Mensur Suljovic in action against Peter Wright (Picture: PDC/Chris Deam)

Champions League of Darts: Live scores & updates from day one as Gary Anderson and MVG begin their campaigns

By Chris Hammer

Darts

Sun September 23, 2018 · 6y ago

Recap the action and our interviews from day one of the Champions League of Darts as the likes of MVG, Mensur Suljovic, Gary Anderson and Rob Cross got their campaigns under way.

CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW DAY TWO OF THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE OF DARTS

Scroll down for all the stats from day one, video highlights and interviews

Day one results

Afternoon Group Stage Matches (Best of 19 legs)

Rob Cross 8-10 Mensur Suljovic (B)
Peter Wright 10-7 Simon Whitlock (B)
Gary Anderson 8-10 Daryl Gurney (A)
Michael van Gerwen 10-2 Dave Chisnall (A)

Evening Group Stage Matches (Best of 19 legs)

Rob Cross 10-8 Simon Whitlock (B)
Peter Wright 7-10 Mensur Suljovic (B)
Gary Anderson 10-3 Dave Chisnall (A)
Michael van Gerwen 10-7 Daryl Gurney (A)

Day two schedule

Afternoon Session, BBC 2, 1315-1630 BST
Group Stage (Best of 19 legs)

Mensur Suljovic v Simon Whitlock (B)
Rob Cross v Peter Wright (B)
Daryl Gurney v Dave Chisnall (A)
Gary Anderson v Michael van Gerwen (A)

Evening Session, BBC 2, 1830-2200
Knockout Stages (Best of 21 legs)

Semi-finals & Final

CLICK HERE FOR GROUP TABLES

Click here for the latest Sky Bet odds

Click here to follow the climax of the tournament in our day two blog full of video highlights and live scores!

2240: Final interview of the day with world number one Michael van Gerwen as he reflects on his two victories and looks ahead to his clash with Gary Anderson on Sunday afternoon. Just click play below...

2225: So after day one, here's how the tables are shaping up ahead of Sunday afternoon's final round of group games. Mensur Suljovic has already qualified for the semi-finals, MVG is almost there but Dave Chisnall and Simon Whitlock are both out.

GROUP A

Michael van Gerwen P 2 W 2 L 0 LegDiff +11 Pts 4
Gary Anderson P 2 W 1 L 1 LegDiff +5 Pts 2
Daryl Gurney P 2 W 1 L 1 LegDiff -1 Pts 2
Dave Chisnall P 2 W 0 L 2 LegDiff -15 Pts 0

GROUP B

Mensur Suljovic P 2 W 2 L 0 LegDiff +5 Pts 4
Peter Wright P 2 W 1 L 2 LegDiff 0 Pts 2
Rob Cross P 2 W 1 L 1 LegDiff 0 Pts 2
Simon Whitlock P 2 W 0 L 2 LegDiff -5 Pts 0

* Mensur Suljovic has qualified for the semi-finals

* Simon Whitlock and Dave Chisnall are eliminated

* Peter Wright v Rob Cross is a shoot-out to qualify alongside Mensur Suljovic in Group B

* Daryl Gurney has to win his game against Dave Chisnall if he is to remain in with a chance of qualifying, which would leave him waiting for the result of the Michael van Gerwen v Gary Anderson game.

* Michael van Gerwen may have qualified for the semi-finals before his game begins, depending on the result of the earlier game.

Match Result: Michael van Gerwen 10-7 Daryl Gurney

Averages

Van Gerwen: 100
Gurney: 91

180s

Van Gerwen: 7
Gurney: 3

Checkout %

Van Gerwen: 34.48%
Gurney: 46.67%

Highest Checkouts

Van Gerwen: 148
Gurney: 110

LEG 17
Gurney spurns a dart at double four to put the pressure on MVG, who comes back with a two-dart combo on 68 to claim a victory which he really had to fight for.
MVG 10-7 Gurney

LEG 16
MVG incredibly misses six darts at a double which allows Gurney to take out 52 for a 17-darter. Is there a sting in the tail?
MVG 9-7 Gurney

LEG 15
Gurney keeps his faint hopes alive as he takes out 47 in three nervy darts with MVG waiting to come back on 72.
MVG 9-6 Gurney

LEG 14
SuperChin is running out of steam as MVG completes a 17-darter to move one away from a valuable victory.
MVG 9-5 Gurney

LEG 13
Gurney's third 180 isn't enough to stay with MVG, who follows up an opening visit of 174 with two 134s that set up an 11-darter.
MVG 8-5 Gurney

LEG 12
If you thought Gurney's 110 checkout was good, MVG responds with a 148 for a 15-darter which restores his two-leg lead.
MVG 7-5 Gurney

LEG 11
Gurney is refusing to go away with a superb 110 checkout to complete a 15-darter. He hasn't beaten MVG in their last 10 matches, although he did get a draw in this season's Premier League. His last victory, for the record, game back in October 2016 - so could he end that wait tonight?
MVG 6-5 Gurney

2145: Before MVG and Gurney come back out, here's my interview with Gary Anderson, which you can watch simply by pressing play below.

INTERVAL STATS & SKY BET ODDS

MVG 1/16, Gurney 7/1
Click here for Sky Bet's in-play Price Boosts & odds

Averages

Van Gerwen: 98
Gurney: 90

180s

Van Gerwen: 6
Gurney: 2

Checkout %

Van Gerwen: 31.58%
Gurney: 66.67%

Highest Checkouts

Van Gerwen: 42
Gurney: 70

LEG 10
MVG picks himself up by firing his fifth and six 180s in successive visits as he stops Gurney's run with a superb 13-darter.
MVG 6-4 Gurney

LEG SEVEN
The Northern Irishman is averaging below 90 but is still able to get another leg back in 17 darts. This isn't the MVG we saw earlier today, that's for sure.
MVG 5-4 Gurney

LEG EIGHT
What character from Gurney to claw his way back to just two legs behind. This time he follows up visits of 96, 140 and 171 to help him on his way to a 13-darter.
MVG 5-3 Gurney

LEG SEVEN
MVG is off the boil, much to Gurney's relief, as the Dutchman misses two darts at a double that allow his opponent to go out in 21 darts!
MVG 5-2 Gurney

LEG SIX
Finally Daryl Gurney gets on the board with a 15-darter that started with a 180 and ended with a clinical 70 checkout.
MVG 5-1 Gurney

LEG FIVE
MVG follows up a 177 with his opening visit with his fourth maximum as yet again he threatens the nine-darter! His seventh dart hits single 20 but he still goes on to complete the leg in 11.
MVG 5-0 Gurney

LEG FOUR
It's another comfortable leg for MVG even though he's not at his very best as he pins double 16 for a 16-darter, with only one previous visit over 100.
MVG 4-0 Gurney

LEG THREE
Gurney is really struggling out there and will be frustrated that he didn't even have a shot at a double in a leg that MVG completed in a below-par 17.
MVG 3-0 Gurney

LEG TWO
Back-to-back 180s from MVG get the nine-dart dream up and running yet again today but he ends up petering out and takes the leg in 15.
MVG 2-0 Gurney

LEG ONE, VAN GERWEN TO THROW FIRST
MVG holds the opening leg in 14 darts after throwing a 180 to make a flying start.
MVG 1-0 Gurney

2110: Next up it's Michael van Gerwen, who was so ruthless earlier, against Daryl Gurney. Here's how those stats look

Will Michael van Gerwen pick up where he left off when he faces Daryl Gurney

Match Result: Gary Anderson 10-3 Dave Chisnall

Averages

Anderson: 99
Chisnall: 88

180s

Anderson: 5
Chisnall: 2

Checkout %

Anderson: 37.5%
Chisnall: 30%

Highest Checkouts

Anderson: 87
Chisnall: 40

LEG 13
Anderson bounces back from his defeat to Gurney with a big win over Chizzy, with his late burst of form helping his average up to almost 100.
Anderson 10-3 Chisnall

LEG 12
Just one more leg needed for Anderson after visits of 140, 134 and 140 leave him 87, which he finishes in two for an 11-darter.
Anderson 9-3 Chisnall

LEG 11
Anderson is on the brink of victory as 16-darter earns him a comfortable hold straight after the break.
Anderson 8-3 Chisnall

2105: Before we get back underway with Anderson v Chisnall, here's what happened when I caught up with Mensur Suljovic after he booked his place in the semi-finals. Click play, even if you're not on Twitter.

INTERVAL STATS & SKY BET ODDS

Anderson 1/66, Chisnall 14/1
Click here for Sky Bet's in-play Price Boosts & odds

Averages

Anderson: 94
Chisnall: 89

180s

Anderson: 5
Chisnall: 2

Checkout %

Anderson: 31.82%
Chisnall: 30%

Highest Checkouts

Anderson: 41
Chisnall: 40

LEG 10
Anderson goes into the break with a four leg advantage as Chizzy takes advantage of three missed darts at doubles from his opponent.
Anderson 7-3 Chisnall

LEG NINE
Nine-darter alert as Anderson nails back-to-back maximums before hitting treble 20 with his seventh dart! Alas he follows it up with a single 19 before treble 18 leaves him eight. It's an anti climax as it takes him seven more darts to finish though!
Anderson 7-2 Chisnall

LEG EIGHT
Nine-darter alert as Anderson nails back-to-back maximums before hitting treble 20 with his seventh dart! Alas he follows it up with a single 19 before treble 18 leaves him eight. It's an anti climax as it takes him seven more darts to finish though!
Anderson 6-2 Chisnall

LEG SEVEN
A second 180 of the match comes for Anderson as he burns away for a 13-darter which sees him stretch further ahead.
Anderson 5-2 Chisnall

LEG SIX
Much better from Anderson as he gets his 180 count up and running following back-to-back visits of 140 to leave 41, which he takes out without error for a superb 11-darter.
Anderson 4-2 Chisnall

LEG FIVE
The St Helens thrower fires back-to-back 140s that help him pull a leg back although Anderson had missed the bullseye to take out 170!
Anderson 3-2 Chisnall

LEG FOUR
The Flying Scotsman is slowly starting to get going as a 16-darter sees him open up a two leg lead - but only after Chizzy misses two darts at a finish from 48.
Anderson 3-1 Chisnall

LEG THREE
Anderson's slow start continues until back-to-back visits of 140 help him take the leg in 18 darts.
Anderson 2-1 Chisnall

LEG TWO
Chizzy bags the opening 180 of the match en route to a 15-darter to restore parity. That'll do his confidence the world of good.
Anderson 1-1 Chisnall

LEG ONE, ANDERSON TO THROW FIRST
It's an awful opening leg as Anderson takes it in 20 darts but it will be remembered for his third visit of just four points, including a single one, a bounce out and a single three!
Anderson 1-0 Chisnall

2030: Next up it's Gary Anderson v Dave Chisnall after both players lost their opening games this afternoon to Daryl Gurney and MVG respectively.

Chizzy's confidence will be on the floor after being battered 10-2 earlier while he hasn't beaten Anderson since August 2016 and they've played five times since then, which included a Premier League draw last year.

Gary Anderson is in trouble ahead of his clash with Dave Chisnall

Match Result: Peter Wright 7-10 Mensur Suljovic

Averages

Wright: 102
Suljovic: 106

180s

Wright: 7
Suljovic: 5

Checkout %

Wright: 26.92%
Suljovic: 43.48%

Highest Checkouts

Wright: 91
Suljovic: 106

LEG 17
Suljovic does it again! It's seven wins out of seven on the Champions League of Darts stage as he beats Wright in the group stage for the second year running. He finishes the doub on double 10 for a 15-darter. He's through to the knockout stages, Wright takes on Cross to join him while Whitlock is out.
Wright 7-10 Suljovic

LEG 16
So much drama in the 16th leg! Wright hit back-to-back 180s after an opening visit of 100 but then missed two darts at double 16 in his next visit. Suljovic then gets down to 43 but gets to come back and take it out after three more missed darts at doubles from Snakebite!
Wright 7-9 Suljovic

LEG 15
Snakebite is producing quality darts now as he follows up successive visits of 140, 140 and 130 (which included a bullseye) with a 91 checkout on the bull to complete a 12-darter.
Wright 7-8 Suljovic

LEG 14
Wright follows up a 140 with his fifth 180 which leaves tops and he hits it at the second attempt. There was plenty of pressure on him too after Suljovic hit a maximum to leave 38.
Wright 6-8 Suljovic

LEG 13
Suljovic is now averaging over 104 and in this leg he nails a fifth 180 after a visit of 140 before checking out from 98 for a 12-darter.
Wright 5-8 Suljovic

LEG 12
Wright hits a fourth 180 as Suljovic struggles with opening visits of 60 and 61 but he quickly bounces back with his third maximum and a further visit of a ton to leave 100. After Wright misses double five to complete a 75 checkout, Suljovic pins tops to take out 100 in two!
Wright 5-7 Suljovic

LEG 11
Consistently heavy scoring with two 140s and another 10 help leave Snakebite 61, which he takes out with his third dart on double tops to close the gap further.
Wright 5-6 Suljovic

2010: I caught up with Rob Cross following his battling victory over Simon Whitlock, which keeps his Champions League of Darts hopes firmly alive. Click play below to watch, even if you don't have Twitter.

INTERVAL STATS & SKY BET ODDS

Wright 5/2, Suljovic 2/7
Click here for Sky Bet's in-play Price Boosts & odds

Averages

Wright: 103
Suljovic: 103

180s

Wright: 3
Suljovic: 2

Checkout %

Wright: 26.67%
Suljovic: 46.15%

Highest Checkouts

Wright: 41
Suljovic: 106

LEG 10
Snakebite is still very much in this clash as three 100+ visits and another of 97 sets up a 14-darter, which is finished on double 16. It's felt like a really scrappy game but both players are averaging around 103.
Wright 4-6 Suljovic

LEG NINE
Wright's revival ends briefly as Suljovic takes out 106 to complete a 15-darter and he'll definitely have a lead at the interval.
Wright 3-6 Suljovic

LEG EIGHT
The Gentle opens the leg with his second 180 but Wright nails his third and follows it with a 137 to leave 20. He misses all three darts at double 10 but is left off the hook by Suljovic, who spurns two of his own before Snakebite gets the job done for a 16-darter.
Wright 3-5 Suljovic

LEG SEVEN
Suljovic gets his 180 count up and running after an opening visit of 140 and a further score of 100 leaves him 81, which he takes out in two for an 11-darter. Great stuff.
Wright 2-5 Suljovic

LEG SIX
Snakebite stops the rot with a much needed double but he's still only hit two of his eight attempts. This leg was an impressive 13-darter helped by scores of 131, 140 and 100.
Wright 2-4 Suljovic

LEG FIVE
A mediocre 17-darter for Suljovic but it's good enough to streak further clear of Wright, whose second 180 of the match was wasted by a further missed dart at a double.
Wright 1-4 Suljovic

LEG FOUR
The Austrian maintains his superb form on this stage with a 56 checkout to complete a 15-darter which sees him open up a two-leg lead. Both players are averaging just over 100.
Wright 1-3 Suljovic

LEG THREE
Wright hits the first 180 of the match but he spurns two darts at tops as the equally heavy scoring Suljovic pins double 16 for an impressive 13-darter.
Wright 1-3 Suljovic

LEG TWO
Snakebite is quickly back on level terms as visits of 140, 120 and 140 leave him 101, which he takes six more darts to finish.
Wright 1-1 Suljovic

LEG ONE, SULJOVIC TO THROW FIRST
The man who loves the Champions League of Darts makes a flying start as he backs up three 100+ visits, including two 140s, to go 1-0 up.
Wright 0-1 Suljovic

1945: Next up it's Wright v Suljovic and interestingly the Austrian has won all four of their matches this season, including that semi-final at the World Matchplay.

Peter Wright and Mensur Suljovic battle it out in Group B

Match Result: Rob Cross 10-8 Simon Whitlock

Averages

Cross: 94
Whitlock: 89

180s

Cross: 4
Whitlock: 5

Checkout %

Cross: 33.33%
Whitlock: 40%

Highest Checkouts

Cross: 131
Whitlock: 104

LEG 18
Cross survives a real scare to keep his Champions League of Darts hopes alive as he bounces back from his defeat to Mensur Suljovic to beat Whitlock 10-8 with a battling display.
Cross 10-8 Whitlock

LEG 17
Voltage needs a break if he's to win this match and he gets one with a fantastic 131 checkout in which he went treble 17 and two double tops!
Cross 9-8 Whitlock

LEG 16
Cross stops the rot, albeit sloppily after a good start to the leg, as it takes him four darts to get down from 60.
Cross 8-8 Whitlock

LEG 15
Well I did say not to rule out Whitlock and he's now rattled off his third leg on the spin to take this lead. This one comes in 17 darts, with Cross back on 73.
Cross 7-8 Whitlock

LEG 14
The Wizard is back on level terms as he hits a fifth 180 of the match in a 14-darter, finished off with a 65 checkout.
Cross 7-7 Whitlock

LEG 13
Much better from the Wizard as he fires in his fourth 180 in a 13-darter. Don't rule out the comeback even though he is averaging only 88.
Cross 7-6 Whitlock

LEG 12
Voltage goes 7-5 ahead in 17 darts but only after Whitlock missed at double 16 when attempting to take out 107.
Cross 7-5 Whitlock

LEG 11
Cross goes ahead in the match for the first time with a superb checkout of 108 to complete a 14-darter, made even more impressive by the fact Whitlock was ready and waiting on 56.
Cross 6-5 Whitlock

INTERVAL STATS & SKY BET ODDS

Cross 1/2, Whitlock 6/4
Click here for Sky Bet's in-play Price Boosts & odds

Averages

Cross: 96
Whitlock: 86

180s

Cross: 3
Whitlock: 2

Checkout %

Cross: 25%
Whitlock: 35.71%

Highest Checkouts

Cross: 73
Whitlock: 104

LEG 10
All square at 5-5 heading into the interval after Cross keeps his cool on double 10 after missing all three attempts at a double at his previous visit.
Cross 5-5 Whitlock

LEG NINE
A sluggish ninth leg should have been won by Cross but the world champion blows two attempts at a double before Whitlock checks out 19 for an 18-darter.
Cross 4-5 Whitlock

LEG EIGHT
The Hastings man is back on level terms with a second leg on the bounce, firing a third 180 after an opening 42 while he also had visits of 134 and 125 to boost his average towards 100.
Cross 4-4 Whitlock

LEG SEVEN
Cross produces his best darts of the match with a second 180 and a 73 checkout to cut the gap to just one leg.
Cross 3-4 Whitlock

LEG SIX
The Aussie bounces back from a poor visit of 41 with scores of 135 and 140 before checking out from 104 for a 15-darter.
Cross 2-4 Whitlock

LEG FIVE
Whitlock kicks off the leg with a maximum but the less said about the rest of the leg the better as he eventually gets down in 19 darts after Cross missed three attempts at a double.
Cross 2-3 Whitlock

LEG FOUR
Voltage opens his 180 account and follows it up with 121 and 136 to leave him 64, which he takes out in five darts.
Cross 2-2 Whitlock

LEG THREE
Whitlock rattles in the first 180 of the match en route to taking the third leg in 15 darts, holding his nerve on double seven at his final attempt.
Cross 1-2 Whitlock

LEG TWO
Voltage is back on level terms with a 16-darter, pinning double eight at the first attempt after missing two 16s on his previous visit.
Cross 1-1 Whitlock

LEG ONE, WHITLOCK TO THROW FIRST
A nice easy hold of throw for the Aussie in 17 darts although Cross was waiting on 61 had he missed his chance.
Cross 0-1 Whitlock

1845: Simon Whitlock is given the correct walk-on music this time as the players gear up for this must-win clash in Group B!

1825: The crowd has been 'treated' to an exhibition between Paddy Power and Raymond van Barneveld during the interval. I assume Barney won, but I didn't stay to see the result.

Raymond van Barneveld plays Paddy Power during the interval

1740: Here are the head-to-head stats and updated tournament odds for each of tonight's match-ups, starting with Rob Cross v Simon Whitlock.

Rob Cross and Simon Whitlock both desperately need to win this clash

Second on the stage tonight is the two winners from Group A, Peter Wright and Mensur Suljovic.

Peter Wright and Mensur Suljovic battle it out in Group B

Gary Anderson needs to bounce back when he faces Dave Chisnall, who will be licking his wounds after being thrashed by MVG earlier.

Gary Anderson is in trouble ahead of his clash with Dave Chisnall

Finally the ruthless machine MVG will take on Daryl Gurney, who is aiming to pull off another shock.

Will Michael van Gerwen pick up where he left off when he faces Daryl Gurney

1640: Let's now take a look at those updated tables afternoon the afternoon's games...with Gary Anderson clearly in trouble ahead of his match with Dave Chisnall tonight.

GROUP A

Michael van Gerwen P 1 W 1 L 0 LegDiff +8 Pts 2
Daryl Gurney P 1 W 1 L 0 LegDiff +2 Pts 2
Gary Anderson P 1 W 0 L 1 LegDiff -2 Pts 0
Dave Chisnall P 1 W 0 L 1 LegDiff -8 Pts 0

GROUP B

Peter Wright P 1 W 1 L 0 LegDiff +3 Pts 2
Mensur Suljovic P 1 W 1 L 0 LegDiff +2 Pts 2
Rob Cross P 1 W 0 L 1 LegDiff -2 Pts 0
Simon Whitlock P 1 W 0 L 1 LegDiff -3 Pts 0

RESULT: Michael van Gerwen 10-2 Dave Chisnall

Averages

MVG: 111
Chisnall: 95

180s

MVG: 3
Chisnall: 2

Checkout %

MVG: 83.33%
Chisnall: 50%

Highest Checkouts

MVG: 102
Chisnall: 40

LEG 12
And just like that's it's all over! MVG averages an astonishing 111 and misses just two darts at a double in an absolute rout!
MVG 10-2 Chisnall

LEG 11
This'll be over very soon as a third 180 for MVG sets up 12-darter although it's a shock to see him miss only his second double of the match.
MVG 9-2 Chisnall

It's incredible to watch MVG make the game look so easy

INTERVAL

Wow. Just wow. MVG shows you don't need to pepper the 180s to get stats like these...

Averages

MVG: 110
Chisnall: 96

180s

MVG: 2
Chisnall: 2

Checkout %

MVG: 88.89%
Chisnall: 50%

Highest Checkouts

MVG: 102
Chisnall: 40

LEG 10
MVG fires his second maximum of the match and then takes out 102 with a 20-bullseye-double 16 combination! He's only missed one dart at a double would you believe, and he's averaging 110.
MVG 8-2 Chisnall

LEG NINE
There's just no stopping MVG when he's in this mood and three successive visits of 100+ sets him up for a 13-darter, with Chisnall way back on 183.
MVG 7-2 Chisnall

LEG EIGHT
Chisnall hits another 180 but he fails to reach a double from 88 and MVG punishes him with a two-dart combo from 39 to seal a 14-darter.
MVG 6-2 Chisnall

LEG SEVEN
Relief for Chizzy, who makes the most of his first maximum of the match to stop MVG's charge with a 15-darter.
MVG 5-2 Chisnall

LEG SIX
Five legs on the spin now for the Dutchman, who nails tops at the first attempt for a 13-darter, and Chizzy has still only had one shot at a double.
MVG 5-1 Chisnall

LEG FIVE
Yesterday Michael van Gerwen had the cheek to say a 10-1 win over Chizzy 'would be nice' and you wouldn't bet against it now. A relatively slow - by his standards - 16-darter puts him 4-1 up.
MVG 4-1 Chisnall

LEG FOUR
MVG is averaging 115 at the moment after a bullseye finish from 87 sees him complete a 12-darter! Even Chizzy at his very best could hardly stop this run of legs for the Dutchman.
MVG 3-1 Chisnall

LEG THREE
Ruthless from the world number one as he follows up his first 180 with visits of 140 and 134 before taking out 47 in two darts.
MVG 2-1 Chisnall

LEG TWO
MVG takes little time to restore parity as scores of 140 and 134 leave him 36, which he pins at the first attempt for a 13-darter.
MVG 1-1 Chisnall

LEG ONE, MVG TO THROW FIRST
Dave Chisnall hasn't beaten MVG in a televised event since the 2013 World Grand Prix but he's got off to a great start here with a 13-darter, helped along by visits of 140 and 126.
MVG 0-1 Chisnall

1600: Next up it's the tournament favourite Michael van Gerwen as he faces Dave Chisnall. Can Chizzy defeat him for the first time since February 2016 and for the first time on TV since 2013?!

Michael van Gerwen faces Dave Chisnall in Group A

RESULT: Gary Anderson 9-10 Daryl Gurney

Averages

Anderson: 101
Gurney: 95

180s

Anderson: 10
Gurney: 1

Checkout %

Anderson: 34.78%
Gurney: 55.56%

Highest Checkouts

Anderson: 84
Gurney: 158

LEG 18
Anderson misses three darts at a double and Gurney punishes him by keeping his cool on double 10 to produce the first big surprise in Brighton!
Anderson 8-10 Gurney

LEG 17
Gurney defies a ninth 180 from Anderson with a visit of 171 that leaves 94 and he duly takes it out with a cracking bullseye after the World Matchplay champion failed to take out 130.
Anderson 8-9 Gurney

LEG 16
Great character from Gurney, who comes storming back with a 112 checkout to complete a 15-darter that stops Anderson in his tracks.
Anderson 8-8 Gurney

LEG 15
This passage of play has been all about Anderson in his trademark turbo mode and more heavy scoring here, including an eighth 180, sees him storm into the lead. He's now averaging over 103.
Anderson 8-7 Gurney

LEG 14
The Flying Scotsman throws two more 180s in another stunning leg which he wins in 12 darts and within the blink of an eye we're all square at seven apiece.
Anderson 7-7 Gurney

LEG 13
Anderson finds another gear and follows up scores of 139 and 100 with his fifth maximum of the match to leave 82, which he takes out in three darts.
Anderson 6-7 Gurney

LEG 12
It's not often an underdog fails to get the crowd going when they threaten an upset but this is one of those occasions. Gurney again opens up a two-leg lead after fans' favourite Anderson spurns an attempt at double 12.
Anderson 5-7 Gurney

LEG 11
Anderson is averaging considerably more than Gurney and his fourth 180 of the match helps him control the 11th leg, which he finishes off with a two-dart 84 checkout.
Anderson 5-6 Gurney

INTERVAL

Gary Anderson remains favourite at 10/11 with Sky Bet while Daryl Gurney can be backed at 4/5 to turn this lead into victory.

Averages

Anderson: 101
Gurney: 95

180s

Anderson: 3
Gurney: 1

Checkout %

Anderson: 36.36%
Gurney: 54.55%

Highest Checkouts

Anderson: 61
Gurney: 158

LEG 10
Gurney opens up a two-leg lead going into the interval as three 100+ visits and another 0f 97 leaves him tops, which he nails at the second attempt for a 14-darter.
Anderson 4-6 Gurney

LEG NINE
More consistent darts from Gurney leaves him 116, which he clinically takes out with single 19, treble 19, double tops to edge ahead.
Anderson 4-5 Gurney

LEG EIGHT
Just like Wright earlier in the day, Anderson follows up an opening visit of 180 with two treble 20s and a bounce out! It matters little as he takes the leg in 13 darts to level the scores.
Anderson 4-4 Gurney

LEG SEVEN
The Flying Scotsman is up against it but keeps his cool to pin double seven after spurning two at 14s.
Anderson 3-4 Gurney

LEG SIX
Gurney stuns Anderson with a stunning 158 checkout to open up a two-leg lead. Could a shock be on the cards?
Anderson 2-4 Gurney

LEG FIVE
Anderson starts the leg off on fire with successive visits of 137, 137 and 140 but after a 47 leaves him 40, he misses three attempts at tops. Gurney returns to take out 65 in three for the first break.
Anderson 2-3 Gurney

LEG FOUR
Anderson goes off the boil with visits of 36 and 42 and Gurney takes full advantage by taking out double 10 for a 16-darter. Still no breaks of throw.
Anderson 2-2 Gurney

LEG THREE
A relatively sluggish leg all round, which Anderson takes in 17 darts with Gurney way back on 190.
Anderson 2-1 Gurney

LEG TWO
SuperChin gets on the board in an entertaining second leg in which the pair trade 180s, with the Northern Irishman pinning double eight to complete a 15-darter.
Anderson 1-1 Gurney

LEG ONE, ANDERSON TO THROW FIRST
Anderson threatens to raise the roof when he opens the match with a 180 before throwing his next two darts in the treble 20 bed. Sadly his sixth is just a single but his third visit of 140 leaves him 41, which he takes out in two for an 11-darter.
Anderson 1-0 Gurney

1520: Next up it's Gary Anderson, who is 2/7 favourite to get off to a winning start against 13/5 outsider Daryl Gurney...

Gary Anderson faces Daryl Gurney in Group A

RESULT: Peter Wright 10-7 Simon Whitlock

Averages

Wright: 102
Whitlock: 97

180s

Wright: 7
Whitlock: 6

Checkout %

Wright: 30%
Whitlock: 37%

Highest Checkouts

Wright: 85
Whitlock: 126

LEG 17
Snakebite finally gets the job done but only after missing two more match darts! Whitlock couldn't hit a third successive ton+ checkout but it was a valiant effort nonetheless.
Wright 10-7 Whitlock

LEG 16
Wright spurs two more match darts after a 180 left him 100 and Whitlock comes back to keep the match alive with a stunning checkout under pressure from 126...on the bullseye.
Wright 9-7 Whitlock

LEG 15
Wright is desperate to win this nine-dart bonus for the crowd - he kicks off another leg with a 180 and his next two also land in treble 20 before suffering an agonising bounce out. A third visit of 130 leaves him 71, with Whitlock way back on 264, but he capitulates with four missed match darts and the Aussie punishes him when nailing a 114 checkout.
Wright 9-6 Whitlock

LEG 14
Snakebite moves just a leg away from victory with another 15-darter, which he finishes off with a fine checkout of 85, finished off on double nine.
Wright 9-5 Whitlock

LEG 13
Wright, who has never reached the knockout stages in the Champions League of Darts, moves closer to an opening win as four 100+ visits on the trot leave him 56, which he takes out in three.
Wright 8-5 Whitlock

LEG 12
The 2,000 strong crowd think they're going home £25 richer when Peter Wright opens the leg with back-to-back 180s...but his next start is sadly single 20. He still wins the leg comfortably enough by taking out 77 in his next visit.
Wright 7-5 Whitlock

LEG 11
The Wizard comes back out all guns blazing as visits of 100, 140, 91 and 130 sets up tops, which he nails at the first attempt for a 13-darter.
Wright 6-5 Whitlock

INTERVAL

Peter Wright is now hot favourite at 1/12 with Sky Bet while Simon Whitlock can be backed at 6/1 to make a winning start.

Averages

Wright: 98
Whitlock: 95

180s

Wright: 3
Whitlock: 4

Checkout %

Wright: 37.5%
Whitlock: 26.67%

Highest Checkouts

Wright: 38
Whitlock: 84

LEG 10
Wright opens up a two-leg lead heading into the interval but only after Whitlock busted five. Still all to play for though with both players very evenly matched.
Wright 6-4 Whitlock

LEG NINE
What a leg of darts! Wright hits his third 180 but Whitlock nails two of his own to take his tally to four. However the Aussie doesn't even get the chance to take out 46 as Wright, who also had visits of 140 and 145, takes out 36 in two for an 11-darter.
Wright 5-4 Whitlock

LEG EIGHT
It's Whitlock's turn to bounce back as he takes a scrappy eighth leg in 17 darts, checking out from 48 on double 16.
Wright 4-4 Whitlock

LEG SEVEN
Wright goes ahead for the first time as four more 100+ visits on the trot leaves him double 16, which he takes at the second attempt.
Wright 4-3 Whitlock

LEG SIX
Again Wright gets himself back on level terms after four successive visits of 100+ set up a finish on double 12. He's now averaging 97 compared to Whitlock's 90.
Wright 3-3 Whitlock

LEG FIVE
Brilliant darts from the Wizard who fires in visits of 100, 180 and 137 before taking out 84 for a fine 12-darter.
Wright 2-3 Whitlock

LEG FOUR
Snakebite responds to the embarrassment of the previous leg with a superb 13-darter, helped along by his second maximum of the match.
Wright 2-2 Whitlock

LEG THREE
Incredibly the world number two Wright scores a nine with his first visit - a trio of treble ones! Whitlock punishes him savagely by following a 140 with his first 180 that sets up a 14-darter.
Wright 1-2 Whitlock

LEG TWO
Wright hits back as he hits the first 180 of the match en route to a 15-darter that levels the scores.
Wright 1-1 Whitlock

LEG ONE, WRIGHT TO THROW FIRST
Whitlock clearly enjoyed coming out to Peter Wright's music as he takes the opening leg with a break of throw. That said, he laboured there in 20 darts and was aided by Wright busting 10! Maybe not even he likes two rounds of his own music.
Wright 0-1 Whitlock

1435: Simon Whitlock is mistakenly given Peter Wright's walk-on music but the Aussie doesn't kick up a fuss...he does the Snakebite dance on stage!

1425: Next up is Peter Wright up against Simon Whitlock. Let's check out those vital statistics...

Peter Wright faces Simon Whitlock in Group B

RESULT: Rob Cross 8-10 Mensur Suljovic

Averages

Cross: 92
Suljovic: 96

180s

Cross: 4
Suljovic: 2

Checkout %

Cross: 66.67%
Suljovic: 45.45%

Highest Checkouts

Cross: 113
Suljovic: 101

LEG 18
Suljovic punishes Cross for his opening visit of 57 by nailing his second 180 of the match and remains in control of the leg, which he wins by pinning double eight for a 15-darter. It was level pegging nearly all the way but in the end Suljovic gets off to a perfect start.
Cross 8-10 Suljovic

LEG 17
Two more back-to-back visits of 140 help Suljovic move one leg from victory with two to play. His effort at double 14 was pressured, with Cross waiting to return on double 10.
Cross 8-9 Suljovic

LEG 16
More superb finishing from Cross as he nails double 16 at the first attempt for a 13-darter that levels the scores once more. Looks like we're going all the way in this tournament opener.
Cross 8-8 Suljovic

LEG 15
Suljovic back in front once again with a 13 darter that was helped along by two visits of 140 and another of 139.
Cross 7-8 Suljovic

LEG 14
The Austrian comes agonisingly close to taking out 142 but after two treble 20s he narrowly misses double 11. Cross comes back to pin double eight at the second attempt.
Cross 7-7 Suljovic

LEG 13
Suljovic, who is now averaging close to 97, unleashes three visits of 100 and another of 140 to set up a finish of 41, which he takes out in three darts.
Cross 6-7 Suljovic

LEG 12
Voltage hits back with a maximum with his first visit of the next leg and ends his fifth visit on the bullseye to take out 90 for a 15-darter.
Cross 6-6 Suljovic

LEG 11
A pair of 140s help Suljovic on his way to a 14-darter that edges him ahead.
Cross 5-6 Suljovic

There's unfortunate drama for me in the press room, sadly. I had some loose Percy Pigs in my jeans back pocket, forgot about them, and now they've melted into a gooey sticky mess and I'm not sure it's salvageable.

Anyway, back to the darts in Brighton.

INTERVAL

Rob Cross remains favourite at 8/11 with Sky Bet while Mensur Suljovic can be backed at even money to keep his 100% Champions League record in tact.

Averages

Cross: 91
Suljovic: 92

180s

Cross: 3
Suljovic: 1

Checkout %

Cross: 62.5%
Suljovic: 38.46%

Highest Checkouts

Cross: 113
Suljovic: 101

LEG 10
Suljovic heads into the interval on level terms by nailing the bullseye with his third dart from 81.
Cross 5-5 Suljovic

LEG NINE
Cross is way back on 200 when Suljovic pins double eight for a 15-darter.
Cross 5-4 Suljovic

LEG EIGHT
A third maximum for Cross is followed by a visit of 132 which sets up a shot at double 16, which he pins at the first attempt.
Cross 5-3 Suljovic

LEG SEVEN
Suljovic pulls a leg back thanks to a clinical 71 checkout, finished off on double top.
Cross 4-3 Suljovic

LEG SIX
Voltage is motoring along now and follows up a visit of 134 with a 133 checkout that sees him open up a two-leg lead.
Cross 4-2 Suljovic

LEG FIVE
Cross produces the first break of the match with a 14-darter helped along by his second 180 of the match.
Cross 3-2 Suljovic

LEG FOUR
Much better from Voltage who takes out 76 in two darts (T20, D8) to complete a 14-darter and get back on level terms.
Cross 2-2 Suljovic

LEG THREE
Last year's champ holds his throw comfortably enough on double eight with his opponent way back on 194. Still quite a slow start from both players scoring wise, with Suljovic averaging 86 and Cross just 79.
Cross 1-2 Suljovic

LEG TWO
Cross gets off the mark with his first maximum en route to levelling the scores in 16 darts.
Cross 1-1 Suljovic

LEG ONE, SULJOVIC TO THROW FIRST
Suljovic can't score above 60 in each of hi first three visits but then follows up the first 180 of the tournament with a checkout from 101 to win the opening leg.
Cross 0-1 Suljovic

1335: The defending champion and the world champion are now out on stage so let battle commence!

1332: Just for the record, the last time I attended a TV major was the day Gary Anderson hit a nine-darter at the World Matchplay so maybe that's a good omen for the crowds in Brighton this weekend.

1325: I've had to stop counting the crowd because the action is about to start but basically it's this lot who will share £50,000 between them if there's a nine-dart finish. Imagine that. Wonder if I'll get some even though I didn't pay for a ticket?

The crowd will share the nine-dart prize if one of the players hit one

1310: Before the action gets under way it's worth reminding everyone that should there be a nine-darter in Brighton this weekend, it'll be the crowd who share the prize of £50,000 between them.

I'll find out how many are here later and do the maths!

1300: So Mensur Suljovic is the outsider to beat Rob Cross at 6/4 despite being the defending champion here with a perfect record of five wins from his five games last year.

The Austrian has also won his last two games against the world champ, including a 6-2 drubbing in the German Darts Championship quarter-finals earlier this month.

But I fancy Cross, who returned to form when beating MVG in the Brisbane Darts Masters in August, to remind a big TV audience this weekend of why he shot to stardom last year, and to do that he'll need to beat Suljovic.

Amusing promotional images of Mensur Suljovic and Michael van Gerwen

1255: MVG's entourage are clearly not men to mess with.

Michael van Gerwen checking some texts before his match later

1250: I apologise - my last update was a white lie. I wasn't at the Brighton Centre, I was still faffing around in my B&B on the beach front thinking I'd be able to get here quicker than I did. But after a jog in the drizzle, an aimless wonder through the corridors of the Brighton Centre, and some issues logging in, I'm finally settled.

The Brighton Centre is ready for the world's best players in darts

1215: The action is just over an hour away here at the Brighton Centre, with world champion Rob Cross first up against last year's winner Mensur Suljovic.

This of course is Voltage's debut in the event following his astonishing rise to prominence in 2017 and while he perhaps hasn't been as hot this year, I still fancy he his chances of going far this weekend. As you hopefully read in my pre-tournament preview.

Anywhere, here are some pre-match stats to digest...

Rob Cross takes on Mensur Suljovic in the opening clash

1200: Welcome to our live blog from the Brighton Centre as eight of the world's star names begin their quest for glory in the third staging of the BBC-televised Champions League of Darts.

The now retired Phil Taylor memorably won the first edition when he thrashed Michael van Gerwen twice across the weekend, including the final, while Mensur Suljovic defied pre-tournament odds of 40/1 to lift the trophy this time last year.

Live updates from the Brighton Centre will appear here but in the mean time why don't you check out my pre-tournament tips by clicking the image below.

Click on the image for our Champions League of Darts betting tips

You can also take a quick spin through the key stats of all eight players eyeing the top prize of £100,000 in this short video.

Here's the moment Mensur Suljovic beat Gary Anderson in last year's final.

And here's how Phil Taylor won the inaugural tournament so memorably against his nemesis Michael van Gerwen.

Champions League of Darts tables, format, fixtures & odds

The four eight players will be split into two groups of four players, with the top two progressing to the semi-finals.

Scroll down for daily match schedule

GROUP A

Michael van Gerwen P 0 W 0 L 0 LegDiff 0 Pts 0
Gary Anderson P 0 W 0 L 0 LegDiff 0 Pts 0
Daryl Gurney P 0 W 0 L 0 LegDiff 0 Pts 0
Dave Chisnall P 0 W 0 L 0 LegDiff 0 Pts 0

GROUP B

Peter Wright P 0 W 0 L 0 LegDiff 0 Pts 0
Rob Cross P 0 W 0 L 0 LegDiff 0 Pts 0
Mensur Suljovic P 0 W 0 L 0 LegDiff 0 Pts 0
Simon Whitlock P 0 W 0 L 0 LegDiff 0 Pts 0

Group Format

The players will play each other once, in best-of-19 legs play matches, with two points for a win. The two players who win their opening group games will play each other on Saturday evening, with the two losing players facing each other. The remaining games take place on Sunday afternoon.
The top two in each group will go through to the semi-final. If players are equal on points then leg difference comes into play. If still level then it goes on head-to-head record. If three players are tied for Points and Leg Difference, then a nine‐dart shoot‐out will be played between the players on stage to determine placings.
The group winners will play the runners-up of the other group over 21 legs, with the two semi-final winners then meeting with the trophy and a cheque of £100,000 on the line. That too will be played over 21 legs.