Van Gerwen puts out the Bunting at Winter Gardens

Michael van Gerwen eased into the second round of the BetVictor World Matchplay with a 10-4 win over Stephen Bunting on Monday night, as Adrian Lewis, Simon Whitlock and Rob Cross also enjoyed Winter Gardens wins.
Michael van Gerwen celebrates victory against Stephen Bunting		      Picture Lawrence Lustig/PDCMichael van Gerwen celebrates victory against Stephen Bunting		      Picture Lawrence Lustig/PDC
Michael van Gerwen celebrates victory against Stephen Bunting Picture Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Reigning champion van Gerwen began his bid for a third successive Blackpool triumph in dominant fashion, winning the opening seven legs without reply.

The Dutchman punished missed doubles from Bunting in three legs and landed back-to-back 13-darters at one stage as he took control, before the former Lakeside champion took three of the next four.

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Van Gerwen, though, moved 9-3 up on double four, and after missing three match darts at double 19 as Bunting claimed a fourth leg, but the world number one sealed the win in style with a 160 checkout.

Whitlock won the all-Australian clash with Kyle Anderson 10-5 with some superb finishing as he moved through to the last 16.

Although Anderson – making his third successive Blackpool appearance – took out 105 and a spectacular 10-dart leg in the early stages, Whitlock’s clinical doubling helped him into leads of 4-1 and 7-2.

Anderson won three legs in a row to pull back to 7-5, but saw Whitlock edge the 13th on double 10 before punishing misses from his compatriot in the next two to complete victory.

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Lewis made a winning return to action following a month out as he defeated Steve Beaton 10-7.

The Stoke ace had required an operation on a torn muscle in his lower back at the start of the month and revealed that he has struggled to practice for extended periods.

However, Lewis hit back from a leg down to take out 110 as he led 3-1, only to see Beaton win four of the next five legs as he took a 5-4 advantage.

Lewis, though, took out 78 and a 13-darter to retain the lead, and though Beaton took out 98 and 100 it was the 2013 finalist who sealed the win with an 11-darter.

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Newcomer Cross made a winning debut by seeing off Ian White 10-7.

The game’s opening six legs were shared before Cross claimed three in a row before moving into a 7-4 lead.

White responded and pulled back to 8-7 but Cross regained his range on the doubles and punished two misses from White by taking out 70 to complete a memorable debut.