levelled the scores, though Dutchman Van de Pas edged a nervy fifth set and then went on to wrap it all up in the sixth to set up a meeting with Smith.
Vincent van der Voort 4-2 Kyle Anderson (2-3, 2-3, 3-1, 3-1, 3-2, 3-0)
Colourful Aussie Anderson made an early statement taking out a 128 checkout and finishing on bullseye to win the first leg, though had popular Dutchman Van der Voort to thank for failing to close out the opening set after missing five darts.
VdV allowed The Original to snatch the second too, despite being 2-0 up, and will certainly have been annoyed with himself for not taking his chances early on.
Like in the first two sets, The Dutch Destroyer gained the first break but this time he was able to half the deficit to set up a thrilling match.
What a finish! @VvdV180 wins the match with a 134! LIVE on Sky Sports Darts: https://t.co/njPBGva6Z4 #LovetheDarts
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— Sky Sports (@SkySports) December 27, 2015
In what was arguably the most entertaining and closest clash of the session, Van der Voort eventually came through after claiming the final two sets, the last with ease and in style by taking a 134 checkout.
Related
Check out more from our dedicated darts archive, where you’ll find much more on the 2016 PDC World Darts Championship.
