There will be a new name on the Phil Taylor Trophy, as Michael Smith will face Rob Cross in the final of the World Matchplay. Read about their semi-finals here.
(2) Rob Cross 17-15 (3) Daryl Gurney
Rob Cross and Daryl Gurney played out an all-time Winter Gardens classic as Voltage came from 14-7 down to win 17-15.
Winning 11 out of the last 12 legs - including nine on the spin - the Hastings man nullified SuperChin, who looked unstoppable at the start of the match.
The Northern Irishman hit 15 180s to Cross' seven, while the 2018 world champion had the superior average of 97.01 to 92.46.
The numbers fail to tell the full story of one of the greatest comebacks in darts history, in which Cross produced some of his best arrows to defeat the 2017 Grand Prix champion.
Gurney hit 15 of his 53 attempts at a double at 28%, while Cross was marginally better at 17/46 at 36.9% he missed loads early on and hit almost everything in his late charge for victory.
Cross hit three consecutive ton-plus finishes to lead 3-1, but Gurney got into his stride from that point.
Cross only hit his first 180 in the 16th leg, making two perfect visits to set up a nine-darter in a leg which he lost to trail 11-5.
Gurney started to miss the doubles towards the end of the match, especially tops which was missed with frequency.
As 15-9 soon became 15-12, Gurney was clear rattled as three darts to go one leg from victory went begging on tops.
Glen Durrant 10-17 (5) Michael Smith
Michael Smith progressed to his fourth major final with a dominant victory over Glen Durrant.
Smith knocked out three-time BDO world champion Duzza who has provided somewhat of a fairytale to this year's World Matchplay, as a debutant at the Winter Gardens after just seven months on the PDC circuit, many believed he could go all the way and lift the Phil Taylor Trophy.
But it was not to be for the Teesider, against the Bully Boy who averaged over a ton with a 50% checkout rate.
Smith flew out of the blocks into a 6-1 lead, hitting five 180s in that spell and missing one dart at a double.
Durrant dragged himself valiantly back into contention at 12-8, before the St Helens man found another gear to progress to his first Blackpool final.
Many players and pundits alike are saying that Michael Smith is too good not to break his major duck soon, and the 2018 Premier League runner-up, the 2018 World Series runner-up and the 2019 World Championship runner-up may snatch his first big crown on Sunday.
Sunday Order of Play
The Final
(5) Michael Smith (ENG) v (2) Rob Cross (ENG)
Day One Results and Report
Day Two Results and Report
Day Three Results and Report
Day Four Results and Report
Day Five Results and Report
Day Six Results and Report
Day Seven Results and Report
 |
| Photo from sportinglife.com |
Rob Cross and Daryl Gurney played out an all-time Winter Gardens classic as Voltage came from 14-7 down to win 17-15.
Winning 11 out of the last 12 legs - including nine on the spin - the Hastings man nullified SuperChin, who looked unstoppable at the start of the match.
The Northern Irishman hit 15 180s to Cross' seven, while the 2018 world champion had the superior average of 97.01 to 92.46.
The numbers fail to tell the full story of one of the greatest comebacks in darts history, in which Cross produced some of his best arrows to defeat the 2017 Grand Prix champion.
Gurney hit 15 of his 53 attempts at a double at 28%, while Cross was marginally better at 17/46 at 36.9% he missed loads early on and hit almost everything in his late charge for victory.
Cross hit three consecutive ton-plus finishes to lead 3-1, but Gurney got into his stride from that point.
Cross only hit his first 180 in the 16th leg, making two perfect visits to set up a nine-darter in a leg which he lost to trail 11-5.
Gurney started to miss the doubles towards the end of the match, especially tops which was missed with frequency.
As 15-9 soon became 15-12, Gurney was clear rattled as three darts to go one leg from victory went begging on tops.
 |
| Photo from Gazette Live |
Michael Smith progressed to his fourth major final with a dominant victory over Glen Durrant.
Smith knocked out three-time BDO world champion Duzza who has provided somewhat of a fairytale to this year's World Matchplay, as a debutant at the Winter Gardens after just seven months on the PDC circuit, many believed he could go all the way and lift the Phil Taylor Trophy.
But it was not to be for the Teesider, against the Bully Boy who averaged over a ton with a 50% checkout rate.
Smith flew out of the blocks into a 6-1 lead, hitting five 180s in that spell and missing one dart at a double.
Durrant dragged himself valiantly back into contention at 12-8, before the St Helens man found another gear to progress to his first Blackpool final.
Many players and pundits alike are saying that Michael Smith is too good not to break his major duck soon, and the 2018 Premier League runner-up, the 2018 World Series runner-up and the 2019 World Championship runner-up may snatch his first big crown on Sunday.
Sunday Order of Play
The Final
(5) Michael Smith (ENG) v (2) Rob Cross (ENG)
Day One Results and Report
Day Two Results and Report
Day Three Results and Report
Day Four Results and Report
Day Five Results and Report
Day Six Results and Report
Day Seven Results and Report
Never miss a post - enter your email address in the box on the right!
No comments:
Post a Comment