Mark Dudbridge through in fiery thriller with Richie Howson at World Seniors Darts Championship as Jim Long ends Martin Adams hopes

Mark Dudbridge has advanced to the quarter-finals at the World Seniors Darts Championship at the expense of Richie Howson. After a very exciting match, 'Flash' won 3-2 in sets over 'The Owl' after an extension.

Howson lost in the final of this tournament last year, and also reached two other televised finals on the World Seniors Darts Tour in 2023. However, he faced plenty of opposition from Dudbridge, who recovered well from an 0-3 loss in the first set. Dudbridge won the second set 3-2 and equalized again in the fourth set by winning set four 3-0 thanks to an 11-darter.

An exciting final set followed. Both players held their own legs, but it was Howson who had opportunities to finish it off in the sixth. Howson wasted five matchdarts, however, after which Dudbridge hit 40 for 3-3, and then broke his compatriot with a 14-darter. Dudbridge could not finish it himself after that, however, and wasted two innings of matchdarts. However, the former World Championship finalist got another chance after he broke Howson again in the ninth leg. Dudbridge then struck with a 15-darter to win the final set 6-4.

Canadian darter Jim Long also managed to secure a spot in the last eight at the World Seniors Darts Championship. Thanks to an average of 91, he beat darts legend Martin Adams 3-0 in sets.