SMITH SHINES IN GÖTTINGEN

By Aaron Nijjar  

ROSS SMITH hit the highest average on the opening day of the European Darts Trophy as he beat Michael Unterbuchner in round one.  

Former European Champion Smith averaged an impressive 106.44 in a 6-1 win against the German in Göttingen.  

World No. 18 Smith now plays UK Open finalist James Wade on Saturday. 

Following his victory, Smith revealed he fears no player on the oche.  

He said: “I’m happy with the win and the good performance, and bring on tomorrow.  

“I’m ready for James and I’m not bothered about who I play – I just concentrate on who I’m playing.”  

An emotional Ricky Evans enjoyed his first stage win over Raymond van Barneveld with a 6-4 victory over the five-time World Champion. 

The Kettering ace’s sister Elisha passed away at the start of March, and he admitted: “I didn’t care how I won – it’s not just beating Raymond, it means a lot to me.  

“I’ve just won a game of darts after everything I’ve been through, so I’m the happiest man in Germany right now. I’m still in this tournament but this is huge for me.” 

World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker cruised past Martin Lukeman 6-3 to progress to a tie with Peter Wright. 

‘The Real Deal’ hit two stunning checkouts of 114 and 121 to see off the Grand Slam of Darts runner-up.  

European Champion Ritchie Edhouse enjoyed a 6-2 win over Kevin Doets, missing just two darts at a double as he set up a tie with Nathan Aspinall on Saturday.  

Boris Krcmar will take on world number one Luke Humphries in round two, following his 6-4 win over Dirk van Duijvenbode.  

The Croatian posted a brace of 121 checkouts and averaged over 100 to see off the six-time Players Championship winner.  

Krcmar believes he is capable of causing a major upset on Saturday against ‘Cool Hand’.  

He said: “I feel good, I’m happy and now I must prepare for tomorrow.  

“The next round is one of the best players in the world but if I play my game I can beat anybody – and we will see tomorrow.”  

Three-time Euro Tour event winner Martin Schindler began his challenge with a 6-2 win over Adam Hunt, setting up a clash with fourth seed Jonny Clayton. 

Ryan Searle showed no mercy to European Tour debutant Laurin Welk, whitewashing the Host Nation Qualifier to progress to a tasty tie with Gerwyn Price on day two. 

Ryan Joyce will take on Dimitri Van den Bergh in round two following his clinical whitewash of Joe Cullen.  

‘Relentless’ smashed in six doubles from nine attempts to punish seven misses from his opponent.  

Home favourite Ricardo Pietreczko began his bid for further success on the European Tour with a 6-3 win over fellow German Daniel Klose, and he now meets former World Champion Michael Smith on Saturday. 

Connor Scutt missed five match darts for his first win on the European Tour as he lost out 6-5 to World Youth Champion Gian van Veen, who came from 5-3 down to set up a clash with UK Open semi-finalist Josh Rock. 

Cameron Menzies will take on sixth seed Damon Heta on Saturday after defying a 170 checkout from Alan Soutar to win their all-Scottish affair 6-2.  

Menzies and Soutar both averaged over 99 in a high class affair.  

Andrew Gilding’s 6-2 win over Callan Rydz moves the former UK Open winner through to a clash with third seed Rob Cross. 

Image by Taylor Lanning. 

Saturday March 22
Second Round
Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 GMT)
Danny Noppert v Wessel Nijman
James Wade v Ross Smith
Rob Cross v Andrew Gilding
Damon Heta v Cameron Menzies
Chris Dobey v Jermaine Wattimena
Michael Smith v Ricardo Pietreczko
Josh Rock v Gian van Veen
Dimitri Van den Bergh v Ryan Joyce

Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 GMT)
Gary Anderson v Luke Woodhouse
Gerwyn Price v Ryan Searle
Dave Chisnall v Ricky Evans
Peter Wright v Mike De Decker
Michael van Gerwen v Niko Springer
Luke Humphries v Boris Krcmar
Jonny Clayton v Martin Schindler
Nathan Aspinall v Ritchie Edhouse