Howson and Gates set to battle it out in the final of the World Seniors Darts Masters

The final of the World Seniors Darts Masters is set. Richie Howson will take on Leonard Gates for the title after semi-final wins over Dennis Harbour and Robert Thornton respectively.

First up it was Dennis Harbour, the man who conquered both Martin Adams and Phil Taylor in this two matches so far versus Richie Howson, one of the most reliable players on the whole of the WSDT. Key to Howson's semi-final win was his high finishes and that was on show once again as he sealed the opening set with a brilliant 121.

Harbour though, fought back in the second set taking it to before Howson restored his lead at 2-1. In the final set before the second break, the game was finely poised as it went to a deciding leg. It was the Harbour Master who took it and the players exited the stage all square at 2-2.

Coming back from the break, Howson began to take control of the tie, taking the 5th set and then the 6th to move just two legs away from a third Seniors final of the year. After Howson went to just a leg away courtesy of double 5, the pressure was all on Harbour. Once Harbour failed to save his skin on a 100 out, Howson sensed his chance a clinically took out 76 to get to the final.

The second semi-final saw the Champion of Champions winner Leonard Gates take on the two-time Seniors World Champion, Robert Thornton. It was the American, Gates who started the brighter, racing into an early lead, taking the opening set in double quick time. Thornton fired back in set two, taking two straight legs in similarly quick fashion to level up at 1-1.

In a high quality contest, Thornton was averaging above the 100 mark. Despite that, Gates moved 2-1 up. The American then, courtesy of a brilliant 116 checkout increased his lead to 3-1.

The match was being played at a very enjoyable pace and after the second break Thornton continued to maintain his 100+ average, first pulling back to 3-2 and then taking the first leg of the sixth set. Just as it looked as if he would get back level though 'the Thorn' failed to find the big 17. Instead straying into the 3 and denying himself a dart for the dart with Gates punishing. In the following leg, Thornton came even closer to parity, wiring double 5. But when he missed Gates returned, nailing the target Thornton had missed and moving 4-2 ahead.

When Thornton missed another opportunity, this time to get back to 4-3, Gates again punished sealing the match and a spot in the final.

Three TV finals in row for Richie Howson 🦉

He awaits the winner of Leonard Gates and Robert Thornton#WorldSeniorsMasters pic.twitter.com/PpFXxn1FiY

— World Seniors Darts (@SeniorsDarts) June 25, 2023