"Ross played so much better there, he deserved to win" - Richie Howson classy in defeat at World Seniors Champion of Champions

Richie Howson was unable to successfully defend his title at the World Seniors Darts Champion of Champions on Sunday night, falling 8–5 in the final to Ross Montgomery.

The 59-year-old Englishman has become a familiar face on the senior circuit in recent years, despite never having featured at a World Championship for the BDO, PDC or WDF. In 2023, Howson came agonisingly close to major glory, losing both the World Seniors Championship and the World Seniors Masters finals. But redemption followed later that year when he lifted the Champion of Champions title – his first televised title win.

‘The Owl’ was determined to repeat that triumph this year, and his campaign began brightly with convincing victories over Mervyn King (5–1) and Richie Burnett (6–3). At that point, a successful title defence seemed well within reach. But in the final in Portsmouth, it was Montgomery who proved the stronger of the two, producing a clinical display to run out an 8–5 winner.

Howson had started the match in fine form, racing into a 3–0 lead. “I started off all right," he assesses. "But Ross missed a few doubles."

As the match wore on, however, conditions began to take their toll. “I let the heat get to me. I was trying put it out of my head, but it got to me. And Ross played so much better there, so he deserved to win that," analyses The Owl. "I can't complain about anything."

Despite the defeat, Howson remained upbeat about his performance and outlook. “I'm getting old now, so I just want to enjoy everything. If I play well and win, happy days. If not, I'll just go back on the snooker table," he laughs.

The next stop on the World Seniors Darts Circuit comes in the form of the 2025 World Seniors Darts Matchplay on Saturday, November 15th. Howson is one of the names already announced, alongside the likes of defending champion John Henderson as well as Steve Beaton, Mervyn King, Vincent Van Der Voort, Martin Adams, Robert Thornton, Neil Duff, Leonard Gates and current Seniors World Champion Ross Montgomery.