14/11/2023

"Not bad for someone who can't see" - Ryan Searle reaches Grand Slam knockouts in style with stunning nine-dart leg

Ryan Searle secured himself progression to knockout stages of the Grand Slam of Darts for the first time in his career on Monday evening. In some style too, as Searle struck perfection with a nine-darter in the last leg of his win over Nathan Rafferty.

"He was coming back at me and I missed darts to go 4-0 up, so I was thinking 'please don't throw the game away,'" Searle recalls in his post-match interview with Online Darts. "I didn't have a great leg before the nine-darter, so I was just trying to concentrate on my own throw and make sure it was a good leg."

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(VIDEO) Incredible from Ryan Searle, hits nine-dart finish to qualify for Last 16 at Grand Slam of Darts

Joining the elite list of players to have hit a TV nine-darter, Searle surprised himself by being able to pin the double 12. "I don't actually know how it went in. Because I think I was sort of falling forward as I let it go," explains 'Heavy Metal'. "Luckily enough it went in and yeah, a great moment that I'll never forget."

"I actually didn't know the treble 19 was in until the crowd made the noise. I was like 'oh my god, I've got to go for double 12 now!' I just threw it to see where it goes and it landed in so I'll take it," he continues. "Not bad for someone who can't see."

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Immediately following the dramatic conclusion to the match, Searle whipped out his phone to take a selfie with the crowd. "I'm not really a social media person but I've got a nice little photo that I'll put on Instagram later on," he laughs.

Awaiting Searle in the knockout round, is a tie with his good friend Luke Humphries. "We spend a lot of time together. We're always going out for meals together and we try to travel together as much as possible," Searle says of his and Humphries' close bond. "I don't think we'll be getting a taxi to the venue together in a couple of days time, but yeah, it is what it is and whoever wins, we'll still be friends at the end of it."