Classy Clayton thrashes Wade to seal New South Wales Darts Masters title in Wollongong

The World Series of Darts Tour has a new winner with Jonny Clayton adding to his victory in the Finals last year in Amsterdam by thrashing James Wade 8-1 in the final of the New South Wales Darts Masters in Wollongong.

A lot of questions were levied at Clayton after a poor 2022 so far including losing comfortably to Haupai Puha last week in Townsville but those have been answered by a supreme display by the Welshman who averaged 94.5 with five 180's and a high checkout of 160 to seal it.

He began the tie breaking throw on double 20 to gain the early initiative against Wade. Both exchanged maximums but it was ‘The Ferret’ who consolidated on double 18.

A miscount left 162 but Clayton was well ahead leaving 32 with a 130 for a double break and a 3-0 lead. Wade hit a 180 only for Clayton to nearly shut the door in his face missing a 110 but the former in typical fashion snuck up and hit a 104 checkout to break back and make it 3-1.

Clayton slipped into single seven on the 81 so didn’t get a shot but Wade missed the second double on 96 and ‘The Ferret’ returned for double 20 to break back and go 4-1 up.

A 105 set up left Clayton on 120 as he looked to hold and go 5-1 up. He pinned it to seal the four leg lead.

Clayton aimed to pile more misery on missing 146 on double 16 but returned for double four to go 6-1 ahead. A 180 and 66 checkout saw Clayton go one away with a hold. It was another maximum for the reigning World Series Finals champion but was poor following that giving Wade a chance at 104 but he didn’t take it and ‘The Ferret’ returned for a 160 checkout.