"This is the moment that he's dreamed of" 💭 Richie Howson defeats the great Phil Taylor to progress to the semi-finals! #WorldSeniorsDarts
The Owl turns The Power off as home hero Howson dumps out Taylor, set to face superb Soldier as Gates ends Fitton's run
WSDTSunday, 12 February 2023 at 16:04
Pre-tournament, Richie Howson said it was his dream to face Phil Taylor but not only has 'The Owl' done that but he has beaten the 16-time World Champion on the Circus Tavern stage to move into the semi-finals of the World Seniors Darts Championship.
A home tournament for Howson who has been ultra dominant on the World Seniors Tour and shown his pedigree in these tournaments, he will now return this evening after a 3-1 win over the greatest of all time.
Taylor started the better of the two taking the opening set without reply but Howson who counted on home support living five minutes away from the iconic venue settled into the tie and levelled up at 1-1.
Howson broke Taylor's throw on double eight to begin set three and held from there for a clean sweep of his own.
Taylor finally stopped the rot after Howson had won the previous seven legs and had darts to make it eight but broke back to go one away from making his dreams a reality and pinned double 18 first time.
He will now face another unseeded player in Leonard Gates who again continues to impress on the Circus Tavern stage and could emerge as one of the favourites tonight.
Seeing off Darryl Fitton in a clash dubbed as The Dancer v The Dazzler, it was the former that prevailed in a 3-1 sets win with another mid 90's average in 94.5 and a match winning 140 checkout to finish with a flourish.
Fitton led to begin the tie with a superb double double 100 checkout en route to 1-0 but Gates hit back and sealed the second set with a 68 checkout to tie it up.
Gates continued his brilliance with an 81 checkout to break before sealing the set on double 20 with some superb finishing when it mattered most. This showed in his match winning effort as he took out 140 with Fitton waiting on 124 to look to prolong it.
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- Cross will likely be No. 4 in the world after the world's. He's been in the quarter's or higher in 7 out of the 14 ranked TV majors in the last 2 years. Neither Williams or Cross played close to what they're capable of in this match.Matilda6224-12-2024
- Was a great match and am a fan of Scott, don't see much of him on TV. How the hell is Cross 5 in the world, he goes out almost immediately in every competition.richieburnettrocks24-12-2024
- He has Guillerme Barre Syndrome. Nerve damage due to autoimmune response. Could take him months to recover if at all.medinabello23-12-2024
- I have a nickname for him Ni I man.medinabello23-12-2024
- C'MON HEMPS!!medinabello23-12-2024
- He looks very healthy. I doubt he can run or anything. You need carbs for that. Carbs fuel your brain also. It is the preferred energy source for the brain. Carbs get broken down into glycogen fuel for your muscles. As a rider I totally need carbs. However for a dart player who doesn't need a brain or be fit this diet is perfect.medinabello23-12-2024
- F the bettors. Mugs they are. Anyone could tell this is a 50 50 game or Hempel slight favourite going on form.medinabello23-12-2024
- Hard to play slow players. Does your head in.medinabello23-12-2024
- What do you mean again?medinabello23-12-2024
- Get his wife to work so that he can retire. Do the seniors tour, Modus, exbos. He'll still be doing alright.medinabello23-12-2024