14/07/2024

First seed falls as James Wade brilliant in surging past Danny Noppert at World Matchplay

A man for the occasion at the World Matchplay, James Wade who has been seeded for many years at the World Matchplay got rid of the first seed of the tournament with a 10-5 success over Danny Noppert.

Wade was clinical with the former champion pouncing on poor doubling early on from the Dutchman who recovered but couldn't mount a comeback and 'The Machine' found his way through with a 95 average, two 180's and 45% on the outer ring. A very Wade like display and given he faces a hampered Nathan Aspinall next it could be a good week ahead for the Aldershot ace who hasn't got the results his form has deserved this year.

Follow the 2024 World Matchplay via our LIVE SCORE!

World Matchplay 2024 Prize Money Breakdown with £800,000 on offer in Blackpool

Noppert had the darts to win the first three legs but as ever misses were punished by Wade as ’The Machine’ did Wadey things in the first few legs. He went 4-0 up and only missed a dart to hold throw at 4-0 but cleaned up next dart up on double 20 as Noppert looked in trouble early.

Going into the break, Noppert was on the verge of going 5-0 down with another break likely spelling a nail in the coffin for the Dutchman. A 180 left 56 for Wade as he waited for Noppert on 77 who finally hit a double on double 20 to make it 4-1. Wade was averaging 97 and shook his head as the Dutchman got a semblance of a foothold in the contest.

Wade got a 5-1 lead after both missed a multitude of darts for the leg. He went 6-1 up hitting double six as he was throwing for a 7-1 lead. He missed two on his favoured double 10 though and Noppert broke back at 6-2.

A 57 checkout saw him cut the arrears at 6-3. Wade though hit double 20 for 7-3 as he hit the break and was three away. Noppert had a chance at 88 on the Wade throw and he pinned it in a huge tide turner at 7-5. Wade missed 164 on the bull but Noppert crumbled and ‘The Machine’ picked his pocket for 8-5. Wade missed 118 to go one away but he pinned double 10 for 9-5. After some running repairs, he sealed the win 10-5.