Kirsty Hutchinson is into the final of the 2022 WDF Lakeside Women's World Championship after edging past Rhian O'Sullivan in a tense 3-2 victory.
It is a Lakeside debut for Hutchinson and saw the two players heavily fancied from this half of the draw face off with the winner facing Beau Greaves or Lorraine Winstanley.
O’Sullivan broke straight away to go 1-0 up. A 64 checkout saw Hutchinson levelled up at 1-1. A 78 checkout saw her go one away from an opening set. He hit double nine to send it the distance.
O'Sullivan missed 78 for the set and Hutchinson sealed it on double 20. She missed two darts for a break to go 2-1 up. A 140 left 100 for Hutchinson which she missed but returned for double five to go 2-0 up.
A 78 checkout began the requisite set to go 1-0 up. O’Sullivan hit back with a 180 and double 20 to hold and make it 1-1.
O’Sullivan missed 156 for a break but returned twice to break and go 2-1 up. O’Sullivan sealed the set from there. A 61 checkout saw Hutchinson level up at 1-1. But O’Sullivan went 2-1 up with Hutchinson having to hold to send it all the way which she didn’t meaning the first semi-final would be sent the distance.
Hutchinson missed a 161 on the bull to start the decider but returned for double eight. The holds continued with Hutchinson going one away on double 10.
She hit a 180 for the first of the tournament but had to hit a 135 to seal it. She got a dart at the bull and O’Sullivan hit a 60 checkout to send it all the way but Hutchinson would have the throw.
She missed another match dart with a 105 checkout going begging. But a 96 checkout couldn’t be pinned by O’Sullivan and the North East ace hit double 10 for the win.