It was a clinical return on the World Matchplay stage for Joe Cullen as he averted danger man Brendan Dolan with a 10-4 win averaging just over a ton in the process.
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Cullen hit six 180's and in particular in the latter half of the match was utterly sublime with his ton plus checkouts and combination finishing reeling off multiple massive finishes and 11-darters. He managed to distance himself from Dolan in the process and seal his spot in the latter stages with five legs in a row won by 'The Rockstar'.
Cullen led from the front with an early break. He sealed a 14-darter on double 16 for the opening leg and extended his advantage from there with a 16-darter on double 10.
Dolan went 2-1 down with a 114 checkout but missed darts from 2-2 and Cullen kept his advantage to 3-1. He went 4-2 up with a 56 checkout with Dolan unable to get a foothold on his throw.
Dolan kept one leg down with an 80 checkout and a 46 checkout at 5-4. But Cullen started to surge towards the finishing line. He started with an 11-darter on double 16 for 6-4 and backed it up again with an 11-dart 54 checkout for 7-4. A 117 checkout continued that trend as he made it 8-4.
Again it was ton plus brilliance as he pinned 130 for 9-4 and albeit less spectacular it got the match done, he hit a 68 checkout for 10-4 and the win. He now faces the winner of Michael van Gerwen and Luke Littler. They face off on Monday.
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