Part one completed: Mitchell Lawrie comes out on top in boys WDF World Championship as he sets sights on senior glory

15-year-old Mitchell Lawrie has backed up the hype he has received after winning the boys WDF World Championship. He defeated Florian Preis 4-2 in a very commendable performance from the talented teenager at Lakeside.

It was a nightmare start for Preis who spurned four darts to hold. Lawrie was obviously there to punish him on double five after missing doubles of his own. He followed that with an 84 checkout in two before keeping his cool to wrap up the first set on tops.

Swiftly after he followed it with a commanding 130 outshot on double eight. The first ton+ of the final was instantly followed by a 113 checkout from the German. It almost continued with Lawrie on 100, but he could not find the second tops. The ridiculous finishing was prolonged with Preis taking out 132 on double six to force a decider. Despite starting with a 180, Preis was pegged back by Lawrie who went halfway to the championship.

After a number of bounce outs, Preis shared a laugh with his opponent at the table before finally getting over the line. He was relieved of any pressure due to Lawrie being quite far back, and his visible frustrations continued as Preis broke the throw. He almost got hack into the set in showstopping fashion, missing the bull for a 170. Despite his efforts, Preis got a set on the board heading into the first break.

Into the fourth set, and Preis had a set dart on the bull to close the deficit but narrowly missed. This was ruthlessly punished by the young Scotsman who took out 120 and forced a decider. He took authority from the start with a maximum before wrapping it up on double 10, followed by a huge roar.

Doubles were missed again by Preis and it was once again capitalised by Lawrie, who clinched an all-important break. However, this advantage was not kept as Preis kept his hopes alive. He would win three legs on the bounce to get another set on the board and keep his hopes alive.

Lawrie missed double 12 for a 144 outshot but cleaned up after on double six to move one away from the title. Preis had his chances to force a final leg but missed his chances. This left Lawrie 59 points away from the title, which he successfully did, running off in jubilation after a hard-fought victory.

That is part one of Lawrie’s day complete at Lakeside. He will return later today to attempt a hugely ambitious double. In the men’s final, he will clash against the number one seed Jimmy van Schie.