Howson overcomes Cameron and Johnson prevails in marathon encounter at World Seniors Darts Championship

Richie Howson and Darren Johnson have both kept their dreams of being crowned the World Seniors Darts Championship winner alive thanks to victories over David Cameron and Larry Butler at the Circus Tavern.

Reigning World Seniors Masters champion David Cameron, who was continuing his run of playing in every possible World Championship in the last twelve months, kicked off his crack at becoming seniors champion in fine form. The Canadian raced into a two-leg lead before Howson got off the mark on double 8 to pull back to 2-1 but a ruthless 98 checkout would secure the opening set for Cameron.

The momentum would continue to be on Cameron's side as he opened up the second set with another comfortable hold of throw. For the first time, the Canadian would pass up an opportunity in the second leg missing two darts at tops with Howson punishing on double 7. More slack finishing from Cameron in the following leg would once again be pounced upon as Howson fired in a 116 to break the throw. After Cameron bounced back to send the set to a decider. Howson would take it and the players would go off for the break all square at one set apiece.

A local lad, Howson had the backing of the Circus Tavern crowd and was riding that wave as a cruised into a two-leg lead in the third set. With Cameron nowhere near the standard he was producing in the first set, Howson was able to comfortably hold throw in the third leg and take a 2-1 lead in sets.

Stopping the rot, Cameron would take the opening leg of the fourth set and would follow it with a break of throw wrestling the momentum back onto his side. After Howson missed a dart at tops to keep the set alive, Cameron would pin double 10 to send the match to a decider.

Both players missed darts to cross the line in the opening leg of the decider before The Owl finally nailed double 4, last dart in hand as the Circus Tavern roared. Cameron would then miss a handful more at double 10 allowing Howson to break throw and move a leg away from the win. It was then Howson's turn to squander darts at the outer ring, this time though it went unpunished allowing The Owl to return a pin double 4 for the win.

Darren Johnson, adorning an iconic red and black Dennis Priestley shirt took on the Bald Eagle, Larry Butler in the final matchup of the afternoon. It was the American who took the opener with a solid hold of throw, something Johnson would reciprocate in the second leg. After Butler held again in the third he would take the opening set with an excellent 140 finish.

Butler was in control, breaking in the opening leg of the second set before holding with a ruthless 44 to win another leg. Johnson would stay in touch, holding throw to seal the third leg of the set but a brilliant 165 set up ensured Butler would get three clear darts at tops for the second set. He would only need two and the players walked off for the break with Butler 2-0 up.

After the break Johnson was much improved, immediately breaking the Butler throw to take the first leg and after the American missed his opportunity to break straight back thanks to missing the big 17, Johnson was two up. Four set darts would then come and go before Johnson finally nailed double 10 to get a set on the board.

Johnson would continue the comeback, taking the opening leg of the fourth set. Butler would halt the Johnson blitz in the second leg before the scrappiest leg of the match so far, saw multiple darts missed at double by both before Johnson finally took the leg on double 7. A brilliant 168 set up shot was followed by a double 12 first dart from Butler sending him to the brink of the last 16. The American would wire the bull for the match off of a 130 checkout and after busting 25, Johnson was on hand to punish and send the match to a decider.

A much-needed double 3 in the opening leg would see Johnson take the lead for the first time in the matchup. A ruthless 72 checkout would then see Johnson move just one leg away from the biggest win of his career to date. After a missed match dart from Johnson, Butler kept the tie alive and after four more missed match darts in the following leg, the American ensured the game would go into overtime. Butler would pick up a third straight leg on double 10 to hold throw before Johnson returned a hold to make it 3 legs apiece. Breaking throw in the 7th leg, Johnson would again give himself the opportunity to throw for the match and this time he would finally get the winning double and secure a 3-2 win.