Home hero Howson delights Circus Tavern crowd, reaches final of 2023 World Seniors Darts Championship

Richie Howson will face either Robert Thornton or Kevin Painter in the final of the 2023 World Seniors Darts Championship after seeing off Leonard Gates in a 3-1 sets win on Sunday evening at the Circus Tavern.

Howson who hails from five minutes up the road has won five WSDT Tour titles since its inception and it is befitting that he reaches the final as he looks for the ultimate local hero story by sealing the title later this evening.

The first set went all the way with Gates missing darts to seal it and Howson hit 80 to go 1-0 up.

Gates produced a superb 116 checkout in the following leg to make it 2-2 and sealed a set back with a 64 checkout.

Again it was a decider in the next set which Howson took leaving 46 from 183 with Gates only able to pressure.

While the next set did not go to a decider, it did feature darting drama as with Howson was sat waiting to seal the win at 2-0 and Gates saved his skin with a 146 checkout to hold throw.

But Gates missed opportunities to send it to a decider and 'The Owl' swooped in to pin double 20 and seal his spot in the final.