20/07/2024

Luke Humphries through to first World Matchplay final after comfortable win over James Wade

Luke Humphries has become the first man through to the final at the 2024 World Matchplay in Blackpool. The world champion averaged just over 100 in a 17-10 win over James Wade at the Winter Gardens.

Despite Wade hitting the first 180 of the match in the opening leg, some scrappy finishing allowed Humphries to break the throw. That proved the only break of throw in the opening session as well, with the next four legs going with the darts and Humphries heading off stage narrowly in front at 3-2.

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The exchanges of holds continued in the first two legs after the break. After Humphries went array when attempting to set up a finish in leg 8 though, missing the big 20, Wade punished on double 10 to get back to level terms. Wade then held throw to nudge in front, before Humphries took the last leg of the session, despite multiple misses on the outer ring, to make it 5-5 at the break.

After Wade pinned the first ton-plus checkout of the contest when they returned to the stage, 'The Machine' narrowly missed double 11 for his second in leg 13, with Humphries taking out double top last dart in hand to regain his break of throw advantage as punishment. With the last two legs of the session going with the throw, it was 8-7 Humphries at the interval.

Despite Wade continuing to battle and averaging the higher of the two, the fourth session was completely the world champion's. Humphries spurted into life and reeled off the first four legs of the session, before Wade stopped the rot to keep himself somewhat alive, albeit 12-8 behind.

After the break, Wade pulled another leg back. After he missed a dart at double 16 for a third successive leg though, Humphries wrestled momentum back on double 8. Capitalising on that, the world number pinned a sensational 156 in the next to get back to five legs in front. Holding throw to go 15-9 ahead, Humphries was now in full control. On his faithful double 10, Wade got himself to double figures in leg 25. With the 2007 Matchplay champion unable to pressure on Humphries throw however, 'Cool Hand' moved one away. Taking that step in the very next leg, Humphries secured victory and a place in the final.