Merseyside’s big hitters Michael Smith, Dave Chisnall and Stephen Bunting all failed to make an impact at the UK Open last weekend.
The “FA Cup of Darts” is unique with its random draw as opposed to seeded draws.
Last year saw reigning World Champion Michael Smith come up short in the final against Danny Noppert in a last leg decider.
This year, “The Bully Boy” failed in another last leg decider.
After a comfortable 10-4 win over former mentor Ian White in the last 64, 2021 runner-up Luke Humphries knocked out Smith in the last 32.
Last week’s Baltic Sea Darts Open champion Dave Chisnall was drawn against the pre-tournament favourite Michael van Gerwen in their first game in the last 64.
MVG was the front runner throughout the match and took a 9-5 lead in a race to ten.
“Chizzy” rallied and reeled off three consecutive legs to narrow the lead to 9-8.
An 11 dart break of throw from the three time UK Open champion saw van Gerwen avoid a last leg decider and defeat Chisnall 10-8.
Stephen Bunting battled former champion Peter Wright in another heavyweight clash of the last 64.
“Snakebite” has struggled for form so far this year and has failed to win a game in the Premier League.
Bunting took a 4-1 lead early on before being pegged back.
With Wright leading 9-8, “The Bullet” missed double 12 for a nine darter to send us to a last leg decider.
Bunting eventually took the leg in 16 darts but failed to hold his throw in the deciding leg and bowed out at the first hurdle.
UK Open Riley’s Qualifiers
Both of Liverpool’s Riley’s Qualifiers enjoyed victory at the event.
Lancashire captain Gary Davey averaged 94.47 in a 6-4 victory over tour card holder Lee Evans.
Davey dropped the opening two legs but sealed the victory with an 11 dart leg to win 6-4.
He took on Dutchman Damien Mol in the next round, but Davey succumbed to a 6-4 defeat after failing to replicate his earlier performance.
Jim Moston also won 6-4 in his opening match, defeating Belgian Kenny Neyens.
He lost to Cameron Menzies in the next round and a 99.08 average from Menzies was enough to defeat Moston 6-2.
The tournament was won by Andrew Gilding after defeating heavy favourite Michael van Gerwen 11-10.
The 52 year old became the oldest first time winner of a PDC major.
You can view all of the UK Open results here.
(Featured image with permission from Sven Mandel under creative commons licence).
