So, Alex Spellman took to the stage tonight, the third American here at the Ally Pally. Making his PDC TV debut, Alex’s form in recent months led us to believe that he could be a contender.

Just three legs into the match against Ryan Joyce – that confidence appeared justified! A 15-dart first leg, capped by a nice check from 86, settled any nerves. A maximum 180 on the way to a second 15-darter doubled his lead. A slightly worse – but still perfectly acceptable – 16 gave him the first set. A 98.02 average did not flatter the man from North Carolina in the slightest.

Joyce started the second set, and made the start count with a 15 of his own, and a fine 128 checkout. This came – ironically – after Spellman hid wired his own attempt at 128 for a 12-darter. Another 180 got Alex down to 32 next leg, but he didn’t get a shot. 2-0 down in the set, the American broke straight back in 15, with a 110 check. Soon, it was 2-2, and we were into a decider. The set was won in 14 darts, but it went to the Englishman.

The first two legs of the third went with the darts before Joyce broke throw with an 11, and then clinched the set next leg. It certainly wasn’t that Alex eased up, more that Ryan stepped up a gear, and legs of 14, 12, and 16 sent Ryan Joyce into the next round.

Best performance of the day came from 16-year-old Luke Littler, who posted a 106.12 average in his demolition of 2012 BDO World Champion Christian Kist.

Full details from the PDC website here

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