Darts results: Jeff Smith snatches top spot in Group 16

• PDC Home Tour: Fixtures, Results & Format

Smith's earlier last-leg defeat to Martin Atkins left him needing victory over Evans in the final match of the evening, and he appeared on course when moving into a 4-3 lead.

Evans levelled with a 137 checkout, going treble 19 followed by back-to-back double-tops, to ensure the match would go the distance - with Atkins' hopes of topping the group resting on the shoulders of Evans.

Smith responded in fine style, hitting double 18 for the match on what was a dramatic evening which ended in fireworks.

Martin Atkins was victorious in the opening game, defeating fellow Englishman Ricky Evans 5-2 to take control of the group.

Atkins hit back strongly after losing the first leg and showing more composure on the doubles.

Smith was a convincing winner of the second match of the night, defeating Germany's Christian Bunse 5-1.

The Canadian wrapped up the contest with a 10-dart leg, finishing impressively with a bullseye.

It was the second best leg of the tour to date, bettered only by Luke Woodhouse's nine-darter on the second night.

Atkins then maintained his 100 per cent record with a thrilling 5-4 win over Smith.

In a game where the players were never separated by more than a leg, the Wigan player prevailed by taking out 54 in the ninth.

Technical issues meant coverage was lost for around 10 minutes, with Evans 3-0 up on Bunse when normal service was resumed.

The German reduced the deficit to 3-1 and then took the next two legs to level the contest, only for Evans to regain his composure and wrap up a 5-3 victory.

Bunse belatedly found form in the next game to help set up a thrilling denouement.

The Diemelsee-based player established a 4-0 lead over Atkins, who would have won the group with a third success.

Although Atkins won the next two, Bunse closed out the game with double eight in the seventh for a 5-2 victory which meant that any one of Evans, Atkins or Smith could have topped the table.

In the end it was Smith, The Silencer living up to his name to deny both Evans and Atkins with one brilliant finish, right on the heels of a similarly audacious shot from his opponent.

• Each night’s action begins at 1930 BST, and will include webcam footage of each player and their dart board, live score graphics and commentary from Dan Dawson. All PDC Home Tour action will be broadcast live on PDCTV for FREE to ALL registered PDCTV users, regardless of whether you have a paid or free membership

PDC Home Tour Darts: Saturday results and Sunday Fixtures

Play begins at 1930 BST each night
Best of nine legs
Click here for Sky Bet odds

GROUP 16 - Saturday May 2

• Ricky Evans 2-5 Martin Atkins
• Christian Bunse 1-5 Jeff Smith
• Martin Atkins 5-4 Jeff Smith
• Ricky Evans 5-3 Christian Bunse
• Christian Bunse 5-2 Martin Atkins
• Jeff Smith 5-4 Ricky Evans

GROUP STANDINGS

1. Jeff Smith P 3 W 2 L 1 Leg Diff +4 Pts 4
2. Martin Atkins P 3 W 2 L 1 Leg Diff +1 Pts 4
3. Ricky Evans P 3 W 1 L 2 Leg Diff -2 Pts 2
4. Christian Bunse P 3 W 1 L 2 Leg Diff -3 Pts 2

GROUP 17 - Sunday May 3

• John Henderson v Krzysztof Kciuk
• Damon Heta v Gary Blades
• Krzysztof Kciuk v Gary Blades
• John Henderson v Damon Heta
• Damon Heta v Krzysztof Kciuk
• Gary Blades v John Henderson

CLICK HERE FOR FULL TOURNAMENT RESULTS & FIXTURES

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