Day 8 darts review: Gary Anderson through to third round

Evans and Jabba sped through their first set like lightening, but this seemed to benefit composed Caven far more than wobbly novice Rapid, with the older man taking an early edge as his opponent struggled to pace his throwing.

Steady scorer Caven was similarly quick to claim his second set, sweeping Evans aside with three perfect legs in a row, while Rapid teetered on the brink of elimination.

Nothing would stick for Evans, who found confident Caven much more problematic to shake on this exalted Ally Pally stage. After winding down to 24, Jabba checked out on a double 12 at the second time of asking, piling the misery on his younger peer, to go within a set of a whitewashing.

As Caven closed in on his fourth having conceded just one leg in the entire match, it was simply a bad day at the office for Evans, who still looks a talent in the making as he finally chalked up a maximum to show a hint of his promise while the duel wound down. Although, for Jabba, it could well be a much tougher tungsten challenge in James Wade who potentially awaits in the third round.

WINNER! @jabba180 flies into the third round, dropping just one leg against Ricky Evans. #WHDarts pic.twitter.com/wj8Lj2q3q1

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 26, 2015

Dave Chisnall 4-1 Christian Kist (3-2, 3-2, 3-0, 2-3, 3-0)

After flying through the first leg, perhaps taking his cues from the frantic opener, Chizzy found the familiar comfort of a 180, but made a mess of his finishing to allow Kist to strike back. Another missed double saw The Lipstick nip in to level once more, with Chisnall’s fluffing of leg-winning chances proving costly.

HEAD TO HEAD | Up next, @ChizzyChisnall takes on Christian Kist. Here's how the two compare: #WHDarts pic.twitter.com/uiXoCQiitS

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 26, 2015

A further three darts for the set scuffed later, Kist missed his own bull, so Chizzy finally took out an overdue double top on the deciding leg to nick it.

In response to his hesitancy, Chizzy got busy after the break, but yet again failed to close as The Lipstick capitalised on all his hard work, though the Englishman eventually managed to claw clear for second set spoils. There was a stark contrast in the third, however, as the St Helen’s hitman brazenly broke away and really began blasting in the maximums.

Chizzy looks in UNSTOPPABLE form so far at this year's #WHDarts. Is this @ChizzyChisnall's year? https://t.co/3IxBUqZjqF

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 26, 2015

Kist took control to claim back a set and stop Chizzy from breezing away with the encounter, but a cracking 12 180s in total and an average of almost 103 meant it was but a bandage on the damage Chisnall inflicted in this darting dust-up. Despite his impressive stats, however, Chizzy must hone his consistency in killing of games, with Peter Wright likely in the pipeline.

Gary Anderson 4-1 Daryl Gurney (2-3, 3-2, 3-2, 3-1)

What an advert for this competition, as yet another underdog thrillingly ran a fancied favourite close. World champion Anderson began with intent, almost notching a nine-darter as attempted to build on his brilliant opening outing.

Though, Gurney knows how to beat The Flying Scotsman, and gave as good as he got, clocking up a 14-dart leg before forcing Anderson into a first set decider, which he took out tremendously, with both players having racked up three maximums apiece in just five legs at that point.

This high quality clash continued after the break, with Derry-born Dude picking up where he left off, with yet another excellent 180 before drawing first leg blood. Though, of course, The Flying Scotsman was not to be put in the shade for much longer, as a deadly and spectacular 170 checkout spearheaded his revival to romp into a legs lead, but only momentarily knocked the Northern Irishman off his stride.

Gary takes out the BIG ONE! A maximum 170 check-out for @garyanderson180 Will this springboard him to the win? https://t.co/YV2coSL1oq

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 26, 2015

Gritty Gurney fought back to another deciding leg, hinting this match would go down to the wire, but this time it was Anderson who emerged victorious.

The bar was set standards-wise however, with the third set neck and neck yet again, with the pendulum swinging back in The Flying Scotsman’s favour, as Anderson (5/1 with Coral to retain this title) struck double 10 with his last dart after Gurney scuppered his chance at the set.

In the fourth, the world champion’s experience on this grandest of stages began to show, as he squeezed ahead and, propelled by the momentum dug in to make it a dramatic four final leg deciders from five sets. A 180 at just the right time saw The Flying Scotsman cement his third round place, though not without his feathers having been ruffled. As for Dude, the 4-1 scoreline did not do his daring darts justice.

Another win at The Palace for @GaryAnderson180 and a VERY impressive performance. It will take something to beat him pic.twitter.com/HhPVbzM2rx

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 26, 2015

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