Duff produces remarkable comeback to deny McEwan, Hutchinson battles back to defeat Steenbergen

It has been the afternoon of the comebacks so far at the 2022 WDF Lakeside World Championship with Neil Duff and Kirsty Hutchinson battling back to reach the semi-finals in Frimley Green.

Duff came back from 3-0 down surviving one match dart to seal a 4-3 win against his pairs partner, Jim McEwan who will now likely head to Barnsley to play this weekend's Players Championship.

McEwan took a 90 checkout to take an opening hold. A 62 checkout saw Duff level up. He missed two break opportunities only for McEwan to be in a similar predicamant with his doubles and ‘The Duffman’ made it 2-1 and was throwing for the set.

But he wired the bullseye for a set winning 161 and McEwan stole it in the following leg with a 112 checkout.

Duff missed 113 for the set and again McEwan stole with a 96 checkout. McEwan hit double 20 to begin set three with a hold.

A 180 and 114 saw McEwan break and go one away from a 3-0 sets lead. Duff hit a 180 and 76 but McEwan sealed it on double four to go 3-0 up.

Duff hit double 20 to go 1-0 up while McEwan did the same to make it 1-1 and his double 20 hitting continued as he went 2-1 up.

McEwan missed a 76 checkout for the win and Duff broke back to send the set all the way and he took out double 12 to make it 3-1.

A 76 checkout saw Duff take the lead in set five as he looked to go only one set down. A 180 and 41 checkout saw Duff go one away from this. He missed set darts on the McEwan throw but returned with 66 not going for the Scot and Duff made it 3-2.

McEwan missed a 170 and Duff returned for a 47 checkout to hold. A 54 checkout saw McEwan level up but Duff began his throw with a 180 as he looked to ramp up the pressure again.

McEwan did the same but it was another 180 for Duff who pinned 44 to go 2-1 up. Another 180 for Duff but he struggled with 82 and McEwan made it 2-2.

He hit a 180 to begin Duff’s throw. Duff missed 110 for the set but returned with McEwan missed 138 for the match.

A 180 and 42 saw Duff lead for the first time in the match. A 47 checkout saw McEwan level up. Duff hit a 180 and an 81 checkout saw the Northern Irishman go one away which he sealed on double 20.

While Kirsty Hutchinson also battled back to reach the first semi-final where she will face either Maria O'Brien or Rhian O'Sullivan after coming from a set down to see off Priscilla Steenbergen.

Hutchinson pinned double 20 to seal an opening break. She missed two chances to hold though and allowed Steenbergen back for 33 to make it 1-1.

A 112 checkout saw Steenbergen hold but Hutchinson sent the set all the way. A 48 checkout though saw the Dutchwoman go 1-0 up.

Steenbergen missed a chance at 90 to break in the second set but Hutchinson missed six darts for the set and the Dutchwoman broke on double 15.

Hutchinson missed 85 to break back but Steenbergen missed bull and the former hit double two to make it 1-1. A 51 checkout saw Hutchinson hold to send it all the way and a 45 checkout saw the North East ace make it 1-1.

Hutchinson missed 121 on the bull to begin the deciding set but Steenbergen couldn’t take out 109 which lead to Hutchinson taking out double 19 to break.

Hutchinson missed multiple opportunities to hold and showed her frustration as Steenbergen pinned double 10 to level up with the throw.

She couldn’t back it up though and Hutchinson hit double 20 and was throwing for the match. That break back proved pivotal as Hutchinson sealed victory to move into the semi-finals.