"He came out to bash me up": Neil Duff marvels at good friend Chris Mason's superb display after opening win

Neil Duff is through at the World Seniors Darts Matchplay after seeing off Chris Mason in a real advertisement for the World Seniors game as he attested to post match.

Duff saw off Mason who threatened a nine-darter at one point 8-4 to move through and send Mason out who produced his best display to date on the WSDT.

"I didn't expect Chris to be anything like what he was playing there. I know he can play. He's a quality player but he came out to bash me up I think. Bar missing some doubles, it could have been a completely different result. But I think I was solid, I kept myself right," said Duff to Online Darts.

"Me and Mace go back a long time. We've been good friends. So it is hard to go up there but the two of us actually went at it right from the very start. Started banging in heavy scores that I'm actually glad of. But it is a lot easier to go up there to play someone you don't particularly know or like. It can build something inside of you that you don't want to win."

Next up is Richie Howson and he is as bullish as ever about his chances and wanting to go all the way albeit being wary of 'The Owl' who he beat last year in Hull.

"As long as I can keep Richie off the treble finishes. He's probably one of the best in the world for three dart outs at the minute. He did it to me in Hull last year. Two 140's, 141 last set. Last year in here I was able to get over the line. In my own mind I'll be going in there as a favourite. I want to smash it up."

"Neil Duff's a Lakeside World Champion. There's no stopping me once I get going. I'm playing good stuff, my head's in the right place."