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Ryan Searle is through to the Last 16 at the 2020/21 PDC World Darts Championship for the second time in three years after edging past Kim Huybrechts in a 4-2 win.
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Searle went 2-0 up but ended up embroiled in a battle with Huybrechts right to his last leg win but won through to a potential tie against James Wade or Stephen Bunting.
Searle started well and missed 170 for a break but set up 25.
He pinned double four next time around with Huybrechts well back and allowed an
early break for ‘Heavy Metal’ as he went towards the opening set.
He went drift into double five going for a 72 checkout but
hit a 14 checkout (10, double two) to head into a set lead.
Searle left 18 but decided to split it and it was the wrong
decision as Huybrechts returned to hold throw with a 60 checkout.
Both players exchanged 180’s but it was Huybrechts who broke
to make it 2-0 after Searle missed another opportunity in the form of double
10.
A 174 saw Huybrechts first to a finish at 134 and he missed
double 16 to claim it. Searle had asked the question with a 180 but again
missed darts, this time one at double 20 off a 102 checkout and the tie was
level at 1-1 in sets.
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Searle attempted to make early in roads in the third set
with a 180 and left 60 albeit with Huybrechts hitting 121 to leave 24.
Searle drifted into one on the 60 but he pinned double 20
last dart in hand to hold. Dusting himself off after the second set
disappointment, he pinned double 20 to go 2-0 up with a break and was on the
verge of a 2-1 lead.
Huybrechts couldn’t pin 96 to break back but he had three at
double 18 with Searle missing two on double 20. He switched and it didn’t pay
off as Searle pinned double five last dart in hand to claim the set.
A 180, 140, 134 left 47 after nine darts from Searle and he
pinned 47 to go ahead. He didn’t go for the 101 but it didn’t matter as
Huybrechts missed 118 and Searle hit double 20 last dart in hand to hold and go
one away from a 3-1 lead.
A 68 checkout from Huybrechts saw him hold and keep himself
in the set. He began to gain confidence and was first a finish on Searle’s
throw leaving 81 in a brilliant response.
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He missed double 12 twice but he returned with three clear
at double 12. He couldn’t take this opportunity though, neither could Searle at
68 but he was given three more at double 10 and he pinned it second time round
to make it 3-1.
Huybrechts missed a dart at double 20 to break but Searle’s
two at double 20 couldn’t stick and Huybrechts was back on double 10 to lead.
Searle couldn’t produce on Huybrechts throw and a 180 followed
by double eight saw him two up. Searle needed to respond to not be swept aside
in the fifth set.
He did and nearly with style as he missed 144 for double
nine to break. Huybrechts dragged his dart down though off a 120 but was given
another opportunity as Searle busted 18 on double 18. Huybrechts pinned double
16 to make it 3-2 in sets.
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Searle went perfect into a 140 checkout but drifted into
double five and Huybrechts pinned double 18 to continue his momentum and go one
up.
Searle disrupted this with a 118 checkout on double 19 to
hold throw. Huybrechts replied in kind with a 140 to go 2-1 up and one away from
levelling the match.
Back came Searle with a sixth 180 followed by a seventh. But
he missed the eighth dart at the perfect leg. He pinned 40 though to send it to
a decider.
Either Searle would win or Huybrechts would send it all the
way. Another 180 followed for Searle as he looked to take the game to
Huybrechts.
A ton saw Searle leave 70 with Huybrechts needing to apply
pressure and hope. Searle missed double 20 for the match and with Huybrechts on
54, a potential lifeline was coming.
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An unfortunate bounceout came for Huybrechts and Searle
replied with double 10 to win through.
2021 PDC World Darts Championship schedule
Sunday December 27
Afternoon Session (12:00 GMT)
Krzysztof Ratajski (89.94) 4-0 (92.30) Simon Whitlock (3-1, 3-1, 3-2, 3-2)
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Kim Huybrechts (90.03) 2-4 (91.79) Ryan Searle (0-3, 3-0, 0-3, 1-3, 3-1, 2-3)
Dimitri Van den Bergh v Jermaine Wattimena
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Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
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- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
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- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
- She is a professional. If darts is her income, she is a professional. Same as Adrian Lewis, Martin Adams. A tour card just means someone can play on the PDC tour. You could even make a case that Clayton wasn't a professional (until recently I believe) because he had employment elsewhere.BandB04-11-2026
- She's technically not a professional though as she doesn't hold a pro tour card.mr-pablo04-11-2026
- Such a shame that lakeside has been reduced to this. Fantastic venue,and previously a great tournament. Not any morerick6703-11-2026
- Seems to me that the top 16 players pick and choose whatever they want to play. Good,all the money will get spread out more. They get more money from exhibitions than tournaments so let them all withdrawrick6703-11-2026
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