Berry van Peer caused a huge surprise on Saturday evening at the Darts World Cup in London. The darts player from Sprundel, who is making his debut during this world championship, reached the third round by beating Josh Rock – former world youth champion and an outsider for the title.
The first put of the match went to Rock, but Van Peer was not upset by that. Although he didn’t throw many high scores, his throwing went great. As a result, the darts player from Sprundel took the first set 3-1.
121-Finish on bullseye
The match picture was identical in the second set. Rock impressed with high scores, but Van Peer was more effective. Rock turned a 2-1 deficit into an equal score (2-2), but also had to leave this set to Van Peer. He closed the set with an impressive 121 finish on the bullseye.
In the third set Van Peer also started to throw better scores. Because he continued to throw strongly, he took a 2-0 lead in that set, on the verge of a stunt. However, a 101 and a 112 finish brought Rock back into the match. Van Peer then had two chances to score in the fifth put to win that set – and thus the match – but he missed the double 16 and the double 8. Rock took advantage of this and took the third set.
‘It was much easier than expected’
That was a disappointment for the darts player from Sprundel, but Van Peer quickly recovered. In the fourth set he started well again, winning the first and second put. He got it again match darts, and this time Van Peer did throw out. Double 20 gave him a good place in the third round. Van Peer will have to compete against tenth-placed Australian Damon Heta.
“This feels incredible,” Van Peer said afterwards during the press conference. “It went much easier than expected. Josh didn’t play as well as I expected. Compared to my first match, against Luke Woodhouse, I scored less well today, but the throws went even better. While usually the opposite is the case. But I’m going home now, celebrate Christmas, relax and continue training there. Especially on scoring, haha. And then I’ll be back here after Christmas.”
Michael van Gerwen
Title favorite Michael van Gerwen will meet compatriot Richard Veenstra in the third round of the World Cup. Van Gerwen from Vlijmen was released in the first round and easily defeated the Irishman Keane Barry in the second round of the World Cup.