Raymond Smith causes a big upset (Picture: PDC/Richard Walker)

Brisbane Darts Masters 2018: Michael Smith suffers shock first-round defeat to Raymond Smith on Friday

Darts

Fri August 17, 2018 · 6y ago

Michael Smith suffered a shock exit on the opening day of the Brisbane Darts Masters while Corey Cadby got revenge on Simon Whitlock to reach round two.

Bully Boy's World Series of Darts season has been something of a rollercoaster ride having won the event in Shanghai and been runner-up in Melbourne last week but also bowing out at the first hurdle against Oceanic representatives in Auckland and now Brisbane.

This was particularly shocking given the 6-1 scoreline against his namesake, who averaged 11 points higher with 98 and nailed six of his nine attempts at doubles. By contrast the St Helens thrower missed seven of his eight.

The 38-year-old Australian, who began the match in style taking out 125 on tops, said: “For me that’s massive. To be the first Queenslander to walk out on that stage and play as well as I did, I am happy as I can be.

“Michael missed doubles, I got lucky but at the same time I played the darts and put myself in that position. When I got the shot I took it,” concluded Smith after the match.

Elsewhere Aussie star Cadby made amends for last week's defeat to Whitlock in Auckland by beating the Wizard in a last-leg decider.

The UK Open runner-up came from 4-2 down as he averaged 96, hit three 180s and also six of his 15 double attempts while his highest checkout was a match-winning 78.

“It’s great to be back in the winners circle, it’s been too long," said Cadby. "My dad always taught me to never getting beaten twice and learn from you mistakes.

“I needed to get angry to get my game going and when I missed a few chances that got me fired up.”

Cadby will now face Rob Cross in the last eight after the World Champion defeated Tim Pusey 6-2 and afterwards the world champion said: “That was a bit lazy from me tonight, I broke in the first leg and in typical Rob Cross style at the moment I let him back in.

"I need to find that consistency again and get the 100 averages back, I’ll need to improve but one thing I’ve learned in the last few weeks is that I hate losing,” stated a determined Cross after the match.

Last weekend's Melbourne Darts champion Peter Wright averaged 100 in an impressive 6-2 win over Justin Thompson.

Snakebite, who hit three 180s and struck over 50% of his attempts at doubles, said: "I felt so nervous tonight, I don’t know why but I didn’t feel right all day. It’s a new venue, a new stage and a new place and I just didn’t wake up right today.

“I’m still in the tournament and still have a chance, so that’s all that matters.”while Michael van Gerwen, Rob Cross, Raymond van Barneveld and Kyke Anderson all eased through.

World Matchplay champion Gary Anderson survived a real scare against Damon Heta, who shocked Kyle Anderson in Auckland last week.

The Flying Scotsman led 5-3 but his impressive opponent took the next two legs to force a decider, which the Scotsman won to set up a clash with Raymond van Barneveld, who claimed a comfortable 6-1 win over Gordon Mathers.

World number one Michael van Gerwen produced a solid performance as he defeated Mark Cleaver 6-2 with an average of 99.15.

The two-time World Champion who suffered a semi-final defeat at the hands of Wright the week before in Melbourne looked comfortable throughout as he cruised in to the last eight.

Cleaver, who was making his third appearance on the World Series gave a good amount of himself but ultimately couldn’t contest with Van Gerwen, who pinned finishes of 112 and 121 on his way to the win.

"Tonight was about getting the win and I didn’t make too many mistakes. It’s not a perfect performance but I am still in and my goal is to win the tournament," said the World Series most successful ever player.

Van Gerwen set up a quarter-final contest with Kyle Anderson who returned to form in style, beating Barry Gardner 6-2 with an average of almost 100 and hitting six maximums along the way.