Richie Howson delighted a home crowd by booking his place in the second round of the 2022 World Seniors Darts Championship seeing off Darryl Fitton 3-2 in a hard fought win.
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Howson had the Owl Army in full force at the Circus Tavern with the qualifier living two miles down the road and he sent Fitton packing and will now face Martin 'Wolfie' Adams as he looks to continue his run.
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To begin, Howson pinned a 180 but missed multiple opportunities to hold throw and Fitton went 2-1 up with a break of throw. ‘The Owl’ made an error off an 82 checkout and Fitton pinched a 52 checkout for a opening set.
Both had struggles finishing the opening leg but it was Fitton who sealed the opening leg to hold throw. Howson hit 138 to leave himself on 68 with Fitton needing 156 which he couldn’t pin.
‘The Owl’ had the opportunity to turn the sit in his favour but missed double 16 for it. Fitton returned but couldn’t steal it and Howson hit double two to go 2-1 up claiming a break. A 180 and double 16 saw Howson claim set two.
A 180 and 125 start Howson’s throw saw him en route to the opening leg. Fitton missed 52 in the second and Howson cleaned up on double eight for a 2-0 lead.
He began strong again on his throw and despite a Fitton 180, Howson hit a 72 checkout to claim the set and go one away.
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Howson missed double 20 for the lead in the fourth and Fitton hit double 12. This saw a hold though for ‘The Dazzler’. But a 130 set up from 146 left Howson on double eight but he missed multiple darts and Fitton pinned 105 for 2-0.
Howson broke to go 2-1 down on double five as he looked to force a decider. Fitton pulled a dart on double 20 to send it all the way but Howson missed two darts for 2-2 and ‘Dazzler’ sent it all the way on double eight.
Howson missed bull off 93 for the opening leg but Fitton couldn’t take 148 and ‘The Owl’ returned for double eight to lead.
An 84 checkout on the bull though saw Howson break and go one away. He couldn’t get a dart of 101 and Fitton had a chance at 80 which he couldn’t claim and Howson returned for double eight for the win.
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- James Wade has become James Wide. He has piled on the tonnage considerably, he barely fits in his shirt.richieburnettrocks03-10-2026
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- I believe he has it in him to qualify for the Worlds as he consistently wins matches, even if it is only one or two at a time, although his recent PC quarter-final run was somewhat encouraging in that regard. I think there is a lot of pressure for him to retire, people in the media accusing him of tarnishing his legacy. I think that is a ridiculous line of thinking. How ungrateful it is to attach terms and conditions to the amazing moments he has provided us over the course of his career. What position are we in to dictate to him how he should manage his career when it is he who achieved those successes in the first place? What's more, this is his life and the passion that sustains it, it is not for us to decide when his career is over when it is he who must bear the genuine ramifications of that decision. Since I'm sure money is not a concern, the only question on which the decision should rest is whether he truly continues to enjoy competing. He has retired once before, but the desire to compete is what brought him back. We see a lot of negative body language and he does genuinely look miserable when he is not playing well, but only he will know when he wakes up the next day whether he wants to go and do it all over again. If he wants to compete, he should, it's as simple as that, this is a decision that should not involve anyone else but him and his family. He should not retire to indulge the whims of the media or the public. What satisfaction would he receive by being forced into retirement? What closure would it bring to such a brilliant career? When Phil Taylor decided to retire, his decision was final and resolute. I believe RvB needs to get to this point himself, no matter how many 70 averages it might take. We see the likes of John Part continue to compete on a regular basis well past his prime, I say more power to him, and who knows, further glory could be around the corner, it's darts after all, you just never know. Sometimes I worry that RvB is acutely aware of the clamour for him to retire and that this pressure may even have an impact on his performances as he begins to question whether there is even a place for him in darts anymore, further compounding his poor form and creating a vicious loop. Perhaps to take his future into his own hands would provide him with a levity and freedom that would lend itself to better performances, not to mention an improved wellbeing. In any case, it is under these conditions that one can clear-headedly and definitively settle an issue so profound as retirement, not when you feel you're being rushed out the door. If his performances can no longer sustain his presence on the tour, so be it; as it stands his card seems safe for this year but is in serious jeopardy next year. He could always allow himself to drop off the tour naturally rather than forfeiting his place in the top 64, this could provide a sense of finality while offering a route back through Q-School if he so desired; after all, he's done it before. In conclusion, I just hope that RvB can play - or not play - for his own sake, rather than anyone else's, so that when the time comes he can be in no doubt as to his decision, leaving no lingering questions, so that he can reflect with no regret or uncertainty on the marvelous career he has had.Deduce635826-09-2026
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- I guess this will mean the top players will turn up even less? Taken all the excitement of qualifying away I think. Wish they made it top 32 to qualify and the finals to last all week.Baphomet26-09-2026
- Great article - but not written by this site. It's taken wholesale from last Sunday's Observer with this interview published online on Saturday.Scoobedybop22-09-2026
- Such sad and pathetic little losers giving abuse to young woman for any reason, let alone who she is in a relationship with. Go Beau! An absolute star and comes across as a genuinely nice and kind person. Wish her nothing but the best.BandB22-09-2026
- I wouldn't mind if he quit now to be honest. He's not bigger than darts. Let's face it without darts he'd just be a normal fat gamer kid.medinabello22-09-2026
- You know,I said this,in a sentence,not 5 paragraphs!!rick6721-09-2026
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