Leach mixes it with the heavy hitters

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

GISBORNE man Stu Leach won’t forget his first taste of darts at the highest level.

Brisbane-based Leach lost 6-0 to defending champion Adrian Lewis, of England, but by no means disgraced himself in the Auckland Masters at the Trusts Arena last night.

World No.4 Lewis was in control from the get-go and for Leach fans it was a matter of hoping he could take one game off his opponent.

It was not to be, although Leach did score a perfect 180 during the fourth game.

While a little nervous to begin with, Leach settled into his rhythm but was no match for Lewis, whose performance was described by a Sky TV commentator as “ruthless stuff”.

Leach was one of several New Zealanders who fell quickly at the second edition of what is proving to be a hugely popular tournament.

New Zealand No.1 Cody Harris lost 6-2 to five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld, of the Netherlands; qualifier Ken Moir fell 6-2 to England’s James Wade; Wellington’s Rob Szabo lost 6-0 to legendary Englishman Phil Taylor; reigning world champion Gary Anderson beat Bernie Smith 6-2; and world No.1 Michael van Gerwen defeated Perth thrower Damon Heta 6-3.

Anderson and Taylor averaged 106.

The quarterfinals are tonight and the semis and final, tomorrow.