Luke Littler was the highest scoring player in PDC Fantasy Darts following the conclusion of the first round at the Betfred World Matchplay.
Littler produced a darting demolition job to register his first win on the iconic Winter Gardens stage, averaging 108.92 to dispatch Ryan Searle 10-2 in his opener.
The teenage superstar picked up 23 points for his efforts, landing five 180s and converting a brace of ton-plus finishes to cap off a terrific all-round display.
Andrew Gilding – listed as a ‘long shot’ in this year’s event – secured 20 points from his epic tie-break win over Damon Heta, registering a ton-plus average and crashing in ten maximums.
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Gilding also missed double 12 for a spectacular nine-dart finish, which would have earned him an additional 15 points and catapulted him to the top of the points standings.
Josh Rock – aided by a 104.32 average – collected 19 points in his first round win over Ross Smith, while Gerwyn Price claimed the same total from his eventful victory over Daryl Gurney.
Ahead of the second round – which takes place on Tuesday July 22 and Wednesday July 23 – you have two transfers available, with a deadline of 1900 BST to make changes to your team.
If all players are eliminated from any of the five categories, the overall squad size is reduced – you are not able to select a player from a different category to make up your full squad of six.
The overall PDC Fantasy Darts champion will receive a signed Luke Littler shirt, while further prizes also include a signed Nathan Aspinall shirt and a set of Michael van Gerwen’s EvoX darts.
Listed below are the best performing players from each category across the opening round.
‘Favourites’
Luke Littler (23 points)
Match Won: 3pts
Legs Won: 10pts
Legs Lost: -2pts
180s hit: 5pts
Average over 99.99: 3pts
Checkout over 99.5: 2 (4pts)
‘Contenders’
Josh Rock (19 points)
Match Won: 3pts
Legs Won: 10pts
Legs Lost: -5pts
180s hit: 4pts
Average over 99.99: 3pts
Checkout over 99.5: 2 (4pts)
The much fancied Josh Rock lived up to his billing during his clash with Ross Smith, averaging north of 104 and conjuring up a magical 167 checkout on his way to a convincing 10-5 victory.
The Northern Irishman will now take on three-time champion Michael van Gerwen in the last 16, after Van Gerwen won through a gruelling tussle against his compatriot Raymond van Barneveld.
‘Ones to Watch’
Wessel Nijman (18 points)
Match Won: 3pts
Legs Won: 10pts
Legs Lost: -6pts
180s hit: 8pts
Average over 99.99: 3pts
Wessel Nijman enjoyed a dream Winter Gardens debut on Saturday night, averaging 101.72 to topple 2023 World Matchplay champion Nathan Aspinall in a high-quality affair.
Nijman piled in eight 180s to wrap up a 10-6 success, and he will now play another former World Matchplay winner, with James Wade awaiting him on Tuesday evening.
‘Darkhorses’
Danny Noppert (18 points)
Match Won: 3pts
Legs Won: 10pts
Legs Lost: -2pts
180s hit: 5pts
Checkout over 99.5: 1 (2pts)
Danny Noppert conceded just two legs in his first round thumping of Cameron Menzies, punishing a below-par display from the Scot to progress.
Noppert has pedigree at the World Matchplay after reaching the semi-finals in 2022, although he faces a tough test against his World Cup partner Gian van Veen in round two.
‘Long Shot’
Andrew Gilding (20 points)
Match Won: 3pts
Legs Won: 12pts
Legs Lost: -10pts
180s hit: 10pts
Average over 99.99: 3pts
Checkout over 99.5: 1 (2pts)
Andrew Gilding made a mockery of his ‘long shot’ status against Damon Heta, averaging almost 102 and firing in ten 180s to stun the Australian number one in a Winter Gardens thriller.
Gilding – who also missed double 12 for a nine-darter – was a quarter-finalist in Blackpool 12 months ago, and he’ll be looking to repeat that feat ahead of his meeting with Dirk van Duijvenbode.