Jonny Clayton has ended his Winter Gardens hoodoo with a 10-7 victory over Dirk van Duijvenbode as the opening night at the World Matchplay continues in Blackpool.
Clayton had never before claimed a win at the hallowed venue before tonight but did so with a 96 average coming through a tricky opening test in the process.
To begin the tie, he took the opening two legs as he looked to run away with proceedings early doors before Van Duijvenbode took out 164 to get himself up and running.
Clayton converted double six from there to regain a two leg cushion at 3-1 up before Van Duijvenbode found double eight to leave it poised at 3-2 at the break.
It was soon back on level terms with the Dutchman hitting double eight for a 14-darter and parity kept being restored until 5-5 at the interval as Clayton pounced on two missed darts at doubles to level once more.
The break came at the wrong time seemingly for 'The Titan' as Clayton surged ahead with a break to make it 8-5. There was yet a twist in the tale as Clayton bust his score and Van Duijvenbode broke to make it 8-6 before holding at 8-7 but with Clayton holding a slender lead, he went one away before completing the feat.
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