Berry van Peer is emotional after victory over Cameron Menzies (Picture: Lawrence Lustig/PDC)

Grand Slam of Darts: Berry van Peer defies dartitis as Peter Wright survives a scare

Darts

Tue November 14, 2017 · 7y ago

Berry van Peer defied his struggles with dartitis to book his place in the knockout stages of the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton.

So bad was the young Dutchman's problems to release the dart during his emotionally painful 5-1 defeat to Gary Anderson on Sunday, in which he averaged under 70, that the PDC's tournament organisers compassionately gave him the opportunity to withdraw from the televised major with one round of group games remaining.

But knowing a win over Cameron Menzies would see him reach the last 16, van Beer instead opted to bravely face his demons in front of thousands of fans inside the Wolverhampton Civic Hall and the millions watching at home, and his courage was rewarded with an incredibly tense 5-4 victory.

His opponent clearly struggled in the difficult circumstances as van Peer's dartitis was still evident throughout and despite fighting back to level the scores at 4-4 having trailed 4-2, the BDO thrower missed seven darts at a double to claim the decisive win himself.

He told www.pdc.tv: "I'm feeling good because I won but it was tough for me - I feel like I'm dreaming. I'd have been happy just to win a couple of legs in every game, but then I won my first game.

"It was an unbelievable match today. I got some tips and they've really helped me through the game. I tried to compose myself every time, I started well and to win was great but it was so hard. I've qualified for this for a reason and I wanted to enjoy it, and I can say I stood there and achieved more than I could hope for."

Earlier, Gary Anderson (Sky Bet's second favourite) sealed top spot in Group H as he averaged 104, hit five 180s and nailed five his seven attempts at a double in an impressive 5-2 triumph over Simon Whitlock, who propped up the pool after three defeat. (Click here for group tables)

Peter Wright survived a match dart from Alan Norris as he sneaked through with a thrilling 5-4 win in their crunch Group G showdown.

Snakebite trailed 4-3 before landing a brilliant 170 checkout to force a deciding leg before producing a perfectly timed 180 to leave 36 and pile the pressure on Norris, who had reached a finish first on 105.

Chuck hit treble 20 and single five to leave one shot at tops but his effort missed low and the UK Open champion returned to land double 18 at the second attempt.

Wright, who has won 11 PDC titles this season, goes through as runner-up behind BDO world champion Glen Durrant, who lost a deciding leg in his dead rubber against Australia's already-eliminated Corey Cadby. (Click here for group tables)

The final-leg deciders kept coming in Group G too, as Mensur Suljovic and Michael Smith both progressed thanks to 5-4 triumphs over James Wilson and Mark McGeeney respectively.

Smith hit five 180s, averaged just under 105 and converted five of his six attempts at doubles but Bully Boy was still pushed all the way as winless BDO number one McGeeney produced his best performance of the tournament.

Although Champions League of Darts winner Suljovic had won his previous two matches, his place in the last 16 was in doubt when he trailed 4-3 but he produced a superb checkout of 112 with Wilson poised on 32 to level the scores, and guarantee his progression in the process.

Nevertheless, he finished the job in the next leg anyway to maintain his 100% record and he'll next play Group H runner-up van Beer in the next round.

Two more 5-4 scorelines - the sixth and seventh of a remarkable night - followed to close Group F, starting with Dave Chisnall's defeat to Jeffrey de Zwaan which put Chizzy in grave danger of bowing out.

The St Helens thrower moved 4-3 up in a high-quality showdown when taking out 82 on the bullseye but de Zwaan showed character to take the final two legs despite knowing his chances of progression were mathematically over.

Chizzy therefore needed Stephen Bunting, who had won both his opening games, to beat Scott Mitchell and his nerves would have been tested backstage when the BDO thrower moved 4-3 up.

However, Mitchell scoring dried up and was unable to reach a match dart as Bunting picked off the last two legs to keep Chisnall in the tournament.

CLICK HERE FOR GROUP STANDINGS & FULL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE