Hendo Admits "Greatest Night of my Life"
Big John Henderson admitted it was the “greatest night” of his life to battle back to draw with Michael van Gerwen.
The Huntly hero sent the BHGE Arena in Aberdeen wild with an incredible performance Unibet Premier League performance to push the World Champion MVG all the way in a 6-6 draw last night.
The Highlander had the Dartan Army rocking with the greatest-ever walk-on and then six 180s and an average of 105 at one stage.
A tearful Hendo admitted: “It was one of the greatest nights of my life.
“The fans were simply unbelievable. I couldn’t hear myself think it was so loud. I had to really keep my emotions in check.
“In the end I was just happy to give Michael a proper game. I played the best I possibly could and I’m just happy I could give the fans something back. What a night.”
Gerwyn Price remains the only player unbeaten in the league with another cracking 7-3 win on his birthday against Mensur Suljovic - landing seven doubles from nine attempts. Finishes of 107 and 127 helped Price into leads of 2-0 and 5-1 before Suljovic took out legs of 11 and 14 darts to hit back, only for tops to seal a fine win for the Welshman. Price said: “I wasn't scoring very well but when it came to my last dart on the doubles I was great, and my finishing got me out of jail. “I'm happy with where I am at the moment ahead of a big game against Van Gerwen next week. I'm picking up points and I'm the only unbeaten player so long may it continue."
Peter Wright blasted his way back into Premier League title contention with a crushing win over Raymond van Barneveld. The Livingston-born ace reeled off five successive legs on the way to a 7-2 win over the Dutch legend. Snakebite was back to his best on home soil, averaging 111.68 at one stage against a struggling and bewildered Barney on his final appearance in Scotland. Wright said: “I glanced on the screen and saw I was averaging 111 and I wanted to get even better. “It’s an amazing atmosphere again in Scotland, it’s always very special for me. I really enjoyed every moment of it. “It was tough playing Raymond for the last time in Scotland. Barney is an amazing guy and done a fantastic job for darts. I’m going to miss him. “I'm pleased with the way it went and I'm happy with the win. I've changed from 24 gram darts to 26 grams since last week and there's loads of potential in them. I want to be more consistent and average over 100 more regularly."
Red-hot Rob Cross produced another razor sharp show after slashing his head yet again in Scotland. The former World Champion was a cut above Michael Smith with a 7-3 win and revealed that for the third time in as many visits north of the border he has ripped his head open with a razor. Voltage, who nailed a high class 164 finish and 103 average, admitted: “It was like a bloodbath again. I shaved my head and there was blood everywhere. “I did exactly the same in Glasgow and Ardrossan on my last two matches in Scotland. It must be a lucky open or something! “The weird thing is that I didn’t start the match at all well. But then I got going OK and I think my 164 finish maybe lifted me and knocked Michael. “I’m in such a happy place right now. I’m getting a mini holiday with the family at the weekend and I’m loving life. “I completely ran out of steam on Sunday in the UK Open final, I was completely knackered. I then went home and my daughter has been ill in bed and she kept us up all night. So I was completely exhausted. “It was a relief to get to Aberdeen and I got 13 hours sleep and that probably made all the difference to me. “Michael’s a brilliant player. But I just managed to take control with the five successive legs. It’s a good win but still a long way to go.”
James Wade delivered a remarkable 109 average in a 7-0 demolition of Daryl Gurney - a week after smashing Michael van Gerwen. He said: “I feel really good but a little bit guilty, Daryl’s better than that. I don’t think there are many players who want to win 7-0, it’s not good for sportsmanship. “I don’t really care about averages, I played better and I won that’s the main thing.”
By Phil Lanning (@lannomedia) Photography: Taylor Lanning (@taylorlanning11)
Gerwyn Price remains the only player unbeaten in the league with another cracking 7-3 win on his birthday against Mensur Suljovic - landing seven doubles from nine attempts. Finishes of 107 and 127 helped Price into leads of 2-0 and 5-1 before Suljovic took out legs of 11 and 14 darts to hit back, only for tops to seal a fine win for the Welshman. Price said: “I wasn't scoring very well but when it came to my last dart on the doubles I was great, and my finishing got me out of jail. “I'm happy with where I am at the moment ahead of a big game against Van Gerwen next week. I'm picking up points and I'm the only unbeaten player so long may it continue."
Peter Wright blasted his way back into Premier League title contention with a crushing win over Raymond van Barneveld. The Livingston-born ace reeled off five successive legs on the way to a 7-2 win over the Dutch legend. Snakebite was back to his best on home soil, averaging 111.68 at one stage against a struggling and bewildered Barney on his final appearance in Scotland. Wright said: “I glanced on the screen and saw I was averaging 111 and I wanted to get even better. “It’s an amazing atmosphere again in Scotland, it’s always very special for me. I really enjoyed every moment of it. “It was tough playing Raymond for the last time in Scotland. Barney is an amazing guy and done a fantastic job for darts. I’m going to miss him. “I'm pleased with the way it went and I'm happy with the win. I've changed from 24 gram darts to 26 grams since last week and there's loads of potential in them. I want to be more consistent and average over 100 more regularly."
Red-hot Rob Cross produced another razor sharp show after slashing his head yet again in Scotland. The former World Champion was a cut above Michael Smith with a 7-3 win and revealed that for the third time in as many visits north of the border he has ripped his head open with a razor. Voltage, who nailed a high class 164 finish and 103 average, admitted: “It was like a bloodbath again. I shaved my head and there was blood everywhere. “I did exactly the same in Glasgow and Ardrossan on my last two matches in Scotland. It must be a lucky open or something! “The weird thing is that I didn’t start the match at all well. But then I got going OK and I think my 164 finish maybe lifted me and knocked Michael. “I’m in such a happy place right now. I’m getting a mini holiday with the family at the weekend and I’m loving life. “I completely ran out of steam on Sunday in the UK Open final, I was completely knackered. I then went home and my daughter has been ill in bed and she kept us up all night. So I was completely exhausted. “It was a relief to get to Aberdeen and I got 13 hours sleep and that probably made all the difference to me. “Michael’s a brilliant player. But I just managed to take control with the five successive legs. It’s a good win but still a long way to go.”
James Wade delivered a remarkable 109 average in a 7-0 demolition of Daryl Gurney - a week after smashing Michael van Gerwen. He said: “I feel really good but a little bit guilty, Daryl’s better than that. I don’t think there are many players who want to win 7-0, it’s not good for sportsmanship. “I don’t really care about averages, I played better and I won that’s the main thing.”
By Phil Lanning (@lannomedia) Photography: Taylor Lanning (@taylorlanning11)