Ace Gray enjoys best run of year
The St Leonards thrower won four matches at Players Championship 10 in Dublin on Sunday, starting with a steady 6-2 victory over evergreen campaigner Steve Grubb.
Gray then edged a see-saw second round tie against Kevin McDine. After going 3-0 down, Gray stormed back to lead 5-3 only for McDine to level at 5-5. With McDine sitting on 40 in the decider, Gray took out 83 on the bull for a great win.
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Hide AdNext up was a third round meeting with Steve “Bomber” Brown, who Gray defeated at the televised UK Open in June. At 5-4 up with all legs going with the throw, Gray produced a great 12-darter to take it 6-4.
Gray’s opponent in the last 16 was German ace Jyhan Artut, who had just put out former world champion Steve Beaton. Producing another 95+ average, Gray ran out a 6-3 winner.
Gray’s quarter-final opponent was the in-form Andrew Gilding, who had already beaten Darren Webster, Mark Webster and Dave Chisnall. Hitting four 180s in a 105 average, Gray had darts to win every leg but Gilding took out four 90-plus finishes to win 6-1.
In Players Championship 9 at the same venue on Saturday, Gray beat home favourite Mick McGowan 6-2 before losing 6-4 against 13th seed Mark Walsh.