In the first round of the European Championships, Merseyside’s Dave Chisnall, Stephen Bunting and Michael Smith put on a clinic.
Chisnall was the first player from Merseyside to play in the tournament, and he put on a dominant display against Belgium’s Dimitri Van Den Bergh. ‘Chizzy’ ran out a 6-3 winner, hitting five 180’s on his way.
Chisnall has been in brilliant form recently, and is hands down one of the most in form players on the tour at this moment in time.
Up next for the 39-year-old is Welshman, Jonny Clayton. ‘The Ferret’ was impressive in the first round on his way to obliterating James Wade, 6-0. The bookies have the St Helens’ man as the favourite, but Clayton is more than capable of pulling off the upset.
Moving on, Liverpool’s Stephen Bunting put on a clinical performance against fellow Englishman, Kegan Brown.
‘The Bullet’ ran out a comprehensive 6-1 winner, in what was a comfortable victory for the scouser. Up next for the 34-year-old is fellow Merseysider, Michael Smith, who defeated Ian White by the same scoreline. Bunting will go into the match as the underdog, but will still fancy himself to get the victory.
In his match with Ian ‘Diamond’ White, Michael Smith averaged an impressive 106.09 on his way to a 6-1 hammering. ‘Bully Boy’ was a slight underdog going into the match, which may come as a surprise to some people, especially after the way he played.
Ian White has been one of the most consistent players across the whole year on the professional tour, whilst Smith has blown hot and cold and has epitomized inconsistency.
However, it was ‘Bully Boy’ who took the victory to progress into the second round, setting up a Merseyside derby against Stephen Bunting.
Round two:
Dave Chisnall vs Jonny Clayton – Tonight on ITV4
Stephen Bunting vs Michael Smith – Tomorrow evening on ITV 4
Photo – Sven Mandel – Creative Commons Licence
