Golden Ticket Qualifier Leonard Gates completes superb run, wins inaugural World Seniors Champion of Champions title
WSDT
Leonard Gates flew 6000 miles from his home in Dallas to take part in the one shot Golden Ticket Qualifier on Friday evening for the 2023 World Seniors Champion of Champions and is going back to the US with the title after a 13-10 win over Richie Howson in the final.
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Gates saw off Phil Taylor, Martin Adams and Howson who has reached back-to-back WSDT finals and become a stalwart of the tournaments since their inception but his wait for a maiden title goes on as 'Soulger' went all the way to the title in Blackpool.
Gates sealed an opening hold with a 60 checkout. Howson missed 112 to hold himself and Gates hit a 75 checkout to break and go 2-0 up. Howson broke back at 2-1 down but only after Gates had opportunities to go 3-0 up.
Howson missed a dart to hold and seal parity and Gates pinned double 14 for a 68 checkout at 3-1 and was throwing for 4-1 which he sealed. A 61 checkout was missed by Gates but with Howson unable to hold, Gates broke again for 5-1. The procession continued at 6-1 for Gates.
Gates missed 157 to break again and Howson stopped the rot at 6-2 down. Howson added another hold on double 16 to go into the break 7-3 down.
Gates had a slip missing 106 for 8-3 but Howson couldn’t take advantage and ‘Soulger’ continued to head towards double figures. Howson hit a 110 checkout to hold throw and go 8-4 down.
But this was just a hold as Gates went 9-4 ahead. Howson took a last dart hold from 52 with Gates waiting to go into double figures and it was 9-5. A 41 checkout saw him achieve that at 10-5 and he was three away from the title.
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On return from the interval, an 81 checkout saw him break and go two away at 11-5. Howson responded with a 116 to break back at 11-6.
Gates missed 101 to go one away to break again and Howson made it 11-7. Gates went one away on double four. Howson missed 85 to stay in the match and Gates got a match dart but missed 66 on double 20.
This allowed Howson to make it 12-8. Gates missed two darts for the title but returned only to miss two more darts at double four. Howson hit an 85 checkout to break back and make it 12-9.
Gates missed the bull for a 95 checkout for another match dart and he missed another two allowing Howson to hold and make it 12-10. Gates missed 71 for the match but finally sealed it on double 10.
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- Good, absolutely no loss if we never see this dancing goof ever again......no that is not fair. He absolutely cannot and has never been remotely able to dance!richieburnettrocks10-11-2026
- Yes Phil,now the money in the game is bigger than ever,you'd play littler. Well so would I! Retire on your memory Phil,and your successful careerrick6709-11-2026
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
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- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
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- She's technically not a professional though as she doesn't hold a pro tour card.mr-pablo04-11-2026
- Such a shame that lakeside has been reduced to this. Fantastic venue,and previously a great tournament. Not any morerick6703-11-2026
- Seems to me that the top 16 players pick and choose whatever they want to play. Good,all the money will get spread out more. They get more money from exhibitions than tournaments so let them all withdrawrick6703-11-2026