Having won a first ever game on the Lakeside stage during the
preliminary round Dave Prins made it two wins from two in 2014 as he
overcame Jim Williams of Wales 3-0 to set up a second round clash with
Bunting, meanwhile Rick Hofstra took all nine-legs as he whitewashed
fellow Dutchman Remco van Eijden and Martin Atkins also impressed in
defeating Jeffrey de Graaf 3-0.
Stockport-based duo and close friends Tony O’Shea and Darryl Fitton
both made early exits, with a well below par O’Shea losing all nine
legs to Martin Adams in a 3-0 defeat and Fitton running in to an in form
Tony Eccles, who had earlier announced his intention to retire from
professional darts after the tournament.
Former semi-finalist Wesley Harms was in form as he defeated
Paul Jennings 3-0, whilst Gary Robson enjoyed better luck than his
compatriot from the North East as he overcame Ron Meulenkamp 3-2.
Having come through a prelim in his first appearance at Lakeside
since 2007 Paul Hogan was in no mood to make an early exit from the
tournament, unfortunately he hadn’t reckoned on Scott Mitchell, who
inspired by his father in the audience overcame the Berkshire-based
Hogan in a crucial deciding set.
Fourth seed Robbie Green made a statement early on in the tournament
as he defeated 2013 semi-finalist Richie George 3-0 in their opening
round encounter and there was also a 3-0 victory for Glen Durrant over
New Zealander Mike Day.
Defending Champion Scott Waites was dumped out of the tournament in
the very first match as an in from Alan Norris produced the performance
of the round to defeat the Yorkshireman 3-0, whilst second seed James
Wilson also impressed in overcoming 2012 Champion Christian Kist 3-1.
In an all Dutch affair Jan Dekker dumped out Benito van de Pas 3-0,
with van de Pas’ early inclusion on the list of PDC Q-School entrants
being the main talking point after the match.The second round line-up
was completed by Scotland captain Ross Montgomery, who overcame a
battling Michael Meaney 3-2, and Geert de Vos of Belgium who ended
the hopes of Latvian Qualifier Madars Razma.
Second Round
Stephen Bunting hit the first 100+ average at Lakeside since
2008 on his way to defeating Dave Prins 4-0. In a display rarely
matched at the historic venue the two-time Winmau World
Masters Champion sent a message out to the rest of the field
that he was hear to win the title in 2014.
The man with the unenviable task of taking on Bunting in the
Photo: Tip Top Pics Ltd/Chris Sargent
Photo: Tip Top Pics Ltd/Chris Sargent
Photo: Tip Top Pics Ltd/Chris Sargent
Stephen Bunting got his campaign off to the best possible start as he
defeated Jim Widmayer 3-1. The St Helens-based thrower was a little
way below his absolute best but proved too good for Widmayer who
went home after a semi-successful Lakeside debut.
Photo: Tip Top Pics Ltd/Chris Sargent
First Round