Michael van Gerwen defies brilliance from 13-year-old sensation Jayden Walker as Chris Dobey stars with 111 average at Southampton exhibition

With players gearing up for the Grand Slam of Darts which begins this Saturday, Michael van Gerwen is back from his holiday in Dubai but nearly ran into problems against a 13-year-old sensation in Jayden Walker at an exhibition in Southampton.

Hailing from Dorset, Walker has long been touted including by Luke Humphries in the past and has also had multiple stints on the MODUS Super Series including brilliantly reproducing the Adrian Lewis shrug celebration.

One for putting on a show he did in Southampton as he faced MVG and the Dutch darting juggernaut only managed to win 3-2 and defied a 132 checkout from Walker to win through. But amid the brilliance from Walker in that game, it was Chris Dobey who was the standout act.

Dobey faced off against Vincent van der Voort who these days is looking a lot more streamlined and is back in action on the exhibition circuit with an appearance also recently in Stevenage. But it was ‘Hollywood’ who prevailed in a 3-1 win with an incredible 111 average as he prepares for Wolverhampton.

He sealed Grand Slam of Darts qualification only last minute so will be very much hoping that he can bring that form onto the stage this weekend. He is in a group with Damon Heta, Martin Lukeman and Jurjen van der Velde.

Dobey went on to face Jayden Walker but it was ‘Hollywood’ who very much lived up to his moniker with a 140 checkout with a pair of tops. Turning showman on the exhibition stage. Robert Owen was involved also and faced Vincent van der Voort as the Welshman fired past him with a 6-2 win. But to end the night, it was Chris Dobey again who prevailed.

He saw off Michael van Gerwen in a 6-2 win to conclude proceedings and leave Southampton as the form man.