Beaton is no match for flying Dutchman

STEVE Beaton admitted there was little he could do to halt Michael van Gerwen’s progress after bowing out in the second round of the World Matchplay in Blackpool.

Van Gerwen hit a sensational nine-dart finish and averaged 104.36 on his way to a 13-9 success to set up a quarter-final clash against James Wade.

“Couldn’t do a lot more tonight, the Dutch Man was awesome,” said Beaton on his Twitter feed.

Both stars played their part in a high-quality opening, with van Gerwen bringing the capacity Winter Gardens crowd to their feet with the perfect ninth leg to move into a 5-4 lead.

Beaton levelled on double ten before van Gerwen took out 116 to lead 6-5, but a double top finish from the former world champion to level would be his last leg in five as the Dutchman pulled clear by winning four in a row.

“The nine-darter was amazing,” said van Gerwen, who became only the fourth player in the tournament’s history - alongside Phil Taylor, Raymond van Barneveld and John Part - to achieve the perfect leg.

“It means so much for me and I’m very happy - I exploded into the game after the nine-darter.

“It was a very good game and Steve played well too. To win the game with a 104 average and a nine-darter is brilliant.”