Irish darts star Steve Lennon put on an unforgettable display at the ADC Winmau Championship North in Middlesbrough, securing a remarkable double victory by winning both Event Five and Event Six on the same day. Fresh off similar success in Ireland, Lennon showcased incredible form, hitting high averages and defeating top competitors to claim two £1,000 first prizes and propel himself to second in the overall standings. His dominant performance signals a strong contender in the championship.
Lennon’s Dominance in Event Five
The second series of ADC Winmau Championship North events kicked off with a bang, and it was Steve Lennon who stole the show. The Carlow native, already on a high from winning two ADC Ireland Championship events and a doubles title just a week prior, continued his winning streak.
Lennon’s journey through Event Five was nothing short of spectacular, culminating in a 5-2 final victory against Jack Main with an outstanding average of over 105.
Path to Victory: Event Five
- Began with two 5-0 whitewash wins against Ridley Ladigus and Michael Williams.
- Progressed past John-Sebastian Wright and Harrison Leigh to reach the quarter-finals.
- Secured a routine 5-0 win against Ryan Hawkes in the quarter-finals.
- Delivered a truly stunning 107.19 average to defeat in-form Carl Batchelor in the semi-finals.
- Concluded with a 5-2 win over Jack Main in the final, establishing an early 4-0 lead and fending off Main’s comeback.
Jack Main, known as ‘Main Man’, also had an impressive run to the final. He started strong with a 98.56 average in a whitewash against Ozzy Ayres and overcame tough opponents like Gary Hayes (who had beaten top players like Daniel Ayres and Chris Wickenden). Main’s grit was evident in a last-leg decider against Danny Trueman before meeting Lennon.
A Second Title: Event Six Triumph
Not content with just one title, Lennon immediately set his sights on Event Six, proving that his earlier victory was no fluke. He worked tirelessly through another tough field, ultimately securing his second title of the day with another 5-2 win in the final, this time against Lewis Pride.
Lennon’s Relentless March: Event Six
- Started with a hard-fought 4-3 win against Ryan Hogarth, averaging over 99.
- Went the distance again to overcome Michael Winspear.
- Defeated Willie Borland and then edged Vince Tipple in another tight 5-4 match.
- Dominated Ash Coleman with a 5-1 victory in the quarter-finals.
- Faced a strong comeback from Daniel Ayres (who rallied from 4-1 down) but secured the win in the deciding leg of the semi-final.
Yorkshireman Lewis Pride, a recent PDC Pro Tour call-up and Event Three winner, also had a strong tournament. He comfortably defeated several opponents, including an impressive 5-0 whitewash against Oliver Mitchell and a sublime 107.36 average against Alan Boyd in the quarter-finals. Pride then battled past Andrew Ingman 5-3 to reach the final.
The final of Event Six saw Pride start strong, even hitting a 124 finish to take an early lead. However, Lennon quickly responded with a 120 kill to level the scores. Despite Pride narrowing the gap to 3-2, Lennon was unstoppable, sealing the title with a 17-darter. This phenomenal double win not only secured more prize money but also catapulted him to second place in the overall ADC Winmau Championship North standings.
The championship action is set to continue, with Events Seven and Eight scheduled for Sunday, promising more thrilling darts.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
