2023 Betfred World Matchplay Semi Final Review

2023 Betfred World Matchplay Semi Final Review

Nathan Aspinall and Luke Humphries book their place in the Betfred World Matchplay Final for the first time

Aspinall Punishes Cullen

Nathan Aspinall punished an under par Joe Cullen to secure a place in the World Matchplay Final.

The walk on from both players was very special, with an extended Aspinall sing along before the play got underway, with Aspinall using the inspiration from Blackpool crowd with three holds to lead at the first break.

The first break of the game came from Nathan Aspinall before Joe Cullen responded with one of his in style with a 148 checkout. We had tow holds to follow before Asp was able to steal a break with a 22 dart leg.

Nathan Aspinall got his first and only ton plus checkout straight after the break with a 116 and he continued to punish Joe Cullen and he raced into10-5 lead

Joe Cullen won the first and last legs of the fourth session, but he missed more than 10 darts at a double in three legs in between and Aspinall kept a comfortable buffer at 13-7.

The Rockstar may have found a 124 checkout in leg 24, but with the score at 15-9 it was a little to late.

Nathan Aspinall thought he had won the game in the next leg and after he realised his mistake, he quickly apologised to Joe Cullen before putting the final nail in the coffin in the next leg.

Clayton Will Meet Aspinall

The game started with two comfortable holds of throw, before found a 15 and then 16 dart leg to lead 3-1, before Jonny found a 18 dart hold.

The game continued to swing back and forth, with Clayton taking the lead by winning the first two legs, before Humphries found three legs on the spin including a 12 darter in leg nine which included a 100 checkout.

Five straight holds in the third session and it remained with advantage Cool Hand, but there was very little to split the pair with both averaging 96 and only 1 score of 140+ to split them. Five holds continued in the next session and Humphries maintained the lead 11-9.

Following the last break we had three holds of throw, before Clayton found a crucial break to level up the game at 12-12. Clayton lead for the first time with a 15 dart hold of throw and the comfortable holds continued until leg 30, when Clayton had opportunities to break and wasn’t able to take it so we were level at 15-15

The Ferret found a 14 dart leg to move one away and with his first match dart being at tops, The Ferret finished an 80 checkout and he was in shock in reaching his first Betfred World Matchplay Final.

2023 Betfred World Matchplay

Saturday July 22 Semi-Finals

Nathan Aspinall 17-9 Joe Cullen

Jonny Clayton 17-15 Luke Humphries