Scott Waites denied victory despite nine-darter at the German Darts Championship
Scott Waites was sent packing by George Killington at the German Darts Championship despite hitting a nine-darter in their First Round tie in Hildesheim.
Two-time BDO World Champion Waites struck perfection in the ninth leg of the contest to move 5-4 in front, but only to squander four match darts in the final two legs as Killington snatched a dramatic victory.
Waites had hit back from 4-2 down to lead, firing in back-to-back 180s and a 141 checkout for a memorable nine-darter, but ultimately gift-wrapped Killington his first win on the European Tour.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Clemens was one of three Germans to progress to Round Two at Halle 39 as he overcame Danny Jansen 6-3.
Clemens pulled clear from two apiece to clinch four of the next five legs, including a key 102 finish, as he set up a tasty tie with top seed Dave Chisnall on Saturday.
Ricardo Pietreczko proved too strong for Northern Ireland’s Mickey Mansell as a 6-4 win moved him through to meet fellow German Martin Schindler in the Last 32 – and secured his place in the upcoming European Championship.
Nico Kurz enjoyed a 6-2 win on home soil over Dylan Slevin to set up a clash with Jonny Clayton, but fellow Host Nation Qualifier Marcus Kirchmann went down 6-3 to Steve Lennon on his European Tour debut.
Arron Monk held off Florian Hempel’s fightback from 4-1 down to level their tie before the former World Youth Champion closed out a 6-4 victory over the German.
Madars Razma’s European Championship qualification hopes were dealt a blow as he lost in a last-leg decider to Martin Lukeman – meaning that the Latvian could still be knocked out of the top 32 on the European Tour Order of Merit this weekend.
Chris Dobey, meanwhile, moved into a provisional European Championship qualifying place – knocking Steve Beaton out in the process – after surviving three missed match darts from Lee Evans in the tie of the day.
Dobey looked to have squandered his chance to progress when, leading 5-4, he burst his score when on 60 by landing a treble 20 – with Evans taking out 112 to level only to then miss the bull and two darts at double eight in the decider to hand the Masters champion a reprieve.
James Wade moved through to a Second Round tie with Nathan Aspinall courtesy of a commanding 6-2 win over Jelle Klaasen – pulling clear with legs of 14, 13 and 11 darts.
Daryl Gurney will take on reigning European Champion Ross Smith on Saturday following a 6-2 win over Vincent van der Voort – with a 127 checkout to move the Northern Irish star clear in leg five proving crucial.
Stephen Bunting hit back from 2-0 and 5-2 down to edge out Jeffrey de Graaf in a deciding leg, with the Swede having taking out 120 and 116 to move clear before paying for a missed match dart in leg ten.
Gian van Veen recovered from 3-1 down to defeat James Wilson 6-4, turning the game with a 156 checkout and adding a 107 finish as he swept through to face Rob Cross.
Darryl Pilgrim impressed on his European Tour return, averaging 102.8 in a 6-1 demolition of North American Champion Jeff Smith.
Boris Krcmar, Alan Soutar and Jules van Dongen also enjoyed victories in the opening session as they defeated Ryan Joyce, Karel Sedlacek and Patrik Kovacs respectively.
Krcmar will now meet Luke Humphries as the world number four makes his first outing since being crowned as World Grand Prix champion last Sunday, with the 16 seeded players entering the event in Saturday’s Second Round.
German Darts Championship 2023 Day One Results
Friday October 13
First Round
Afternoon Session
Boris Krcmar 6-4 Ryan Joyce
Martin Lukeman 6-5 Madars Razma
Scott Waites 5-6 George Killington – *Waites hits a nine-darter*
Steve Lennon 6-3 Marcus Kirchmann
Karel Sedlacek 1-6 Alan Soutar
Dylan Slevin 2-6 Nico Kurz
Jeff Smith 1-6 Darryl Pilgrim
Patrik Kovacs 2-6 Jules van Dongen
Evening Session
James Wilson 4-6 Gian van Veen
Florian Hempel 4-6 Arron Monk
Jelle Klaasen 2-6 James Wade
Vincent van der Voort 2-6 Daryl Gurney
Ricardo Pietreczko 6-4 Mickey Mansell
Gabriel Clemens 6-3 Danny Jansen
Chris Dobey 6-5 Lee Evans
Stephen Bunting 6-5 Jeffrey De Graaf
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