Kim Holden delivered a breathtaking performance at the Winmau Championship North, securing an incredible double victory by winning both Event Three and Event Four at Middlesbrough Sports Village. Her dominant form saw her overcome formidable opponents, including Event One winner Natalie Gilbert and Sara Walton, demonstrating exceptional skill and composure under pressure throughout the day. This summary is for those who want the highlights without delving into every dart thrown!
Event Three: Holden’s Unstoppable March to Victory
The day began with Event Three, where Kim Holden, nicknamed ‘Lioness’, immediately set her sights on the title. Starting in the last 64, Holden showcased her precision:
- She kicked off with a hard-fought 4-3 victory against Judith Pike, averaging an impressive over 77.
- This was followed by two solid 4-2 wins against Rebecca Barrow and Rebecca Hoyland.
As the competition intensified, Holden raised her game further, securing a 5-3 success against Jody Hancock to advance into the semi-finals. There, she faced Lauryn Salter, repeating her strong performance with another 5-3 win to book her spot in the final.
The Grand Finale of Event Three
Awaiting Holden in the final was the in-form Natalie Gilbert, who had previously won Event One and had herself reached the final with a string of dominant performances, including three whitewash wins and emphatic 5-1 and 5-2 victories in the quarter and semi-finals respectively. However, Gilbert proved to be no match for the determined Holden in the showpiece match.
Holden quickly established control, demonstrating clinical finishing with crucial checkouts of 76 and 114 to go 4-1 up. She maintained her composure, ultimately triumphing with a decisive 5-1 victory, sealed with an impressive 18-darter. This secured her the first prize of £500.
Event Four: The Double Crown is Claimed
Not content with just one title, ‘Lioness’ Holden returned to the oche later that afternoon for Event Four, determined to double her success. Her path to the second final was equally impressive:
- She started with a commanding whitewash win in her opening match.
- A crucial test came against Event Two winner Vicky Pruim, whom Holden overcame in a thrilling final leg decider to reach the quarter-finals.
- In the quarter-finals, she delivered a dominant performance, hammering Tracey Heppinstall 5-0.
Another Showdown with Salter
The semi-finals saw a familiar face for Holden as she once again met Lauryn Salter. Proving that her earlier victory was no fluke, Holden delivered another strong performance, securing a 5-3 win to advance to her second final of the day.
Her opponent in the Event Four final was Sara Walton, who had also navigated a challenging path to get there. Walton had dropped just one leg to reach the quarter-finals, then needed all nine legs to defeat Judith Pike in a tense 5-4 battle, and similarly went the distance with a 5-4 win against Eleanor Cairns to secure her final spot.
Sealing the Double: Event Four Final
In the final match of the day, Holden quickly took control, building a 3-1 lead. Sara Walton showed resilience, fighting back with a crucial 78 finish to keep the match alive at 4-3. However, Kim Holden held her nerve, clinching her second title of the weekend with a superb 17-darter, completing an extraordinary double victory.
This remarkable achievement solidifies Kim Holden’s position as a dominant force in the Winmau Championship North series, showcasing her exceptional talent and unwavering focus.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
