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World Champion Gary Anderson cruised into the second round of the PDC World Matchplay with a comfortable victory over Steve Beaton, though big name casualties on the second day of action included Michael Smith, Terry Jenkins and Stephen Bunting.
The Sports Lowdown brings you the day’s review of the 22nd PDC World Matchplay below
Afternoon Session
Mervyn King 8-10 Andrew Gilding
‘Goldfinger’ Andrew Gilding caused the first shock of the tournament as he put out 12th seed Mervyn King in a close encounter in Blackpool. The King was slow out of the blocks allowing Gilding to race into a 7-2 lead before King levelled the tie at 8-8 with the momentum seemingly with the seed. But Gilding was able to compose himself once again to break decisively and seal a 10-8 victory with double 10.
Ian White 10-6 Stephen Bunting
In another match billed as a 50/50 battle, Ian ‘Diamond’ White was victorious over the ‘Bullet’ after pulling away in the latter stages of the game. Opening exchanges were even but White broke the former BDO world champion twice in the latter stages to open up a 9-5 lead. Bunting saved one match point but could do nothing as White sealed victory on double top for a 10-6 win.
Justin Pipe 7-10 Jamie Lewis
Welsh youngster Jamie Lewis overcame early nerves to seal his place in the second round, taking the scalp of 16th seed Justin Pipe. Lewis has had an impressive season on the tour but has failed to take his floor form into TV tournaments and it looked like it could get the better of him again, as an early break allowed Pipe to go 2-0 in front. However five legs on the spin settled the nerves of Lewis who made no mistake in sealing his place in round two at the expense of Pipe, taking out double four to win 10-7.
Michael Smith 4-10 Gerwyn Price
Michael Smith looked out of sorts as he crashed out of the tournament at the first hurdle with the impressive Price too strong for the youngster dubbed a future world champion. Price raced into a 5-0 lead with a frustrated Smith, unable to hit the doubles when it mattered. Price was taking his impressive form onto TV as he wasn’t to allow ‘BullyBoy’ back into the match sealing an excellent 10-4 win to round off the afternoon session.
Please see the next page for the Evening session’s results
