Smith edges through into World Matchplay second round with win over debutant Searle

Michael Smith is successfully through to the second round of the 2021 World Matchplay with a 10-7 win over debutant Ryan Searle as Night Two continues in Blackpool.

The 2019 finalist wasn't fully at his best with no maximums despite a 92 average but was solid on his doubles with 10/19 (52.63%) as he becomes the latest player through.

An 81 checkout settled Smith down in the early going to hold throw and get the first leg on the board. At the first interval, he was leading three two by taking three out of the opening four legs before Searle took out 80 to trail 3-2.

Searle was level on return hitting the first maximum of the match before hitting double 20 for 3-3. Smith though edged back ahead and claimed three legs on the spin to make it 6-3 including a 136 checkout.

The procession continued as Smith hit a 74 checkout to go 7-3 up. Searle though wasn’t done and came back into the tie with a break in the form of a 98 checkout before consolidating and he was suddenly only two legs behind at 7-5 down.

Smith continued to move closer to the finishing line though going 8-5 and 9-5 up with a 95 checkout on the bull only for ‘Heavy Metal’ to do his bit and go 9-7 behind with a 76 checkout hoping for a break to go one behind again.

But Smith was finding trebles and got down to double 18 pinning it first time with Searle back on 122.