Former World Matchplay Champion Larry Butler surged into the second round at Lakeside after an enthralling battle with Ryan de Vreede.  Experience proved vital as the American hit the big shots he needed – when he needed – to see off the youthful exuberance of the Dutchman.

A well-timed 125 checkout (SB, T20, D20) gave Butler the first set, but after streaking into a 2-0 lead in the second, missed doubles allowed de Vreede to claw his way back into the match at one set apiece.  In the third, it was Butler’s turn to bounce back from a 2-1 deficit to win the set.

So far, every set had gone the distance, and it wasn’t about to change now!  The only difference was that all the legs went to the player throwing first, and that meant we were heading into a fifth and deciding set.

De Vreede needed only 13 darts to break his opponent and clinch the opening leg, but when he failed to convert 132 to double his advantage, the US #1 stepped up and calmly finished off his the required 100!  This time, Butler held the throw, aided by his fifth 180 of the match.  Looking set for a place in round two, “The Eagle” missed his shot at 64, and it was all square once more.

The last set has to be won by two clear legs, and a swift 12-darter (140, 140, 180, 81) again left Butler a leg from victory, but now, de Vreede it was who couldn’t find the doubles.  The 2015 World Masters runner-up could, though, and a nice 96 check sealed the victory.

The scoresheet from the match is available here.  Butler can now relax for a day before his mouth-watering clash against top seeded Glen Durrant.

Other winners today included John Walton, Martin Atkins, Jamie Hughes, and Martin Phillips, who beat a decidedly off-color Ted Hankey.  All four matches were won in straight sets.  The all-Dutch affair between Jeffrey de Graaf and Richard Veenstra was a typically exciting contest, and it was the latter who got the verdict 3-2.

On the distaff side, there was another great performance from Aileen de Graaf, who beat England’s Casey Gallagher in straight sets.  The reigning Women’s World Master recorded the second-highest average of the week with a fine 27.02.  Highlight of the win was de Graaf’s 13-darter (99, 140, 134, 112, 16) in the penultimate leg.

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