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Big guns turn on the style in Auckland Darts Masters openers

<BIG GUNS TURN ON THE STYLE IN AUCKLAND DARTS MASTERS OPENERS

GARY ANDERSON and Phil Taylor turned on the style with 106 averages in first round victories at the Auckland Darts Masters, presented by TAB and Burger King, as the eight Oceanic representatives all suffered first round defeats at the Trusts Arena on Friday.

World Champion Anderson overcame New Zealand's Bernie Smith 6-2 as he produced the highest average of the opening day of the PDC World Series of Darts event.

The Scot took the opening three legs without reply before taking out finishes of 106 and 94 as he defeated the qualifier from Christchurch, who was making his televised debut.

"I was really pleased and I'm over the moon with the way the darts went," said Anderson. "I saw Bernie play a few years ago and I know he can play good darts, but I finished well and I didn't give him many chances."

Taylor, meanwhile, missed double 12 for a nine-dart finish during his ruthless 6-0 demolition of Wellington's Rob Szabo, who missed four darts at doubles in the opening two legs before seeing the 16-time World Champion hit his stride.

Taylor ended the game with an average of 106, and said: "Rob said to me beforehand that he wasn't nervous and he put me under pressure - I was nervous at the start.

"I was a bit slow at the start but it came good. I missed the double 12 for a nine-darter in Austria last weekend, but my form is picking up and my doubles are going in, and I can't wait for tomorrow now."

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Taylor now meets reigning Auckland Darts Masters champion Adrian Lewis in Saturday's quarter-finals, after the Stoke ace also enjoyed a 6-0 whitewash in his first round tie against qualifier Stuart Leach.

Lewis set the tone for the win with a 132 bull finish in the opening leg, and said: "He scored really well but it was a good, solid performance from me and I'm glad I got the win.

"It brings back good memories and it's brilliant being back here. I was a little bit iffy tonight but I got through and I'll get ready for the quarter-finals now."

World number one Michael van Gerwen was forced to work hard before he eventually overcame Australian qualifier Damon Heta 6-3, hitting six 180s and topping a 100 average.

The Perth thrower, who won last month's DPA Australian Singles championship to earn his spot in Auckland, shared the opening six legs with the Dutchman, who then landed four 180s in the next three legs as he ended his rival's challenge in clinical fashion.

"He started off well but I think I did really well," said van Gerwen. "He made it difficult for me and hit some good shots but I did what I had to do in the end.

"I think I hit some good darts when I needed to at the end. It gives me confidence that I played so well at the end of the game."

Van Gerwen now meets James Wade in the quarter-finals, after the left-hander produced some outstanding finishing in his 6-2 win over Auckland-based qualifier Ken Moir.

Wade hit finishes of 100, 102 and 96 as he took a 5-2 lead with five doubles from as many attempts, with 61-year-old sheet metal worker Moir finishing 120 and 64 to respond before the two-time World Grand Prix champion overcame three misses in the eighth leg to seal victory on double five.

"It was a hard game because I was up against a local lad who's probably practised for a month for this and it was a big night for him," said Wade. "It's a no-win situation and I'd have rather played Adrian Lewis because you don't know what to expect.

Dave Chisnall breathed a sigh of relief following his 6-4 comeback win over Australia's Clinton Bridge, who had knocked out Raymond van Barneveld in the 2013 Sydney Darts Masters and threatened another upset when he took a 4-3 lead over the world number nine.

Chisnall, though, levelled with a superb 14-dart finish in leg eight, posted double 18 to move ahead and then sealed victory in style with an 11-darter as he moved through to the last eight.

"I got through that one and that's what matters, but he played well," said Chisnall. "Sometimes you get games like that and I'm just glad I won. I felt great in practice and it didn't happen on stage, but it will be a different game on Saturday."

Chisnall now meets Raymond van Barneveld, who overcame the challenge of Auckland's Cody Harris, the DPNZ number one, with a 6-2 win.

The 2015 Auckland Darts Masters finalist was in dominant mood as he won the opening five legs without reply, hitting an 11-darter in the process, and though the home favourite hit back with two legs, a 72 finish moved the Dutchman into the quarter-finals.

"I was really focused for this game because I saw Cody in the World Cup and he played really well, and I learned my lessons from losing to qualifiers in Sydney in 2013 and 2014," said van Barneveld.

"I knew I had to play really well and that was a good performance."

Peter Wright was the other first round winner, as he took five successive legs in his 6-1 win over experienced New Zealander Warren Parry.

"Warren's beaten many great players in the past and I knew I had a hard draw, especially in his home country, but I'm fortunate that he didn't play like he can," said Wright. "I can improve and I'll get better.

"Everyone's a little bit nervous because you don't want to go out in the first round over the short distance, and when you get into the longer distance everyone will settle down and the averages will go up."

The Auckland Darts Masters, presented by TAB and Burger King, continues on Saturday (7pm) with the quarter-finals, before concluding on Sunday (7pm) with the semi-finals and final. Tickets are available through www.eventfinda.co.nz or the Trusts Arena Box Office.

Auckland Darts Masters, presented by TAB and Burger King

Friday June 17

First Round

James Wade 6-2 Ken Moir

Adrian Lewis 6-0 Stuart Leach

Peter Wright 6-1 Warren Parry

Raymond van Barneveld 6-2 Cody Harris

Dave Chisnall 6-4 Clinton Bridge

Phil Taylor 6-0 Rob Szabo

Michael van Gerwen 6-3 Damon Heta

Gary Anderson 6-2 Bernie Smith

Best of 11 legs

Saturday June 18 (7pm)

Quarter-Finals

Dave Chisnall v Raymond van Barneveld

Gary Anderson v Peter Wright

Phil Taylor v Adrian Lewis

Michael van Gerwen

Best of 19 legs

MATCH INFORMATION

James Wade v Ken Moir

1-0 - Wade finishes 100 with two double tops to win the opening leg.

2-0 - Wade takes out 62 on double ten to extend his advantage.

2-1 - Moir thrills the home crowd with a 120 checkout to hit back.

3-1 - Wade responds with a break of throw by taking out 102 to continue the high finishing.

3-2 - Moir hits the first 180 of the tournament and takes out 64 on tops to claim his second leg - neither player has yet to miss a dart at a double.

4-2 - Wade's outstanding finishing continues as he takes out 96 on double 18 to restore his two-leg cushion.

5-2 - Wade's perfect checkout ratio is maintained as he finishes 55 on tops, moving himself a leg away from victory.

6-2 - Wade misses three match darts to see his perfect doubling record ended, but Moir is unable to land tops when needing 118 to allow the left-hander back in on double five for the win.

Adrian Lewis v Stuart Leach

1-0 - Lewis takes out 132 on the bull to claim the opening leg.

2-0 - The reigning champion doubles his lead by finishing 60 on tops.

3-0 - Double eight gives Lewis a third successive leg against the Maori qualifier.

4-0 - Leach hits a 180, but misses the bull to finish 94 as Lewis returns from his earlier miss to post double two for a four-leg lead.

5-0 - Lewis takes out 75 on double 12 to move to the brink of victory.

6-0 - Lewis completes a whitewash win by finishing 74 on tops.

Peter Wright v Warren Parry

1-0 - Wright finishes 80 on double ten to win the opening leg.

1-1 - Parry hits back in style to level, hitting a 180 before taking out 74.

2-1 - Wright opens with a maximum and finishes 96 on double nine to regain the advantage.

3-1 - Wright takes out 64 on double 16 as he moves two legs clear, punishing a miss from Parry.

4-1 - Wright breaks throw to win a third consecutive leg.

5-1 - Parry misses double eight and four to take out 70 as he allows Wright a reprieve from four misses to return on double two.

6-1 - Wright completes a strong performance by landing double 16 to seal his quarter-final spot.

Raymond van Barneveld v Cody Harris

1-0 - Harris misses the bull to take the opening leg, and van Barneveld finishes double eight to lead.

2-0 - The 2015 runner-up lands a 180 and double 16 as he doubles his lead.

3-0 - van Barneveld continues his fine opening with an 11-darter, scoring 140, 180 and 145 before hitting double 18.

4-0 - The Dutchman lands a 180 as he claims another break of throw to move four legs clear.

5-0 - van Barneveld finishes 64 on tops to continue his superb display against the New Zealand number one.

5-1 - van Barneveld misses match darts across two visits as Harris lands tops to claim his first leg and keep his hopes alive.

5-2 - van Barneveld opens with a 180, but Harris also kicks off with a maximum and adds a 140 and a ton before finishing 81 for a 12-darter to continue his fightback.

6-2 - The Dutchman takes out 72 on double six to secure his quarter-final spot.

Dave Chisnall v Clinton Bridge

1-0 - Chisnall takes out 90 to win the opening leg on double nine.

2-0 - Chisnall hits a 180 and is given a reprieve for his missed doubles when Bridge is unable to hit tops with two darts, allowing the Englishman back in on double one.

2-1 - Bridge takes out tops to claim his first leg of the game.

2-2 - Chisnall misses a dart at tops, and left-hander Bridge manages to hit the bed to level the contest.

3-2 - Double eight edges Chisnall back into the lead.

3-3 - Australian ace Bridge lands tops to square the game again.

3-4 - Bridge lands a 180, and punishes Chisnall for a miss at double 16 by taking out double four to break throw and move ahead for the first time.

4-4 - Chisnall responds with a 14-darter to break back immediately and level, hitting a 180 before taking out 83 in two darts.

5-4 - Double 18 sees Chisnall regain the lead.

6-4 - Chisnall opens with 180 and adds scores of 125 and 140 before finishing tops to seal victory with an 11-darter.

Phil Taylor v Rob Szabo

1-0 - Szabo misses three darts to win the opening leg, at double top and ten, and Taylor punishes him by finishing 65 on double four.

2-0 - Szabo is off-target with one further dart at tops, and Taylor again capitalises by finishing double 16.

3-0 - Taylor misses double 12 for a nine-dart finish in a spectacular leg, opening with scores of 177 and 180 before hitting two more treble 20s before seeing the final double go begging - but he returns to hit double 12 for an 11-darter to continue his strong start.

4-0 - Tops sees Taylor move four legs clear.

5-0 - Taylor initially misses double 19 for a 155 finish, but returns to hit the bed as he moves to the brink of victory.

6-0 - Taylor fires in a 177 score to leave 32 before landing double 16 for a 13-darter to complete an impressive display with a 106 average.

Michael van Gerwen v Damon Heta

1-0 - Double five gives the world number one the opening leg, after Heta misses three darts to break throw.

1-1 - Heta lands double ten to level the contest.

2-1 - Heta misses double top to take out 70, and van Gerwen finishes 76 to edge ahead.

2-2 - Both players initially miss a dart at tops before Heta lands double ten to level once more.

3-2 - van Gerwen lands a 180 before finishing 76 on tops to move back ahead.

3-3 - van Gerwen's miss at double four allows Heta in to finish 56 on tops.

4-3 - The Dutchman lands a 180 to leave 24 as he regains the lead.

5-3 - van Gerwen fires in back-to-back 180s in a superb 12-darter as he takes out 61 on double 18 for the first break of throw in the game.

6-3 - van Gerwen hits his sixth 180 before landing double eight to come through a tough contest.

Gary Anderson v Bernie Smith

1-0 - Anderson kicks off the game with a 13-darter as double 12 gives him the opening leg.

2-0 - Smith hits a 180, but is unable to prevent Anderson from doubling his lead by landing double 12 for a second successive 13-darter.

3-0 - Anderson lands a maximum and double 18 to claim a third straight leg.

3-1 - Smith fires in a 180 before hitting double four to win his first leg.

4-1 - Anderson restores his lead by taking out 106 on tops.

5-1 - Tops moves Anderson a leg away from victory.

5-2 - Smith checks out 86 in two darts to break throw and keep his hopes alive.

6-2 - Anderson fires in a 171 score to leave 94 before taking out the finish to seal an impressive win with a 106 average.

ENDS


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