Auckland Darts Masters – Quarter Finals
The Quarter Finals commenced as all the seeds qualified with no major scares. It was an all Scottish affair between Peter Wright vs Gary Anderson, however game of the day was undoubtedly the thriller between Phil Taylor vs Adrian Lewis.
Dave Chisnall vs Raymond van Barneveld (5-10)
In the opening match of the Quarter Finals, Dave Chisnall took on Raymond van Barneveld in the 2016 Auckland Darts Masters. The match was a relatively one sided affair, that saw RVB dominate the encounter from start to finish. It was a fantastic start from RVB who broke Chisnall with a 51 checkout in the first leg with a commanding opening to proceedings. Chisnall responded with a 180 in the second leg, however Barney responded with one of his own to take charge in the second leg, which he finished with double 18 to double his lead. Chisnall suffered a reprieve as Barney missed double 7 to break again, which allowed Chisnall to register his first leg of the match. Barney started leg four with emphasis, hitting back-to-back 180’s, and took out 76 for an 11 darter and re-establish the two leg lead. Chisnall responded well, clawing it back again in leg 5 with a nice 96 checkout to again half the deficit, and he showed positive intent in leg 6 opening up with a 180, but Barney again kept Chisnall at bay, hitting double four. A lacklustre couple of legs saw both players hold throw, before Chisnall hit 74 to go into the first break 4-5 down in the race to 10. Chisnall must of thought the break came at a good time, allowing him to compose himself while heading into the back half of the game, however, it was Barney who came out after the break and really laid down a marker that Chisnall was nowhere near close to. RVB broke again in the eleventh leg, as he hit double 12 to go three legs ahead. The normally consistent high scoring Chisnall, really couldn’t find his range throughout the match, languishing around a 95 average all game, and adding that with the fantastic finishing of Barneveld really showed the difference in performance in the game, and it allowed Barney to go into an 8-4 lead with another 76 checkout. Chisnall’s day went from bad to worse, as he squandered three clear darts at doubles, allowing Barney to sneak in and take out 64 to go within one leg of the match. However, Chisnall showed some resolve, breaking Barney for the very first time in match, with a 12-dart leg finishing on 81 to lay the foundations for an unlikely comeback. However, it wasn’t to be for Chisnall, as another mediocre leg allowed Barney to take control and close out a rather comfortable match.
| Dave Chisnall | 5-10 | Raymond van Barneveld |
| 17 | 100+ | 25 |
| 9 | 140+ | 14 |
| 0 | 170+ | 0 |
| 3 | 180 | 4 |
| 95.86 | Average | 101.11 |
| 96 | High Finish | 96 |
| 1 | Breaks of Throw | 4 |
| 5/10 – 50% | Checkout % | 10/18 – 56% |
Peter Wright vs Gary Anderson (6-10)
The all Scottish affair was a feisty affair between Gary Anderson and Peter Wright, after seeing Raymond van Barneveld ease past Dave Chisnall, the pair faced off to see who would meet him in the next round. It was a fantastic start to the match which saw three 140’s and a 180, but it was Anderson who started brightest, hitting an 11-dart leg to break the throw of Wright. Anderson blew two opportunities to go two legs to the good, however sloppy finishing allowed Wright to sneak in, as Snakebite’ duly obliged and took out 86 to hit back with a 14-dart leg. There was more double trouble for Anderson in leg 3, as he missed another three darts to break for a second consecutive time, again giving the chance to Wright, who must of thought Christmas come early, as he again accepted the gift hitting double 5. However, there was no such trouble in the following leg as a fantastic 122 on the Bull for Anderson drew the pair level again and received the first big cheer from the crowd. Wright edged back ahead with a 76 checkout , before Anderson back-to-back maximum’s at the start of the leg, however he couldn’t achieve the perfect leg, but he did come back to hit double 10 to keep pace with his fellow Scotsman. However, Anderson stole a march on Wright as he broke him in the seventh, hitting tops to go ahead four legs to three. Another 180 for Anderson resulted in another leg for him as he consolidated the break with another double 10 making sure he goes into the break with the lead. Wright hit his first maximum in the ninth leg to leave tops, however the usually reliable Wright missed three darts at tops, in the most important leg of the match so far, with Anderson punishing him as he hit his favourite double 12 to complete a wonderful opening session for Anderson. After the break, Anderson again hit the front with his fifth maximum of the match and hit a 92 checkout on the bull, to go four legs ahead and created a distance between his opponent. Wright eventually stopped the rot in the eleventh leg, hitting a superb 156 to go out in 12 darts, and it seemed to provide a springboard to the next leg, as he broke Anderson to reduce the gap to two legs, hitting double 10 to apply the pressure to the double World Champion. The revival looked set to continue as Wright won a third consecutive leg to go just one behind, hitting double 16 for a 62 checkout. Just as the tide seemed to be turning, Anderson started the fourteenth leg with a 180, and as the momentum just seemed to be shifting to Wright as he hit his third 180, Anderson took out a smart 121 on double 14 to go 8-6 ahead. The game was sown up in the fifteenth leg as Anderson took out 96 for another 11 dart leg, to break again and throw for the match which he did with ease and composure as he wrapped up a 10-6 win hitting tops to set up a semi-final clash with Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld.
| Gary Anderson | 10-6 | Peter Wright |
| 23 | 100+ | 16 |
| 12 | 140+ | 15 |
| 0 | 170+ | 0 |
| 6 | 180 | 3 |
| 103.93 | Average | 96.13 |
| 122 | High Finish | 156 |
| 4 | Breaks of Throw | 2 |
| 10/18 – 56% | Checkout % | 6/13 – 46%
|
Phil Taylor vs Adrian Lewis (9-10)
An absolutely blistering start from both players sees Taylor hit six perfect darts, however Lewis takes the leg with an impressive 11-dart leg finishing on 81. A third 180 for Taylor helps him to his first leg, as he finishes on the Bull for a 122 checkout. 180’s were coming like London buses in the match as the pair hit one each in the third leg, however it was a double 8 from Lewis who held on to his lead. Again both players further 180’s in a sublime start from both, as Taylor hits an almost perfect leg as he finishes off in 10 darts. The darts were at a premium as Lewis hits another maximum to ensure he holds throw hitting tops to go ahead again. Both players were averaging around 115 in leg 6, and the standard shown no signs of decreasing as Lewis got the first break of the match with a very tidy 103 checkout on double 16 to edge ahead. The stage looked very hot indeed as Lewis repeatedly to clean his brow, but both players kept their cool, especially Lewis as he headed into a 5-2 hitting double 10 to establish a three leg lead. Taylor needed a response, and he did exactly that by starting off leg eight with a maximum, and finally closing the leg out on double 8 to regain some ground in the match. Lewis extended the lead again to 6-3 and went into the break with a comfortable advantage. After the break, Taylor stayed on the 180 train as he hit double 11 to win the tenth leg. Lewis didn’t seem phased however, as he peppered the treble 20 bed with consistency, and again easing to another leg to once again regain the three leg lead. Taylor seemed to be struggling with double 16, however he eventually found his range to hold throw and make it 5-7. Taylor pounced on a poor start from Lewis to a leg, and spotted an opening to get that break back, and did it with fantastic execution taking out a 102 for a 12 dart leg. The most pivotal leg of the match separated the two players, as both players traded 180’s, however as Taylor failed to take his opportunity, Lewis pounced brilliantly to hit a 124 on the Bull to break back and go within two legs of the match. The averages between these two were scarily close, however the finishing of Lewis really set the pair apart as he hit tops to extend his lead to 6-9. However, Taylor wasn’t finished there, he started the next leg with a 180, which helped him close the leg out in 13 darts to keep the match alive. Another fantastic leg by Taylor, resulted in another 13 dart leg and a huge break that put Lewis in all kinds of bother. The form seemed to be going towards Taylor as he hit a 12-dart leg to take a enthralling game to it’s deserved decider. It ended in drama, and it represented one of the best games seen in the World Series of Darts Tour, as Lewis took the deciding leg on tops to win an epic match.
| Phil Taylor | 9-10 | Adrian Lewis |
| 26 | 100+ | 26 |
| 8 | 140+ | 12 |
| 2 | 170+ | 1 |
| 9 | 180 | 5 |
| 107.57 | Average | 101.71 |
| 130 | High Finish | 124 |
| 2 | Breaks of Throw | 2 |
| 9/16 – 56% | Checkout % | 10/10 – 50% |
Michael van Gerwen vs James Wade (6-10)
The last quarter final match saw World number 1 Michael van Gerwen take on the ‘Machine’ James Wade to see who would face Adrian Lewis in the Semi-Finals. Wade had the better start in the match as he came out of the blocks really quickly, and broke MVG in the first leg with Wade’s favourite double 10 after van Gerwen missed double 18 for a 116 checkout. Wade was extremely focused and kept on top of MVG as he quickly doubled his lead taking out a trademark 130 checkout on the Bull to set the early tone. MVG quickly rattled into form, and within the blink of an eye reduced the deficit taking out a 110 and laying down a marker of intent to Wade. It was a frustrating start for the World number 1 as he produced his third maximum to no avail as again Wade’s fantastic finishing continued as he stretched the lead to 3-1. Wade then stunned MVG again, with a second break as he hit a 78 checkout to go 4-1 ahead. Van Gerwen looked worried, and desperately tried to get back in the game before it became too much too claw back. He started in a positive way, with a super 10 dart leg to hold his throw, and let Wade know that he wasn’t out of it yet. After Wade held his throw, MVG produced another 10 dart leg to make it 3-5 and the comeback looked to be set in motion as he took out a 128 on double 10 to get that elusive break back. However, just as it looked like the wheels were coming off for Wade and van Gerwen was going to surge through his opponent, but Wade produced an unstoppable 11 dart leg which he started with a 180 and finished on 98 to make sure he kept his lead and broke MVG again. The game was coming into it’s topsy turby stage which could have gone either way, and it seemed to be heading into the direction of the Dutchman as he bounced back with a fantastic leg where he hit two 180’s to level the gap at 5-6. However, Wade wasn’t to be denied and his excellent performance in a rare match where the best darts were being thrown against the throw. Another 11 dart leg from James, resulted in a fourth consecutive break, and another two leg lead to the man from Aldershot. Both players again traded 180’s however Wade ended the successive breaks, as he held his throw to go within two legs of the match. MVG tried to keep his slim hopes alive by reducing the deficit to 6-9, however it was Wade who won a thriller where both players averaged over 107, as he hit double 10 to seal the win. He will face Adrian Lewis in the Semi-Final.
| Michael van Gerwen | 6-10 | James Wade |
| 15 | 100+ | 17 |
| 10 | 140+ | 16 |
| 1 | 170+ | 0 |
| 10 | 180 | 6 |
| 107.63 | Average | 107.45 |
| 128 | High Finish | 130 |
| 2 | Breaks of Throw | 4 |
| 6/17 – 35% | Checkout % | 10/16 – 63% |
Tungsten Stories 