Jonny Clayton survives late resolve from Raymond van Barneveld to book Last 16 spot at World Matchplay

Not without some late resolve from Raymond van Barneveld, 2023 finalist Jonny Clayton is through to the Last 16 of the 2024 World Matchplay after averaging nearly 101 in a 10-7 win.

He hit seven 180's and despite a lot of ropey darts at the bull, he sat at around 40% on the outer ring. Following on from his usual World Cup teammate Gerwyn Price, he said anything you can do I can do better and produced on the Winter Gardens stage.

It hasn't been the easiest road since reaching the final last year for Clayton. But a recent ProTour has set the fires ablaze again and he moves through despite Van Barneveld proving a tricky customer.

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A 106 checkout on double 16 with Van Barneveld ready to break admonished the first finger point of the night from Clayton and an early break. He kicked off 177 but he missed 84 only for Van Barneveld to miss 105 after a 180 to pressure and Clayton cleaned up double six for 2-0.

Van Barneveld missed 121 for a leg on the board but Clayton couldn’t pin 161 and Barney cleaned up 25 for a 2-1 deficit. A 180 to leave 24 saw Van Barneveld break back on double six for 2-2. He had the throw for the lead. Double 12 though saw Clayton make it 3-2 and went into the lead at the break. Van Barneveld went wild on double 20 to hold and Clayton had a chance for 5-2.

But he missed all three darts and Van Barneveld punished on double 10 for 4-3. Clayton edged in a last dart double 10 for 5-3. Averaging around 101, he continued to inflict punishment and went 6-3 up with a break. He had the darts to go 7-3 up on the doyen of Dutch darts.

Van Barneveld missed 135 on the bull for 6-4 going into the break and Clayton pinned double 16 last dart to go 7-3 up. Clayton missed bull for his trademark 121 on the bull and Van Barneveld hit double 16 to make it 7-4.

A 72 checkout saw Van Barneveld break darts to make it 7-5 and he was throwing to go within one. Two 180’s in a leg saw Clayton leave 61 and pressure to hit back. He missed double 18 though twice and Van Barneveld hit double 10 to go 7-6 down.

Clayton hit double eight to stop the rot at 8-6. A sixth 180 left 81 for Clayton but he missed the bull to go one away and Van Barneveld got a crack at 98 only not to get a train and ‘The Ferret’ broke with two double eight’s on 35 to go 9-6 up.

Clayton was under pressure to pin 87 and again he missed the bull and Van Barneveld had pressured with a 180 to leave 24. He managed to hit double six last dart to continue the tie at 9-7. A 180 and 135 after nine darts Clayton left 46. He pinned it to finally seal the win 10-7 with an 11-darter.