Leonard Gates has played at the WDF, PDC and now World Seniors Darts Championship in the past 12 months and delighted with a commanding win over Tony O'Shea at the Circus Tavern on Friday afternoon.
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Gates in his 3-0 win over 'Silverback' gave the full 'Soulger' experience with his dance moves, miscounts and also superb darts at times including a 164 checkout and will now face 'Wolfie' Martin Adams in the Last 16.
He sealed the opening set with a 90 checkout but O'Shea aimed to fire himself up hitting double four but Gates sealed the last two legs in the set with his bizarre miscounts not punished by O'Shea.
The 164 followed before Gates pinned 81 for the win and gave the crowd a trademark dance after his interview with Helen Chamberlain.
Also sealing his spot in the next round was Keith Deller who survived a comeback from 2-0 down in sets with a 3-2 triumph in the longest match of the tournament so far against qualifier, Mike Huntley.
To begin the tie, Deller settled the better and swept the first two sets with Huntley missing set darts in the second but was in dreamland to start.
But Huntley struck back to take the third and halve the deficit. He sealed the fourth missing 94 on double eight but returning to hit double four.
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He went 2-0 up in the fifth set but that was not the end. Deller missed a dart at 70 for the tiebreak and Huntley took aim at 92 but didn't get a shot for the match as nerves seemed to get to him and Deller let out a roar as he sent it all the way.
Deller talking behind him seemed to per-tube Huntley and 'Del Boy' went one away throwing for the win. He hit the 25 on 125 but could only leave 80, Huntley went into the wrong bed for 94.
But Deller missed double 10 for the match and Huntley returned for double 14.
A 72 checkout saw Huntley go one away himself with Deller having to hold to keep in it.137 left 36 which Deller pinned finally to make it 4-4.
A 101 checkout saw Deller roar and break to go one away. A second match dart was squandered but Deller finally got over the line on double 20.
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