2018 Auckland Darts Masters In Pictures

World Series of Darts

HERE is the story of the 2018 Auckland Darts Masters told in pictures from The Trusts Arena.

Van Gerwen: 'I Don't Need To Prove Anything'

World Series of Darts

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN believes his Auckland Darts Masters triumph has silenced his doubters.

Van Gerwen Seals Auckland Crown

World Series of Darts

THE 2018 Auckland Darts Masters, presented by TAB & Burger King, concludes on Sunday at the Trusts Arena.

2018 Auckland Darts Masters Day Two

World Series of Darts

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN put on a show for the packed out Trusts Arena as he beat Gary Anderson 10-4 on Day two of the Auckland Darts Masters

World Series: Top 10 Upsets

World Series of Darts

On the back of Mark McGrath's victory, we take a look back at the top ten upsets seen on the World Series of Darts.

2018 Auckland Darts Masters Day One

World Series of Darts

THE 2018 Auckland Darts Masters, presented by TAB and Burger King, begins on Friday at the Trusts Arena.

Newcomer Irwin Aiming High

World Series of Darts

TAHUNA IRWIN has spoken of his ambitions as he prepares for his big-stage debut at the Auckland Darts Masters.

Robb's Auckland Debut As Cadby Misses Out

World Series of Darts

BEN ROBB will compete in the Auckland Darts Masters, presented by TAB & Burger King, following the withdrawal of Corey Cadby.

Dutch Duo Chase Knockout Blow!

World Series of Darts

DUTCH duo Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld are aiming to provide the knockout blow at the Auckland Darts Masters.

Whitlock Fired Up For World Series

World Series of Darts

SIMON WHITLOCK is in positive mood ahead of the this weekend's Auckland Darts Masters, presented by TAB & Burger King, which kicks off August's World Series of Darts treble-header Down Under.

Gerwyn Price tasted glory for a second time in three years by winning the Jack's World Series of Darts Finals on Sunday night, denying Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode 11-10 in a thrilling final.

Price previously won the season-ending event in 2020, and backed up last month's TAB New Zealand Darts Masters success by scooping the £70,000 World Series of Darts Finals top prize.

He was pushed all the way by home favourite Van Duijvenbode in an enthralling final, securing the title with a 14-dart leg in a dramatic ending.

A high-quality start saw the pair trade 14-darters in the opening four legs before Price broke for a 3-2 lead, and he then pinned tops to open up a two-leg cushion.

Three successive legs from Van Duijvenbode saw him move ahead again at 5-4, and he added a 12-darter as he retained the edge.

Price took out 146, 121 and 116 as he came from 7-6 down to lead 9-8 - pouncing on a miss at double 18 from Van Duijvenbode in leg 17.

The Dutchman - who had taken out 112 in leg 15 - hit back with a superb 11-darter and fired in double four to move 10-9 up, putting himself on the brink of a maiden big-stage title.

Price showed his class with a 12-darter to take the final to a deciding leg, and after being first to a finish during a tense finale, the Welshman took out 90 to seal glory.

"I'm thrilled to get over the line," said Price, who ended the final with a 100.14 average. "Dirk played fantastic but I think I played a little bit better.

"It was a great game but I made it really difficult for myself. There were two or three legs where I missed doubles, and at five-all going into the second break I probably could have been 7-3 up.

"I knew from there on in it was going to be a tough battle; Dirk was playing really well and obviously the crowd were supporting him but I dug in there right until the end.

"I gave myself a chance in the last-leg decider and scraped over the line."

He added: "I'm more than experienced with these sort of crowds, and fair play to them - they were all cheering for their man but I think they were quite respectful in patches.

"I let him off the hook a couple of times but I just wanted to give myself a chance in the last leg - I've got a little bit more composure and experience than Dirk had in that leg and that's all that counted."

Price earlier followed up Saturday's narrow win over Matt Campbell with a high-quality 10-8 quarter-final win over Joe Cullen, before seeing off James Wade 11-9 in the semis.

Wade had hit back from 2-0 down in the semi-final to lead 6-5 after landing a 170 checkout amongst three 12-darters, only for Price to reel off five legs in a row on his way to victory.

Van Duijvenbode's run to a third televised final sees him qualify for November's Cazoo Grand Slam of Darts.

June's Dutch Darts Masters runner-up, he had battled past Haupai Puha and Gary Anderson to reach the final day of action, before surviving a missed match dart from Ryan Joyce in the penultimate leg of their quarter-final.

He then ended Jonny Clayton's title defence with a superb 11-8 semi-final success, only to lose out narrowly to Price.

The loss for Van Duijvenbode was a repeat of the 2020 World Grand Prix final, and provided further big-game experience in his bid to claim major honours.

"I was a bit unfortunate in the last leg and he showed his class," said Van Duijvenbode, who earned £30,000 as runner-up.

"It's a bit frustrating because apart from that class, I could have won it in the end if I just composed myself better."

Clayton had earlier won six of the final seven legs to defeat four-time champion Michael van Gerwen 10-7 in the last eight.

Wade was Sunday afternoon's other quarter-final winner, finishing ten doubles from 18 attempts in a clinical 10-5 win over birthday boy Michael Smith.

Drawboard