Ian White defeated Stephen Bunting in World Matchplay first round
Sunday 19 July 2015 17:45, UK
Ian White consistently outscored Stephen Bunting en route to a 10-6 win in Sunday’s afternoon session at the World Matchplay in Blackpool.
The Premier League player was always playing catch up against White who returned for the final mini-session to take five of the last six legs and send Bunting packing in a match illuminated by 17 180s.
White hit bullseye to claim his first leg before breaking Bunting’s throw, then going 3-1 up to leave his opponent looking bewildered. He checked out from 118 to go 4-2 up but Bunting’s nine maximums helped him to make it five apiece heading into a break.
When they returned to the oche it was one-way traffic with White breaking Bunting’s throw twice and taking out 112 to put himself one leg away from victory. Bunting briefly delayed the inevitable before White secured a second-round tie against Simon Whitlock.
Andrew Gilding set up a second-round clash against Peter Wright after outlasting Mervyn King in a back-and-forth 10-8 tussle.
King, ranked 12th for this tournament, became the first seed to fall although he took the opening pair of legs – meaning Gilding had lost 12 in a row dating back to last year’s whitewash by Adrian Lewis.
But Gilding remarkably found his composure to win seven legs on the bounce, forcing King to visibly worry, and it seemed the end was inevitable. King was able to hit double 16 and stop the rot before checking out from 44 and sneering angrily in a demonstration of willpower.
King drew level to eight legs each and the crowd were thrilled by an exchange of 180s before both men threatened but failed to complete nine-darters. Gilding won his ninth leg with a 105 checkout then completed the job to dump out the 12th seed.
Jamie Lewis registered his most high-profile win ever by defeating the seeded Justin Pipe.
The 23-year-old Welshman consistently held his throw down the home straight to edge out his more experienced foe 10-7. Pipe briefly rallied by threatening to break throw in the final leg with a maximum but Lewis held firm to book a slot opposite Michael van Gerwen in the next round.
Gerwyn Price burst out of the blocks to win the first five legs against Michael Smith and was never caught.
The Welshman secured a 10-4 win after maintaining at least a three-leg advantage throughout the final match of the afternoon session. He'll meet Adrian Lewis next.
