Fallon Sherrock (Picture: Lawrence Lustig/PDC)

Darts results: Fallon Sherrock sets a new average record in a 5-0 thrashing of Mike de Dekker at the Grand Slam of Darts

By Chris Hammer

Darts

Mon November 15, 2021 · 3y ago

Fallon Sherrock made yet more history on the big stage as she thrash Mike de Dekker 5-0 at the Grand Slam of Darts with a new record televised average for a woman.

Almost two years on from her unforgettable exploits at the Alexandra Palace against Ted Evetts and Mensur Suljovic, Sherrock chalked up yet another male scalp in a PDC event as she gave herself a real chance of reaching the second round.

The 27-year-old, who brilliantly shocked Dimitri Van den Bergh at the televised Nordic Darts Masters earlier this winter before narrowly losing the final to Michael van Gerwen, was bidding to bounce back from her defeat to Peter Wright on opening night and put herself well on course to do just that by firing in seven perfect darts en route to taking the very first leg.

Sherrock went on to hit a further two more maximums and pinned five of her nine attempts at doubles as she averaged 101.55, beating the previous record of 100.34 set by Lisa Ashton in her victory over Aaron Beeney at this year's UK Open.

“I am absolutely buzzing with that,” said an ecstatic Sherrock. “To break the record average is insane. I’m proud of myself tonight.

"At the time I wasn’t thinking about the average, I was just so focused on getting the win. I felt more relaxed going into today’s game but I never expected to win 5-0.”

To qualify, Sherrock must now defeat Gabriel Clemens 5-3 or better in their final group game after German number one Clemens recorded a 5-4 win over Peter Wright to throw the group wide open.

Michael van Gerwen was also in record-breaking mood as his average of 115.19 in a 5-2 victory over Joe Cullen was the highest in Grand Slam of Darts history, breaking the 114.85 record set by Dimitri van den Bergh in last year's event.

The three-time champion set the tone in the very first leg with a brilliant finish from 138 while both players hit four 180s apiece in a highly-entertaining affair.

He needs to win just one leg in his final group game with John Henderson to book his place in the last 16.

Henderson denied Lisa Ashton a first Grand Slam victory, as the World Cup winner ran out a 5-2 winner to stay in contention in Group G.

Gerwyn Price, Michael Smith and Ryan Joyce all booked their places in the knockout stages with a game to play.

Two-time champion Price is top of Group A after a 5-0 thrashing of Krzysztof Ratajski, who now must beat Nathan Rafferty after the Nortern Irish youngster overcame Martin Schindler.

Price said: "I am the best player in the world, and I need to believe it a bit more. When I'm ruthless on my doubles and my scoring game is there, I don't think anybody can beat me."

Smith ensured his progression from Group H with an impressive 5-2 defeat of his former mentor Gary Anderson, who now faces a winner takes all clash with 2012 champion Raymond van Barneveld.

The Dutch legend enjoyed a first win on a TV stage in almost two years as he whitewashed Joe Davis 5-0.

In Group D, Joyce secured qualification in style as he averaged 108.11 in a 5-1 defeat of Rowby-John Rodriguez.

Austria's World Cup runner-up Rodriguez will now face a sudden-death meeting with Stephen Bunting, who kept alive his hopes of going through with a hard-fought 5-3 victory over Chris Dobey.

In Group F, reigning champion Jose de Sousa came through a last-leg decider with Mensur Suljovic to make it back-to-back wins, and Luke Humphries bounced back with a 5-3 win over Matt Campbell.

Group B action saw Jonny Clayton continue his fine form with a 5-3 win over the impressive Bradley Brooks, while Mervyn King stays in contention thanks to a 5-4 win over Rusty-Jake Rodriguez.

Rob Cross fought off a Jim Williams fight back to win 5-3 to take a big step towards qualification from Group C, as James Wade saw off Boris Krcmar 5-2.

With all players having played two group matches, the final games in the round-robin stage take place across Monday and Tuesday.