Cash Converters PCF Day One

DUO PILE IN 180S AS CASH CONVERTERS PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS BEGIN WITH A BANG
 

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN and Gary Anderson hit eight 180s apiece as they won through the Cash Converters Players Championship Finals first round on Friday, as Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis, Vincent van der Voort and Jelle Klaasen produced brilliant displays in Minehead.

Reigning champion van Gerwen powered past Raymond van Barneveld 6-2 in their all-Dutch clash as he made a successful return to the Butlins Minehead stage.

After van Gerwen landed a 13-dart leg on his way to a 2-0 lead, van Barneveld took two of the next three to reduce the gap to 3-2 despite the World Champion firing in an 11-dart finish.

Van Gerwen, though, found another gear as he landed two 180s in leg six, another maximum and a 128 checkout to lead 5-2 and his eighth 180 in the next before finishing double ten to seal the win.

"I'm really happy with my performance," said van Gerwen, who averaged 105.80 in the win. "My finishing was good and I hit the big scores at the right time tonight, so it was a good display.

"It was a good win to start the tournament and this is something I can build on now. I can relax now and prepare for Saturday night now because I've got to take each game one at a time."

The world number one now meets Terry Jenkins in the second round in a repeat of October's European Championship final, after the Ledbury thrower averaged 100.84 in his 6-3 win over former finalist Kim Huybrechts, sealing the win with a 116 finish.

Number one seed Gary Anderson matched van Gerwen's eight maximums and averaged 110.62 - the highest of the first round - but was still pushed all the way to a deciding leg against Christian Kist.

The Dutch debutant saw an early 2-0 lead wiped out as Anderson posted legs of 11 and 12 darts to edge ahead, only for Kist to take out 121 for a 12-darter to move 5-4 up.

Anderson landed a maximum in an 11-darter as he took the game into a deciding leg, punishing Kist for one missed match dart at the bull, and the Scot landed another 180 before finishing tops for a 13-darter as he edged to victory.

"I played some fantastic darts but Christian kept up with me and played really well," said Anderson. "I hit him with everything and he kept coming back so it's a relief to get through."

Three-time Players Championship Finals winner Phil Taylor averaged 107.97 as he saw off veteran star Ronnie Baxter to move through to a second round date with Mervyn King.

Taylor continued the form which had won him the Grand Slam of Darts title a month ago with a relentless display of scoring, including legs of 12, 14 and 15 darts to pull away from one-all to lead 4-1.

Baxter took out 101 to hit back, but Taylor landed a 177 on his way to winning leg seven before firing in a 13-dart leg to seal the win.

"It was a good win and I played quite well, but Ronnie was good too and it was a bit tit-for-tat at times," said Taylor. "I'm happy to get through because I was a bit nervous about playing Ronnie because he's got so much experience."

In-form King - the Masters runner-up to James Wade at the start of November - had booked his second round spot with a 6-3 win over Andrew Gilding, hitting five 180s in a strong performance.

Wade's hopes of adding the Players Championship Finals title to his Masters crown were dashed by a brilliant first round performance from Jelle Klaasen, who averaged 108.74 in a 6-4 triumph.

"I hit my doubles well and I scored well and I played really well," said Klaasen. "I felt good, and twice after James had broken throw I broke him back with an 11-darter.

"On the floor I've been played well and normally it's a bit different on stage, but in the last few TV events I've been playing well on stage as well and my confidence is growing."

Vincent van der Voort completed a trio of Dutch stars who progressed to the last 16 by completing the first round's only 6-0 whitewash victory as he took out finishes of 152 and 140 to storm past Andy Hamilton with a 104.86 average.

"I could tell from the second leg that Andy was struggling, but I had to stay focused because it could have happened that he came back, but I played well," said the former UK Open finalist.

"If I'd given him a chance and he'd taken it, he might have turned the match around but I played some good darts.

"I didn't realise that my average was so good but I'm happy with that - my form's great and I want to show that to the public now so maybe this is my weekend."

Van der Voort now meets Peter Wright in the second round, after the number four seed overcame young Dutchman Benito van de Pas 6-2, with a run of four straight legs to take a 5-1 lead proving crucial as he took the win.

World number three Adrian Lewis averaged 105 in his 6-2 win over Dave Chisnall, who suffered a third successive first round exit in the event.

Lewis stormed into an early 3-0 lead, and after Chisnall cut the gap to just one leg the Stoke ace fired in two 180s as he restored his cushion before sealing the win by finishing 121 on the bull.

Lewis now plays Andy Smith, who claimed his first victory over Michael Smith in seven games against the former World Youth Champion with a 6-4 triumph.

The Studley thrower landed legs of 12 and 13 darts as he swept into a 5-1 lead, and though the youngster hit back to 5-4 with the aid of a 170 finish and a 13-darter, he had enough cushion to seal his second round place on double eight.

Wes Newton impressed with a 103 average as he overcame Justin Pipe 6-1, with the Taunton ace suffering a first round exit after two successive semi-final appearances in the event over the past two years.

Newton now meets Brendan Dolan, who edged past Kevin Painter 6-5 after the 2011 champion missed double 16 to take victory in the deciding leg of a contest which featured four ton-plus finishes.

Robert Thornton was another narrow winner as he came from 4-3 down to defeat Darren Webster 6-5, with the Norwich thrower missing two match darts at double 18 in their decider.

"That's probably the finest margins you could get when he put those two darts on the wire of double 18," admitted Thornton. "Darren's one of the steadiest darts players on the circuit, but he started to taper off towards the end when the pressure was on.

"I've got Jamie Caven next and that's going to be just as tough as this, but my form's coming back and my finishing was good. If I make one or two wee tweaks, I think I'll be okay."

Caven booked his second round spot with a 6-4 win over Stoke's Ian White, taking out a 164 finish in the process.

Dean Winstanley produced a superb display to defeat Australian star Simon Whitlock 6-3 in a high-quality contest which saw both players average over 100 as the Yorkshireman moves through to meet Klaasen.

Debutant Stephen Bunting matched that 6-3 triumph as he defeated Steve Beaton, winning the game's opening five legs without reply before holding off the former Lakeside Champion's fightback to move through to take on Anderson on Saturday night.

The second round of the £300,000, ITV4-televised event will be held across two sessions on Saturday, with Sunday seeing the afternoon's quarter-finals followed by the semi-finals and final in the evening session.

On The Wire - Exclusive PDC YouTube Show


Watch Live!
Live Coverage of the Cash Converters Players Championship through the following broadcasters:
ITV4 - UK
RTL7 - Netherlands
Setanta - Ireland
Fox Sports - Australia
Sky - New Zealand
OSN - Middle East & North Africa
www.LIVEPDC.TV for International Pass Subscribers outside of UK, Ireland & Holland

Live Scores
Follow live scores online throughout the event at the PDC Live Scores Website - http://live.dartsdata.com .

Cash Converters Players Championship Finals
Friday November 28
Afternoon Session
Jamie Caven 6-4 Ian White
Wes Newton 6-1 Justin Pipe
Brendan Dolan 6-5 Kevin Painter
Robert Thornton 6-5 Darren Webster
Terry Jenkins 6-3 Kim Huybrechts
Andy Smith 6-4 Michael Smith
Dean Winstanley 6-3 Simon Whitlock
Mervyn King 6-3 Andrew Gilding

Evening Session
Stephen Bunting 6-3 Steve Beaton
Vincent van der Voort 6-0 Andy Hamilton
Jelle Klaasen 6-4 James Wade
Adrian Lewis 6-2 Dave Chisnall
Phil Taylor 6-2 Ronnie Baxter
Gary Anderson 6-5 Christian Kist
Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Raymond van Barneveld
Peter Wright 6-2 Benito van de Pas

All games are the best of 11 legs

MATCH INFORMATION
AFTERNOON SESSION
Jamie Caven 6-4 Ian White
1-0: White hits the first 180 of the game before taking out 96 on double eight. 
1-1: Caven hits straight back as he takes out 56 on tops to hold throw.
1-2: Another 180 for White, but Caven hits double 16 to break the throw. 
2-2: Caven misses tops for a 116 finish before White hits tops to break straight back and level the match.
2-3: Brilliant 164 checkout for Caven as he secures another break in style.
3-3: Fourth maximum of the game for White before he takes out 32 and seals the fourth consecutive break of throw in the match. 
4-3: White finally holds throw as he takes out 32 again, this time on double eight. 
4-4: White misses the bull before Caven returns to hit a spectacular 150 checkout and level the game again. 
4-5: Another impressive checkout for Caven as he takes out 91 on double ten to move one leg away from the win. 
4-6: Tops for Caven as he seals the win and progresses to the second round. 

Wes Newton 6-1 Justin Pipe
0-1: Pipe misses six darts at double before Newton takes out 58 on tops to break throw in the opening leg. 
0-2: Pipe misses the bull for a 121 checkout and Newton returns to takes out 69 on double six and move two legs in front. 
0-3: Newton does what Pipe couldn't in the previous leg as he takes out 121 on the bull and moves 3-0 up.
0-4: A fourth straight leg for Newton as he hits tops for a 13-dart leg. 
1-4: First leg of the game for Pipe as he hits double 15 to head into the break 4-1 behind. 
1-5: First 180 of the game for Newton before he takes out eight to move one leg away from the victory. 
1-6: Newton hits double eight to seal an impressive 6-1 win with a 102.78 average. 

Brendan Dolan 6-5 Kevin Painter
0-1: Slow start to the game from both players before Painter takes out 108 on tops to break in the opening leg.
0-2: Dolan misses the bull for a second straight leg and Painter punishes by taking out 85 on double ten.
1-2: Painter misses double ten for a 91 finish and Dolan returns to hit double eight with his final dart to take his first leg of the match. 
1-3: Painter regains his two leg advantage as he takes out 41.
2-3: Dolan misses three darts at double 18 before Painter misses the same amount at double 16. Dolan returns to hit double nine and seal his second leg of the game. 
3-3: Painter misses the bull for an 81 checkout and Dolan returns to take out 106 on tops.
4-3: Third straight leg for Dolan as he takes out 75 on double 12 to take the lead for the first time in the match. 
5-3: Painter misses the bullseye for a 167 and Dolan punishes again as he takes out 121, brilliant darts!
5-4: Dolan misses three darts at double 12 and Painter returns to take out 110, the fourth ton-plus checkout of the match!
5-5: Painter takes out 55 on tops to take the game into a deciding leg. 
6-5: Painter misses double 16 and Dolan returns to take out 48 on double eight to seal the win in a dramatic deciding leg. 

Robert Thornton 6-5 Darren Webster
0-1: Webster kicks off the match in style as he takes out 112 on tops. 
1-1: Thornton responds in style as he takes out 157 in the next leg to level the game up.
1-2: Webster hits back again though as he hits double five to regain the lead.
2-2: Thornton hits double ten and levels the game up again. 
3-2: Thornton misses a dart at tops and Webster capitalises with a party-piece 134 checkout of treble 18 and two double tops.
3-3: Thornton opens up with a maximum before eventually taking out eight to draw level again. 
3-4: Webster misses three darts at tops but returns to hit double ten and edge in front again. 
4-4: Thornton begins with a 180 for the third time in the match before taking out 81 on double 12.
5-4: Another ton-plus checkout as Webster takes out 100 and moves one leg away from the second round. 
5-5: Thornton takes out 64 on double eight to hold throw and take the game into a deciding leg. 
6-5: Webster misses two darts at double 18 for the match and Thornton returns to hit tops and seal the win!

Terry Jenkins 6-3 Kim Huybrechts
1-0: Huybrechts hits tops as he holds throw and takes the first leg of the match. 
1-1: Jenkins misses double 11 for a 142 checkout but is allowed to return and takes out 11 on double four to level the match. 
1-2: Lovely darts from Jenkins as he fires in his second 180 of the game before taking out 46 on D20 for an eleven-dart leg. 
1-3: Jenkins takes a third straight leg as he hits tops to move 3-1 ahead. 
2-3: Huybrechts stops the rot as he hits double 18 with his final darts to head into the first break just the one leg behind. 
2-4: Huybrechts hits his third 180 of the game, but it isn't enough as Jenkins takes out 72 on tops to hold throw. 
3-4: Huybrechts hits back and holds throw, hitting double eight to pull himself just one leg away from Jenkins again. 
3-5: Jenkins takes out 58 on tops and moves one leg away from the second round. 
3-6: Jenkins seals the win in style as he takes out 116 to win 6-3 with a 100 average. 

Andy Smith 6-4 Michael Smith
1-0: A.Smith misses tops to break throw before M.Smith returns to take out 25 on double ten. 
1-1: A.Smith opens up with a 180 and then misses D10 for a 140 checkout. He returns however to hit double five and level the game. 
1-2: A.Smith moves ahead as he takes out 60 on tops and breaks the throw. 
1-3: Third straight leg for A.Smith as he holds throw after taking out 81 on double eight. 
1-4: M.Smith misses tops for a 72 checkout and A.Smith returns to hit tops and take a commanding 4-1 lead heading into the break. 
1-5: Fifth straight leg for A.Smith as he continues his fine form, taking out 92 on tops to move 5-1 ahead.
2-5: M.Smith stops the rot in style as he hits a sensational 170 checkout with A.Smith left on 81 to seal the win. 
3-5: M.Smith fires in two 180s before taking out 40 on double to break the throw.
4-5: Double ten for Michael Smith as he holds throw and pulls himself just one leg behind the Pieman.
4-6: A.Smith takes out 19 on double eight to secure a first career win over the Bully Boy. 

Dean Winstanley 6-3 Simon Whitlock
1-0: Winstanley misses three darts at double before Whitlock hits double ten to break throw in the opening leg. 
1-1: Winstanley hits the first 180 of the match before taking out 67 on double eight to break straight back and level the match. 
1-2: Good checkout under pressure from Winstanley as he takes out 70 on tops with Whitlock left on 40 to break the throw again.
1-3: Third straight leg for Winstanley as he hits double four and moves two legs ahead. 
1-4: Winstanley continues his fine form as he takes out 70 on tops to move into a 4-1 lead at the first break. 
2-4: Whitlock takes out 49 on double eight to hold throw and reduce the deficit to two legs. 
2-5: First ton-plus checkout of the game as Winstanley takes out 100 to move one leg away from the second round.
3-5: Whitlock holds throw and takes out 45 on D16. 
3-6: Winstanley seals the win, taking out 46 on tops to progress to the second round. 

Mervyn King 6-3 Andrew Gilding
1-0: Gilding misses double 19 for a 158 finish and King returns to take out 96 on double 18 to hold throw. 
2-0: Gilding misses two dart at double and King punishes him again as he takes out 32 on double eight.
3-0: Third straight leg for King as he takes out 62 on double 16.
3-1: Gilding secures his first leg of the game as he takes out 80 on tops to hold throw. 
4-1: King quickly regains his three-leg lead though as he hits double 12 to head into the first break 4-1 up. 
4-2: Gilding hits tops again, this time taking out 70 to hold throw. 
5-2: More solid finishing from King as he takes out 76 on double eight to move one leg away from the second round.
5-3: King misses three darts for the match and Gilding returns to hit double ten. 
6-3: King misses three more darts for the match but Gilding cannot punish and King returns to hit double four to seal the win. 

Match Stats

EVENING SESSION
Stephen Bunting 6-3 Steve Beaton
1-0: Bunting takes the first leg as he hits double 18 for a 13-dart leg to get off the mark strongly. 
2-0: Bunting moves two legs in front as he takes out 88 on double 14.
3-0: Bunting continues his flying start by taking out 40 on double ten to move 3-0 in front. 
4-0: Beaton misses tops to seal his first leg of the match and Bunting returns to hit double eight and take a fourth straight leg. 
5-0: Bunting takes out 70 on double 16 and moves into the first break with a commanding 5-0 lead. 
5-1: Beaton seals his first leg of the game as he takes out 67 on double eight.
5-2: Beaton quickly adds a second leg as he takes out 101 on double 12 to break throw. 
5-3: A third straight leg quickly follows for Beaton as he races ahead in the leg before hitting tops. 
6-3: Beaton misses tops to break again and Bunting returns to seal the win, taking out 64 on double eight. 
 
Vincent van der Voort 6-0 Andy Hamilton
1-0: Van der Voort hits tops as he holds throw and takes the first leg of the match.
2-0: Tops again for van der Voort as he breaks the throw and quickly moves into a 2-0 lead. 
3-0: Van der Voort hits tops for the third straight leg as he cruises into a 3-0 lead, Andy Hamilton is struggling in the early exchanges. 
4-0: Brilliant 140 checkout from van der Voort as he moves four legs ahead in style. 
5-0: And van der Voort follows up with another fantastic ton-plus checkout, this time taking out 152. 
6-0: Van der Voort wraps up a whitewash win, taking out 25 on double eight. 

Jelle Klaasen 6-4 James Wade
0-1: Flying start from Klaasen as he hits a 180 and 177 before taking out 42 on double 18 to break throw in the first leg.
1-1: Wade takes out 40 on double ten to break straight back and level the game. 
1-2: Brilliant set-up from Klaasen as he hits 170 before taking out 92 on double 16.
2-2: Wade seals the fourth break of the game as he hits double 12. 
3-2: Wade misses two darts at tops but is allowed to return and hits double ten to take the lead for the first time in the match. 
4-2: Wade misses double five for a 130 checkout, but Klaasen misses two darts at double and Wade eventually takes out ten with his third dart.
4-3: Wade fires in his fourth maximum of the game but cannot seal the leg and Klaasen takes out 74 on double ten.
4-4: Second straight leg for Klaasen as he takes out 59 on tops to hold throw and level the match up. 
4-5: Brilliant leg from Klaasen as he hits double 18 for an 11-dart leg and moves on leg away from the win. 
4-6: Klaasen seals the win as he takes a fourth straight leg, hitting double 18 to wrap up the win. 

Adrian Lewis 6-2 Dave Chisnall
1-0: Lewis fires in a maximum in the opening leg before taking out 40 on double ten. 
2-0: Jackpot quickly moves 2-0 up as he takes out 120 on the bull to break the throw. 
3-0: A second straight ton-plus finish for Lewis who is on fire as he takes out 124 to move 3-0 ahead. 
3-1: Chisnall secures his first leg of the match as he hits double six to hold throw. 
3-2: Lewis misses double 18 for a 47 finish and Chisnall returns to take his second leg, hitting double ten. 
4-2: Lewis hits back-to-back maximums before taking out 83 on double 16 for an 11-dart leg. 
5-2: There seems to be no stopping Jackpot as he takes out 78 on double 12 to move one leg away from the second round.
6-2: Jackpot finishes the game off in style as he takes out 121 on the bull to put the gloss on a brilliant performance. 

Phil Taylor 6-2 Ronnie Baxter
1-0: Strong start from Taylor as he takes out 18 on double eight to hold throw. 
1-1: Baxter hits straight back though, taking out 81 on the bullseye to level the game. 
2-1: Five perfect darts for Taylor at the beginning of the leg before he takes out 136 on double eight. Brilliant darts from the Power. 
3-1: Taylor continues his fine form, opening up with a 177 before taking out 24 on double six to break throw for the first time in the match.
4-1: Taylor takes out 40 on double five to head into the first break with a commanding 4-1 lead. 
4-2: Baxter takes out 101 on tops to hold throw with Taylor left on 40 to move 5-1 in front. 
5-2: Double 16 for Taylor as he holds throw and quickly regains his three leg advantage. 
6-2: Taylor wraps up a comfortable win with a 13-dart leg, hitting double eight to seal the win. 

Gary Anderson 6-5 Christian Kist
0-1: Anderson misses two darts at double and Kist returns to take out 64 on double 12 and break throw in the first leg. 
0-2: Kist takes out 46 to hold throw and move 2-0 up. 
1-2: Anderson holds throw and seals his first leg of the match as he takes out 81 on double 12.
2-2: Anderson breaks with a brilliant 140 checkout on double ten to level the game up at 2-2.
3-2: Seven perfect darts for Anderson at the start of the leg before he takes out 44 on tops for a ten-dart leg. 
3-3: Anderson misses tops for a 76 checkout and Kist hits double nine to draw himself level. 
4-3: Anderson takes out 78 on double 12 to hold throw and regain the lead. 
4-4: Anderson misses double 18 for a 156 and Kist returns to hit tops and hold throw. 
4-5: Kist breaks throw with a brilliant 121 checkout on double 14. 
5-5: Kist misses the bull for the match and Anderson returns to take out 56 on tops and take the game into a decider. 
6-5: Tops for Anderson as he seals the win with a brilliant 110.62 average.

Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Raymond van Barneveld
1-0: Van Barneveld misses double 16 and van Gerwen returns to take out 40 on double ten to break throw. 
2-0: Van Gerwen hits double 16 for a 13-dart leg as he holds throw and moves two legs in front. 
2-1: Van Barneveld hits back as he holds throw and seals his first leg of the game. 
3-1: Van Gerwen takes out 60 and quickly regains his two leg advantage. 
3-2: After opening up with a maximum, van Gerwen hits 170 to set up an 11 checkout which he cannot take out. Barney hits tops to reduce the deficit. 
4-2: Van Gerwen fires in two 180s before hitting double five to regain his two-leg lead. 
5-2: A seventh 180 of the game for van Gerwen before he takes out 128 on double ten for a 12-dart leg. 
6-2: Van Gerwen seals an impressive win with a 105.80 average, hitting tops in the final leg of the match. 

Peter Wright 6-2 Benito van de Pas
1-0: Both players start slowly before Wright hits double 16 to hold throw and take the opening leg.
1-1: Wright misses the bull for an 81 finish and van de Pas hits double eight to level the match. 
2-1: Wright holds throw again as he takes out 52 to move 2-1 in front. 
3-1: 78 checkout on double 12 for Wright as he breaks throw for the first time in the match. 
4-1: Tops for Wright as he holds throw and heads into the break with a 4-1 lead. 
5-1: Wright misses the bull for a 121 checkout but returns and takes out 25 on double eight to break the throw again. 
5-2: Van de Pas takes out 75 on tops to break straight back. 
6-2: Wright wraps up the win as he takes out 60 on tops. 

Match Stats