Teenager shocks the world number one in Wick
TEENAGER Martin Nicolson created a major upset in Wick when he defeated the PDC darts world number one Michael van Gerwen.
Van Gerwen along with Dutch legends Raymond Van Barneveld and Vincent van der Voort drew a crowd of several hundred to The Flying Dutchmen Darts Exhibition in the town’s Assembly Rooms last Thursday.
Twenty-seven-year-old Van Gerwen, who has won 25 tournaments this year as well as raking in almost £1.6 million, was expected to make short work of his opponents.
Van Gerwen failed with a shot at the double to take the contest against Nicolson before his 19-year-old opponent scored 100 to leave him requiring 38.
That gave Van Gerwen three more chances at the double, which he could not take. The Francis Street Club player then stepped up and confidently nailed the double 19 to notch up his shock victory.
Van Gerwen also took on George Mcphee jnr, Kevin Donald, Stewart Tait, Meganne Shearer, Barry Sutherland and Scott Crowden. Van Barneveld meanwhile played against Kevin Sutherland, Les MacAdie, Liz Ronaldson, Ryan Campbell, Rab Edwards and Nicky Denoon. Van der Voort then took on local challengers John Bain, Richard Thain, John Harper, Robbie MacIvor, Callum Shearer, Freda Perry, Kara Sutherland and Tam Mulraine.
After a short break, Van der Voort lined up against Caithness number one Kevin MacGregor who he beat by three sets to one.
The final match of the night saw van Barneveld beat van Gerwen by three sets to two. Afterwards he was presented with a memento from three local youth players.
Wick and District Darts League (WDDL) celebrated its 40th anniversary this year and Rab Edwards and Les Macadie, who played in the first season in 1976, were presented with special awards by van Barneveld. Malcolm Begg, another of WDDL’s original players, was not present to collect his award.
Ray Sinclair, who died suddenly earlier this year from a heart attack shortly after playing a darts match in Wick, was also honoured when his grandson Craig picked up an award on his behalf.
WDDL has meanwhile announced four more world-class players will be heading to the Assembly Rooms early in the new year. Scotland’s Robert Thornton, England’s Dave Chisnall, Holland’s Jelle Klassen and Australia’s Simon Whitlock will be taking part in the Wick Masters on February 17.