MICHAEL VAN GERWEN, Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld all came back from 4-2 down to remain unbeaten in the bwin Grand Slam of Darts in Sunday's second group matches at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall.
Van Gerwen had been staring defeat in the face as Rob Cross took out finishes of 114 and 170 to move 4-2 up, only to miss two match darts as the Dutchman forced a decider.
The World Champion then showed his class with an 11-darter to secure the victory and qualification for the knockout phase with one Group A match remaining.
"It was a great game, both for us but also for the fans," said Van Gerwen. "He made me work hard but this is good for my confidence for the rest of the tournament.
"You know you have to play your best game against Rob and I was very close to that. The 170 was great from Rob but he missed two match darts and I took advantage of that."
Six-time champion Taylor was punished for a dozen missed doubles against Robbie Green before he survived three missed match darts and then claimed their deciding leg with a 12-dart finish to remain unbeaten in Group C.
"That was hard work, it really was," said Taylor. "I put myself under pressure by missing early doubles but I thought Robbie played superbly.
"These players are playing week in and week out and they're not frightened of anybody. I just hoped he might miss three darts at the double and thankfully he did."
Van Barneveld, the 2012 champion, also came from 4-2 down in his Group B clash with Gerwyn Price before he won their deciding leg with a 13-darter, as another former Wolverhampton winner showed his class.
"It was a really important match for me and I'm happy to win it," said Van Barneveld. "It was an amazing battle and Gerwyn was outstanding, but he never had a match dart."
Van Gerwen was joined in qualifying for the knockout phase following two games by reigning Lakeside Champion Glen Durrant and two-time World Champion Gary Anderson after they picked up their second victories of the weekend with superb displays.
Number three seed Anderson overcame fellow Scot Cameron Menzies on Saturday before seeing off Dutch youngster Berry van Peer 5-1 in Sunday's second matches.
Van Peer has been battling against dartitis - where he struggles to release the dart - during his opening two matches, and Anderson had sympathy for his opponent.
"I'm obviously glad to be through but it was really tough to see Berry struggling like that," said Anderson. "He's a young lad who he was trying his best and it's hard for him.
"I had to try and concentrate on my own game and I did that pretty well, but I've still got to focus on the last match because I want to qualify as a Group Winner."
Scottish newcomer Cameron Menzies will know take on Van Peer in a Group H shoot-out on Monday night after eliminating Simon Whitlock with a 5-2 win over the Australian.
"This is a dream for me but I'm loving every moment," said Menzies, who has emerged on the BDO circuit this year. "I've never experienced anything like this in my life.
"I've got nothing to lose and I'm just happy to be here in this company. Just to play Gary yesterday was incredible for me, but to beat Simon is amazing."
Lakeside Champion Durrant also secured a last 16 spot as he continued his impressive form in Wolverhampton by averaging 103.50 in a 5-3 comeback win over Alan Norris.
"I'm feeling absolutely great," said Durrant "I found it harder today against Alan than I did against Peter Wright but I'm delighted to win and be through.
"That was the first objective for me so I'm happy but I'm playing pretty well. My finishing has been really good so far and my averages are a sign of that, but my new darts are flying well and I love this stage."
Wright bounced back from his opening defeat to Glen Durrant with a clinical whitewash of Corey Cadby in their second Group E contest, picking up two points and crucial leg difference as he eliminated the Australian.
Number four seed Daryl Gurney picked up a second successive victory, defeating Mark Webster 5-3 to move closer to sealing a second round spot from Group D, where Darren Webster hit five doubles from six attempts in his 5-2 win over Danny Noppert.
Irish youngster Steve Lennon produced a 100 average as he whitewashed local star Jamie Hughes in Group B, and the former accounting student now has a chance to reach the knockout phase when he meets Van Barneveld on Tuesday.
Two-time finalist James Wade bounced back from his disappointing defeat to Robbie Green with a 5-1 win over Peter Machin in Group C, with the Australian now eliminated from the event.
Ross Montgomery bounced back from his opening defeat to Van Gerwen with a 5-3 defeat of Joe Murnan which gives the Scot - who averaged 101 - a chance of qualifying from Group A.
Mensur Suljovic moved a step closer to qualification for the knockout stage with a narrow 5-4 win over Michael Smith to claim his second win of Group G, where James Wilson came from two legs down to defeat Mark McGeeney.
Stephen Bunting put one foot into the second round as he claimed his second victory of the weekend, overcoming St Helens rival Dave Chisnall 5-2 in Group F, where Scott Mitchell was a 5-3 winner against Jeffrey de Zwaan.
The bwin Grand Slam of Darts will be broadcast live on Sky Sports from November 11-19.
Tickets for the bwin Grand Slam of Darts are available through www.wolvescivic.co.uk or by calling 0870 320 7000.
bwin Grand Slam of Darts
Sunday November 12
Afternoon Session
8x E-H Group Matches
Scott Mitchell 5-3 Jeffrey de Zwaan
James Wilson 5-2 Mark McGeeney
Peter Wright 5-0 Corey Cadby
Cameron Menzies 5-2 Simon Whitlock
Mensur Suljovic 5-4 Michael Smith
Gary Anderson 5-1 Berry van Peer
Glen Durrant 5-3 Alan Norris
Stephen Bunting 5-2 Dave Chisnall
Evening Session
8x A-D Group Matches
Ross Montgomery 5-3 Joe Murnan
Darren Webster 5-2 Danny Noppert
Steve Lennon 5-0 Jamie Hughes
James Wade 5-1 Peter Machin
Daryl Gurney 5-3 Mark Webster
Phil Taylor 5-4 Robbie Green
Michael van Gerwen 5-4 Rob Cross
Raymond van Barneveld 5-4 Gerwyn Price
All games are the best of nine legs.
CLICK HERE FOR SCHEDULE OF PLAY & EVENT INFORMATION
LEAGUE TABLES
Group A
|
|
P |
W |
L |
+/- |
Pts |
|
Michael van Gerwen (Q) |
2 |
2 |
0 |
+5 |
4 |
|
Rob Cross |
2 |
1 |
1 |
+3 |
2 |
|
Ross Montgomery |
2 |
1 |
1 |
-2 |
2 |
|
Joe Murnan (E) |
2 |
0 |
2 |
-6 |
0 |
Group B
|
|
P |
W |
L |
+/- |
Pts |
|
Raymond van Barneveld |
2 |
2 |
0 |
+5 |
4 |
|
Steve Lennon |
2 |
1 |
1 |
+3 |
2 |
|
Gerwyn Price |
2 |
1 |
1 |
+1 |
2 |
|
Jamie Hughes |
2 |
0 |
2 |
-9 |
0 |
Group C
|
|
P |
W |
L |
+/- |
Pts |
|
Phil Taylor |
2 |
2 |
0 |
+5 |
4 |
|
Robbie Green |
2 |
1 |
1 |
+3 |
2 |
|
James Wade |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
|
Peter Machin (E) |
2 |
0 |
2 |
-8 |
0 |
Group D
|
|
P |
W |
L |
+/- |
Pts |
|
Daryl Gurney |
2 |
2 |
0 |
+6 |
4 |
|
Darren Webster |
2 |
1 |
1 |
+1 |
2 |
|
Mark Webster |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
|
Danny Noppert |
2 |
0 |
2 |
-7 |
0 |
Group E
|
|
P |
W |
L |
+/- |
Pts |
|
Glen Durrant (Q) |
2 |
2 |
0 |
+5 |
4 |
|
Peter Wright |
2 |
1 |
1 |
+2 |
2 |
|
Alan Norris |
2 |
1 |
1 |
-1 |
2 |
|
Corey Cadby (E) |
2 |
0 |
2 |
-6 |
0 |
Group F
|
|
P |
W |
L |
+/- |
Pts |
|
Stephen Bunting |
2 |
2 |
0 |
+4 |
4 |
|
Dave Chisnall |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
|
Scott Mitchell |
2 |
1 |
1 |
-1 |
2 |
|
Jeffrey de Zwaan |
2 |
0 |
2 |
-3 |
0 |
Group G
|
|
P |
W |
L |
+/- |
Pts |
|
Mensur Suljovic |
2 |
2 |
0 |
+4 |
4 |
|
Michael Smith |
2 |
1 |
1 |
+1 |
2 |
|
James Wilson |
2 |
1 |
1 |
+1 |
2 |
|
Mark McGeeney |
2 |
0 |
2 |
-6 |
0 |
Group H
|
|
P |
W |
L |
+/- |
Pts |
|
Gary Anderson (Q) |
2 |
2 |
0 |
+6 |
4 |
|
Cameron Menzies |
2 |
1 |
1 |
+1 |
2 |
|
Berry van Peer |
2 |
1 |
1 |
-3 |
2 |
|
Simon Whitlock (E) |
2 |
0 |
2 |
-4 |
0 |
MATCH INFORMATION
Gary Anderson became the first player to book a place in the bwin Grand Slam of Darts second round as he averaged 111.79 to overcome Berry van Peer 5-1, as the Dutch youngster's battle against dartitis continued.
Anderson opened with an 11-darter as finishes of 90, 72 and 63 moved him into a 3-0 lead, with Van Peer responding on double 11 only to see the number three seed follow a 76 checkout with a 13-darter.
"I'm obviously glad to be through but it was really tough to see Berry struggling like that," said Anderson. "He's a young lad who he was trying his best and it's hard for him.
"I had to try and concentrate on my own game and I did that pretty well, but I've still got to focus on the last match because I want to qualify as a Group Winner."
Scottish newcomer Cameron Menzies will know take on Van Peer in a Group H shoot-out on Monday night after eliminating Simon Whitlock with a 5-2 win over the Australian.
Whitlock finished 90 and double eight as he took a 2-1 lead, but Menzies took control with three straight legs before finishing 116 to claim the victory.
"This is a dream for me but I'm loving every moment," said Menzies, who has emerged on the BDO circuit this year. "I've never experienced anything like this in my life.
"I've got nothing to lose and I'm just happy to be here in this company. Just to play Gary yesterday was incredible for me, but to beat Simon is amazing."
Lakeside Champion Glen Durrant also secured a last 16 spot as he continued his impressive form in Wolverhampton by averaging 103.50 in a 5-3 comeback win over Alan Norris.
Norris led 2-1 and 3-2 before Durrant powered in a 134 checkout, and he then took out 75 to lead for the first time and 68 to claim a second win of the weekend.
"I'm feeling absolutely great," said Durrant "I found it harder today against Alan than I did against Peter Wright but I'm delighted to win and be through.
"That was the first objective for me so I'm happy but I'm playing pretty well. My finishing has been really good so far and my averages are a sign of that, but my new darts are flying well and I love this stage."
Peter Wright bounced back from his opening defeat to Glen Durrant with a clinical whitewash of Corey Cadby in their second Group E contest, picking up two points and crucial leg difference.
Wright landed 180s in the opening two legs as finishes of 14 and 13 darts put him in command, before a miss from Cadby allowed the number two seed in to win the third leg.
Double four gave Wright a fourth leg, and he went on to seal the win in leg five after the pair traded 180s, with the Australian ace unable to land three darts at doubles to keep his challenge alive.
"It's a relief," said Wright. "Glen played fantastically yesterday but I played okay too and it was my first game with my new darts and I've been pretty consistent in both games so far.
"Playing Corey Cadby is always hard but he was a bit subdued today and I wasn't expecting that. I expected a closer game because he's a fantastic player, so to win 5-0 is great for me."
Stephen Bunting put one foot into the second round as he claimed his second victory of the weekend, overcoming St Helens rival Dave Chisnall 5-2.
Bunting took out finishes of 88 and 81 as he claimed a three-leg lead, and though Chisnall hit back to 4-2 the former Lakeside Champion closed out the win with a 14-darter.
"I'm really happy but I want to finish top of the group so I'll be getting myself ready for my last game on Monday now," said Bunting.
"I'm putting a lot of hard work in behind the scenes and making small steps forward. I'm enjoying practising and I believe I'm better now than I was before, and hopefully that can start to come out on stage.
"I'm feeling comfortable and if I play the way I can play then I can beat anyone, but I don't feel like I'm playing my best darts yet and I'm still getting wins."
Scott Mitchell bounced back from his Group F defeat to Chisnall with a 5-3 comeback victory over Jeffrey de Zwaan in their second round robin contest.
Dutch youngster De Zwaan held a slender 3-2 before Mitchell levelled in the sixth and then capitalised on a miss at tops from his rival by following his first 180 with double eight to break, and two further misses allowed the former Lakeside Champion to seal the win.
"I played really well yesterday but Dave Chisnall didn't give me a chance, and when Jeffrey gave me a chance today fortunately I took them," said Mitchell, who faces Bunting on Monday night.
"I'm over the moon to win that game because it's a big thing for me to be here in this event. It's all to play for now on Monday against Stephen Bunting."
Mensur Suljovic moved a step closer to qualification for the knockout stage with a narrow 5-4 win over Michael Smith to claim his second win of Group G.
Smith's early 12-darter gave him the lead, but Suljovic took out 100 and 80 to move ahead and the pair traded legs to take the tie to a decider, which the former World Youth Champion opened with a 180 before seeing the Austrian reply in kind during an 11-darter.
"It was a very hard game but the last leg was great," said Suljovic. "Michael played well but I'm so happy to win and I will get better with each game."
James Wilson came from two legs down to reignite his challenge in Wolverhampton with a 5-2 defeat of Mark McGeeney in the other Group G contest.
The BDO number one took out 88 and double five to win the opening two legs, but legs of 13 and 11 darts saw Wilson level before he took the next three to seal a key two points.
"I missed a few doubles yesterday and let Michael Smith in but today I got my head down and tried to play the game I can play," said Wilson. "It's good to get the win and I can move onto my final game now.
"It's a fantastic tournament and anything can happen. Playing against Mensur Suljovic will be tough but it if I can produce my game I can beat him."
Ross Montgomery bounced back from his opening defeat to Michael van Gerwen with a 5-3 defeat of Joe Murnan which gives the Scot a chance of qualifying from Group A.
Murnan had led 2-1 and 3-2 despite a pair of 13-darters from Montgomery, who claimed the sixth leg before moving ahead for the first time with a 121 finish to lead 4-3, and he then landed a 180 and tops to seal a strong win.
"I'm very happy with that," said Montgomery, who averaged 101. "I wasn't clinical enough last night but I finished well today, Joe let me in around the sixth leg and I took my chance.
"I learned a lot from the game with Michael and I took that forward to today, and it worked for me. I'm thoroughly enjoying it so far and I'll look forward to playing Rob Cross on Tuesday because he's had a great year."
Darren Webster hit five doubles from six attempts in a superb 5-2 defeat of Dutchman Danny Noppert, suffered a second successive loss as the Norwich ace averaged 103.44.
A Noppert miss in the opening leg allowed Webster in on double 16 before finishes of 96 and 100 moved him 3-0 up.
Superb legs of 12 and 14 darts from Noppert included three 180s as he hit back, but Webster was clinical to seal victory with two further 96 checkouts as he reignited his Grand Slam hopes.
"I got beaten yesterday and when you back me in to a corner I am the biggest little person you will ever meet, I’ll fight until the last dart," said Webster. "I'm practising really well but I'm surprised that was a 103 average.
"I've got one game left and anything can happen but I'll get myself ready for it, and I've shown I've got the darts. I've got to make sure I bring it all together against Daryl but I've still got a chance to qualify and I'm feeling confident."
Irish youngster Steve Lennon gave himself a chance to qualify from Group B with a brilliant 5-0 whitewash of Jamie Hughes, averaging 100 to leave the Tipton ace's hopes dangling by a thread
Lennon took out finishes of 98 and 70 on his way to a 3-0 lead before hitting a 13-darter to win a fourth leg, before double 16 sealed an impressive display.
"It's nice to get that first win out of the way," said Carlow's Lennon. "I played well against Gerwyn Price yesterday and I'm happy to have won this.
"I've given myself a chance now of getting out of my group and I'm looking forward to playing Raymond van Barneveld on Tuesday."
Two-time finalist James Wade bounced back from his disappointing defeat to Robbie Green with a 5-1 win over Peter Machin in Group C.
Wade claimed the opening two legs before Australian Machin stepped in to win the third, hitting a 180 before capitalising on a miss from the left-hander to take out 78.
That, though, was as close as the BDO World Trophy winner would get as Wade landed a 13-darter to regain his advantage before finishing 56 and double ten to seal the points.
"I'm still thinking about Saturday's game because I was so poor against Robbie but I've won tonight and I've got a chance," said Wade. "I've been playing okay so it's frustrating.
"I've made it hard work for myself but I want to get to the knockout stage because my best darts will come out then. Even if I beat Phil Taylor on Tuesday I might have to rely on other results but it's not all doom and gloom."
Daryl Gurney picked up a second successive victory in Group D, defeating Mark Webster 5-3 to move closer to sealing a second round spot.
An early 105 finish kept Webster level, while Gurney took out 90 for a 12-darter as the pair shared the opening six legs before the World Grand Prix champion finished 76 for a 14-darter to move 4-3 up and capitalised on misses from the left-hander to seal victory.
"It's going great so far and I've got the two wins, and overall I'm happy with the result," said Gurney, who hit five doubles from seven attempts.
"It was a decent game and I finished well. I've been working on that but I need to get my scoring back to where I want it and hopefully I can keep improving."
Phil Taylor recovered from 4-2 down to complete a remarkable comeback against Robbie Green with a 12-darter in the deciding leg as he remained unbeaten in Group C.
The six-time Grand Slam of Darts champion found himself in trouble as Green - who defeated James Wade on Saturday - capitalised on a dozen missed doubles to move 2-0 and 4-2 up.
Taylor, though, took out 93 and 105 to force a deciding leg as he punished Green for three missed match darts, before scoring 140, 180 and 134 to set up a 12-darter as he snatched the win.
"That was hard work, it really was," said Taylor. "I put myself under pressure by missing early doubles but I thought Robbie played superbly.
"These players are playing week in and week out and they're not frightened of anybody. I just hoped he might miss three darts at the double and thankfully he did."
Michael van Gerwen matched Phil Taylor's comeback from 4-2 down as he also survived missed match darts before overcoming Rob Cross 5-4 to secure his qualification from Group A.
Cross' early finish of 114 was bettered by a 134 combination from Van Gerwen as he moved up, only for the Sussex newcomer to take out a stunning 170 finish as he moved 4-2 up.
Van Gerwen hit a 12-darter to respond and then punished two missed match darts from Cross, at tops, to force a deciding leg which he took with a brilliant 11-darter to continue his title defence in winning fashion.
"It was a great game, both for us but also for the fans," said Van Gerwen. "He made me work hard but this is good for my confidence for the rest of the tournament.
"You know you have to play your best game against Rob and I was very close to that. The 170 was great from Rob but he missed two match darts and I took advantage of that."
Raymond van Barneveld moved a step closer to a place in the second round with a gutsy comeback from 4-2 down to edge past Gerwyn Price and claim his second victory of the weekend.
The 2012 champion found himself 3-0 down before claiming back-to-back legs as he pulled back to trail by one leg, only for Price to finish 81 as he moved to the brink of victory.
Finishes of 104 and double four pulled Van Barneveld level, before he followed the lead of Taylor and Van Gerwen earlier in the night by taking the deciding leg in style as a 13-darter completed the comeback.
"It was a really important match for me and I'm happy to win it," said Van Barneveld. "It was an amazing battle and Gerwyn was outstanding, but he never had a match dart.
"He put me under pressure but I kept on believing and I got the win. It will be another battle against Steve Lennon on Tuesday but I'll be ready."