SNAKEBITE IS BACK FOR THE HUNGARIAN DARTS TROPHY
The Euro Tour returns to our screens this weekend for the first time since the start of July as the Hungarian Darts Trophy kicks off from midday on Friday. Amongst the field is reigning World Champion Peter Wright who missed the triple World Series header in New Zealand and Australia due to health issues.
The Red Dragon star returns looking for his first Euro Tour title of the year, and its abundantly clear that the quality he possesses can beat anyone on their day. Snakebite will face the winner off either Brett Claydon or Jim Williams in Saturday’s evening session, with the Welshman a winner on the Pro Tour this year as well as the 2019 Champion of Champions winner so not an easy draw.
Luke Humphries the most successful Euro Tour player of 2022 winning four tournaments will also enter the Hungarian Darts Trophy in Budapest, with Cool Hand involved in the third tungsten tussle of the evening session against either Boris Krcmar or Levente Sarai.
The three-time World Championship Quarter Finalist has enjoyed by far his best year on the PDC Circuit with some fantastic averages all through the year, including a 7-0 win over Michael van Gerwen in Munich for the German Darts Grand Prix back in April, scoring over 107 against a man who went on to win the Premier League and World Matchplay in 2022.
Friday sees the First-Round action begin including an all-Northern Irish battle to wrap up the afternoon session in Hungary between Daryl Gurney and winner on the Development Tour Nathan Rafferty.
Superchin entertained in Blackpool back in July including an opening match victory over Gary Anderson, giving fans their money’s worth when he threw a blind 180 before closing out with a 10-7 victory over the back-to-back World Champion.
Will it be experience or youth that prevails in Budapest, with the 22-year-old Coalisland thrower enjoying a strong break through year including a perfect leg at Players Championship 20 in a 6-4 defeat to Dave Chisnall.
Coverage of the Hungarian Darts Trophy starts from midday on Friday live on PDC TV, with Franz Roetzsch who appeared at this year’s Champion of Champions opening the tournament against Latvia’s number one Madars Razma.
By Harry Masterson
Hungarian Darts Trophy Order of Play: Friday
Afternoon Session:
Franz Roetzsch v Madars Razma
Brett Claydon v Jim Williams
Boris Krcmar v Levente Sarai
Jeff Smith v Rusty-Jake Rodriguez
Darius Labanauskas v Josh Rock
Thibault Tricole v Karel Sedlacek
Andras Borbely v Jeffrey de Zwaan
Daryl Gurney v Nathan Rafferty
Evening Session:
Ian White v Martin Lukeman
Dave Chisnall v Daniel Larsson
Pal Szekely v William O’Connor
Ted Evetts v Chris Dobey
Simon Whitlock v Janos Vegso
Raymond van Barneveld v Rowby-John Rodriguez
Stephen Bunting v Callan Rydz
Gabriel Clemens v Ryan Meikle