Ashton bows out to Hunt after set-decider at World Championship

Wednesday, 16 December 2020 at 21:54

Adam Hunt is through to the second round at the PDC World Darts Championship for the first time after a hard fought victory over Lisa Ashton.

A brilliant tie between the duo with Ashton in particular having her first appearance since becoming a Tour Card holder. But it was 'The Hunter' who won through 3-2 with a 94.3 average and four 180's.

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It was a superb start between the pair with Hunt averaging 106.7 but losing the first set to Ashton who took out 70 on the bull to claim it in a deciding leg.

From there, it was Hunt though who continued his brilliance averaging 102.2 to claim the second set without reply as he levelled up proceedings.

It was a set of breaks of throw following that with Ashton hitting the front with double five only to miss two darts at doubles in the requisite leg and Hunt punished as a result with double eight to make it 1-1.

An immediate response came from Ashton but again she couldn't turn this into a set opportunity as a 24 dart leg on double six saw Hunt break back to make it 2-2.

Hunt's luck came in as he held throw in the deciding leg to go ahead for the first time at 2-1 up in sets. Ashton returned still though taking out 101 to claim the opening leg of the fourth set and went 2-1 up from there. A decider came once more but Ashton sealed the fourth set with an 81 checkout for an 11-dart leg.

Hunt hit first in the decider pinning double 20 to take the opener. An 87 checkout saw Ashton level it up but heartbreak followed as 'The Lancashire Rose' busted 130 and Hunt moved 2-1 ahead.

This proved pivotal as she couldn't pin three darts at double eight to force sudden death and Hunt returned with a clutch 120 checkout to move through.

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2021 PDC World Darts Championship schedule

Wednesday December 16

Evening Session (18:00 GMT)

Max Hopp (94.94) 3-0 (81.03) Gordon Mathers (R1) (3-0, 3-1, 3-2)

Callan Rydz (93.53) 3-1 (89.79) James Bailey (R1) (3-0, 0-3, 3-0, 3-1)

Adam Hunt (94.06) 3-2 (91.33) Lisa Ashton (R1) (2-3, 3-0, 3-2, 2-3, 3-1)

Glen Durrant v Diogo Portela (R2)

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𝙎𝙃𝘼𝙉𝙂𝙃𝘼𝙄 𝙏𝙊 𝙒𝙄𝙉 𝙄𝙏 Adam Hunt and Lisa Ashton produce an incredible contest there, with Hunt just edging the deciding set, sealing the win with a brilliant 120 checkout! 📺Last up 👉 Glen Durrant v Diogo Portela