Ryan Searle sends out statement in sublime win over Damon Heta to open manic Monday at World Matchplay

Ryan Searle is into the Last 16 of the 2024 World Matchplay after an epic win over Damon Heta with the two fairly evenly matched stars facing off. But it is 'Heavy Metal' who proved to be the master.

He romped the Aussie with a sublime 10-4 win averaging 101, hitting 55% on the doubles and three ton-plus checkouts mostly when Heta sat waiting to hit a checkout to go into the break. On a night with such hyped games, Searle said don't forget about me and staked his claim early on with a delightful display. He is through and next to come is Michael Smith v Gary Anderson.

Heta pinned 83 on double nine for the opening leg and a break. A 48 checkout saw Heta double his lead early on sitting 2-0 up. A 167 checkout saw Searle get to one behind at 2-1.

A 142 checkout continued the heroics for Searle as he made it 2-2. Searle made it three in a row with a 44 checkout to make it 3-2. Searle hit 80 to seal a 5-2 lead and continue his roll thus far.

Heta stopped the rot and ended a five leg streak for Searle. But ‘Heavy Metal’ kicked off 180 and started it again. Heta hit the same though but Searle hit double 10 for a 6-3 lead. With Heta sitting on 54, Searle smashed in a 130 checkout on the bull to lead 7-3 at the next interval.

A 97 checkout saw Heta erase that break to make it 7-4 down. Searle hit a 41 checkout to make it 8-4 and go two away. He snuck in double 20 to go one away at 9-4. A 63 checkout saw Searle seal it 10-4. Utterly clinical from ‘Heavy Metal’.