Bahrain Darts Masters comes to bizarre halt as venue suffers power outage

The Bahrain Darts Masters broadcast was forced to cut away after a power outage.

At the start of the fifth leg in Danny Noppert’s clash against Gian van Veen, the lights inside Exhibition World Bahrain went out.

ITV

The crowd inside let out an ironic cheer while some turned on their flashlights before ITV‘s coverage shifted to a tournament montage.

Van Veen, who is just weeks removed from a run to the World Darts Championship final, led the contest at the time of its interruption by three legs to one.

The world No. 3 had hit 100 with his first three darts in the fifth leg before the lights went out as Noppert was yet to throw.

Thankfully power was restored, although it was 10 minutes after the lights first went out.

Speaking on ITV’s coverage, former WDF world champion Mark Webster said: “This situation has never happened before.

“So the players have to go up there and pick up where they left off.

“It’s out of everyone’s hands. They are two chilled guys. They came off stage and threw backstage. They are professional and will get on with it.”

Despite the momentary pause in action, it did not slow down Van Veen as he rattled off the next three legs to secure a 6-1 win over his countryman.

Van Veen’s win booked him a semi-final date against Nathan Aspinall.

‘The Asp’ kept his hopes for the title alive thanks to an impressive 6-3 win over world No. 2 Luke Humphries where he averaged 104.43.

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ITV

Earlier on day two of the Bahrain Darts Masters, Luke Littler was sent packing in the quarter-finals by Gerwyn Price.

‘The Iceman’ prevailed 6-2 over the recently-crowned world champion.

Price’s win set up a semi-final showdown with Michael van Gerwen, who knocked out defending Bahrain Darts Masters champion Stephen Bunting with a 6-4 victory.

Along with the privilege of winning the first World Series event of the calendar year, the field are competing for a £30,000 prize.

Players won’t have long to rest once the action in Bahrain is wrapped up, with the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters due to begin on January 19.

It promises to be a lucrative event, but not because of the pay day for winning, which will also be £30k.

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That’s because of the prize money offered for hitting a nine-darter in Saudi Arabia.

Should a player win a leg with nine darts, they would secure $100k (£74,500).

But they could instantly double their money should they hit the bullseye with the tenth dart.