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.

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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.

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