Big Hendo Weekendo complete: John Henderson survives late drama against Leonard Gates to win World Seniors Darts Matchplay

World Seniors Champion and now World Seniors Darts Matchplay champion. John Henderson has completed another so-called Big Hendo Weekendo with glory in York on Saturday evening.

Henderson saw off Leonard Gates 9-6 in the final who was defending champion and the only title the American doesn't have is the one that Henderson holds in the World Seniors Championship.

But 'Soulger' couldn't hold onto the Matchplay for another year despite having an imperious run to the final including easing past Lisa Ashton and Robert Thornton to get to the final after seeing off James Richardson on the opening day.

Henderson on the otherhand saw off late replacement Tony O'Shea. But like he was at the Circus Tavern, he was the class of the field continuing to hover around the 90 average mark throughout the past two sessions defeating David Cameron and then Richie Howson.

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It was a superb start for Henderson. Gates couldn't pin 119 and Henderson pinned his favoured double 20 to make it 1-0 and hold. But the confidence this gave the Scot saw him surge. He produced two 13 darters using the favoured double 20 twice to go 4-0 up and asked all the questions of Gates.

Used to dishing out World Seniors beatings, he was on the end of one. He finally got underway at 4-1. But Gates missed three at double 20 and Henderson took advantage breaking throw with a 74 checkout to make it 5-1. He continued to have it all his own way as he set up double 20 and pinned double 10 from 128 to go 7-2 up. Gates continued to claw back but Henderson got to the brink and was throwing for the match. He left 69 for the title but missed his opportunity to seal it handing a break chance to Gates which he took last dart.

Again chances came and went but Henderson got another chance after missing the bull. He took aim at 25 for the title but again it came and went. He got another chance though at the double three and again it was match darts gone as Gates made it 8-6.

Henderson had one final chance realistically before Gates would really ask the question. But he finally claimed the title after such drama prior.

World Seniors Darts Matchplay Results

Final

John Henderson (85.43) 9 | 6 (87.44) Leonard Gates

Semi-Finals

John Henderson (87.50) 9 | 6 (88.27) Richie Howson

Leonard Gates (85.60) 9 | 4 (81.70) Robert Thornton

Quarter-Finals

Richie Howson (90.75) 8 | 4 (88.09) Neil Duff

John Henderson (93.53) 8 | 6 (87.28) David Cameron

Robert Thornton (79.33) 8 | 4 (72.79) Martin Adams

Leonard Gates (83.98) 8 | 1 (80.00) Lisa Ashton

Last 16

Richie Howson (87.63) 8 | 4 (81.69) Trina Gulliver

Neil Duff (96.10) 8 | 4 (88.22) Chris Mason

John Henderson (80.47) 8 | 5 (77.28) Tony O'Shea

David Cameron (83.68) 8 | 3 (76.02) Kevin Painter

Robert Thornton (81.35) 10 | 8 (77.71) John Part

Martin Adams (80.02) 8 | 6 (75.96) Matt Clark

Leonard Gates (89.80) 8 | 5 (83.71) James Richardson

Lisa Ashton (87.31) 8 | 3 (91.04) Paul Hogan

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