With two Americans in action, it was a very successful opening weekend for the players from this side of the Atlantic.

Darin Young was the first to take to the stage on Saturday night, where he faced five-time World Champ Raymond Van Barneveld.  Young was quickly into his stride, taking the first set 3-1, only to see the Dutchman level the score with a swift 3-0 in the second.

The second set went to a fifth leg, and it was “Big Daddy” who edged the decider to regain the lead.  A nice checkout from 160 helped the Pennsylvanian to forge a 2-0 lead in the fourth, but again, it went to a decider.  “Barney” had two darts to force a fifth set, but it wasn’t to be, and Darin Young was into the second round.

Florida’s Danny Baggish had his turn today.. He wasn’t taking on a former World Champion, but Andy Boulton is a very experienced – and very capable – performer.

The first set went all the way, with Boulton the winner.  The second set went all the way also, but this time, it was Baggish who took the last leg, and we were all square.  Missed doubles allowed Boulton to open up a two leg lead in the third, but it was soon 2-2.  That was as far as Danny got, and he was now down by two sets to one.

The fourth set also went the distance, but the North American Champion managed to level again from 100 while his opponent sat on 40 for the match. A nice 130 check from the Stoke-on-Trent native opened the fifth, but Baggish pocketed the next three legs in style, missing only one dart at a double.

Finally, we must spare a thought for former US star Paul Lim, who after kicking off with a cool finish from 160, went down to Luke Woodhouse.

Darin now takes on Dutchman Jeffrey de Zwaan in the final match on Tuesday evening, while Danny has a nice rest until Friday, when he meets World #12 Nathan Aspinall.

You can follow the action at https://www.pdc.tv/

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