Superb Shane McGuirk continues statement showing as James Beeton impresses on Lakeside debut

The afternoon session is complete at the 2024 WDF Lakeside World Championship with Shane McGuirk, James Beeton and Paula Murphy the victors to conclude proceedings on Sunday with the evening session to come at 7pm.

Beeton was facing off against Bradley Kirk and 'Beets' as he is known stood out with a 2-1 sets win in a battle of two prodigy's at different times of their careers. Kirk famously dominated the Development Tour in the early days when it was known as the Youth Tour. But he saw the potential of a Tour Card as being too early in his development.

He went away for a couple of years but has returned to prominence in recent years on the WDF circuit. But Beeton is more of a prodigious talent of recent years appearing on the Development and Challenge Tour.

It was a good start from both but Beeton edged the first set with a 100 checkout claiming it 3-2 with a 15-darter. Then Kirk levelled it up in short order. He took the second set 3-0 producing successive finishes of 87 and 83. Beeton upped his level when it mattered most as he pinned a 15 and 14 darter in short order to go one away. He was broken but with Kirk missing a multitude of chances to send it the distance, Beeton fell over the line. He now faces Thomas Junghans.

Shane McGuirk is into the Last 16 and judging by his exploits over the past two days is seriously one to watch. He will face either Brandon Weening or Jan Matsuda for a spot in the Quarter-Finals after seeing off Edwin Torbjornsson.

It was absolute clinical doubling from 'The Arrow' as he hit nine out of nine on the outer ring to secure his spot in the latter stages. McGuirk continued where he left off in the opening set as he won the first set 3-0 with 100% on the doubles and it was back-to-back easy set wins as he was blowing the Swede away. Torbjornsson had to hit a 107 checkout to even got on the board and McGuirk hit back with a 111 checkout and a 12-darter. Torbjornsson hit an 80 checkout but it was academic as McGuirk hit 98 for the win.

While Paula Murphy confounded Paula Jacklin to yet another loss on the Lakeside stage. Jacklin only got one leg as the American eased through.

Jacklin has suffered seven straight defeats at Lakeside and now Murphy faces the player who defeat the Lincolnshire player last year in Aletta Wajer in the next round.