Monthly Archives: April 2018

Talented Dutch ace Jeffrey de Zwaan is the latest young star to join Team Unicorn.

In what is fast becoming his breakthrough year, De Zwaan sensationally won his first senior PDC title as he swept to victory at Players Championship 10 to confirm his arrival in the elite of world darts.

For Unicorn, the capture of De Zwaan is seen as another significant investment in the future of the sport. “I am thrilled to be joining the best team in darts and to sign as I win my first big title makes it even more special for me,” he said.

The young Dutch ace edged out Welshman Jonny Clayton in a last leg decider to win his maiden senior title in Wigan.

It has all happened for De Zwaan in 2018. He caused one of THE shocks of the year when he dumped World No.1 Michael van Gerwen out of the UK Open Finals in Minehead. He only won a Tour Card in the tough environment of Q School in January.

‘The

James Wade’s recent return to form goes on!

The Unicorn ace reached his fourth semi-final on the tour in the last six weeks at the latest Players Championship weekend in Wigan.

It has been a great week for Wade who revealed that he and his wife Sammi are expecting their first child later this year.

On Saturday, he had another fine run before being edged out 6-4 by eventual winner Michael van Gerwen in the last four. Van Gerwen claimed his 9th title of 2018 with a 6-4 win over surprise finalist Scott Taylor from Bolton, who had earlier stunned Team Unicorn’s Gary Anderson in the quarter-finals.

The Unicorn duo of Keegan Brown and Ian White made it through to the last 16.

Sunday’s Players Championship tournament saw a first senior victory for hugely talented young Dutchman Jeffrey de Zwaan. He beat Jonny Clayton in a last leg decider to claim the biggest win of his career.

Wade reached the last 16 on Sunday.

By STUART

Michael Smith has almost certainly done enough to book his spot at the Premier League play-offs in London.

Despite losing 7-1 to Michael van Gerwen in Manchester, the Unicorn star thrashed Peter Wright by the same score earlier in the night and is now on 18 points which looks like being enough to reach the O2.

One more point would guarantee it, but his far superior leg difference should mean it’s job done, barring a darting miracle from Daryl Gurney!

But Gary Anderson missed the chance to secure his qualification for the semis as he slipped to a disappointing defeat against already eliminated Simon Whitlock.

Smith was sensational as he thrashed Wright in the opening match of the night. He hit a maximum in each of the first four legs as he raced into a 4-0 lead. The Unicorn ace started with 11 and 13 dart legs and also took out a superb 128 before his opponent got on the board.

Smith wasn’t finished with the big finishes and a 126 on the

Gary Anderson produced another masterclass and Michael Smith got back to winning ways in style as the Team Unicorn pair produced big wins on the second sell-out night in Rotterdam.

Anderson made it four wins on the spin and three crucial victories over the two nights in Holland with another 110 average as he swept aside the challenge of Daryl Gurney to move second in the PL table.

Smith cemented fourth spot after thrashing Simon Whitlock in the opening match on Thursday at the Ahoy Arena.

But Anderson stole the show again. When he’s on, he’s on! And Gary has been running hot in Rotterdam.

“I feel like I’m playing proper darts at the moment. It’s been a great couple of days for me and I am delighted for Michael too. He has worked very hard this year,” the Scot said.

After his superb wins over Smith and Rob Cross on Wednesday, Anderson dazzled again in front of another 11,000 sell-out crowd in Holland.

Gary

Gary Anderson has made his move in the Premier League.

In a thrilling first night in Rotterdam, the Team Unicorn star beat both Michael Smith and Rob Cross to move up to third in the table....and he wired D12 for a 9 darter!

Anderson averaged 110 in winning the all Unicorn clash with Smith 7-2 and he dominated Rob Cross, sweeping to a 7-3 victory but missed the sport’s holy grail in that match.

“I honestly thought the D12 was in when the dart left my hand,” he said. “But a great night for me in what was a terrific atmosphere to play in. The important thing is I am in the mix for the semi-finals now.”

His finishing was superb all night. Against Cross, he hit 5/5 on the doubles. His first miss was for the 9-darter in the eighth leg! Anderson nailed finishes of 120, 104 and 117 as he took control against Cross. The World Champion, under pressure, started to miss and Gary took full advantage as he finished with an average of 100.

The next three years will be crucial in the career of Team Unicorn’s top Australian star Kyle Anderson.

Having sorted problems with his eyesight caused by diabetes, Anderson has now sorted out his visa to play his chosen sport until 2021.

Red Tape brought an abrupt half to Kyle’s career 18 months ago when a visa mix-up meant that he couldn’t compete in the UK.

The popular Aussie won a year-long stay but after heading home to see the family, Anderson has now secured a long-term visa.

“Again there was some uncertainty for me and my family over the visa situation,” he said. “There was a concern that we would have to do this every year, so I am absolutely delighted that we have a visa through to 2021. It means a heavy weight lifted off my shoulders and I can now focus on darts, winning titles and getting up the world rankings.”

Kyle is currently 22nd in the world and his next big target is a spot in the elite

Unicorn ace Michael Smith was beaten in a dramatic final of the German Darts Open on Sunday night in Saarbrucken.

It turned out to be a landmark tournament for German darts and 21-year-old Max Hopp, who edged out Smith in the final 8-7 to claim his first senior PDC title in front of a partisan packed house.

The 21-year-old is a former PDC UNICORN World Youth Champion and this victory is also a watershed moment in his career. The £25,000 winner’s cheque will see him qualify for all the big ‘Major’ TV events in 2018 as Hopp showed why he can be the darting hero that Germany has craved for so long.

Smith though will be bitterly disappointed. He led the final 3-0, 5-2 and 6-3 before Hopp managed to force a decider. The Unicorn man was sat on 64 for the title when the German youngster nailed an incredible 121 on the bull to win the tournament with a brilliant 12 darter.

“Fair play to Max,” said Smith. “He took his chances.