BetVictor World Matchplay Night Six

Betfred World Matchplay

DARYL GURNEY and Peter Wright will clash in the BetVictor World Matchplay semi-finals - Thursday round-up here.

Fleetwood Aces Take To The Oche!

Betfred World Matchplay

FLEETWOOD TOWN footballers Cian Bolger, Lewie Coyle and Alex Cairns enjoyed a special darts challenge.

BetVictor World Matchplay Night Five

Betfred World Matchplay

PHIL TAYLOR and Michael van Gerwen progressed to the BetVictor World Matchplay quarter-finals on Wednesday.

BetVictor World Matchplay Night Four

Betfred World Matchplay

DARYL GURNEY knocked out Gary Anderson in the BetVictor World Matchplay second round - round-up here.

BetVictor World Matchplay Night Three

Betfred World Matchplay

THE BetVictor World Matchplay's first round concluded on Monday - round-up & results here.

Darts' Greatest Rivalry Continues!

Betfred World Matchplay

DARTS' greatest rivalry will resume on the BetVictor World Matchplay stage when Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld clash.

BetVictor World Matchplay Day Two

Betfred World Matchplay

PHIL TAYLOR led the winners on the second day of the BetVictor World Matchplay - round-up here.

BetVictor World Matchplay Night One

Betfred World Matchplay

THE BetVictor World Matchplay begins on Saturday with the opening four games from the first round.

BetVictor World Matchplay Preview

Betfred World Matchplay

THE 2017 BetVictor World Matchplay begins on Saturday - we look ahead to nine days in Blackpool.

Whitlock Primed For All-Aussie Clash

Betfred World Matchplay

SIMON WHITLOCK is aiming to cement his status as Australia's number one when he faces Kyle Anderson.

2023 Betfred World Matchplay
Schedule of Play
Saturday July 15
4x First Round

Joe Cullen 10-7 Mike De Decker
Daryl Gurney 12-10 Rob Cross
Gerwyn Price 10-3 Stephen Bunting
Gary Anderson 10-6 Dave Chisnall

Sunday July 16
Afternoon Session
4x First Round

Danny Noppert 10-8 Martin Schindler
Dirk van Duijvenbode 12-10 Kim Huybrechts
Damon Heta 10-5 Josh Rock
Chris Dobey 10-8 James Wade

Evening Session
4x First Round

Nathan Aspinall 10-7 Krzysztof Ratajski
Luke Humphries 10-2 Jose de Sousa
Brendan Dolan 10-7 Michael van Gerwen
Michael Smith 10-2 Steve Beaton

Monday July 17
4x First Round

Dimitri Van den Bergh 10-8 Ross Smith
Ryan Searle 10-4 Raymond van Barneveld
Peter Wright 10-4 Andrew Gilding
Jonny Clayton 10-8 Gabriel Clemens

Tuesday July 18 (1900 BST)
4x Second Round

Daryl Gurney 11-4 Gary Anderson
Nathan Aspinall 11-9 Danny Noppert
Joe Cullen 13-11 Gerwyn Price
Chris Dobey 11-7 Michael Smith

Wednesday July 19
4x Second Round

Damon Heta 11-1 Brendan Dolan
Jonny Clayton 11-6 Dimitri Van den Bergh
Ryan Searle 11-8 Peter Wright
Luke Humphries 14-12 Dirk van Duijvenbode

Thursday July 20
2x Quarter-Finals

Joe Cullen 16-11 Daryl Gurney
Nathan Aspinall 16-12 Chris Dobey

Friday July 21
2x Quarter-Finals

Jonny Clayton 16-12 Ryan Searle
Luke Humphries 16-13 Damon Heta

2023 Betfred World Matchplay
Saturday July 22
Semi-Finals

Nathan Aspinall 17-9 Joe Cullen
Jonny Clayton 17-15 Luke Humphries

Sunday July 23
Afternoon Session
Betfred Women's World Matchplay
Quarter-Finals

Beau Greaves 4-0 Noa-Lynn van Leuven
Robyn Byrne 4-3 Rhian O'Sullivan
Mikuru Suzuki 4-2 Aileen de Graaf
Lisa Ashton 4-3 Fallon Sherrock

Semi-Finals
Beau Greaves 5-3 Robyn Byrne
Mikuru Suzuki 5-3 Lisa Ashton

Final
Beau Greaves 6-1 Mikuru Suzuki

Evening Session
Betfred World Matchplay
Final

Nathan Aspinall 18-6 Jonny Clayton

Nathan Aspinall produced an inspired display to claim his maiden Betfred World Matchplay title on a remarkable night at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.

Aspinall delivered a darting masterclass to dispatch Jonny Clayton 18-6 in Sunday’s showpiece, reeling off 11 consecutive legs midway through the match on his way to claiming his second televised ranking title.

The former UK Open champion averaged 96, crashed in seven maximums and converted five ton-plus checkouts to triumph in the biggest match of his career, which lifts him to a career-high of world number five.

“It’s an amazing feeling. I'm so happy for me and my family and so proud of myself," claimed Aspinall, who becomes the 12th player to lift the coveted Phil Taylor Trophy.

“I did so well to keep it at 5-5. I was doing Jonny Clayton things! I was taking out those three-dart combinations and that kept me in the game.

“I think that third session was the key. I don’t know what it was, but then I suddenly found my scoring, and I finished brilliantly all game. 

"I think for those ten legs, my scoring was up there with the best I've ever scored and that was the telling factor tonight."

There was nothing to separate the pair after a high-quality opening ten legs, which remarkably featured five ton-plus checkouts.

Aspinall drew first blood with a 110 combination, and also produced a brace of 108 checkouts to keep Clayton at bay, despite the Welshman boasting an eight-point lead in the averages.

Clayton – who had taken out nine ton-plus finishes in his run to the final – conjured up a majestic 141 checkout in leg seven, before firing in a 101 kill to restore parity at five apiece.

Nevertheless, Aspinall then produced one of the most astounding spells of dominance in World Matchplay history to storm to the title, winning 13 of the last 14 legs to scoop the £200,000 top prize.

The Stockport star reeled off four consecutive legs in 11, 14, 13 and 12 darts to stretch his lead to 9-5, and Clayton was left shell-shocked as Aspinall’s blistering barrage showed no sign of relenting.

The 32-year-old produced a mesmerising 170 checkout to make it six legs without reply, and a 115 combination in leg 18 continued the procession, as his lead stretched to 13-5.

Aspinall’s astonishing winning run totalled 11 legs before Clayton finally stopped the rot to reduce the arrears to 6-16, but it simply delayed the inevitable.

Normal service was resumed for Aspinall in leg 23, as he landed a 16-dart hold on tops to move a leg away from glory, and despite some late double trouble, he eventually landed double five to cap off the greatest win of his career.

“These things don’t happen very often, so I want to enjoy this moment!” continued Aspinall, who also paid tribute to Clayton, who showed incredible character throughout the week in Blackpool.

“To share that final with Jonny was very special. He is such a lovely guy. He’s the best person on the tour.

“I wish him and his family all the best. He’s a gentleman of the game, he’s a credit to our sport, but I’m just happy I beat him!”

Clayton – also featuring in his maiden World Matchplay final – performed magnificently in his run to the final, which was fuelled by his desire to triumph for his ill father.

The Welshman had only claimed a solitary win at the Winter Gardens prior to this year’s tournament, and he was full of praise for a brilliant Aspinall.

“I came out of the blocks well but then Nathan just turned up,” conceded the 48-year-old, who pockets the £100,000 runner-up prize.

“I cannot argue with the result. I was beaten by the better player, and what a fantastic guy he is.

“To make the World Matchplay final is an amazing achievement. I’m a very proud man.

“I’d like to thank my family and this phenomenal crowd. One day I will get back on this stage in a final, and hopefully that will be my night.”

Drawboard