For most of last week it was looking like our sponsored player Diogo Portela would have to play a shoot out V The Hammer, Andy Hamilton for the right to join the balance of 127 players ready for the Pro Tour Event 1 in Wigan. Then a last-minute drop out saved Andy and Diogo that minefield and they were both in from the start.
Diogo certainly made the most of his inclusion and went on a personal record equalling run to reach a Top 16 game. First up was Ronnie Huybrechts 6:3 with Diogo hitting a solid 89.8 average. It was the next game though that made everyone sit up and take notice as Diogo dispensed with Gerwyn Price 6:5 after being 4:1 down. What a result!
Diogo wasn’t distracted by this win and Josh Payne was his next Pro Tour victim. The score was 6:3 and a handy 92.4 average.
Harry Ward was between Diogo and his best ever run on the Pro Tour but it was not to be. The youngster prevailed though 6:3 with Diogo “hitting the wall” maybe and registering a 78 average, below par compared to his previous performances.
But a great day and some superb performances.
Sunday was a tough draw with “Snakebite”, Peter Wright coming out of the hat. Nevertheless Peter has not been in his best form recently and Diogo having beaten Price on Saturday went in to the game with confidence.
It was not to be though as Wright averaged a tad under 100 and moved in to the Last 64 with a 6:3 win. All in all a good weekend for our Performance Darts sponsored player though, some memorable wins and some valuable points on the board!
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