Searle comeback stuns Schindler at the Gibraltar Darts Trophy as Clemens claims crucial win
Ryan Searle produced a superb fightback from 5-2 down to deny Martin Schindler in a last-leg decider on Day One of the Gibraltar Darts Trophy.
Friday saw the 32 qualifiers go head-to-head at the Europa Sports Park, with several players booking their place in October’s European Championship.
Searle was staring defeat in the face with seven legs played, but reeled off four without reply to snatch victory, surviving three missed match darts from Schindler in the decider.
Searle, who goes through to face 2019 Gibraltar Trophy champion Krzysztof Ratajski in Round Two, landed five 180s and averaged 96.4 in a high quality contest as he ended the German’s hopes of qualifying for the upcoming World Grand Prix.
Gabriel Clemens was one of a number of players to clinch a place in the European Championship after he defeated Luke Humphries 6-4 with five maximums to his name.
Mervyn King also assured himself of a place in the European Championship after whitewashing Host Nation qualifier Craig Galliano 6-0 with two ton-plus finishes and 75 per cent on the outer ring.
Rob Cross dug deep to avert a banana skin as he came from 4-3 behind to defeat Hungary’s Patrik Kovacs 6-4 with a high checkout of 152 to set up a Second Round show-down with Michael van Gerwen.
An upset in the opening match of the day saw Sweden’s Andreas Harrysson knock out Irish star Keane Barry with a 6-3 victory which saw him land six doubles from eight attempts.
Former World Masters champion Adam Smith-Neale marked his European Tour debut with a 6-1 rout of Gibraltar’s Justin Broton, while Adam Hunt was ruthless in whitewashing an out of sorts Geert Nentjes 6-0.
Ted Evetts battled back from 5-3 down and survived five match darts from Ryan Murray to snatch a 6-5 victory with a 108 checkout in the deciding leg.
John Henderson’s first competitive appearance since his World Cup triumph a fortnight ago ended in a 6-2 defeat to Croatia’s Boris Krcmar – who averaged 97.7 to earn his first European Tour victory.
Callan Rydz swept aside Gibraltar youngster Justin Hewitt 6-1 with a blistering 103.7 average and 75 per cent on the doubles.
Kim Huybrechts also made a flying start as he dispatched Russia’s Boris Koltsov 6-2 with a 105 average and a high checkout of 161.
Florian Hempel withstood a late Stephen Bunting fightback to eventually close out a 6-5 victory with three ton-plus finishes to his name as he confirmed a meeting with Gerwyn Price on Saturday.
Joe Murnan held his nerve to edge out Martijn Kleermaker in a last-leg decider, while Simon Whitlock thrashed Wayne Jones 6-1 with a 96.6 average and five trademark maximums.
Ritchie Edhouse will take on Nathan Aspinall in Round Two after seeing off former World Champion Steve Beaton 6-4.
Belgium’s Kenny Neyens came through a gruelling encounter with Gibraltar’s Dyson Parody, eventually sealing a 6-4 victory despite an average of just 71.
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Gibraltar Darts Trophy 2021 Day One Results
Friday September 24
First Round
Afternoon Session
Andreas Harrysson 6-3 Keane Barry
Martijn Kleermaker 5-6 Joe Murnan
Adam Hunt 6-0 Geert Nentjes
Justin Broton 1-6 Adam Smith-Neale
Ryan Murray 5-6 Ted Evetts
Patrik Kovacs 4-6 Rob Cross
John Henderson 2-6 Boris Krcmar
Mervyn King 6-0 Craig Galliano
Evening Session
Stephen Bunting 5-6 Florian Hempel
Dyson Parody 4-6 Kenny Neyens
Ryan Searle 6-5 Martin Schindler
Wayne Jones 1-6 Simon Whitlock
Boris Koltsov 2-6 Kim Huybrechts
Callan Rydz 6-1 Justin Hewitt
Ritchie Edhouse 6-4 Steve Beaton
Luke Humphries 4-6 Gabriel Clemens
Get 25/1 for Anthony Joshua to beat Oleksandr Usyk
Get 60/1 for Anthony Joshua to beat Oleksandr Usyk in Round 1-6
