RICHARD NORTH snatched victory from the jaws of defeat as he completed a dramatic fightback against Robert Marijanovic on Saturday afternoon.
Marijanovic took the first leg with a 107 finish before doubling his lead on tops. The German missed six darts to take the set in the next two legs, as North won both on double top - only to see Marijanovic clean up 68.
North pinned double eight before Marijanovic completed an unorthodox 147 checkout (T20, T19, D15) to level up set two. North replied by finishing 96 but that was cancelled out by a 62 outshout from his opponent, who doubled his lead on double 12 after North had missed three set darts.
A 115 finish gave Marijanovic the lead in set three but North edged it 3-2 to keep his hopes alive.
Another unconventional finish - this time 94 (T20 D17) - helped Marijanovic open up a two leg lead in the fourth set, but finishes of 136, 84 and a tenth maximum from North saw him turn it around to force a decider.
Three consecutive breaks left North throwing for the match, and he completed the comeback on tops.
Match Stats
Averages:
North - 92.82
Marijanovic - 85.99
180s:
North - 10
Marijanovic - 1
Highest Finish:
North - 136
Marijanovic - 147
100+ Checkouts:
North - 1
Marijanovic - 3
Finishing:
North - 13/35
Marijanovic - 11/35
