Gary Anderson maintained his unbeaten run in his own home to reach the semi-finals of the Low6 Home Tour Play-Offs, winning Group Three on Thursday evening.
Two-time World Champion Anderson came into the night on the back of three wins on his way to topping Group 30 of the competition’s first phase and the Scot picked up where he left off with another hat-trick of victories.
Anderson, who improved his internet connection especially to take part in the home-stage event, began the evening with a 6-2 defeat of Welshman Nick Kenny before averaging over 110.1 in a thumping 6-1 win over Luke Humphries.
Heading into his final game of the night against Jamie Lewis, Anderson needed to win just one leg to top the group, which he achieved in the opening leg of the contest to extinguish Humphries’ lingering hopes of progressing.
Anderson went on to wrap up a 6-3 win over Lewis, joining Jelle Klaasen and Mike De Decker in the tournament’s last eight line-up.
The Low6 Home Tour Play-Offs continues on Friday night with Group Four, which will feature multiple TV finalist Dave Chisnall, two-time World Championship quarter-finalist Darren Webster, Dutchman Geert Nentjes and Australia’s Damon Heta.
Low6 Home Tour Play-Offs Group Three – Thursday May 28 Gary Anderson 6-2 Nick Kenny Luke Humphries 6-2 Jamie Lewis Jamie Lewis 6-4 Nick Kenny Gary Anderson 6-1 Luke Humphries Luke Humphries 6-1 Nick Kenny Gary Anderson 6-3 Jamie Lewis
Jamie Lewis was the inaugural winner on the Unibet Home Tour as he took victory in Group One on Friday night.
Jamie Lewis showed the difference that may become apparent in the PDC’s Home League Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC
The Welshman came out on top in a group including World Champion Peter Wright, Dutch youngster Niels Zonneveld and Huddersfield’s Peter Jacques, with the race for the title going all the way.
Lewis lost out 5-3 to Zonneveld in their opening tie of the night, but a superb 5-1 win over Wright proved crucial in the final standings.
The former World Championship semi-finalist then saw off Jacques 5-4 in his third match, with Zonneveld unable to secure the big win he needed against Wright in the evening’s final game which could have given him victory.
Wright had opened the night with a 5-4 defeat of Jacques, and book-ended his challenge by coming from a leg down to defeat Zonneveld 5-1 – but finished second to Lewis on Leg Difference in the final table.
The Unibet Home Tour continues on Saturday April 18 (1930 BST) with Group Two, which will feature world number three Gerwyn Price, 2019’s breakthrough star Luke Woodhouse and young duo Ted Evetts and Rowby-John Rodriguez.
The Unibet Home Tour can be watched live and free through PDCTV for registered users, as well as through bookmakers’ websites and international broadcasters.
Worldwide coverage is available through DAZN, Fox Sports Australia, Sky New Zealand, Viaplay in Scandinavia, Channel 2 Sport in Iceland, Pragosport in Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Supersport across Africa and through the Sky Sports App.
Unibet Home Tour Group One – Friday April 17 Peter Wright 5-4 Peter Jacques Niels Zonneveld 5-3 Jamie Lewis Peter Jacques 5-2 Niels Zonneveld Jamie Lewis 5-1 Peter Wright Jamie Lewis 5-4 Peter Jacques Peter Wright 5-1 Niels Zonneveld
Newly announced sponsors Unibet are offering the chance to add a to the home viewing experience of the PDC’s Home Tour.
Register at PDCtv to watch all the games from the new Home League. Free of charge!
World Champion Peter Wright will be the favourite to win the opening group, with Jamie Lewis, Peter Jacques and Niels Zonnenveld also making their debut in the new event.
Jamie Lewis – Up for an Upset? Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC
In the first game Jacques will hope to catch the World champion cold. Peter is a steady consistent player and who knows 4/1 might be tempting for a small stake. Perhaps the best possible bet for an upset is Jamie Lewis, also at 4/1 to defeat Snakebite.
Other odds seem to reflect the difficulty of separating the lower ranked players until they have shown what they can do from their own homes!
Opening night odds and fixtures:
Unibet Odds Group One Winner 2/5 Peter Wright 6/1 Jamie Lewis 6/1 Niels Zonneveld 6/1 Peter Jacques
Match Odds 1/6 Peter Wright v 4/1 Peter Jacques 4/5 Jamie Lewis v 19/20 Niels Zonneveld 17/20 Peter Jacques v 17/20 Niels Zonneveld 1/7 Peter Wright v 4/1 Jamie Lewis 4/5 Jamie Lewis v 19/20 Peter Jacques 18/5 Niels Zonneveld v 1/6 Peter Wright
Unibet Home Tour Group One – Friday April 17 (1930 BST) Peter Wright v Peter Jacques Jamie Lewis v Niels Zonneveld Peter Jacques v Niels Zonneveld Peter Wright v Jamie Lewis Jamie Lewis v Peter Jacques Niels Zonneveld v Peter Wright
Unibet has extended its association with the PDC after being confirmed as the title sponsor for the Unibet Home Tour, which begins on Friday night.
The innovative live streamed event will see four-player groups competing over the next 32 nights – bringing top-class sport to fans worldwide from the homes of PDC Tour Card Holders during the current global restrictions.
The Unibet Home Tour is free to watch online through PDCTV for registered users, with coverage also available through a series of broadcasters worldwide and via bookmakers’ websites.
“We’ve been delighted with the hugely positive response we’ve received from around the world since the Home Tour was announced earlier this week, and it gives me great pleasure to welcome Unibet as the title sponsors,” said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.
“They are valued partners of the PDC, notably through their support of the Unibet Premier League, and their sponsorship of the Unibet Home Tour will give extensive exposure to their brand in the coming weeks.
“Whilst ranking tournaments and the Unibet Premier League are currently on hold, the Unibet Home Tour is a great chance for PDC stars to return to competitive action from the comfort of their own homes.”
Neil Banbury, UK General Manager for Kindred Group, said: “We are delighted to work with the PDC on the Unibet Home Tour.
“This continuation of our partnership is a testament to both brands ability to innovate and provide excitement to our customers.”
The Unibet Home Tour begins on Friday April 17 (1930 BST) and will run for 32 consecutive nights in the first phase of the event, which involves PDC Tour Card Holders.
The opening group sees World Champion Peter Wright in action alongside Jamie Lewis, Niels Zonneveld and Peter Jacques.
Unibet Home Tour Group One – Friday April 17 (1930 BST) Peter Wright v Peter Jacques Jamie Lewis v Niels Zonneveld Peter Jacques v Niels Zonneveld Peter Wright v Jamie Lewis Jamie Lewis v Peter Jacques Niels Zonneveld v Peter Wright
The Ladbrokes UK Open is underway in its 2020 iteration. Lisa Ashton has fallen at the first fence, defeated by Mike de Decker, and Fallon Sherrock has also been knocked out. Former World Champion Scott Waites has made a strong start and has already claimed two victories. Adam Smith Neale joins the list of the early departed, Callan Rydz defeated the former Winmau World Master six – three.
Waites is moving through the field strongly on day one.
2020 Ladbrokes UK Open Friday March 6 Afternoon Session (1100 GMT Start, 1200 GMT on Main Stage) First, Second & Third Rounds Main Stage Mike De Decker 6-2 Lisa Ashton (R1) Scott Waites 6-4 Damon Heta (R1) Kyle McKinstry 6-1 Fallon Sherrock (R1) Mark McGeeney 6-5 Scott Baker (R2) John Michael 6-5 Jeff Smith (R2) Kevin Doets 6-3 David Pallett (R2) Kyle McKinstry 6-4 Jason Heaver (R2) Luke Humphries v Kyle Anderson (R3) Kim Huybrechts v Robert Thornton (R3) Josh Payne v Luke Woodhouse (R3)
Photo; DG Media/PDC Europe
Stage Two Cody Harris 6-5 Scott Taylor (R1) Kai Fan Leung 6-3 Kelvin Self (R1) Karel Sedlacek 6-0 Adam Hunt (R1) Alan Tabern 6-2 Keane Barry (R1) Andy Hamilton 6-3 Patrick Lynskey (R1) Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-0 Marko Kantele (R2) Scott Waites 6-1 Geert Nentjes (R2) Mike De Decker 6-5 Daniel Larsson (R2) Bradley Brooks 6-2 Nick Kenny (R2) Ryan Searle 6-5 Cristo Reyes (R3) William O’Connor 6-2 Jan Dekker (R3) Vincent van der Voort v John Michael (R3) William Borland v Mike De Decker (R3)
Czech star Karel Sedlacek claimed a strong win over Barrie Bates 6-2. Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC
Stage Three Steffen Siepmann 6-4 Krzysztof Kciuk (R1) Peter Jacques 6-4 Ciaran Teehan (R1) Steve Brown 6-5 Michael Barnard (R1) Daniel Larsson 6-5 Ryan Meikle (R1) Harry Ward 6-5 Gavin Carlin (R2) Kai Fan Leung 6-2 Kirk Shepherd (R2) Karel Sedlacek 6-2 Barrie Bates (R2) Rhys Hayden 6-4 James Richardson (R2) Richard North 6-4 Ron Meulenkamp (R3) Steve West 6-2 Conan Whitehead (R3) Bradley Brooks 6-4 Devon Petersen (R3) Wesley Harms v Martin Atkins (R3) Stephen Burton v Kyle McKinstry (R3)
Stage Four Jason Askew 6-4 Greg Ritchie (R1) Jason Heaver 6-0 Jesus Noguera (R1) Adam Smith-Neale 6-4 Ben Cheeseman (R1) Nathan Rafferty 6-3 Darren Beveridge (R1) Andy Boulton 6-2 Reece Robinson (R2) Maik Kuivenhoven 6-3 Nathan Derry (R2) Wesley Harms 6-5 Justin Smith (R2) Madars Razma 6-4 Derk Telnekes (R2) Jamie Lewis 6-5 Ross Smith (R3) Ted Evetts v James Wilson (R3) Steve Lennon v Alan Tabern (R3) Mickey Mansell v Niels Zonneveld (R3)
Stage Five Stephen Burton 6-1 Adam Huckvale (R1) Rhys Hayden 6-5 James Clark (R1) Bradley Brooks 6-5 Cameron Menzies (R1) Harald Leitinger 6-1 Kevin Burness (R1) Jonathan Worsley 6-4 Matt Clark (R2) Steffen Siepmann 6-2 Carl Wilkinson (R2) Ted Evetts 6-1 Berry van Peer (R2) Alan Tabern 6-3 Steve Brown (R2) Justin Pipe 6-3 Kai Fan Leung (R3) Ryan Joyce 6-2 Yordi Meeuwisse (R3) Lewis Williams 6-4 Jose De Sousa (R3) Nathan Rafferty v Jamie Hughes (R3)
Stage Six Wesley Harms 6-3 Aaron Beeney (R1) Danny van Trijp 6-4 Boris Koltsov (R1) William Borland 6-2 Andrew Davidson (R1) Lewis Williams 6-5 Robert Owen (R1) Jason Lowe 6-1 Cody Harris (R2) Martin Atkins 6-2 Christian Bunse (R2) Nathan Rafferty 6-1 Mike van Duivenbode (R2) Niels Zonneveld 6-4 Andy Hamilton (R2) Gabriel Clemens 6-3 Maik Kuivenhoven (R3) Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-3 Darius Labanauskas (R3) Rhys Hayden 6-2 Toni Alcinas (R3) Matthew Edgar 6-3 Callan Rydz (R3)
Stage Seven Martin Atkins 6-5 Ryan Murray (R1) Callan Rydz 6-5 Shane McGuirk (R1) Wayne Jones 6-1 Gary Blades (R1) Berry van Peer 6-3 Owen Roelofs (R1) Jason Askew 6-5 Rowby-John Rodriguez (R2) Yordi Meeuwisse 6-3 Peter Jacques (R2) Lewis Williams 6-3 Adrian Gray (R2) Joe Murnan 6-3 Harald Leitinger (R2) Martin Schindler 6-4 Benito van de Pas (R3) Andy Boulton 6-4 Mark McGeeney (R3) Jonathan Worsley v Jason Lowe (R3) Madars Razma v Scott Waites (R3)
Stage Eight Justin Smith 6-3 Andy Jenkins (R1) Derk Telnekes 6-3 Martijn Kleermaker (R1) James Richardson 6-4 Darren Penhall (R1) Kevin Doets 6-1 Alfie Thompson (R1) Stephen Burton 6-4 Vincent van der Meer (R2) Conan Whitehead 6-3 Wayne Jones (R2) William Borland 6-0 Danny van Trijp (R2) Callan Rydz 6-3 Adam Smith-Neale (R2) Jelle Klaasen 6-4 Jason Askew (R3) Harry Ward 6-3 Steffen Siepmann (R3) Joe Murnan 6-3 Karel Sedlacek (R3) Simon Stevenson 6-5 Kevin Doets (R3)
Schedule of Play Friday March 6 Afternoon Session (1100 GMT start – 1200 GMT start on Main Stage) First, Second & Third Rounds Main Stage, Stage Two & Stages Three-Eight
Evening Session (1900 GMT start) Fourth Round Main Stage, Stage Two & Stages Three-Eight
Saturday March 7 Afternoon Session (1230 GMT start) Fifth Round Main Stage, Stage Two & Stages Three-Four
Evening Session (1900 GMT start) Sixth Round Main Stage & Stage Two * NB Session times for Saturday amended from one session to two sessions.
Sunday March 8 Afternoon Session (1245 GMT start) Quarter-Finals Main Stage
Evening Session (1900 GMT start) Semi-Finals & Final Main Stage
Format First, Second & Third Rounds – Best of 11 legs Fourth, Fifth & Sixth Rounds & Quarter-Finals – Best of 19 legs Semi-Finals & Final – Best of 21 legs
Welsh darting brand Red Dragon have a lot to shout about already. Major champions, innovative models and a solid reputation for service and value. Yesterday they moved to a new level. We pestered Red Dragon’s Simon Hall for his thoughts before the final took place:
With World Titles meaning so much to every player, and those behind them, the chance of three in one year is nothing short of breathtaking
Simon Hall – Red Dragon
Red Dragon’s World Champion. PIC; PDC – PETER WRIGHT IN ACTION
With the crowning of Peter Wright, earlier this month, RD put the cherry on a long baked cake. Over the past decade they have developed a model and put together a group of players that rival anything seen previously. It results in World Champions!
Can Wayne Warren make it a rare double for the Welsh brand?
Wayne Warren lifting the BDO World Professional Championship gives the Bridgend based company a unique trio of World Champions. With Snakebite already holding the PDC crown and Luke Humphries capturing the World Youth title (PDC) it’s been a bumper few weeks. It may also make all the difference in the annual manufacturer rankings!
The RD model is not overly complex. The select their players carefully, work with them closely and stick with them for the long run.
A Celtic Flavour?
Success begins at home? – RD have a very good base of Welsh talent, but with Scots and more added!
In addition, to Warren, Red Dragon have Gerwyn Price, Johnny Clayton, Jamie Lewis and Barrie Bates all from their home pricipality of Wales. In addition, they boast a clutch of Scotsmen lead by Robert Thornton and backed up by John Henderson and Ross Montgomery. previous players include former world champ Richie Burnett. If you know sport you will understand that the Celtic passions work well in harness with sporting talent.
Multi Generational
Jamie Lewis seems to have spent his whole life under the wing of RD?
Like all manufacturers RD have been keen to find and nuture young talent, they were the first sponsor for Adam Smith Neale, backed Richard North and have supported Jamie Lewis through thick and thin. But RD are not in thrall to youth. During the last decade they took considered risks on older, seasoned player who were coming on strong. Mark Hylton, Ian White and indeed, Wayne Warren were all in there forties or older when they were first signed up.
Back Your Decision
Those who make the decisions at RD seem to stick with them and are not afraid to throw the rule book out of the window if it may help a player or kick start a relationship. The Peter Wright story, and ever changing equipment, might have driven some companies over the edge. Instead Red Dragon have invented a totally new model for Peter and his sponsorship.
PDC UNICORN WORLD YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL- LUKE HUMPHRIES WINS
John Henderson has had ups and down as well as injury, Gerwyn Price has had much publicised disciplinary issues and Luke Humphries has well documented mental health concerns. Yet all are still with RD and have had multiple deals often renewed during tough times as well as good. This approach seems to allow players time and space to flourish at their own pace or to adapt to new circumstances.
Choose Wisely.
Initial signing decisions are a combination of analysis, external reports, observation and consultation. There is no fixed recipe for pursuing, or signing, a player but a number of differing factors can influence a decision. A good network of informative and reliable sources, very good data and carefully honed instincts all play a part.
Patience.
RD are not the sort who sign a player as soon as he/she does anything of note and then reject them if they don’t hit that high spot again instantly. Instead they take advice and are prepared to move earlier at times and be more long term in their thinking. This has occasionally seen them miss out rather than make an error.
A good example is David Evans. ‘Stretch‘ is a fine player with huge potential. Several of RD sources pointed him out a while ago. Yet, other sources recommended a step by step approach as that thought he needed time to develop and adapt. The last twelve months, and his recent World Championship efforts, suggests that they were correct.
Red Dragon’s collection of a threesome of World Champions means they have reaped the rewards of a program, and a belief, that dates back well over a decade. It would be a wise move to keep an eye on their future signings and those already on their books.
We’re so lucky to have these great players out there fighting to win & carrying the Red Dragon Name
Simon Hall of Red Dragon Darts
More than just luck Simon! In the meantime congratulations are in order! Well done indeed.
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