The WADC Winmau Championship North ignited Middlesbrough with a weekend of high-stakes darts, where Steph Clarke and Vicky Pruim emerged as champions. Clarke snatched a dramatic 5-4 victory in Event Five, sealing her win with a crucial 180 and double 18 in a thrilling final against former World Championship finalist Kirsty Hutchinson. Not to be outdone, Sweden’s Vicky Pruim dominated Event Six, securing her second title of the season with a commanding 5-1 win over Sara Walton, a triumph that propels her into second place in the overall standings.
Event Five: Steph Clarke’s Gritty Triumph
A Battle of Nerves: Clarke Edges Out Hutchinson
The WADC Winmau Championship North roared back to life in Middlesbrough, and the first title of the weekend, Event Five, was claimed by Steph Clarke. It was a hard-fought victory, culminating in a nail-biting 5-4 win against the formidable Kirsty Hutchinson, a former World Championship finalist.
Clarke’s journey to the final showcased her steadily building form:
- She started strong, dropping only one leg in her initial matches against Jane Hatwin and Rebecca Hoyland.
- A 4-2 victory over Antonia Mason secured her a quarter-final spot.
- She then dispatched Vicky Pruim 5-2 in the quarter-finals.
- A repeat 5-2 success against recent PDC Women’s Series finalist Angela Kirkwood paved her way to the championship match.
Hutchinson’s Resilient Run
Kirsty Hutchinson, known for her experience, also had an impressive path:
- She conceded just two legs in her early wins against Sarah Roberts, Tracey Heppinstall, and Carla Boyes.
- In a tough quarter-final, she overcame Kim Holden 5-3, who had won the previous two events.
- Her semi-final clash against Rebecca Allen was a true test. Allen had just delivered a flawless 5-0 whitewash against PDC Women’s Series event winner Eleanor Cairns, averaging over 83. However, Hutchinson’s composure shone through, securing a tense 5-4 victory to reach the final.
The Dramatic Final Showdown
The Event Five final was a rollercoaster. Clarke initially took a 2-0 lead, but Hutchinson mounted a fierce comeback. A brilliant 118 checkout was part of her rally, pushing her ahead 3-2. The match went down to a decisive final leg. With the pressure at its peak, Clarke found a crucial 180 before confidently hitting double 18 to seize the title and the top prize.
Event Six: Vicky Pruim’s Dominant Display
Pruim Secures Second Title with Authority
The second event of the weekend, Event Six, saw Sweden’s Vicky Pruim deliver a performance of sheer dominance, capturing her second title of the season. She stormed to victory with a commanding 5-1 win against Sara Walton in the final.
Pruim, a winner of a Women’s Series title this year, demonstrated her class throughout the event:
- She began by averaging over 88 in a 5-0 whitewash against Emma Chubb.
- She then eliminated the strong Kirsty Hutchinson 4-2 in the second round.
- After a decisive win against Rose Mort in the quarter-finals, Pruim faced Steph Clarke again. This time, Pruim prevailed in a tight encounter, surviving match darts before sealing her semi-final win with a timely 76 finish to book her place in the final.
Sara Walton’s Impressive Journey
Her opponent in the final, Sara Walton, also had a remarkable run:
- Walton started by whitewashing Nieve Barr.
- She then secured a 4-3 win against Rebecca Allen to reach the last eight.
- In the quarter-finals, she defeated Sarah Roberts 5-2.
- Her semi-final match against Lauryn Salter was another 5-4 nail-biter, which Walton ultimately won to make her first final appearance of the weekend.
The Final: Pruim’s Unstoppable Momentum
Despite Walton’s impressive form, Pruim proved to be unstoppable in the title match. Walton managed to keep pace early on, trailing 2-1. However, Pruim then accelerated, winning the next three legs consecutively. A 100 checkout confirmed her victory, earning her the £500 first prize. This significant win elevates Pruim to second place in the overall standings, hot on the heels of leader Kim Holden.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
