Daniel Ayres was the undisputed star at the ADC Winmau Championship North in Middlesbrough, securing an impressive two titles over the weekend. He first claimed victory in Event Two on Saturday and then sealed a remarkable double by dominating Event Four on Sunday. Meanwhile, Lewis Pride also celebrated a significant triumph, taking home the Event Three title and a substantial £1,000 prize. These events delivered thrilling darts action, with Ayres consistently proving to be the player to beat.
Ayres Achieves Double Darts Domination
The ADC Winmau Championship North saw some incredible darts, but it was Daniel Ayres who truly left his mark. Following his win in Event Two on Saturday, Ayres returned on Sunday to clinch his second title of the weekend in Event Four, held at Middlesbrough Sports Village.
Ayres delivered a dominant performance in the Event Four final, thrashing American talent Danny Lauby 5-1. His path to this victory was paved with solid play and crucial wins:
- He navigated past Kenzie Cann, Gav Smith, and Eddie Lovely to reach the last 16.
- A strong 5-3 victory over former PDC Professional Dylan Slevin propelled him further.
- He then swept aside Richard Rowlands without dropping a leg to secure a spot in the semi-finals.
- Ayres saved his best for the semi-finals, recording an outstanding 105.71 average in a superb 5-1 win against Gary Stone, setting up the final clash with Lauby.
In the final match, Ayres maintained his composure, securing finishes of 81, 70, and 54 to establish a commanding 4-1 lead, before a quick 13-dart leg sealed his second title and a highly profitable weekend.
Lewis Pride’s Event Three Triumph
Sunday’s proceedings kicked off with Event Three, where Lewis Pride emerged victorious, claiming the top prize of £1,000. Pride secured his glory with a hard-fought 5-3 win against former PDC Professional Willie Borland in the final.
Pride’s journey to the title was impressive:
- Early wins against Eddie Lovely, Jack Smith, and Tom Smith saw him advance.
- He showcased high-level play with an average of over 91 in a 4-1 win against Alan Boyd in the Last 32.
- A nail-biting 5-4 victory over Robert Rickwood in the Last 16, featuring a 96.07 average, demonstrated his resilience.
- After eliminating promising youth talent Lewis Cook, Pride powered into the final by handing Steve Hine a whitewash.
The final against Borland was a tense affair, but Pride took control with crucial finishes of 96 and 117, establishing a 3-1 lead. He largely dictated the flow of the match, ultimately sealing his success with a 71 checkout.
Borland and Lauby’s Strong Runs
Willie Borland, representing Scotland, had a formidable run to the Event Three final. He dropped just one leg on his way to the Last 16, including a notable win over Steve Lennon. Borland’s consistent form was evident with an average of over 93 in a final-leg success against Stuart Dutton. He continued his strong play, defeating Graham Usher 5-3 and securing a dominant 5-0 win against Bradley Coltman in the semi-finals with an average exceeding 90.
In Event Four, Danny Lauby also demonstrated great skill to reach the final. He dropped only two legs on his path to the quarter-finals and defeated Ash Ling to make the final four. His semi-final match against Tommy Morris was particularly dramatic, with Lauby bravely dodging six match darts to secure his place in the trophy match against Ayres.
What’s Next for the Winmau Championship?
The Winmau Championship tour continues with its next installment scheduled for May 9-10. This time, the action heads south, with Aylesbury hosting the next block of events, promising more thrilling darts as players battle for titles and rankings.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
