Dutch delight as Klaasen reigns from home

Former BDO world champion Jelle Klaasen became the latest player to take PDC Home Tour honours, despite defeat in his final match of the night.

Klaasen won both of his opening matches to put himself in pole position for top spot and a perfect record going into game five, where a win would be enough to put him through.

The 2006 BDO world champion then cruised into a 3-0 and 4-1 lead against Ryan Meikle to have one foot in the second round, but the talented Meikle stormed back to pinch a 5-4 victory that left Klaasen sweating on the final match of the night.

Germany’s Gabriel Clemen’s needed a 5-0 win to usurp his European rival, but it wasn’t to be as the winless Gavin Carlin produced his best performance of the night to claim the win – ending Clemens’ hopes by winning the first leg of the match.

With his hopes of winning the group over, Clemens faded and Carlin claimed two points but it was Klaasen celebrating as he joined Jamie Lewis, Luke Woodhouse, Dave Chisnall, Geert Nentjes, Nick Kenny and Ryan Searle in advancing.

Johnny Clayton is Friday night’s main attraction but the latest round of groups have also been confirmed, running from Saturday to Tuesday and will feature Nathan Aspinall, Michael Smith and Simon Whitlock.

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