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Ross Smith
Ross Smith

Darts results: Jonny Clayton, Ross Smith and Rob Cross all book their places in third round of World Darts Championship

By Chris Hammer
Darts
Sat December 24, 2022 · 2y ago

Jonny Clayton, Rob Cross and Ross Smith underlined their credentials to go far at the World Championship as all eight seeds won on the final day before the Christmas break.

Smith was particularly impressive as he averaged almost 101 in an impressive 3-1 victory over Darius Labanauskas during the afternoon session.

The European champion also won the maximum battle 10-0 in just 18 legs of darts and will next face fellow 180 machine Dirk van Duijvenbode, who managed 12 in 19 legs on Thursday.

Smith could easily have wrapped up a whitewash but he missed a dart at double 16 for a 149 checkout in the deciding leg of the third set and his Lithuanian opponent made him pay to add a degree of respectability to the scoreline.

The fourth set also went the distance but Smith controlled it before a clinical 76 checkout ended any chance of a remarkable comeback.

Cross overcame his good friend Scott Williams in a thrilling clash which saw all four sets go to deciding legs.

Voltage averaged 99.32 compared to the debutant's 96.98 and threw seven of the 13 maximums while he also finished clinically by pinning almost 58% of his doubles.

Williams pinched the opening set from two legs down after Cross had missed a dart to take it 3-1 but the 2018 champion restored parity with a nerveless 14-darter in their next decider.

As Cross began to find the treble 20 bed with more regularity to send his average north of 100, Williams refused to go away and a fine 12-darter broke his practice partner's throw in the fourth leg of the third set.

However, he couldn't make his advantage of throw count, with Cross checking out from 82 in the decider to get his nose in front overall.

Again, Williams kept digging in and broke the Cross throw in leg three of the fourth set to go 2-1 up but the 2019 World Matchplay champion hit back before holding his nerve on double eight when Williams waited on 21 in what proved to be the final leg of the match.

Cross will now go on to meet Mervyn King in round three.

“This place will always be special to me - this is the holy grail,” reflected Cross. “I think I dealt with the big moments well, but I probably put that down to experience. I feel good. I feel like I’m getting better and I’m enjoying it again.”

Chris Dobey set up a clash with Gary Anderson with a fairly routine 3-0 victory over Martijn Kleermaker but he'll need to up his levels to trouble the former two-time world champion.

The Northumberland ace was well below his best and averaged just 86.74 compared to his opponent's 85.23 despite firing in five of the six 180s and pinning 47% of his doubles.

Kleermaker's only real chance to make the came closer came in the third set when he missed a dart at double top to take it 3-1 but Dobey punished him and went on to complete a whitewash.

Brendan Dolan - competing in his 15th World Championship - secured his passage through to the post-Christmas action with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Dutch debutant Jimmy Hendriks in Friday's opener.

In the evening session, Clayton thrashed Danny van Trijp 3-0 for the loss of just one leg in each set and averaged almost 100.

The Ferret, who hasn't enjoyed a prolific title-winning season, averaged almost 100 and threw five 180s in a one-sided victory which will make his rivals sit up and take notice.

“I needed to get out of the blocks and I think I did that,” said Clayton. “I am delighted with that. My form hasn’t been brilliant and I was a bit nervous tonight because I don’t know much about Danny.

“I want to be spoken about as one of the elite, but I need to prove what I can do, so hopefully I’m back on track,” added the Welshman, who plays Brendan Dolan in round three.

Danny Noppert was a 3-1 winner but was made to work hard my World Senior Masters champion David Cameron.

The UK Open champion looked on course for a whitewash win before the Canadian veteran pinched the third set 3-2 but he responded well to book his place in the next round.

“I’m really happy with the win today,” said Noppert, who will play Scotland’s Alan Soutar for a place in the last 16.

“I am not one of the favourites and there are a lot of top players here, but I’ve had a good year and I’m really happy with my performances.

“When you win the UK Open, why can't I win here? Everything is possible. I believe in myself and I know what I can do.”

Cullen also booked his place in round three with a convincing 3-1 win against Ricky Evans, defying a late rally from the quick-fire Kettering ace to move through to a meeting against World Cup winner Damon Heta.

Cullen drew first blood with clinical 109 and 62 combination finishes in consecutive legs, before doubling his lead with a crucial 105 checkout in a second-set decider.

Evans raised his game in set three to reduce the deficit, and he threatened to restore parity at two apiece after crashing in four 180s in as many legs, only for Cullen to seal the deal in style.

The Masters winner landed back-to-back maximums in a bid to round off the pre-Christmas action with a spectacular nine-darter, but after falling short with the eighth dart, he had to settle for an 11-dart clincher.

"I think I played relatively well, but it was just about getting the win," said Cullen, the Premier League runner-up in June.

"I'm all about winning and I'm here to win it. Damon will be a tough, tough game. He's playing really well at the minute, but I'll definitely be ready for it."

Martin Schindler secured his maiden victory on the Alexandra Palace stage with a battling 3-1 win over debutant Martin Lukeman, setting up a tussle against two-time runner-up Michael Smith.

Schindler - making his fourth World Championship appearance - produced the first 170 finish of this year’s tournament, while also landing six 180s to complete a landmark triumph.

World Championship: Friday's results

Scroll down for full tournament results and a complete daily schedule

Friday December 23
Afternoon Session (12.30pm GMT)
Second Round (Best of 5 sets)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Darts

  • Brendan Dolan (87.85) 3-1 (83.36) Jimmy Hendriks
    (Set scores: 3-1, 3-0, 2-3, 3-0)
  • Chris Dobey (86.74) 3-0 (85.23) Martijn Kleermaker
    (Set scores: 3-2, 3-1, 3-2)
  • Ross Smith (100.97) 3-1 (93.85) Darius Labanauskas
    (Set scores: 3-2, 3-0, 2-3, 3-2)
  • Rob Cross (99.32) 3-1 (96.98) Scott Williams
    (Set scores: 2-3, 3-2, 3-2, 3-2)

Evening Session (7pm GMT)
Second Round (Best of 5 sets)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Darts

  • Martin Schindler (93.04) 3-1 (94.52) Martin Lukeman
    (Set scores: 3-2, 2-3, 3-1, 3-1)
  • Danny Noppert (95.03) 3-1 (90.26) David Cameron
    (Set scores: 3-1, 3-1, 2-3, 3-1)
  • Jonny Clayton (99.62) 3-0 (83.3) Danny van Trijp
    (Set scores: 3-1, 3-1, 3-1)
  • Joe Cullen (95.03) 3-1 (90.82) Ricky Evans
    (Set scores: 3-1, 3-2, 2-3, 3-1)

CLICK HERE FOR FULL TOURNAMENT DRAW, SCHEDULE, RESULTS & AVERAGES

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