2013 World Matchplay Darts: Day Three

The first round of the 2013 World Matchplay came to an end with the in form players making it through alongside a great first round performance. There was a shock victory for Ian White whilst Jamie Caven and Adrian Lewis came through to continue their recent good runs. Andy Hamilton completed the round two line up.

Robert Thornton continued his awful form in Blackpool against White. The Scot hadn't won a leg in the Winter Games in his previous two appearances and that showed throughout the match. White won the opening four legs after Thornton had missed ten darts at a double between legs two and four. Thornton finally managed to break his duck in the fifth leg and then made it 4-2 after White missed a dart to win that leg. But White continued to take control and would win the following three legs to make it 7-2. The ninth leg was won with an amazing 125-checkout as White went bull, 25, bull. Thornton did manage to make it 7-3 going in to the second break before White took the next three legs to win the match 10-3 and won it with an 81-checkout on the bull.

Caven continued his great recent form with a good comeback over Wes Newton. A 104-checkout from Caven was required to to level the score at 2-2 after Newton won the opening two legs. Newton then regained the lead with the next three legs to move 5-2 and then 6-3 in front. That then became 7-4 before Caven roared back to level the match. Newton would move ahead once more before Caven again levelled before making it three consecutive legs to win 10-8 and go through.

The European Champion wasn't at his best but it was enough to see off Ronny Huybrechts. The Belgian did level the match in the second leg but Lewis left the stage 4-1 at the first break. It could have been a lot closer but Huybrechts was guilty of missing a few chances. Lewis managed to make it 5-2 with a great 127-checkout and then 6-3 after Huybrechts missed three darts at the double before the leaving the oche with a seventh leg at the second break. The next five legs were shared, giving Lewis a 10-5 ugly victory.

One of the performances of the round goes to Hamilton who saw off the local lad, Ronnie Baxter. Hamilton got off to a great start with a 104-checkout before going off stage 5-0 in front. That would be extended to 8-0 before Baxter finally hit a double, much to the appreciation of the crowd. It didn't change the game and Hamilton would win the match in style with a 111-checkout.