"Intense Showdown: Dirk Van Duijvenbode Calls Out Referee Over 'Illegal' Move"

Table of Contents

1. The Incident
2. Match Summary
3. Referee's Decision
4. After the Match

DIRK VAN DUIJVENBODE faced a significant setback at the Players Championship Finals in Minehead, shortly after throwing a dart deemed ‘illegal’.

The Titan was trailing 5-3 against Madars Ramza and appeared to be heading towards defeat when the referee disallowed his final throw of the set.

Dirk van Duijvenbode expressed his dissatisfaction with a late call during his match against Madars Ramza at the Players Championship FinalsCredit: PDC Darts The Titan confronted the officials after the incident and at the conclusion of his matchCredit: PDC Darts

He attempted to adjust his score after missing two darts at double to finish 20.

The Dutchman hit a single 10 and then a single five while trying to complete his checkout, leaving him with no finish on his last throw and an awkward two-dart combination if Ramza failed to take out his remaining eight.

However, referee Corstorphine disallowed the treble eight scored by Van Duijvenbode, meaning he was left with five on the board instead of returning to 20.

The referee quickly approached the board and stated, “15 [scored]. That last dart does not count.”

Van Duijvenbode was immediately unsettled by the decision, questioning Corstorphine and Scott Gibling, who was standing behind him.

It was clarified that Van Duijvenbode had thrown sideways, which is often a sign of frustration as players sometimes throw their last dart out of annoyance merely to conclude the game.

Unimpressed with the ruling, Van Duijvenbode pointed at Corstorphine and glared at him as he walked away from the oche.

He shook his head while waiting patiently for Ramza to take the match 6-3.

Ramza eventually secured the double four needed, offering a handshake to his opponent, who continued to express his frustration about the situation.

A few seconds later, Van Duijvenbode approached the referee and board official to thank them, while animatedly seeking an explanation for their decision.

The 33-year-old left the officials with a pat on the back before making an early exit.

He averaged 89.51 during the match, which was actually higher than his opponent's average.

Ramza’s highest checkout was only 32, but he achieved a success rate of 54.55 percent compared to Van Duijvenbode’s 37.5 percent.