Glory for Gates as the Golden Ticket winner lifts the inaugural World Seniors Champion of Champions 

Leonard Gates flew 6000 miles from his home in Dallas to compete in the one-shot Golden Ticket Qualifier for the 2023 World Seniors Champion of Champions on Friday evening, and he is returning to the United States with the title after a 13-10 victory over Richie Howson in the final.

Gates saw off Phil Taylor, Martin Adams and Howson who has reached back-to-back WSDT finals and become a stalwart of the tournaments since their inception but his wait for a maiden title goes on as ‘Soulger’ went all the way to the title in Blackpool.

Gates sealed an opening hold with a 60 checkout. Howson missed 112 to hold himself, and Gates broke with a 75 checkout to go up 2-0. Howson came back from a 2-1 deficit, but only after Gates had chances to go up 3-0.

Gates pinned double 14 for a 68 checkout at 3-1 and was throwing for 4-1, which he sealed, and Howson missed a dart to hold and seal parity. A 61 checkout was missed by Gates but with Howson unable to hold, Gates broke again for 5-1. The procession continued at 6-1 for Gates.

Howson stopped the rot at 6-2 down after Gates missed 157 to break again. Howson added another hold on double 16 to trail 7-3 at the break.

Gates had a slip missing 106 for 8-3 but Howson couldn’t take advantage and ‘Soulger’ continued to head towards double figures. Howson hit a 110 checkout to hold throw and go 8-4 down.

But this was just a hold as Gates went 9-4 ahead. Howson took a last dart hold from 52 with Gates waiting to go into double figures and it was 9-5. A 41 checkout saw him achieve that at 10-5 and he was three away from the title.

Glory for Gates as the Golden Ticket winner lifts the inaugural World Seniors Champion of Champions 
Glory for Gates as the Golden Ticket winner lifts the inaugural World Seniors Champion of Champions

When he returned from the break, an 81 checkout saw him break and go two up at 11-5. Howson responded with a 116 to break back at 11-6.

Gates missed 101 to go one away to break again and Howson made it 11-7. Soulger went one away on double four. Gates received a match dart but missed 66 on double 20 while Howson missed 85 to stay in the match.

This allowed Howson to make it 12-8. Gates missed two darts for the title but returned only to miss two more darts at double four. Howson hit an 85 checkout to break back and make it 12-9.

Gates missed two more match darts after missing the bull for a 95 checkout, which allowed Howson to hold and make it 12-10. Gates had a total of 71 misses for the game but finally won it on a double 10.