Aspinall sets up World Matchplay semi vs Cullen after mid-match surge fires him past Dobey in thriller
PDC
Nathan Aspinall has set up a semi-final tie at the World Matchplay with Joe Cullen thanks to a 16-12 victory over Chris Dobey at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
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In a battle of two of this year's Premier League stars, Nathan Aspinall faced his good friend Chris Dobey. 'The Asp' started brighter, taking the opening leg with a hold of throw. Dobey followed suit in the second leg, returning the hold of throw and levelling up the tie early doors.
After Aspinall missed double top for a 114 in leg 3, Dobey took his chance for the first break by pinning double 6. In the following leg though, it was Aspinall's turn to punish. 'Hollywood' had missed a couple at double 8 for a 64 checkout, before Aspinall cleaned up a brilliant 128. In the final leg of the session it was Dobey who took it to edge in front at the first break.
A stunning 140 finish in the first leg back from Dobey then fired the Masters champion into a 4-2 lead. Despite Dobey being on top on the scoreline, Aspinall was motoring, a fired his fourth 180 in as many legs to get back to 4-3. Missed doubles in leg 8 caused problem for 'the Asp' though, allowing Dobey to regain a two-leg buffer. A tops tops 100 finish then saw Dobey eek even further ahead. Aspinall took the last leg of the session, staying in touch at 6-4 behind.
Taking the first leg of the third session on double 14, Aspinall was back to within one of Dobey. Missing three at double in leg 12 though, 'Asp' was unable to regain parity. Rectifying his mistakes of the previous leg, Aspinall successfully cleaned up 25 as the run of breaks of throw continued. For the third straight leg, Aspinall needed 25 and again he pinned double 8 to level the match and he'd follow it by taking the final leg before the break with a crucial, last dart in hand double 16 to nudge in front.
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Dobey stopped the rot after the interval, holding throw to get back to 8 apiece. Both then missed darts in leg 17, Aspinall eventually sealing it on double 2. Then a stunning double double finish on the 18s gave Aspinall a two-leg advantage in style. Double 10 in the 19th leg and suddenly Aspinall was three infront and romping towards the last four. After Aspinall had wired the bull for a 167, Dobey had a chance for a much needed leg with 74 but slipped into the double 5 when aiming at tops. Aspinall, who has shown his prowess at cleaning up 25 made no mistake to head off stage 12-8 clear.
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The break had done nothing to stop Aspinall's momentum, a 12-dart hold finished off by an 81 on double 13 took him three legs from victory. That quickly became two legs courtesy of a brilliant 116 checkout from 'the Asp'. Dobey though, showed a sign of life with an 11-dart break to stop the rot and pull one back. A 14-dart leg then saw 'Hollywood' creep closer again at 14-10.
Aspinall had suddenly gone off the boil and Dobey was seemingly making the most of it. However, after he missed a handful of darts for a third straight leg, Aspinall was able to restore some order and go to one away from the win. Aspinall wouldn't take that chance at the first time of asking however, slipping into the single 9 when aiming for double 12 for the match.
Another 11-dart break of throw from Dobey continued his late match charge as he attempted to claw his way back and keep the tie alive at 15-12. After another missed match dart, this time at the bullseye, Aspinall was once again tasked with 25. Following a nervy big 9, he settled himself, pinned double 9 and sealed his place in the semi-final.
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Kieran WoodDarts Journalist
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He contributes to DartsNews.com, where he covers professional darts through news, match reports, analysis, and live coverage across the PDC calendar and major tournaments.
A key part of his work is on-site reporting from leading events. Kieran has covered the PDC World Darts Championship in person, reporting daily from the venue and providing first-hand insight from the tournament. During his coverage, he has conducted interviews with leading players including Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, and Gerwyn Price.
He is also one of the leading voices of the English-language Dartsnews Podcast, contributing regular analysis and discussion on developments across the professional darts circuit.
In his reporting, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles when new, verified information becomes available.
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- She is a professional. If darts is her income, she is a professional. Same as Adrian Lewis, Martin Adams. A tour card just means someone can play on the PDC tour. You could even make a case that Clayton wasn't a professional (until recently I believe) because he had employment elsewhere.BandB04-11-2026
- She's technically not a professional though as she doesn't hold a pro tour card.mr-pablo04-11-2026
- Such a shame that lakeside has been reduced to this. Fantastic venue,and previously a great tournament. Not any morerick6703-11-2026
- Seems to me that the top 16 players pick and choose whatever they want to play. Good,all the money will get spread out more. They get more money from exhibitions than tournaments so let them all withdrawrick6703-11-2026
- Play all legs and the winners split the pot. Luke gets the lot of he wins them all. If your occupation is darts player you can't enter, regardless of ability.BandB01-11-2026
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- Fair play to Fallon. But...shows the mockery when a professional players wins what was meant to be an amateur v Pro event, Littlers performance was poor, and what about the players who didn't get a game? Would have been better if the pot was split amoungst all the winners and they all got a leg.BandB31-10-2026
- Not even slightly interestedrick6730-10-2026
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- No point in being there? Champions want to win.Deduce635828-10-2026
