Day 3 Darts: World Championships - Extra

done. 12 darts, left himself 60. Well, he's come back well. Now he

can take the opening leg of Great effort. Larry, you require 20.

So two tens for Butler, getting another option, another opportunity.

And there it is. Larry Butler. Well, he got there in the end,

didn't he? Held his nerve. Held his throw.

Tight match this one, not huge scores, but it's close between these

two which makes it kind of engaging. Some heavyweight battles coming up

for you later on. It is a good-looking night of darts, this

one. Always a buzz of anticipation when

the count is -- when the Count is around. Yeah!

Jamie Hughes, Ross Montgomery, Martin Phillips and Ted Hankey.

Those are four big-name players. It's the first time Ross has not

been seeded this year. He debuted back in 2006 and he's always been

the seeds. -- among the seeds. -- he's always been among the seeds.

This is a potential check-out. Not now.

He missed that by a long way. It looked like it slipped out of his

hand, but that's a good double. No-one is seizing the advantage yet.

Nothing to separate them. Trading lusty blows up on the oche. Is this

is what it's all about. -- this is what it's all about.

He got away with that a little bit. De Vreede will be sorry, or

disappointed, rather, not to have capitalised more. But he's going to

get another chance now to really turn the screw on the American.

Larry Butler with the darts in this leg. Butler's throw under a bit of

pressure. Cover shot coming up and it's a good one.

Larry, you require 122. Well, it can be done. De Vreede would be more

confident of 101. Treble-18 would give him a bull's-eye. Only misses

by a whisker. 68 for Butler. De Vreede poised on

48. 16 he needs. Oh, he missed it. Gets

it for tops, though, the 8. 28. Larry, you require 48. This is a

big moment. Now, this is to edge in front in

sets. Butler's finishing is letting him down.

We talked about his experience and composure and good form running into

this championship, Larry Butler. He needs all of those things now and 43

is not the way to go about mounting a bit of a recovery.

He's hit just one of his last nine darts at a double, Larry Butler. He

had three darts to take a two-set lead.

He missed them all. De Vreede is not giving him a look

hip just at the moment. Larry Butler has to break to extend this set into

a deciding leg. A big score here would make him feel better if he can

continue peppering the trebles. He could use the bull. He could use

the 18 it's. He uses the 0s. There you go. Bullseye. It's in!

A bull's-eye gets him back on to level terms.

A few shouts of, "-of-Come on, Larry." He missed it by a distance.

This is a must-get for Butler. His wife can hardly bear to watch. "Come

on, Larry," she says. He's got it! Two-two!

Yes! De Vreede does punish it. Oh! So near.

He's let him off the hook again, de Vreede. Butler has repaired the

damage, effectively, and now looking to forge ahead. A set apiece, two

legs apiece, and nothing to separate them. Just those three darts and 137

points. The winner of this leg takes the set. Well, 64. It can be done.

It can be done in three. He's got six if he needs them. He will need

them. That's good shooting, though. Good

thinking. And leaving himself on 46. He's certainly the favourite now.

He's gone six for tops. Yes! A 14-dart leg to take the set! He

knows how big that is! And now de Vreede, who looked as

though he was going to take that at one point, he has it to do. A set

down look at this from Butler. Great start to this opening leg.

Very little to separate them, as you would expect. This has been nip and

tuck, all three sets going the distance.

Butler with the advantage on the check-out. He went through a little

double wobble midway through the match. He missed eight out of nine,

but he's hit his last two. He went through a little bit of a

trough as well in his scoring. He seems to have gone through that as

well. A bit annoyed at that treble-three.

De Vreede first on to a finish. He needs a treble.

Well, de Vreede certainly the favourite now. Well, he's taken out

121. He's taken out 102. Double-16 for a 106. 148, then, for Butler,

his best so far a 125 in this match. Lovely cover shot.

He did all that was necessary. Yeah, to hold his throw at the start of

this set. It's not lying well, that one, had

to adjust and come down the board. Yeah. That's better. That's better

from de Vreede. Back in touch in this leg.

Advantage de Vreede. Butler on a finish. But de Vreede, in theory,

can take it out in a couple of darts and no check-out for Butler now. So

can de Vreede take this one against the throw?

All of a sudden, the finishing line comes into view because, if he can

break, he will have the darts for a place in the last 16.

Oh, my goodness. Didn't he need that treble 19 there? Butler, though, has

effectively got the darts now. He can get a treble here. This is a

big one. Ah, no. Scott Mitchell is choosing to watch

Bond films, isn't he? He's got to be a big favourite here. Treble ten

he'll be looking for. Oh, he didn't. 12, bull's-eye. 41. That's certainly

in the the normal way of going for 66.

Another treble 20 and a double 10. Oh, how unlucky is that? How unlucky

is that? I think veris the -- very is the answer. The crowd

sympathetic. Wow! What a dart! Larry, you require 25. Very classy.

Lakeside applauds warmly. But double 8 for the break for Butler.

Suddenly the crowd are starting to liven up and de Vreede gets the

double and, against the odds Siamingly, holds his throw.

I wonder how much he's enjoying his Lakeside debut, Ryan de Vreede.

Some nervy darts now. Yeah, the scoring has gone a little quiet,

hasn't it? Dennis Harbour had a narrow victory

over Daryl Thitton. Can't now be done. So Butler will

come back and take us into a fourth consecutive deciding leg. It's been

a pretty moderate leg, this one. This is his 19th dart. Tops now.

He's done it, Dean Winstandley sitting on the balcony. His wife is

in the competition here. Lorraine, of course.

Must hold here, de Vreede. Butler in his first match was two sets up

against James hourily. Eventually came through 3-1 in a deciding set.

He would love to win this leg and finish it off here. If he's going to

do it, he needs to find the red bit. Let's see if if he can up the ante a

bit now. This would be a good time to hit a 140.

Has to cross. Well, not there, is it? His bad dart is a slight push

into the one. De Vreede's on a finish. Butler is

nowhere near. 180. That's his fourth maximum of

the match! No check-out for him, though.

De Vreede is still the favourite. Oh, yes! Comes off the barrel, into

the treble 20. He's left himself a much easier

finish. He will be back on the oche, but he will need to take out this

56. Well, composes himself. Butler nicely placed. Tops now. Double 10.

This is a big dart and he's got it! Responds and takes the leg and with

it the set. And we're now at two each and Larry Butler knows that a

bit of indifferent scoring in that final leg there just let him down.

So close all the way through. You'll have your favourites when you're

watching, who you think is likely to prevail. If you want to let me know,

please do. I can't work this one out. It's as close as that. They've

won ten legs apiece and their averages are very, very similar.

Not much in it on the check-outs, either. Marginally better for de

Vreede, but not by a deal. Big scores. Well, Butler has had

more of the 180s. There's really not much to separate these two and

frankly we've got no idea who is going to win this match, which is

kind of how we like it. De Vreede on a Philip.

Butler would love to pepper this for a 140. He's coming down. Oh, good

cover shot. Sharon Butler almost can't watch.

She's turning away when Larry's throwing sometimes.

We do need to find her something to hide behind. This is to hold his

throw. De Vreede for a break. This will be

double ten. Butler on 28. If he gets another opportunity, but he

shouldn't. He's been pretty good on that double

10 and de Vreede takes it out again. Big Louis up there with the Dutch

contingent. The master purveyor of pies, if you

were watching earlier, we went through that story.

He brought a whole van load over, I think, from Holland.

Well, I was just about do say that de Vreede now becomes favourite but

then he opens this leg with a 60. Butler spopeds with a 140 and once

again we vus don't know. He's perplexed. His support is

permixed. And -- perplexed and Larry Butler at last finds a treble.

De Vreede with those two treble-19s has clawed his way to a three-dart

finish. So this to move to within a leg of

the match. Two darts to level the deciding set.

Oh, yes! Finds the double ten! Oh! Sharon breathes again! But not for

long. She was most certainly watching that one.

Jumping for joy. And still just nothing between them. I wonder what

would have happened in this match, could have, should have, you know,

but if Larry Butler had hit... Oh, there's a maximum! Much needed after

a 58 on his first visit, but what would have happened if he had taken

one of those chances to take a two-set lead? Well, he was two up, I

think, in his pre-law match, wasn't he? And his opponent came clawing

his way back in. Anyway, it's all history. It's all about what happens

from here on in and whose nerve is going to hold.

How he needed that maximum. The 58 and the 21 either side of it. Six

maximums in the match now, five of them to Larry Butler.

Almost, Sharon. Almost. Just one more leg he needs.

If it gets to two apiece, we go to a tie-break situation.

If it gets to five apiece - and it has happened before this week - we

bully up for the advantage of throwing first in a #1ud-death

deciding leg. A long way to go before that. Butler will want to

take this out here. Well, this is very good from Butler. A 140-140

start to this leg. And suddenly, Butler is now the

favourite to win this leg. And with it the match. Sharon Butler watching

on intently. I'm told she turned her head away momentarily. Now she's

watching. We're all watching intently. It's a

knife-edge kind of match. For the match, 121.

When he says require, he means require. Two darts at double 10 to

keep the match alive. That was close!

Oh! That is, that is hard to bear! Twice. So Larry Butler with a chance

to close this out. If you have a dictionary definition

of nervous, it's Sharon Butler right now. Her husband gets a double top

for the match. And de Vreede now, a couple of tense to make it two

apiece and keep this match going on. Which he does! Butler more missed

opportunities. There has to be a two-clear-leg

advantage. If it goes as far as five all, it goes to sudden death.

Kind of had this written on it from a very early stage. Oh, it really

did. Every set has gone the distance. Every set, in fact, has

gone with the darts. And there's just nothing to separate these two.

They've each won 12 legs. They're each averaging around about 86 and

they're each desperate to win this match and set up a last 16-tie with

Glen Durrant, the top seed. Back-to-back 140s for Larry Butler

has put him into the box seat on this on his throw, 221 now. And if

-- I wonder if he can find another one.

Oh! How about that? Maximum number six for the American!

CHEERING 41 back for the 3-2 advantage.

Two 16s for an 11-dart leg. So he had a dart for the match. He

missed it. Did it affect him? Not much.

That was terrific. He was Joe Cool there, wasn't he? Happy as Larry!

And just one leg away. Again. For the third time.

Oh! Opportunity again for Butler. There's the Dutch referee, could be

heading for another tie-break. He had pretty quick matches, I think,

last year. And... He's already had four. Could potentially be his

fourth. He's in matches for the long haul, is the Dutchman.

Now, Butler, can he find another big hit? Put pressure on? Good dart.

You'd have to fancy de Vreede from here. But how often can he keep

producing darts like that? When it really matters? 55, pretty handy.

And Butler is not making business inroads. Still not on a finish.

Well, he missed out on the double top but he'll have another go. If

there is such a thing as a good miss at this stage of a match, that was

it. Dear, dear, dear. Now, penny for the

thoughts of Sharon Butler now. He'd love two darts at double 18.

Won't get them. A treble-20 for double 8.

For Larry Butler. This is for the match.

Oh! He's found it! He finds the double-8. Larry Butler! 23 years

after his Lakeside debut, has won his second tight match in a row!

Pacman sent packing. Larry Butler serves up a last-16 tie against the

top seed. That was fun! When number four seed Jamie Hughes

gets it right, he is class. He's been a World Masters Final a couple

of years ago and arriving at Lakeside this year, he faced the

unenviable task of taking on the only Scot left in the dross, Ross

Montgomery. Maybe he can take some inspiration from Gary Anderson.

Remember Ross made the quarterfinals here 12 months ago.

Commentary comes from John Rawling and George Reilly.

Both players on the oche. Here we go. Just been the wire of the treble

with the opening dart. So only a 55 to start for Jamie.

In the WDF World Cup, Ross got to the singles final, lost out there to

a Welshman, Jim Williams. But... He can, at his best, play really well.

He averaged 97 when he put Scott Waites out last year.

Yeah. He had a 161 finish in that as well, didn't he? He did.

Are EnHewitt to the quarterfinals. -- en route to the quarterfinals

before he was downed by Woolfie. I almost admit with some trepidation

that I couldn't remember whether Jamie was a Wolves fan or a West

Brom fan. You don't want to get that one wrong! I chose not to ask the

question. I got somebody else to ask for me!

Yeah, we sort of went... I kind of thought it was Wolves, so it was

couched as, "Are you a Wolves fan?" Which was perhaps just as well.

Right. 114! You can ask an open, "What have you

made of the season so far?" Question and try and deduce it from there.

It's like asking me if I support Sheffield Wednesday. Ask me that

one? OK. Here comes Yozza, Jamie Hughes. 16 would leave a bull. Good

effort. But not this time. Double 18, against the throw. For

the Scotland cap tape, way off. Closer -- cop tain. Way off. Closer.

No score. No. Jamie, I require 25.

Double 8 to take first blood in this opening set. That's surely going to

be a good marker. Just working along the oche a bit to improve the angle

and in it goes. Two areas down in the players' room

where they practise, one which is a bit noisy and boys Ross and another

one, the quiet room, where you're away from it and there's nobody

giving any sort of distractions and that was where Jamie chose to make

his final preparations for this match, staying away from all the

noise and just concentrating on his throw and getting himself absolutely

right. Good dart.

Seeded four, is England's Jamie Hughes, this year. He's had a good

season, actually, up six places in the rankings. Well, the people he

beat in those finals, which he took, James Hurrell for one, then Scott

Waites and Ryan de Vreede, so he's beaten some good men to take those

titles. He's going to have to beat a good

player today. Montgomery will be so keen to hold on to his throw here,

not to allow the Englishman to gain an early advantage. He needed that

treble with his last dart. He had a great run, Montgomery, last

year, but prior to that, he's never been beyond Round 2.

It's his ninth Lakeside for Ross and he's got 156 here.

Can'tness be done own this occasion. -- can't be done on this occasion.

But Hughes with a big ask, 142, if he's going to strike against the

throw. So treble 20. He's going to go 17s,

perhaps, here. Yes, he was. He was looking for the bull. Go back

to 20s. Excellent final dart. The thinking on the 17s, two treble 17s

leaves tops. Or would have done.

Treble 19, then, for Montgomery would have left 18s. That's a good

last dart. Tops for Jamie to make it two

successive legs. Oh, dear. He knows that was not a

very clever dart. And is Ross going to make him pay? 16s, that's not a

bad first one. And makes the small adjustment and in it goes, safe as

houses. One apiece. Yeah, a bit of a shaky start in

terms of the check-outs. One of six for Hughes, one of five thus far for

Montgomery. They've not really got into gear on the scoring as yet,

have they? Both of them averaging in the 70s, capable of a lot more.

Dorothy Montgomery watching on, as Ross takes a breather.

As you said, John, Ross Montgomery is unseeded here this year, the

first time that's happened since he made his debut ten years ago.

But, as you pointed out, that makes him perhaps - what was your phrase,

a dangerous floater? Absolutely. Not perhaps the greatest term of

endearment, but I think I know what you mean.

I know Chris Mason, my commentating mate, has a very high opinion of

Jamie Hughes. And he reckons that he is certainly capable at some stage,

maybe this year - you never know - but capable of winning this title.

That looks a bit loose to me. Is he going to come away? Yep, he did.

Wide. 47.

Jamie, I require 102. So 102 for Jamie Hughes.

Bull? Not this time. Well, he set it up nicely.

He'll be back for tops. Montgomery well back.

That will improve things a little. Just about managing to get on a

finish. 170. Now, Hughes to go ahead. First man to hold his throw,

maybe. Tops needed. There's a few of them down from the

Black Country, a fair of them singing Hi Ho Silver Lining. He

comes from tip tonne, but is in Dudley. -- which is in Dudley.

Tipton, but is in Dudley. -- which is in Dudley.

Ah, Sheffield Wednesday fans! And before anybody starts Googling that

one, that is a sort of a friendly term of endearment, which we

Sheffield football supporters share between each other. If you're a

Wednesday fan and you're a United fan, then that's the word which is

used. And if you are a Wednesday fan, and

you're in the vicinity of the Lakeside, feel free to pop up and

say hello to John. Yeah, and tell me exactly what you think. Thank you

very much for that, George. It's a slow burn, this match, isn't

it? Yeah, not really got going. Could be that it just needs that

little bit of an injection. If one player really starts hitting the

numbers like this, then that might actually produce the momentum that

we anticipated. Yeah, much better, Jamie Hughes,

nudging his average up to the mid-80s. Montgomery with this

response. Sunrise switchdown here. -- nice suchdown here. 118 for

Hughes, then. This would be a strike against the darts and would have

taken him to the first leg, but he can't do it now, so Montgomery will

come back with 70 required to square up the set once more.

Well, he won't want to leave the door open here, Ross Montgomery.

Treble 18. Well, he's gone 10s. So... 20 leaves tops. And he nails

it. One dart is all he understood needed. Well done, Ross. That's more

like it. And capitalising on a loose visit

from Jamie Hughes and he's right back in there. Tight match. Hughes's

scoring the heavier but Montgomery getting a key finish there.

And he knew, didn't he, that he'd slipped up, Jamie Hughes. That look

of anguish, that wins, he knew it could be costly and thus improved.

He'll switch and a great cover start. A proud Scotsman is Ross and

I know it means a lot to him to captain his country. And here

looking to clinch what has been a very, very tight opening set.

So it's advantage Hughes, though, with the darts. And these. Oh, yes!

His first maximum and the first maximum of the match! 125, a very

makeable check-out, may decide to go the bull route.

He was looking for the bull first there. 25, maybe, would have been.

However, he's a long way clear and that's a decent lead. Can Montgomery

do something to put a bit of doubt will? No, he can't.

So 32 for Jamie Hughes. Double 8 for Jamie Hughes.

One more shot at it. He'd effectively given up there, I

think. Just wants to get this one out of the way, and get on with the

next - and the next set maybe. He is on 170. Well! Have I written him off

too soon? See what he can make of this. What a moment this could be!

Current highest check-out is at 161. 170 the maximum check-out, which you

can get in a game of darts. Good throwing. Well, he's back there now.

If Jamie continues to miss, six missed set darts... Make that seven.

Make that eight. . Well, well, well! Here comes Montgomery. Jamie Hughes

has got the double blues. Does he go straight to double 15 or will he go

10 double 10 in double 15, my guess. Now, he has to tidy up. Double 4.

For the first set. Well, Jamie will be feeling he

probably doesn't dempj to deserve to win this leg, but, hey, he still

can. Two out of 16. Montgomery said something to him, as he made his way

up to the occy. Well, it worked. That is 10.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE Finally, number 11 is the charge.

Jamie Hughes! Touches fists. Nice to see Montgomery telling the crowd to

keep the noise down, when one or two were threatening to try and put

Hughes off. So, opening set: To the man from Dudley, as we move on now

with Montgomery with the darts. . He can count himself very fortunate,

Jamie Hughes, that Ross Montgomery was miles back there. Because you

cannot be missing 10 darts at a -- and a double at the BDO World

Championship. Both offence them averaging only --

of them averaging only in the 70s. That's good throwing! Winner of this

match will face either Robson, or the Latvian, who is in action

tomorrow. . Didn't go for the 20. Wanted to

just set up and give him the opportunity of getting a Shanghai. A

120. But that is a first great dart. Treble 19 would left the bull.

To hold on to the darts - oh, dear! Oh, dear! Well, that's the 20 gone.

68 for Hughes. 16 leaves tops. Well, they are having all associates

of difficulties with these finishes, aren't they? A ruinous effect on

their average, wanted double top, double top, and didn't get either of

them. So double 10 for Hughes has against the throw. That's better!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE That is a good throw. Puts him in

the driving seat in the second set. Already, one set to the good. This

is good! Solid 140. Yes, five. 140-plus for the match.

There is one for Ross Montgomery. APPLAUSE

. Jamie Hughes's wife, Jane, watching on. She will be pleased

with this. She will be enjoying that. Indeed!

Chatting to Bob Potter earlier on, the fellow who owns this remarkable

place in Frimley Green. Well into his 80s now. I tell you what dish

hope I like as good as that when I'm his age. As sharp as a tack. .

Dresses very well as well, doesn't he, Bob? What, unlike me?!

LAUGHTER You said it! He's always walking

around, talking to everyone inside. Well, he loves this. He was on a

finish, but he is going to have time on his side. He has another

opportunity, top 20 comes back. Bob loves the darts. Look at this! Tops

there for Hughes, to go 2-0 ahead. A little bit lower will be bang on.

A little smile. And then he pulls it. That was Jane. Jane, his wife,

watching on. Montgomery can take this out. Tops now.

Can't get going, can he, Ross, at the moment. Another opportunity for

Jamie Hughes. Two 10s. No mistake this time!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE A set and two legs to the good

against the Scotland captain. That's better. Montgomery - well,

what he would give to hold his throw here.

There is Richard Veenstra, the Dutch player. A happy-go-lucky character.

Dirk's doppelganger. Good to see his finishing has improved since he left

Liverpool. So, Ross handily placed on 102, with

the darts. Brilliant 1940, though, from Hughes, just applying a bit of

pressure. Good first dart. Double 16 now. Missed it. So, this - well, it

would be the highest check-out of the match and it would be for a

two-set lead. Treble 20. Treble 18 leaves a shot at bull. Not this

time. Good visit, though. Both on 32. Montgomery double eight now.

Fours. And he's missed a key dart. Can't buy a double, Montgomery. Two

of 13. 15% check-out. Two 16s. CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Nails it first go! In Ross's defence, I would say that he did try

to quieten the crowd down when Jamie was on a key double. And they

touched fists after that. But who knows? We will keep our eye

on that. Maybe there is a bit of spark and a bit of needle. Two very

different characters, these two. You sometimes like to see a bit of that,

don't you? Absolutely! Some of the great sporting rivalries, John, are

fuelled by hatred. . Going back a few years, one Mr Bristow used to

turn it into a fine art form, didn't he? Trying to wind people up. And

the more the crowd bayed at him, the more he seemed to like it and

thrive. Well, the best way to quieten your opponent is to throw

darts like that. And he has to do that now, does Ross Montgomery. Two

sets down. Well, Ross way clear here against

the darts. The mystery of why he was a bit miffed, maybe, with Ross, and

they weren't getting on too well. We might have been able to explore a

little bit more about it. We will see this one out of the way first.

Bull's-eye. ..And then have a look. Hughes on 200. Montgomery a chance

to strike against the throw, which will certainly brighten him up a

bit. Brilliant! April and! CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Makes the 25. Double eight. Fours. Big darts. And he keeps his nerve. .

Good dart indeed. Had to take that. Hughes with the 180 was poised.

Well, what happened as they left the stage at the end of that last set?

We will have a look after these three. There's not been any eye

contact since. Here we go. Let's have a look at this. A little tap on

the head from Yozze to Ross and a reaction. Make of that what you

will. Wasn't exactly riotous, was it? Anyway. Onwards with the game.

Hughes, two sets to the good. Montgomery with the break, though,

in this third set. There was also that reaction, wasn't

there, from Ross Montgomery right at the very start when he looked miffed

at the start of his walk on. Who knows? We are not sure whether the

wrong music was played... Or something was shouted. Who knows? A

couple of-odd reactions from Montgomery this evening. The bottom

line is that Hughes is ahead in the match and looking to put pressure on

the throw here. He will be disappointed with that.

Montgomery I am told is on a finish here. He is on 167, not 165 as

shown. So, he is on 147 now. He's left him on 110. And that's been 110

is what Montgomery requires. Hughes on 157. There we go, thankfully the

correct score for you shown on the screen. And it is 110 for a two-leg

lead. Third set for Ross Montgomery. Treble 8 or perhaps bull. Oh!

Nystar. So - - neither. So, we will stay up. Hughes 64 to take the leg

back against the throw. Looking at the 16s and eights. Double eight

now. Good finishing. (APPLAUSE)

Good stuff from Jamie Hughes. Back on level terms and with the throw,

so with the advantage in this third. Yeah, both legs against the darts.

Third set. Two sets, the advantage to England's Jamie Hughes, the

fourth seed. Last 16 last year. Three of his five career titles came

in 2015. Moving him up the rankings. And here he is now giving Montgomery

a bit of a seeing to. Part of that winning England team as well in the

World Cup. That took place in Turkey. And he's got the bit between

his teeth now, you sense. The insignia on his collar, which we

can hopefully have a look at. There you are. That is Gaelic for

"Scotland The Brave." He is going to have to show that bravery right now.

Because this is a real fight for Scotland's captain. He is a better

player than he's shown. Oh, much better than this. 164 can be done.

Many a good dart. Treble 18, leaves the bulls' eye. Just decided in the

end with time on his side just to set it up. Yeah. Playing the

percentages now, Jamie Hughes, to try and close this one out. No

finish for Ross Montgomery. He was going to go down but he's changed

his mine. He will go 18. Great third dart! Quality dart, that. So, Hughes

32, double 16, double 8 now. Off the wire - Montgomery breathes

again. What a time for one of those! Well, these are now must-get darts

for Ross Montgomery. He's got one more at double 20. No. So back comes

Hughes for double 8 again. Unlucky with the last dart on his last vie

sit. This to hold his throw and go ahead in the first set 2-1 . That's

a good marker. "Come on", he says. Yes!

APPLAUSE Steely focus in the eyes through the

beads of perspiration. Big moments, these, for Jamie Hughes. A great

response, though, from Ross Montgomery. Top 40. Still waiting

for his first match 180, Montgomery. He's going to pretty much take

everything from here. Somehow, try and claw his way back.

One leg away from defeat. Ross Montgomery... And a lot to ponder,

because he's been way below his brilliant best today so far. But it

can still be rescued. Level pegging with the throw. Needs a treble,

though. Well, he had to get that dart you sensed. That was so bad

that he can't stop himself laughing. That's the way! And again. How about

that for a refocus! A big, fat one. And then two in the lipstick of the

20. What a big moment that could prove here! No finish, then, for

Montgomery. Hughes will have first go at checking out here to, perhaps,

win the match. So, Hughes coming back with 129 now

to try and check this one out and try and win the match. Montgomery on

70. He's put a bit of pressure on this one. He's put a lot of pressure

on it. And the shake of the head tells you all you need to know.

There is no finish. Montgomery can keep alive here. That's in the bull,

the second dart. Yeah. Just doing a bit of last-minute maths there.

Jamie Hughes... Leaves himself 56. Will he have a shot? 70 for Ross

Montgomery, last year's quarterfinal yes, I was. This to -- quarterfinal

list. This to stay alive. Double top to stay in the match. Missed it. So

Jamie Hughes has a two-darter to close it out. 16 for tops. 10s...

Can he take it? No! Grazes the wire. Well, this has to land for Ross. Oh,

dear. Double five. These are awful. No mistake!

APPLAUSE . Match dart's gone then. Hughes,

though, with the throw. If he can hold on, once again, he would take

that third set and so progress into the next round. Well, it is still

very much for Hughes to lose, but Ross has rallied. And there's more

from Montgomery. APPLAUSE

Thinking to himself, "Why couldn't I do that earlier in the match." !

Yes. We are seeing something like what Montgomery can produce, but

he's running out of time with Hughes still throwing darts like that.

A couple of loose ones. Needs a treble. Gets another one. And a

yell! He's angry. Hughes on 323. A good shot. 140. Excellent!

APPLAUSE Well, that was a his! Did itn't --

didn't like something, did he? Dear, oh, dear, he gave up. Tossed the

final dart, smack in the middle of the treble 20. Shus, 183 now. Just

trying to maintain composure, despite what else might be happening

up there on the stage. (APPLAUSE)

It is a good last dart. Well, Hughes just needs to keep his cool here,

because Montgomery looks like he's got... He'd given up on that last

one, and this is 86 now to close it out for England's Jamie Hughes.

Treble 18. Oh, he is into the big four. It might have to be bull here.

A single 17. And Montgomery... On 164. Treble 18 gives him a shot at

bull. He couldn't, could he? No. So, Hughes will be back with tops. Her

he comes then. Is this the moment? Another chance to win this match.

Tops is all it needs. That's a good marker. And it just went in!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE Victory by three sets to nil. What

shall we say? A few interesting she Nan gangs on -- then gains on the

stage -- shenaniganss. Montgomery underperforms and Hughes winning it

ultimately pretty comfortably, three sets to 0. Martin Phillips is never

a player to be underestimated. Twice a Lakeside semifinalist, a former

win and leaves his talking to the darts, unlike sometimes his

opponent, the counter, Peter Handscomb. He raced past David

Cameron, but would he take down the Welshman and get himself into the

second round? Remember, he is double world championship and when he gets

it right he is sensational to watch. Wales against England for a place in

the second round. Your commentary comes from John Rawling and Tony

Green. . Martin throwing first. He doesn't hang about. No. Phillip

rattle through his throw. Ted, he will take his time. Peter Handscomb

board a lovely smooth, throwing action. You hear people wax lawyer

Raquel -- wax about the throwing action, but a pure technical

smoothness, if you like, for want of a better word, Hankey is right up

there. Just watch this. Stud -- a study in balance. So few moving

parts, apart from the arm delivering the dart. Just the way it should be.

Technical on the barrel. And the fluency. Unsuccessful foray into the

PDC ranks, Ted Hankey. Had a few health problems, and great to see

him back. Working his way up the rankings with the BDO. Narrowly

missed out last year. Just by one place, I think, in qualifying, as of

right from his year's performances here. And determined that he will be

more than just a bit part player. Phillips, though, is a good thrower.

Yeah. Ted is making his 16th BDO world championship appearance here

tonight. I know for a fact he will be loving it. Well, he is on the

finish. Phillips with the darts. Unlucky. 160. What a start this

would be! Coming down for the 19s. 119. Mark

Webster... World Championships from Wales. Hits the bull. The double 16.

17 leaves double top. Yes, he is going for double top. Phillips,

trying to set up tops as well. Here we go. Very fast throw. Not to be.

Smooth. Ted, double 19. Nobody looks the 19. You go straight at it. I

would think he will. Well, they both have 21. Yeah. A bit

- few nerves first. There's been a long time away, has Ted. Hear them

all cheering, "Come on, Ted."! They are waiting for him.

Double 1. He was going for the three. Wrong side of the wire. Look

at that. ANNOUNCER: No score. Who is more

nervous here? This is his throw, remember. Finally! The 26th dart,

was it? For Martin Phillips. The two of them exchange a wry little smile.

They know there are better thing ahead. A 26-dart leg.

Advantage for Ted. With his first throw. You mentioned his 16

appearances. That equals Eric Bristow and John Lowe. Only Martin

Adams with 23 has done more. Yeah. That was between 1978 and 1913. Or

even 1993? Well, yes. We will go for that!

. So quick up to the occy, isn't he? Ted is taking his time, slowly,

slowly, gently does it. Doesn't rush up to take the them out and walks so

slowly back. He is trying to - look, there you go. He is trying to really

slow the rhythm of Phillips. Almost throwing before he's left - almost

throwing before he's left the occy. Talking about check-outs, in 2000

Ted hit a 170 check-out to win the title.

BOOING He revels in this pantomime villain

persona. He had a word with somebody in the audience. I don't know if it

was somebody who was shouting. That was a response! He turns and and

says, "Yeah, you might try and put me off. That is what I can do! ."

137. Treble 20 or treble 19. Tops. . CROWD:

We love you Ted! Phillips, way back. 100 makes it

look a bit better and puts some pressure on this. Double 10. Double

five. Double 5 then for Hankey. This to

square up the opening set. He missed that by a distance. Went three

double 1. Gets it! CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

I have never seen so many cheer that outshot. Double 1!

LAUGHTER Phillips has one double out of nine.

Hankey one out of 12, which probably explains the averages in the 60s at

the moment. Come on The Count! They have played each other on numerous

occasions, these two. They know their game.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE Ted Hankey had some success this

year. Runner-up in the Scottish classic to Madars Razma, and he's

reached a couple of semifinals as well, the Hal and the Luxembourg

Open. It gives you a chance to get into the habit again, doesn't it?

Doesn't rattle him playing on the big stage, though. I am sure we will

get bigger numbers from him before too long like this. Maybe this one.

Finish. Another 20. Double top. He's blocked the bed. Hankey comes back

looking for a Shanghai here. 120. To take the leg against the darts.

Well, that's a treble 5. Just checking with the scorer. Went for

the bull. That is a bit of a loose visit. Double 10. For the

left-hander. That's good! CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

2-1. Wales leading. Goes back a long way, does Martin

Phillips. Missed a couple of times to the world championship to Bobby

George in '93 and '94. . Yeah. I think Ted is going to have a hard

ride here. Phillips seeded at number 10. Hankey unseeded.

Had to play in the preliminaries to get to this stage. So, playing his

second match here, Hankey. He beat Dave Cameron in the first round, the

Canadian in the preliminary, rather. Yeah, he played exceptionally well,

as well, did Ted. Phillips will come back on a finish on 142. This will

test the cameraman. This is for the opening set. Steady. Ted is still on

200. So, 42 for Phillips. ANNOUNCER:

Martin, you require 42. Here it is! Off the wire. Just the wrong side.

Hankey for 105. Unlucky. On his throw, remember. Tops he

needs. And another one! Oh! Unlucky. That is a finish you love to see

when it works. There is a good finish - double 16. Double 8. And

double 4. So he goes right around the board. He does it with...

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE Double 16... The cheers are from the

Welsh. The first set in the bag for Phillips.

The bookies... 80-1 and Ted wasn't very happy with it. He said, "I am

going to show them." Still time. It is only one set, the first of three.

Just a fraction out, but he you have to be right in the middle, just like

that. And another! Phillips made his debut here in 1991. Lost in the

first round to somebody who you might have heard of - Phil Taylor!

Near heard of him! APPLAUSE

A great friend of mine! LAUGHTER

Lost to Glen Durrant in the quarterfinal of the World Masters. A

great match as well. Twice a semifinalest in 2010 and 2012. Well,

the crowd have... The girls are really quiet. They want to see

Hankey click 174 with the darts. And Phillips at the moment is making it

a difficult night for The Count. He will have to finish at 80. It could

be... ANNOUNCER: Ted, you require 80.

Leaves double 10. 20! Needs to get this. Finish on for Phillips! He he

make him pay? 84. Treble 20 will be the dart he goes for. He's missed

that. 14 would leave bulls' eye. Got to make a move, Ted. Double 10. The

wire, that's all. Not going his way. He's had 17 darts that are double,

Hankey, and got one of them. Phillips there, 25. Double 8. Double

4. Phillips hasn't been a huge amount better. OK. Come on! Show us

your worth. Double 10. The marker. Oh, dear. 24 darts Hankey had.

Double... CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Running away with it is Martin. ANNOUNCER: Second leg - Martin to

throw first. Game on. That was a leg against the darts. Hankey has got to

get into the match pretty sharpish, or he's running a very real risk of

just being blown away. I don't know if he's being playing

competitive darts in his absence. He's been playing around the

circuit. He's got here by his virtue of his ranking and you only acquire

that by playing in the competitions. Hasn't had any titles this year.

This is the one he loves. He's played in eight ranking tournaments

in 2015. So, 161. It can be done. Not now,

though. Hankey is a long way back. 78 when Phillips returns. It is very

makeable. Hankey is not just hitting the treble with any sort of degree

of regularity. Double top. CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Leg after leg! Hankey's average at the moment is less than 67. He is

going to have to start and it's got to be now. He has a nightmarish

persona on his ring walk anyway. And he's experiencing a little bit of

the same up there at the moment. Trying to compose himself. Plenty of

support for him in the crowd, a few very audible, "Come on, Ted",

shouts. That's better. A good cover shot.

Yeah. Oh! I thought it was there. Well, they will be pleased.

APPLAUSE The wife of Martin.

Phillips takes this leg. He's taken the set. And Hankey - well, he is on

a finish on 170. But Phillips is right with him.

ANNOUNCER: Ted, you require 170. OK. The big one. Needed the treble. 160

coming in. Hankey looks as though he's speeding up his throw a bit,

trying to loosen up 75 now. A good dart for double 12. Double six. Oh,

now then! Now then! Double 10. Good for a left-hander.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE . So, the second set goes to Martin

Phillips. Hankey is in trouble. One double out of 21. Two down and he's

just not at the races for whatever reason so far. Well, I hope the

break helps, because he did nothing before the break. That's better.

First to three, of course, is what will determine it. That is better.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE Just going to take your time. Don't

think about the scores. Only your own.

We had some great times. He is good fun, Ted, when you get him together.

This is the moment. Get that treble, the red. A glance-off.

That was unlucky. He is saying, "Come on, come on." But that was

unlucky off the barrel. Maybe should have just moved along the occy a

touch. Solid tonne from foil fill -- Phillips. Yeah. Still in this leg.

Not too bad. That's a good one. Too many loose darts. 1121.

Remember, this is Phillips on the throw. So Hankey is on a check-out.

131. A chance to take a leg against the darts. OK. Ted, treble 17 might

do the shot. Can't see that one at the moment.

There it is. A four. Phillips 144. Just trying to get that treble. It

isn't there. ANNOUNCER: Ted, you require 90. May

go bull's-eye first. Tops, tops, he's got. Goodness me, that missed

by a long way. Can't work it out. He's shaking his head. She

mystified. Bull's-eye. Bulls's eye. ANNOUNCER: Ted, you require... OK,

Ted. It is a good 12 now. Two darts to do it. Double six. Make it

happen! No. It's not happening. Phillips, then, to hold his throw.

Double 8 now. Double 4. And the Welshman gets the double he needs.

APPLAUSE Hankey tried for all he was worth in

that to refocus. He had an opportunity, but couldn't

capitalise. You have to feel for him. As I say, maybe away from the

game too long. I don't know what he's been doing or where he's been

playing. Good work from But you have got to have opponents

that you can play and beat. I don't think there is a huge amount of

self-belief in him now. Seemed to have just ebbed away as the match

unfolded. Come on, Ted! Make a game of it. This is where he's problem

has been. One out of 23. Just a fraction... Yeah.

That's better! APPLAUSE

Phillips making him pay, though. And that is his first match! What a time

to do it, against the throw. He's given himself a real check-out

opportunity on 80. Phillips has turned the crowd right the way

around. Everyone was standing there. So 80. Tops now.

You call it Shanghai. Can't finish the game. Needed a treble.

All eyes on Phillips. Tops, he wants. Three it is! -- there it is!

He is a leg away from victory now. 2-0. He's got the throw. What

promised potentially to be an epic is moving towards a fairly fast

victory for Martin Phillips. Well, he's done it all before. But has he

got the willpower now? A prime Hankey would be jumping all over

that 459. That is a good start, though. He's got a look of

resignation on his face. Looks a little bit moroose. Ted will be

thinking, "It can still happen." This is better. That is what he can

do! APPLAUSE

. 140. At last, he put that Phillips' throw under pressure.

APPLAUSE 261. What a leg this is, isn't it?

Well, this is the sort of darts that we'd anticipated. After 9, Hankey on

138. Three tonne pluses. He is on a finish. 138.

ANNOUNCER: Ted... What is he going to make of this? This to keep the

match alive. Has to win this leg. Just checking where he is on the

scores. 132, Ted. Noise in the crowd. Not for the first time,

putting Hankey off. BOOING

He is not happy. ANNOUNCER: Thank you, ladies and

gentlemen, please. That is unusual for Ted.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE He complained - had a complaint to

security, I think, during the last interval. He's allowing it to get to

him. Anyway, 72. Come on Ted! Get it finished! 52 left. Double top.

Couldn't see that. Close. Just the wrong side of the wire. Phillips

then for the match. 54. Tops. This is for it! He puts it away!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE He swept Hankey off the stage. He

knows that that is a pale shadow of what Ted Hankey can be, but Martin

Phillips did what he had to do, kept his nerve, Hankey annoyed with the

crowd, but Phillips wins it 3-0. BOOING

To an all Dutch affair. The number 3 seed Jeffrey de Graaf was arriving

here for the fourth time but considering how good he is yet to

record a maiden victory. In order to do so he would have to beat one of

his best mates, Richard Veenstra here for the very first time but

full of confidence and full of intent.

ANNOUNCER: Game on. ANNOUNCER: 135. Haven't had a

nine-darter in the BDO world championships since 1990. Martin

Adams came desperately, desperately close last year. 18. Wired on the

double 12. Tony Green was telling us yesterday that nine-darter from Paul

followed a round of golf with Tony. So maybe that is what needs to

happen. He was on a winning roll, wasn't he? Well-played again! This

is high quality. Just produced a 10-darter. He could have an

11-darter here. He went double 16s, then, rather than the treble 20 -

double 18, rather, rather than the treble 20, which might have been the

better idea. Great final dart. Veenstra's miles back. Bounce out as

well. Couple of fours then. To put the number 3 seed ahead once more.

He's hit three of these out of 7. Make that four out of eight!

APPLAUSE A 13-dart leg to follow a 10-dart

leg. Veenstra has seen great form after

that brilliant 158 check-out, seemingly propelled Jeffrey de Graaf

on to another level. The pair of them averaging in the

region of the 90 mark now. Good competitive game of darts.

Second highest check-out of the tournament, that 158 was. Yes.

Scottie, Mitchell, the champion, had a 161.

Veenstra on a finish when he comes back. Looking for 118. That was his

158. That was the double 19. That's a good dart. Tops now.

Double 10. Takes the distance. In set number 3. De Graaf with the

darts. A favourite to go ahead here once more. One apiece in sets. A

little clinch of the teeth. He knew that was good!

APPLAUSE he's only ever won one ranking

title, Richard Veenstra. Luxembourg Open, back in 2014. A sizable scalp

if he could pull of a victory here. Boy, would it!

APPLAUSE Trading blows, these two, now. He

looks mean, doesn't he, Veenstra, when he's in the mood. Piercing

eyes. On the -- only 18s there. Trying to get down to 170.

A chance here. 140... Well, he's going down the board.

Now, then, Richard. 150. No sir. A good start, though. May go to 18s.

He does. So this for a 2-1 lead. Double 8. Oh! No! No, no! He was

going for double 8. Trust met, that wasn't a miscalculation. Double 16

now. Double 8. Good dart! APPLAUSE

3-2. He is ahead! Two sets to one now for the unseeded Richard

Veenstra. APPLAUSE

His Dutch family and supporters celebrate. And those in the

auditorium, I suspect, who had a little flutter on the outsider. They

will be enjoying this as well. Fabulous match, this. On the third

afternoon at the Lakeside. Veenstra good breakthrough by

nicking that set when it looks as though it was going to de Graaf. But

his throw straightaway is under pressure. Courtesy of 55 and 45 in

his first two visits. This is more like it!

APPLAUSE 10 score of 140 or more to add to

his couple of 180s. Robin Hood! You won't so many of those.

LAUGHTER We were saying yesterday in the old

days of wooden flights and feathers that was the end of it, when that

happened. Time to reboot, although they didn't call it that in those

days. Veenstra will have first look at a

finish with the throw. Good darts, puts the Veenstra throw under big

pressure. Tops now. Good effort! Tops to break.

(APPLAUSE) That's more like it from the

favourite here! A great response. So little between them, though. It

is a brave man whold make a big -- who would make a big prediction one

way or the other. At the moment this man is on a knife edge. Yes. The

averages have been almost identical throughout this one. Still are. And

the check-out percentages. Very, very level in every aspect.

ANNOUNCER: 100. APPLAUSE

handy! 140! And now Veenstra... Well, he has to try and respond in

kind. That's a bit unlucky. Treble 17. Double 16. Brilliant!

APPLAUSE Daylight. 2-0 de Graaf. Looking very

much now as though the match will be squared up once more and going into

a decider. This all-Dutch affair. Some lovely

characters who have made their way over. There is a fella staying in

the hotel, who is one of the supporters, who's brought a car full

of the most beautiful meat pies! LAUGHTER

I tell you - after you have been broadcasting for about five hours,

it's... I bet you made friends with him? You have to shake a man's hand

who comes along with that sort of thing!

LAUGHTER His wife apparently makes them for a

living. That is her job. Or rather her business, I should say. I have

you sampled one yet? I have. Fabulous! Absolutely! Worth saying

hello to him at some point. Sounds like a plan! Meanwhile...

LAUGHTER Yeah. Back with the darts!

LAUGHTER One of those would be nice! It is

just around... Shanghai for Veenstra. De Graaf can't finish here

but he can apply pressure. And does. Now, Veenstra with that visit, 82

left. This is a big one. Treble 20 he needs. He's got it now. Double

top for hang shy! (APPLAUSE)

And a 120 check-out. Some good finishers from both these lads. Not

a great start. Just a 41 from de Graaf, throwing to take us into a

decider. And a tonne 40. Piles on the pressure.

Veenstra has the de Graaf throw under pressure here. If he can take

this one, he would have the darts and potentially in a position where

he could force... Oh, look! CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

That's number 3 for him. He's the favourite now. Oh! So, 8 is for two

apiece. Good darts! He's does it! An 81 check-out.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE Well, that was finishing and huge

scoring of the very highest order! A match which is easy on the eye, and

now Richard Veenstra is throwing for the match. That was massive! 11 dart

leg. Terrific finish. Two of them starting with 140s. And here comes

Veenstra again! Stop it! CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Brilliant. 181. He's only had six darts. Trying to tee up the finish

now. That's a lovely cover shot. APPLAUSE

What a story we could have here! Unlucky! That was so unlucky. Now,

84, then, for the match. Great darts, but he has to cross

everything now. Double, tops for Veenstra. Here we go! He's blown it,

has he? Has he blown it? Well, he's not been missing. And crucially.

With the biggest darts of his life. His wife, Monique, can hardly bare

to look. APPLAUSE

Veenstra blew it then. He'd done enough. He was in a position to win

the match and now it's going to go down to the decider after all.

He has to forget about that. You can sense that it's going to be

difficult to do so. Shake of the head. That poker face has just

slipped for the first time, Richard Veenstra. Three darts at tops. You

are right - he blew it. Breathtaking stuff! Almost a chance

just to regroup and take it easy for a moment. There he is! There is

Louis! That's the pie boy. Is that your pie man? That is the pie man!

He is thinking, "Why am I on telly? Why am -- why am I special?" He

looks in decent shape for a man who eats a lot of pies.

Great darts. Not a good start. Trej 18, though, would leave a shot on

bull. Not now. So, 64 to hold the throw. Jeffrey de Graaf. 16 leaves

double 16. CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Getting the start to the set that he wanted.

Has Veenstra's chance gone? Three darts. At a major upset at the

Lakeside. He has to pick himself up. He does. Can do without him winding

up on the floor. The referee helping him retrieve the fallen missile.

De Graaf just needing to serve it out.

APPLAUSE Gets as far as 2-2. You have to win

by two clear legs to take a place in the second round, where Pip

Blackwell or Martin Atkins awaits. Yeah. That one is coming up next.

Treble for Veenstra. No check-out, though.

Has to hold, you sense here. Veenstra.

Well, he's not in a bad place. De Graaf needing a treble here. Can't

find it. Treble 19. 20 would leave bull. He's gone 18s. 20 would mean

health come back with a double 16 if he gets the chance. De Graaf on 150.

That wasn't really threatening. So, Veenstra having gambled to an

extent, now gets the chance to capitalise.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE First dart, but he wasn't throwing

for the match. That's the difference, isn't it? Nerves tension

and how you cope with it is so much a part of this sport. Jury yarks, if

this world championship was played on the practice boards out back, the

standard would be sky-high! But in the spotlight now... And of course

playing for a fair wedge of cash, the 100,000 pound champion prize.

Significant to say the least. Well, it is life changing, isn't it?

Tractor buying in Scott Mitchell's case!

LAUGHTER He is still in there pitching. One

of the matches of the championship so far. His victory in the first

round yesterday. Yeah. He was brilliant, wasn't he? Went under

real pressure. This is good, though. Against the darts from Veenstra...

He has a bit of a squeak of a chance here now, whatever de Graaf does

here, which is brilliant, but 111 is very makeable. And that's a great

first dart! Tops now. Oh! He is going to have nightmares about

double top if he does loose this, Veenstra. Double 16 to hold throw.

APPLAUSE Double 20s. A double which players,

professional players, can pretty much literally hit with their eyes

closed. But in the match-winning situation, it becomes a whole

different game. Fabulous darts! APPLAUSE

Is de Graaf closing in? Or is there to be another twist?

Just the wrong side of the wire! APPLAUSE

Looking for his fifth maximum. Been 10 in this match.

Look at this! APPLAUSE

Well, he should have gone across for the 18s, because 162 is a bogey

number. Treble 18s would have left him on 170. De Graaf way off,

though. APPLAUSE

Treble 10 will be his darts here, I think. And then double 16.

APPLAUSE He's got it! Double 16 to square it

up at two legs each. Missed by a distance. Double pain again. Is that

it? That would leave double 16. Treble 14... Erratic visit from de

Graaf. Double 16 for Veenstra. Now he finds it!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE Two two.

ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen, because the score is now two sets

all and two legs all, the final set has to be one by two clear legs. If

the score reach 5-5 the leg will be... Five game on. Although you

hear it initially, there has to be the two leg cushion to decide this

one. Gets to 5-5 and they bull for sudden death. When these two good

friends walked out, you just sensed this was going to go the distance.

Bobby said on the balcony, didn't he, this is going to be a nice one

to watch. They play hat a good pace, good spirit between them, and both

of them decent players. It's shown to be very, very accurate words,

because it's worked out that way. Spot on, Bob, again. What was it he

said? None of that boring rubbish! LAUGHTER

There was nothing boring about Bobby back in his playing days. De Graaf

with the darts. Still with the advantage in this set which is going

to determine the course of this match. Great dart. We hope you are

enjoying this as much at home as we are in the lakeside commentary box.

It is a Dutch darting duel that's going the distance. Treble 10 would

have left 18s. No check-out for Veenstra and de Graaf poised. That

is as good as it can be. He is going to have to take it. This to hold.

One dart at double 10. There is a glimmer! Now, Veenstra has had

agonies with this double 20. Is he going to get one now? Yes!

Against the Pro! Holds his throw. Into the next round now. This time

his nerve does hold. Can he see it through? Flirs. The debutante --

flyers, the debutante. The pair of them are good darts players to

watch. Afternoon is not separates fear Rick -- stratsopheri kri but

they have been so well matched they have made it a good game to watch.

Check-outs, well, they have been similar. That's what it is all

about, two very, very level players and it makes for a good game to

watch. Putting the Veenstra throw under pressure. Oh, needed that!

APPLAUSE Needed that last dart.

Well, still advantage Veenstra. He's going to be first to the finish. You

would hope. Needs a treble badly. Can't find it. No pressure, though,

from de Graaf. Oh, the old nerve ends are Jangling a -- jangling a

bit now. They both know what is at stake. Girlfriends, supporters, all

getting so keyed up. That's a good, steady tonne. He is on a potential

two-dart check-out from there. Oh! Unlucky. 96 then. This is for the

match. He's got it! Double 18! Huge dart. Yes!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE Veenstra has put the number 3 seed

out of the tournament. Great friends embrace, and on his Lakeside debut a

man who plays with a smile on his face has provided some rich

entertainment and has eliminated Jeffrey de Graaf. Excellent game of

darts! Three sets to two, Veenstra goes through!

APPLAUSE Snoolts 14th seed Pip Blackwell

represented Kent more than 80 times and yet this was only his second

appearance on the Lakeside stage. A rather different resume to that of

his opponent, Martin Atkins, AKA the assist sane -- Assassin. He made the

quarters back in 2012. Can he also recapture the glory days and put in

a winning performance on the biggest stage of all?

APPLAUSE ANNOUNCER: Game on.

These two players know each other so well. They have played four times in

the last 12 months. Atkins has won two, Blackwell's won two.

Martin arrived a Lakeside having just celebrated his 50th birthday on

Christmas Eve. Bit annoying for the family that,

isn't it? Double whammy over the festive period.

Yeah, these people were Christmas birthdays!

LAUGHTER My wife is one of them. My mum and

dad are. Been in a couple of finals, Pip

Blackwell. This year runner-up at the Denmark Open, the Isle of Man

Classic. Beaten on both occasions by Glen Durrant. Yeah, no shame in

that! No. Thumping good visit that. And no

real pressure currently being applied by Martin, but that treble

changes things a little. So, we are where we were last leg.

12 leaves the bull. Treble would have left double 13, but he needs

the bull's-eye to hold his throw. Pip Blackwell... And finds it!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE Very nicely done.

APPLAUSE Get in there, he says! In an

understated kind of Kentish way. LAUGHTER

Anne Louise Pete # peters -- Peters. She competed in the world

championship. NSMIT Not a great visit from Atkins.

Opportunity for Pip. Another one of those could make things very

interesting. APPLAUSE

well, here we go, then! Six darts from 180 to take the set against the

darts. He could do with a treble there. No. Still Shanghai when he

comes back. That's what they call it when it's treble, single and double

at the same number. You only really see it on 20s, don't you? But it

happens elsewhere. ANNOUNCER: Pip, you require 120.

Handy last dart. It may be academic. Oh, dear. Well, the radar's just

flown off to the left there. ANNOUNCER: Martin you require 117.

So to hold, 17 for tops. One dart at tops for the first set. Not far

away! But... Here comes Pip Blackwell. Tops, he wants, for the

set. One more dart at it. He's missed two.

ANNOUNCER: Martin, you require 20. Martin didn't think he was coming

back here. Doubles 10. APPLAUSE

That may feel like a steal. No question - it will. When he policed

that first dart at double top, he would have thought you owe, the set

-- uh-oh, the set's gone. Pip Blackwell obviously has lots of

friends and family in the auditorium as well. And that's wife, Denise,

who is head of his cheering brigade. Having had those darts to take the

first set against the throw, he will want to make sure of winning this

leg. It isn't going well at the moment.

Important third dart. Both players at the moment just with a slight

tendency to pull it into the five. That's better. Six darts from 162.

Might get bull here. Hello! APPLAUSE

a good last dart. Puts some pressure on this double 16 for a break. For

Martin Atkins of England. (APPLAUSE)

It is! Annouce game on. Yep, the a sass sin

firing at the at the moment. A bit of a blip for Pip.

We mentioned Martin Atkins has loads of Lakeside experience. He's only

ever won more than one match once. That was in 2012, when he reached

the quarterfinals and lost two Ted Hankey 5-1. Last time he came, two

years ago, he was playing Rick and had to concede. Got injured. After

just two sets. He damaged some ligaments in his throwing arm on New

Year's Eve. Do we know how he did that? Just

trying to remember. I don't think it was... Noteworthy. Because I'm

pretty sure he did tell us. I don't think he was keeping it a secret.

Might just have been a slip or a fall. Quite possibly whilst

practising, actually. Atkins waiting with a 145. Three

very strange darts from Blackwell there. That is Brian Dawson watching

on with interest, the 15th seed. Doesn't play until tomorrow evening.

Are you sure? He's not playing tonight, as well, is he?

LAUGHTER He plays John Boy Walton, who

disposed of Rob Modra of Australia, early this afternoon. 100 for

Atkins. Not a lot of those. He will be back for tops. No damage

Blackwell can do from here. Certainly if he keeps straying into

the five... I wonder if he's hit that first set effective? She had

two darts at tops to win. That first APPLAUSE

ANNOUNCER: Game on. His scoring has just gone. As soon

as I say that! LAUGHTER

Straight in the treble 20! He is struggling, though, Blackwell. The

average sub 80 at the moment. Hovering around the 78 mark. Atkins

got a great deal better. There we are. They are both capable of an

awful lot more than this. When he came here in - what was it -

2011, Martin Atkins, he hit a first round record, nine 180s, but then

missed two darts at a double to beat the eventual runner up Dean

Winstanley 3-1. APPLAUSE

Lost that match in a deciding set. APPLAUSE

Good visit from Blackwell. Atkins, way back. Well, ever since I said hi

lost the scoring he's refound it! So two 16s.

APPLAUSE And it is good to see! Not sure

Martin Atkins would agree with me, but... You never like to see anyone

struggling up on that stage really. Well, Atkins not absolutely at home.

Couple of loose ones there. Well a look of absolute disgust!

From Pip. He is fuming! Must break the throw in this leg. Or

he's two sets down. Fabulous darts! Couple of skinny 18s. And

Blackwell's not happy one little bit.

APPLAUSE Well, under not much pressure,

Martin Atkins. Under no pressure at all really. Blackwell back on 229.

This is for the set, for a two-set lead. Double top. There it is!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE ANNOUNCER: Martin Atkins!

APPLAUSE Third set, first leg. Martin to

throw first. Game on. , I think he is calling himself

darts Vadar! Taking a breather. Where is his double top!

LAUGHTER Couple of Storm Troopers in

yesterday, full gear. Let's just say it took them a long time to go to

the loo! LAUGHTER

great atmosphere as always at the Lakeside, marking the start of the

New Year. APPLAUSE

Loving the darts at Frimley Green. But at the moment it is Atkins

holding sway. A couple of decent visits from Pip Blackwell. He's

essentialed nicked the darts. Could do with a trej. Doesn't find one.

So, not on a finish. Nicely done!

APPLAUSE ANNOUNCER: Martin, you require 144.

. To hold his throw. Can't now do it. Where will he go in 18s or 20s.

Stayed where he was. All 20s for Pip Blackwell. That's the easy one. No

finish now. Now, bull's-eye. No! Thought he had

it. This you would class as a must-get for Pip Blackwell. To break

as well. Oh, dear, oh dear. One dart at tops.

ANNOUNCER: Martin, you require 25. . That's his double fours. Double two.

Yes! APPLAUSE

ANNOUNCER: Martin Atkins. Second leg, Pip to throw first. Game on.

Has is going to further Hip. Yeah -- hurt Pip. Yeah. It is in danger of

just running away with him. Or running away from him, but... Not if

he continues in that sort of vein! Much, much, better!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE That is his first of the match. In

fact, it's the first of the match! Decent response from Atkins. Now,

can he follow that in? Well, that's the problem. Big maximum and then

three erratic ones. And suddenly Atkins is back in.

There is Sally, Mrs John Boy, who is having a lovely afternoon after

watching her husband back to something like his best. Yeah. How

good was he? Hadn't had a chance to speak to him about it yet, but I

know what he will say! "Oh, just threw the darts." He threw them

very, very well. Blackwell will be first to a finish with the darts.

Waiting, as he is on 104. What kind of impression can Atkins make? Not a

great one. Can he start landing some of these? Treble 16 may be the shot.

ANNOUNCER: Martin you require 142. This is for the match. Sorry, I am

getting ahead of myself! This is for... A leg to move to...

LAUGHTER APPLAUSE

You had me concerned there! LAUGHTER

I thought I had Olympiced and miss -- blinked and missed it!

APPLAUSE ANNOUNCER: Second leg. Blackwell.

Martin to throw first. Game on. . He is still annoyed with himself, Pip

Blackwell. He needs to channel that and get the darts flying.

APPLAUSE Because Atkins is doing that. This

is it. This is more like it from Pip.

(APPLAUSE) A little unlucky with his last but

keeps pace with a tonne 40. All of a sudden, both players' averages are

just creeping up. Still not at their absolute best. But an awful lot

better. ANNOUNCER: Martin you require 144.

Both players on a finish after nine darts. Bull's-eye. Yes!

APPLAUSE ANNOUNCER: Martin Atkins. Game on. .

They both won a leg with a bull's-eye now. And he is one away.

Martin Atkins! Now or never for Pip Blackwell. 14th

seed. That was the highest check-out of the match from Martin Atkins.

Now, the problem for Pip Blackwell is that he's yet to break the throw.

He's only been broken the once. That is all you need. Break once

and-month-old your throw and you will win every single darts match.

If this is to be the last leg of the match - and it could be - it is a

slow burner. Yeah, they are not in a massive rush.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE But if Martin wins it, he will go

right bananas! He's waiting on 147. The magic number in snooker. Will it

be the winning line in the darts today? He is going to stay up there.

Blackwell will have a chance at 76. ANNOUNCER: Pip you require. How much

did he need that 140 in the last visit and how much does he need that

76? Well, 13s leave double 16. One dart to stay alive. Oh!

ANNOUNCER: 52. Martin, you require 47. So... Double 16. Game!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE ANNOUNCER: The match - Martin

Atkins! CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

. Fine shooting from the assassin! Martin Atkins from Leeds. He is

absolutely steam Rolling Stonesed Pip Blackwell -- steam rolled Pip

Blackwell and wins through to round 2!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE That is it for tonight. Thank you

very much for keeping us company. If you are lucky enough to have Tuesday

off work, then happy days - it is Colin and Bobby and the rest of the

gang. BBC One o'clock. The matches include, Adams against Jeff Smith.

In the meantime, good night.