Phil Taylor and Andy Fordham drawn apart for the Grand Slam of Darts
Thursday 5 November 2015 16:26, UK
Defending champion Phil Taylor avoided a showdown with former Lakeside champion Andy Fordham after the pair were drawn apart in the group stages of the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton.
Taylor won on that occasion when Fordham was forced to withdraw due to health problems while trailing 5-2 and 'The Viking' will have to hope he can get the opportunity to avenge that defeat in the knockout stages should they both progress.
World No 1 Michael Van Gerwen will meet the man who knocked him out the competition at the Civic Hall last year, Belgium's Kim Huybrechts, in Group A, which also features debutants Steve West and Mark Oosterhuis.
Reigning Lakeside champion Scott Mitchell has been drawn in the 'Group of Death' which also features last year's runner-up Dave Chisnall, 2014 World Championship runner-up Peter Wright and two-time BDO finalist Mervyn King.
Reigning PDC World champion and second seed Gary Anderson has been drawn alongside 2012 Grand Slam champion Raymond Van Barneveld with qualifier Andy Bolton and 1994 World Matchplay champion Larry Butler.
While Fordham avoided Taylor, he will face a tough match-up against fifth seed Adrian Lewis, and will also face former World Youth Champion Michael Smith and Wolverhampton's Wayne Jones.
Taylor's group features 21-year-old Australian prospect Rowby-John Rodriguez as well as 2014 World Masters champion Martin Phillips and Robbie Green.
Here is the draw in full for the Grand Slam of Darts:
Group A: Michael Van Gerwen, Kim Huybrechts, Steve West, Mark Oosterhuis
Group B: Ian White, Jelle Klaasen, Steve Beaton, Martin Adams
Group C: Adrian Lewis, Michael Smith, Wayne Jones, Andy Fordham
Group D: Peter Wright, Dave Chisnall, Mervyn King, Scott Mitchell
Group E: Gary Anderson, Raymond van Barneveld, Andy Bolton, Larry Butler
Group F: James Wade, Keegan Brown, Mark Webster, Michel van der Horst
Group G: Robert Thornton, Terry Jenkins, Johnny Clayton, Geert De Vos
Group H: Phil Taylor, Rowby-John Rodriguez, Robbie Green, Martin Phillips
Saturday November 7
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)
Groups E-H First Games
Rowby-John Rodriguez v Robbie Green (H)
Terry Jenkins v Jonny Clayton (G)
Robert Thornton v Geert De Vos (G)
James Wade v Michel van der Horst (F)
Keegan Brown v Mark Webster (F)
Gary Anderson v Larry Butler (E)
Phil Taylor v Martin Phillips (H)
Raymond van Barneveld v Andy Boulton (E)
Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
Groups A-D First Games
Kim Huybrechts v Steve West (A)
Jelle Klaasen v Steve Beaton (B)
Michael Smith v Wayne Jones (C)
Dave Chisnall v Mervyn King (D)
Adrian Lewis v Andy Fordham (C)
Michael van Gerwen v Mark Oosterhuis (A)
Ian White v Martin Adams (B)
Peter Wright v Scott Mitchell (D)
Watch day one of the Grand Slam of Darts on Sunday November 7, starting at 1pm on Sky Sports 2.
By purchasing a Sky Sports Day Pass for £6.99 or Sky Sports Week Pass for £10.99, you can enjoy access to all seven Sky Sports channels and watch on a TV with a NOW TV Box or on a range of devices.
