Henderson loses out in last 16 bid

Scot John Henderson’s world darts championship bid was ended by England’s Michael Smith in a thriller at the Alexandra Palace in London yesterday.

The Highlander, pictured, was bidding to reach the last 16 of the tournament for the second year running and he led 2-1 before Smith dug deep to win nine of the last 10 legs to clinch the last three sets and end the Huntly man’s hopes.

The Bully Boy, who rattled off nine maximums in averaging 100.47 to beat Henderson, who had eight 180s of his own in his 94.65 average, said: “I’m happy with the win. John played really well but at 2-2 he let me off a bit and I was able jump on it, take advantage and kill the game.”

After the early exit of leading seeds Raymond van Barneveld and Peter Wright, Smith’s half of the draw has been cleared of some dangerous contenders although champion Rob Cross could be lying in wait.

World number 10 Smith will face Ryan Searle in the last 16.

Devon Petersen’s remarkable run in the tournament continues after he completed a 4-2 win over Steve West.

Luke Humphries also stormed through to the last 16 with an excellent 4-1 win over Dimitri van den Bergh.

Scot Gary Anderson – winner of the event in 2015 and 2016 – is the first player through to the quarterfinals after beating England’s Chris Dobey 4-3.

Anderson was joined in the quarters by number one Dutch seed Michael van Gerwen who stormed past Adrian Lewis 4-1, averaging 108.8 in a comfortable victory