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Scroll down to watch Danny Noppert's blind 180
Scroll down to watch Danny Noppert's blind 180

Darts results: Danny Noppert throws a blind 180 after Daryl Gurney's attempt to do the same at World Matchplay only scored a ton

By Chris Hammer
Darts
Thu July 21, 2022 · 2y ago

Danny Noppert rubbed salt into Daryl Gurney's wounds by throwing a blind 180 moments after SuperChin failed to do the same during their World Matchplay clash.

SuperChin was trailing 6-3 when he looked away with his third dart of a visit midway through the leg - even though he wasn't even on for a maximum - but his gamesmanship resulted in just a single 20 as he brought his score down to 182.

Noppert responded in emphatic fashion with his next visit, as he turned to the audience before his third dart landed in the treble 20 bed to bring up one of his five 180s in the match.

The Dutchmen finished off the remaining 82 to open up a 7-3 lead and it wasn't too much longer before he completed an 11-4 victory that sealed his place in the quarter-finals.

The UK Open champion averaged 102.36 and landed four 100+ checkouts during a one-sided contest and also pinned 11 of his 18 attempts at doubles.

Danny Noppert on his 'blind 180' against Daryl Gurney at the World Matchplay

Gurney had successfully landed a blind 180 during the final leg of his first-round victory over Gary Anderson - a move that angered the Flying Scotsman - and later joked about it on social media but this time he was on the receiving end of 'darting shithousery'.

Noppert will next meet his World Cup partner Dirk Van Duijvenbode, who landed the tournament's first 170 checkout in an 11-7 triumph over Michael Smith.

The Dutchman powered into a 4-0 lead over one of the tournament favourites, who missed 23 darts at a the outer ring including an attempt at double 12 for a nine-darter.

Smith did mount a mini comeback that closed the gap from 9-5 to 9-7, but Van Duijvenbode's 86 checkout for a break settled any growing nerves before finishing the job in the following leg.

"I feel lucky tonight that the best version of Michael didn't turn up," said Van Duijvenbode. "I felt nervous tonight. I kept waiting for Michael to play his usual game and because I was thinking about that, I started to play badly as well.

"The 170 was a nice moment; I didn't need to go for it but I felt so great at that point, I thought I would go for it anyway.

"I know I will need to play better against Danny or I will be going home."

Gerwyn Price booked his place in the quarter-finals with an 11-8 victory over the in-form Dave Chisnall.

The Iceman produced three 100+ checkouts including a blockbusting effort from 164 while he also matched Chizzy's five maximums during a thrilling encounter and pinned almost 50% of his doubles.

"I knew I was playing well but I let Dave off a few times at the start, just like I did in my first round game," said Price, who is into the quarter-finals here for the third time but yet to go further.

"I was trying too hard to break Dave's throw and I got a bit frustrated. The big checkouts were nice, they go in about two or three times in ten; I needed them tonight.

"I'm really confident in my game, just sometimes I overthink it when I'm trying to break people down.

"I'm getting back to where I should be and I fancy myself against anyone."

An emotional Jose de Sousa produced a stunning display to see off Rob Cross 11-8 in a Winter Gardens classic, with both players averaging over 103.

The Portuguese star has endured a difficult year so far but has seemingly rediscovered his touch in Blackpool to reach the quarter-finals.

De Sousa fired in nine of the 15 maximums and two of those came in the final leg as he seriously threatened a nine-darter before he eventually got over the line on double four.

Cross, who also went close to perfection earlier in the match, raised his opponent's arm into the air following a lengthy embrace and on this evidence, even Voltage will be a force to be reckoned with in future majors.

"It has been a difficult year for me, so this win means the world to me," said an emotional De Sousa.

"Nobody can imagine how happy I am to be playing well again.

"I just take it game-by-game, but right now I feel great. I'm hitting 180s and 140s again, and when I hit my doubles as well I am a danger for everybody."

World Matchplay: Wednesday results and remaining schedule

Wednesday July 20 (1900 BST)
Second Round (best of 21 legs)
TV Channel: Sky Sports

  • Daryl Gurney 4-11 Danny Noppert
  • Jose de Sousa 11-8 Rob Cross
  • Gerwyn Price 11-8 Dave Chisnall
  • Michael Smith 7-11 Dirk van Duijvenbode

Thursday July 21 (1900 BST)
Quarter-Finals (Best of 31 legs)
TV Channel: Sky Sports

  • Peter Wright v Dimitri Van den Bergh
  • Michael van Gerwen v Nathan Aspinall

Friday July 22 (1900 BST)
Quarter-Finals (Best of 31 legs)
TV Channel: Sky Sports

  • Dirk van Duijvenbode v Danny Noppert
  • Gerwyn Price v Jose de Sousa

Saturday July 23 (1900 BST)
Semi-Finals (best of 33 legs)
TV Channel: Sky Sports

  • Two matches

Sunday July 24 (2030 BST)
Final (best of 35 legs)
TV Channel: Sky Sports

  • Winner SF 1 v Winner SF 2

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL WORLD MATCHPLAY SCHEDULE

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