2023 Betfred World Matchplay Day Seven Review

2023 Betfred World Matchplay Day Seven Review

2023 Betfred World Matchplay Semi Final line up is complete with Jonny Clayton and Luke Humphries progressing.

Clayton Battles Past Searle

Clayton books his place in the World Matchplay Semi Final after a high-quality win over Ryan Searle.

The game started in frantic fashion, with Jonny Clayton taking out 118 before Ryan Searle pinned Double 20 to go into the first break ahead. The first five legs also saw both players averaging more than 100.

After the break it was more of the same for the two players with Clayton holding throw having missed three darts at the double. Clayton then levelled up the match at 4-4 with a stunning 121 checkout on the bullseye.

The first break of the match came in the ninth leg with the Welshman pinning double 8 to take the lead for the first time. Searle immediately responded with a 121 checkout of his own to level up the match going into the second break.

After the opening 15 legs of the tie, both players continued to average 100+ and the chances of either playing taking full control of the Quarter Final looked slim with continued holds of throw left it nicely poised at 8-8 after Clayton found the bullseye for a 124checkout.

The Ferret then started to turn the game on its head and put one foot in the semi-final courtesy of his sixth ton-plus checkout to lead 13-9. Heavy Metal continued to keep his slim hopes of Blackpool glory alive, but Clayton sealed his fate, with a finish on double 16 to round off an impressive 16-12 win and reach the semi-finals for the first time in his career.

Humphries turns down the heat

Humphries books his place in the World Matchplay Semi Final after a commanding win over Damon Heta.

The game didn’t disappoint in the early exchanges with both players exchanging breaks of throw before Luke Humphries pinned double 8 to break the Damon Heta throw and go into the first break ahead.

The Heat made an impressive return from the interval, immediately breaking the Humphries throw before taking out 103 to bring the game level after the opening eight legs of the match. A Stunning double-double finish from Cool Hand looked to have shifted momentum but a pressured finish from Heta saw the Quarter Final level at 5-5 as we headed into another break.

The momentum continued to swing with both players finding it increasingly difficult to hold throw but in the 14th leg, Humphries pinned double 16 to stop the rot and open an 8-6 lead.

The Heat then missed a handful of important darts at the double and paid the price as Humphries took out 32 to extend his advantage going into the third break.

Humphries continued to show why he is one of the favourites by re-establishing his three-leg advantage courtesy of a tidy finish. The pressure continued to be applied and Cool Hand opened up a five-leg lead after taking out 121.

The World number 6 confirmed his place in the semi-finals with a double, double finish to end the hopes of Damon Heta and set up a mouth-watering clash with Jonny Clayton

Friday July 21 

2x Quarter-Finals

Jonny Clayton 16-12 Ryan Searle

Luke Humphries 16-13 Damon Heta