Ritchie Edhouse produced one of the best performances of the opening round and he has continued his excellence in Dortmund felling Michael Smith in a last leg decider 10-9 at the European Championship.
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Edhouse has been one of the revelations of the past season qualifying for all majors and after being a player who sat on the cusp of the top 64, he has surged further into the top 40 and is into his maiden TV Quarter-Final.
He did so in style on Saturday afternoon in a remarkable comeback coming from 4-1 down to win in a last leg decider to defeat 'Bully Boy' and on an afternoon where perhaps the player not expected to move through has, that theme continues.
Dirk van Duijvenbode and Luke Woodhouse have seen off players that on paper they weren't expected to beat and Edhouse despite his form this year of course isn't a World Champion like Smith.
But he has played like he is in the darting elite this weekend. Smith moved into a 4-1 lead early on with a three leg advantage with two 180's and a 95.2 average. But Edhouse reversed the damage from the first mini session. He won four out of the next five legs for parity including a 152 checkout.
Smith continued to press forward but Edhouse was there until the end waiting for his chance. He hit a 72 checkout for 7-7 and hit parity again last dart for a double 18 for 8-8. He sent it all the way at 9-9 and finally broke on double 20 for a 13-darter with Smith way back for the win.
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He will now face off against the winner of standout tie between Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson tonight. They face off first up this evening. While the winner of that has Van Duijvenbode or Woodhouse. So a big opportunity is there to take.
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EDHOUSE WINS AN EPIC! 💥
What a match!
Ritchie Edhouse produces a sensational comeback from 4-1 down to defeat Michael Smith in a last-leg thriller at the Westfalenhalle!
Edhouse goes through to his maiden TV quarter-final! 👏
📺 bit.ly/EC24Live#ECDarts24 | R2