Duff caps off incredible week with 2022 WDF Lakeside World Championship triumph defeating Tricole in Men's Final

Neil Duff was confident all week that his daughter's 18th birthday would see the best present of all being a World title and he has done it.

Duff sealed the 2022 WDF Lakeside World Championship defeating Thibault Tricole 6-5 in a thrilling final with a 87.73 average in a result that not many would have expected barring the Northern Irishman at the start of proceedings.

He joins Beau Greaves, Bradly Roes and Eleanor Cairns in sealing the World titles at Frimley Green this week in a successful opener from the WDF.

Tricole sealed an opening break and consolidated with a 180 followed by double four. He missed 129 for the set but returned for double four to seal it.

Tricole held with Duff missing 58 for a break to begin set two. Both hit 140’s to start Duff’s throw with Tricole following up again. He hit 41 to break throw and go 2-0 up.

Tricole missed 120 for the set but again Duff was well back and the Frenchman sailed into a 2-0 sets lead.

Duff finally got a leg to hold and begin set three. A 71 checkout saw Tricole level up but Duff finally went one away from a set back at 2-1 down.

Duff missed 114 but Tricole couldn’t hit 112 which allowed the Northern Irishman back for a set. Duff missed a 93 checkout for an opening break and Tricole held.

Tricole hit double eight to go 2-0 up and sealed the set to go 3-1 up. A 94 and 82 s aw Duff go 2-0 up as he looked to hit back again and hit an 80 checkout to make it 3-2 in sets.

Tricole hit double eight to begin the requisite set. He hit a 140, 180 and 145 and pinned double 18 to make it 1-1. He pinned double 17 to go 2-1 up.

Tricole skied multiple darts to break but Duff missed three at double five which allowed the Frenchman to go 2-2 and he was throwing for a 4-2 sets lead. But an 81 checkout saw Duff level up.

Duff left double 10 to hold throw but Tricole hit an 80 checkout. Duff missed 101 to break back but Tricole hit 86 and was 2-0 up.

Duff missed 132 on the bull but returned to hold and make it 2-1 after going back-to-back 180’s, he hit double four to make it 2-2. Duff missed 84 on the bull for the set and hit double 17 to go 4-3 up.

Duff hit a 180 and an 80 checkout to break and lead the eighth set. He missed a 140 checkout on double 10 and was punished with 96 to make it 1-1. Tricole went 2-1 up with a hold. Duff made it 2-2 with a 121 on bull. But Tricole sealed a hold on double 20 to make it 4-4.

A 62 checkout saw Tricole lead in the ninth set and he pinned another 180 but missed 120 only to return with 42 going begging for Duff. He hit double five to go 2-0 up.

Duff hit a 180 and double 16 to make it 2-1. He hit another maximum and 111 checkout to make it 2-2. It was another leg, another 180 and he hit double 10 to go one set away.

Tricole hit a 96 checkout to hold and begin a potentially pivotal set and double 20 to go one away from sending it all the way. He hit double eight to make it 5-5.

Duff missed 60 for an opening hold but Tricole missed 44 which allowed Duff back for double 20. A 140 and 52 checkout saw Duff go one away.

A 171 saw 50 set for Duff but Tricole had a shot at 81 which he pulled and ‘The Duffman’ hit double 20 for the title.