"I was on top of the world, it was absolutely amazing" - Wes Newton recalls roof raising nine-dart heroics at 2012 World Matchplay

Many incredible darting stories have been written in the iconic halls of the Winter Gardens, Blackpool over the years at the World Matchplay. Back in 2012, local lad Wes Newton wrote his own chapter in the annals of the prestigious tournament, hitting a roof raising nine-darter.

In the middle of undoubtedly the peak years of Newton's career, 'The Warrior' was facing off against Justin Pipe in a second round contest, having already dispatched James Hubbard 10-5 in the opening round. With the tie locked at 5-5, Newton produced a moment of magic, striking perfection in a career highlight moment, the now 46-year-old still remembers fondly.

“I remember the game really well! I was playing well, and it was 5-5 going into the break. I should have been ahead," Newton recalls in conversation with Mirror Sport. “I can’t remember if I’d missed doubles or Justin Pipe was taking out good shots. I just wanted to keep going. In that very next leg after the break, I hit the nine. For it to be my first one on TV was special, but to do it at Blackpool made it even better.” 

As mentioned, being a local lad, Newton had often made the trip to the Winter Gardens as a fan. “I live in Fleetwood which is just down the road from Blackpool. It’s my local tournament and my favourite one as a result," he explains. “I was at the Winter Gardens for years watching the likes of Bob Anderson and the rest, so to do it there was extra special for me.”

Taking out his nine-darter 180, 177, 144, Newton can still remember every emotion from those moments. “I remember as I went to the oche to take out 144 I was telling myself not to even think about the nine-dart finish. I was saying to myself, ‘This is a finish we all take out quite often.’ I just wanted to get the first dart in the treble, which I did," he recalls. “As a darts player, you just follow it and the second went in. On the double, I did actually say to myself to make sure to throw at it, because sometimes when you’re on a nine you can have a bit of tension and you might pull it or flick at it. I remember saying to myself to just throw it. I did and it was perfect, it couldn’t have been any better.”

“I’ve watched it back so many times,” Newton continues. “It’s pure emotion because the whole room was going mad. I was on top of the world, it was absolutely amazing. Looking back there’s one key thing, I remember. Once I’d done my fist pumps and everything and given a bit to the crowd, me and Justin fist-bumped. I then went back to the table, and I was so nervous that when I went to take a sip of water, I didn’t raise my glass high enough to get any out! I was shaking that much!”

Sadly for Newton, the emotion of hitting the nine-darter did have a slightly negative effect and in the end, it was Pipe who managed to secure the victory. “The adrenaline is running through you and you’re just shaking after doing it. I remember thinking, ‘That’s gone now, you’ve got to get on with the game and get on with the next leg," says Newton. “I think it was six or nine darts into that next leg that I was still shaking and buzzing and you’re trying to forget it, but you can’t.”

“I think the only downer about it all is that I ended up losing the game,” Newton admits. “I think it would’ve made the memory that little bit more special if I’d have gone on to win. But it was fantastic for me and something I’ll never forget. To do it at Blackpool, I couldn’t have chosen it any better if someone had asked me where I’d have liked to have hit one. I still watch it back now all the time.”