Stevenson puts on good show but Beaton is too hot

THE Mirror Man was unlucky not to progress further than he did in Players Championship 13 yesterday, despite producing arguably one of his best performances on the PDC Tour.

Simon Stevenson’s opening match was against Mike van Duivenbode and he began well with a win in 16.

The Dutchman levelled when taking the next in 14, only for Stevenson to edge in front with a win in 18 before hitting a maximum in the next two legs which he both claimed in 13.

With a 4-1 advantage, his 26-year-old opponent pulled one back but two more legs in 20 and 16 saw Stevenson progress by a 6-2 margin.

Standing in his way of a place in the last 32 was former BDO World champion Steve Beaton who took the opening leg in 15, only for Simon to respond by moving 3-1 in front with legs gained in 16 and 14 before scoring 135-134-100 and checking out from 132 for a win in 12.

Beaton pulled one back in 17 and then took a 12-darter of his own when finishing after nine darts with an outshot of 121.

Unperturbed, Stevenson edged in front again when taking the next in 15 and made it 5-3 in his favour with another leg in 15.

That put him just one away from a famous victory, but Beaton never gives up and rolled off three on the bounce in 14, 16 and 15 to win 6-5.

But this was an excellent showing from Stevenson, his average over the two matches was a very creditable 94.03 but most importantly his checkout stats was an excellent 55.5%.

He will be hoping to maintain that form when he lines up at the Barnsley Metrodome today to compete in Players Championship 14.