Resurgent Nicholson ends Evans’ winning streak to win Modus Icons of Darts Live League Group Five

A resurgent Paul Nicholson ended David Evans’ winning streak on his way to winning Group Five of the Modus Icons of Darts Live League on Friday afternoon.

The Modus Icons of Darts Live League consists of remotely contested daily darts coverage, coming directly from players’ homes in order to fill the void created by the coronavirus outbreak on both the professional and exhibition circuits.

Both Wessel Nijman and Evans had previously claimed a pair of titles apiece prior to Friday’s action getting underway, with Nicholson becoming the third player to reign victorious since the new initiative launched.

The former Players Championship Finals winner commenced his campaign with a commanding 5-2 win over Raymond van Barneveld – who was fresh from his deciding leg victory over arch-rival Phil Taylor on Thursday.

After punishing 10 squandered doubles from van Barneveld, Nicholson missed 15 darts of his own on the outer ring despite narrowly edging past Mark Webster and hitting a magnificent 160 outshot.

The Englishman then overcame Andy Jenkins, before pulling off his most significant scalp of the day in narrowly defeating Evans in a last leg decider, and therefore bringing to an end the Manchester-based ace’s seven match winning streak.

Nicholson pinned five maximums against Evans and, despite missing 17 of his 22 attempts on the outer ring, claimed the Group Five title with two matches still to be played.

Today was my day, but tomorrow will bring new challenges. Happy good Friday people. #IconsofDarts ? https://t.co/OIjPaIzVWw

— Paul “The Asset” Nicholson (@TheAsset180) April 10, 2020

Elsewhere, Evans remains top of the overall standings after defeating Jenkins, van Barneveld and Webster.

The former PDC Challenge Tour event winner registered his most prolific display of the tournament against Webster to round off the afternoon, averaging 98.37 and hitting five of his nine attempts on the doubles.

The Modus Icons of Darts Live League returns on Saturday morning from 11am, with 19-year-old Nijman returning in replace of Evans.

Currently, streamed coverage remains exclusive to numerous bookmakers websites, but Modus are working hard to secure streaming elsewhere in the foreseeable future.

MODUS ICONS OF DARTS LIVE LEAGUE

Group Five
Friday, April 10

Andy Jenkins 5-1 Mark Webster
Paul Nicholson 5-2 Raymond van Barneveld
David Evans 5-4 Andy Jenkins
Paul Nicholson 5-4 Mark Webster
David Evans 5-3 Raymond van Barneveld
Paul Nicholson 5-2 Andy Jenkins
Raymond van Barneveld 5-4 Mark Webster
Paul Nicholson 5-4 David Evans
Raymond van Barneveld 5-3 Andy Jenkins
David Evans 5-2 Mark Webster

Group Six
Friday, April 11

Andy Jenkins v Mark Webster
Paul Nicholson v Raymond van Barneveld
Wessel Nijman v Andy Jenkins
Mark Webster v Paul Nicholson
Raymond van Barneveld v Wessel Nijman
Andy Jenkins v Paul Nicholson
Mark Webster v Raymond van Barneveld
Wessel Nijman v Paul Nicholson
Andy Jenkins v Raymond van Barneveld
Mark Webster v Wessel Nijman

? Modus Icons of Darts Live League – Day 5 ? pic.twitter.com/v4NfjXDJl7

— Jetze Jan Idsardi (@jetze_jan) April 10, 2020

(Photography: PDC Europe)