Justin Hood denies Danny Noppert in sudden death thriller at the World Darts Championship as Merk thrashes Wright

Justin Hood dumped out Danny Noppert in an epic sudden death shootout at the World Darts Championship, as Peter Wright was also sent packing.

The final day of second round action prior to the Christmas break featured a star-studded line-up at Alexandra Palace, with Hood pulling off a sensational scalp.

Sixth seed Noppert became the highest-ranked player to exit the competition so far after recovering from two sets down, only to miss a match dart and succumb the world number 86 in a last-leg shootout.

Hood defied a host of skin-saving finishes from Noppert, averaging 103 and crashing in 11 maximums to continue his dream Ally Pally debut.

Noppert produced checkouts of 102, 157 and 127 to keep his hopes alive, but Hood refused to relent, following up a sensational 156 checkout of his own with a clutch 78 finish on tops to seal his progress.

“I can win it. It’s as simple as that,” declared Hood, who also averaged 99 in his opening round win over Nick Kenny.

“I believe I can improve on that tonight, and hopefully that will come out in my next game, but it’s nice to prove a point to myself that I can do it on the big stage.”

Two-time World Champion Gary Anderson averaged almost 105 to defeat Connor Scutt 3-1 in a quality contest, reeling off three consecutive sets to register the second-highest average of the tournament.

Scutt took the opener after punishing seven missed darts at doubles from the Scot, but Anderson rallied to claim nine of the next 13 legs for a place in the Last 32.

“Connor is a fantastic player. He’s a grafter,” said Anderson, who will take on Jermaine Wattimena after Christmas.

“Jermaine over the last 18 months has gone to a different level. He’s been absolutely fantastic over the last few years, so that will be another tough game.

“I can still do it though. People think it’s a young man’s game, but it’s not!”

Michael van Gerwen also impressed in his 3-1 victory over William O’Connor, averaging 100 and converting 63 per cent of his attempts at doubles to cap off a complete performance.

O’Connor threatened a late fightback after claiming set three, only for the three-time World Champion to produce consecutive 121 and 127 checkouts in an explosive conclusion to proceedings.

“I was sharp, I was ready today, and that’s what you want,” declared Van Gerwen.

“Of course there is still room for improvement, but I’m more critical of myself than anyone.

“I put a lot of effort into this match, and I think from here I can do even more damage.”

Van Gerwen’s reward will be a tussle against German qualifier Arno Merk – who continued his dream debut run with a straight-sets rout of two-time World Champion Peter Wright.

Merk punished a dismal display from Wright – whose 79 average marked his lowest ever in a World Championship match.

“I’ve just beaten a two-time World Champion and a legend of the game,” admitted Merk, who averaged 92 and landed two ton-plus checkouts.

“This is the biggest win of my career by far. I can’t believe it. I’m overwhelmed!

“If I play like I did today and I take my chances, I can be dangerous for anybody, so let’s see what happens.”

Meikle, meanwhile, became only the second player at this year’s tournament to triumph from two sets adrift, overturning an early deficit to deny DPNZ number one Jonny Tata.

Josh Rock stormed through to round three with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over DPA number one Joe Comito, averaging 101.32 in the process.

Both of Comito’s legs came courtesy of ton-plus checkouts, but the Australian number one was blown away by a rampant Rock, who advances to face Callan Rydz in round three.

Rydz continued his Ally Pally love-affair with a deciding-set victory over two-time quarter-finalist Daryl Gurney, recovering from 2-1 down to triumph in an epic tie-break.

The Bedlington star produced a brace of 167 checkouts along the way, before converting successive 100 and 92 checkouts in the closing stages to preserve his title aspirations.

Elsewhere, Wattimena fended off a late fightback from 2023/24 semi-finalist Scott Williams to prevail in another five-set marathon in North London.

The Dutchman fired in 11-darters to win each of the first two sets in deciding legs, before defying a valiant fightback from Williams to complete a clean sweep in the fifth set.

The Paddy Power World Darts Championship will resume on Saturday December 27.

World Darts Championship 2025/26 Schedule of Play

Tuesday December 23

Second Round

Afternoon Session
Jonny Tata 2-3 Ryan Meikle
Daryl Gurney 2-3 Callan Rydz
Jermaine Wattimena 3-2 Scott Williams
Peter Wright 0-3 Arno Merk

Evening Session
Danny Noppert 2-3 Justin Hood
Gary Anderson 3-1 Connor Scutt
Michael van Gerwen 3-1 William O’Connor
Josh Rock 3-0 Joe Comito