Arena MK witnessed an electrifying afternoon of darts as Round Two, Part One of the Winmau World Masters delivered non-stop drama. Fans saw rising star Gian van Veen overcome veteran Nathan Aspinall in a gripping comeback, while James Wade finally broke his decade-long curse against Gary Anderson. Chris Dobey survived a fierce challenge from Damon Heta, and in a nail-biting Welsh derby, Gerwyn Price edged out Jonny Clayton after a truly dramatic deciding set. A true feast for darts enthusiasts!
The Winmau World Masters: A Day of Epic Darts Battles
Van Veen’s Rise: Conquering The Asp
The fairytale continued for newly crowned Dutch number one, Gian van Veen, who survived and conquered an engrossing, emotionally charged duel with Nathan Aspinall. Early on, the stage belonged to ‘The Asp’, who tore into the treble 20 with ruthless intent, suggesting he would run away with the match. However, darts has a habit of humbling certainty, and despite Aspinall’s blistering start, the contest was inexplicably level at the interval.
For van Veen, the break was a turning point. He returned transformed, assertive, and suddenly in control. Within ten minutes, the Dutchman had engineered a 3-1 advantage, helped in no small part by Aspinall’s growing anguish on the doubles. True to reputation, the former Matchplay and UK Open champion refused to vanish quietly, clawing back a set to halve the deficit. But van Veen stood firm, steadied his breathing, trusted his throw, and **closed it out with composure beyond his years**, securing his spot in the next round against James Wade.
Wade Breaks the Curse: A Decades-Long Victory Over Anderson
After more than a decade of frustration, ‘The Machine’ James Wade at last overcame Gary Anderson in a PDC televised ranking major. The rivalry between these two legends is well-known, and on paper, their clash was impossibly tight. On the oche, it delivered exactly that.
Anderson struck first, bursting into a 2-0 lead with the authority of a man determined to preserve his dominance. Wade responded, clicking into gear with renewed venom, his outer-ring precision dragging him back into contention. Back came ‘The Flying Scotsman’, forcing a decider. The opening leg went Wade’s way. Then came the moment: Anderson, poised to force a dramatic final-leg shootout, **incredibly ‘bust’ (missed a required score by hitting too much)**. A collective gasp filled the arena. Wade accepted the invitation with surgical calm, mopping up 48 and finally stepping through a door that had remained stubbornly locked for years.
Dobey Survives Heta’s Fiery Comeback
Opening the session, Chris Dobey kept his ambitions for a second Masters crown alive after surviving a ferocious revival from Damon Heta. Three years ago, ‘Hollywood’ claimed what remains his only PDC TV major on this very stage. After a sluggish opening, he appeared to be cruising again as he surged into a 3-1 lead. Then the script flipped. Heta ignited, producing darts reminiscent of his sharpest days, suddenly transforming the match into a brutal scrap.
Ultimately, the Geordie regrouped, steadied the ship, and **edged the deciding set**, likely exhaling deeply as the final dart landed. Credit to ‘The Heat’, fresh from Australian shores, who leaves with positives despite defeat. Dobey, however, marches on, his quest for another title still alive.
Welsh Derby Thriller: Price Edges Clayton in a Classic
That left the question of Welsh opposition, answered emphatically by Gerwyn Price, who edged out compatriot Jonny Clayton in a Welsh derby that burned from first dart to last. Clayton, haunted by a miserable recent record against Price, flipped the script early, claiming the opening two sets to seize control. But ‘The Iceman’ does not yield easily. Price clawed back, equalised when ‘The Ferret’ looked destined for a 3-1 cushion, then surged ahead himself.
Still, it would not settle. Level again. Deciding set. First chalk to ‘Gezzy’ on his throw. The next leg should have been the end, but **five match darts were squandered**, dragging the contest into sudden-death chaos. This time, Price did not blink. The dart landed. The roar followed. **Another Welsh classic etched into the memory.** Darts at its most unforgiving. And at its most magnificent.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
