The WADC Winmau Championship North in Middlesbrough saw incredible drama and skill as Natalie Gilbert, battling partial paralysis from a previous stroke, achieved a truly remarkable victory, clinching her second title of the season. Not to be outdone, Steph Clarke also secured her second title, demonstrating dominant form throughout the weekend. These victories have significantly shaken up the championship standings, with Gilbert now leading the pack.
Unbelievable Victory: Natalie Gilbert Defies the Odds
The Sports Village in Middlesbrough witnessed an extraordinary display of resilience as Natalie Gilbert secured her second title of the season at Event Seven of the WADC Winmau Championship North. Gilbert, who had previously won at the same venue in April, faced a significant personal challenge during the competition. She was visibly struggling with functional hemiplegia, a lingering effect of an earlier stroke that left her with partial paralysis, severely impacting her mobility to and from the darts board.
Despite these immense difficulties, Gilbert performed remarkably. Her journey to the final included strong wins:
- She started with two convincing wins.
- Battled hard to defeat Kim Holden 5-3 in the semi-finals.
- Secured her place in the final with a confident 5-2 victory against Eleanor Cairns.
The Dramatic Final Showdown: A Battle of Nerves
The final against Lauryn Salter was nothing short of a thriller. Salter had a formidable run, dropping only three legs en route to the quarter-finals and averaging over 81 in her semi-final win against Angela Kirkwood. She also defeated Event Six Champion Vicky Pruim in a tense 5-4 semi-final, firing in five 180s along the way.
In the championship match, Salter initially took a commanding 4-2 lead, appearing to be on the verge of victory. However, she agonizingly missed crucial match darts. Seizing this narrow window of opportunity, Gilbert mounted an incredible comeback, winning three straight legs to ultimately clinch the title 5-4. Her decisive double five secured not only the trophy but also the £500 first prize, a testament to her unwavering determination.
Remarkably, Gilbert and Salter met again in the first round of the very next event, with Gilbert once more emerging victorious, this time with a 4-1 scoreline, though Gilbert later exited in the quarter-finals of that event.
Double Trouble: Steph Clarke’s Dominant Performance
Event Eight belonged unequivocally to Steph Clarke, who sealed her second title of the weekend, backing up her Event Five win. Clarke showcased consistent excellence, culminating in a decisive 5-2 victory in the final against Angela Kirkwood.
Clarke’s path to her second title was marked by strong, confident performances:
- She breezed through her first two matches with dominant 4-1 scorelines.
- Defeated Jackie Brighton 4-2 to reach the last eight.
- Eliminated Debbie Dexter with a clear 5-2 win, earning her nickname ‘The Swan’ further recognition.
- Dominated her semi-final against Sarah Roberts, winning 5-1 to secure her spot in the final.
Kirkwood’s Strong Run and the Final Showdown
Angela Kirkwood also had an impressive journey to the final, overcoming Jade Gill and Antonia Mason, and securing a 5-2 win against Kim Holden. She then delivered a powerful 5-0 thrashing of Eleanor Cairns in the semi-final, notably avenging a previous defeat to Cairns in a recent PDC Women’s Series event.
In the final match, Clarke took control with a crucial 14-dart break of throw, establishing a 3-2 lead. From that point, she never looked back, ultimately securing her title double with a confident 76 finish.
Championship Standings and What’s Next
Following a weekend of high-stakes darts, the championship standings have seen significant shifts. Natalie Gilbert’s heroic efforts have propelled her to the top of the leaderboard, holding a 14-point advantage over Vicky Pruim. Steph Clarke’s double victory has also seen her climb impressively to fourth place.
Fans eagerly awaiting more thrilling action can mark their calendars: the next block of North action for the WADC Winmau Championship is scheduled for September 5th and 6th, returning to the same venue in Middlesbrough.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
