A Weekend of Defining Moments at the World Championship
Shock Results, Survival Jobs and a Title Race Turned on Its Head
Here’s your complete weekend wrap from Thursday through Sunday at Ally Pally. Munyua made history, Gerwyn Price and Michael Smith were stunned in round two and Michael van Gerwen was forced to dig deep as the pressure cranked up across an explosive weekend. This is everything you might have missed - all in one place.
MUNYUA MAKES HISTORY AS VAN GERWEN DIGS DEEP AT ALLY PALLY
Day Eight of the Paddy Power World Darts Championship delivered a night defined by courage, chaos and composure under pressure. David Munyua etched his name into darts history with a stunning comeback victory, while Michael van Gerwen was pushed hard before finding a way through on the world’s biggest stage.
From fearless breakthroughs to heavyweight survival, Ally Pally once again proved it answers to no script with the atmosphere lifted further as former England striker Peter Crouch drew huge cheers from the crowd, adding another memorable moment to an electric night in north London.
AFTERNOON SESSION
Breakthroughs, Control & History Made
Callan Rydz 3–0 Patrik Kovacs
(3–1, 3–1, 3–1)
Callan Rydz opened proceedings with authority, delivering a sharp and controlled performance. The two-time quarter-finalist never loosened his grip, sealing victory with a classy double-double 92 checkout before closing the contest with a 14-dart break.
Motomu Sakai 3–0 Thibault Tricole
(3–2, 3–2, 3–0)
Motomu Sakai made his Ally Pally debut one to remember. The Japanese trailblazer fired in a huge 148 checkout before pulling clear in the final set to complete a confident straight-sets victory. Sakai now faces Andreas Harrysson in round two.
Ryan Joyce 3–0 Owen Bates
(3–0, 3–1, 3–0)
Ryan Joyce was ruthless. Averaging over a ton early and converting 64% of his doubles, Joyce conceded just one leg all match in a dominant display of control and finishing. Krzysztof Ratajski awaits.
David Munyua 3–2 Mike De Decker
(1–3, 2–3, 3–2, 3–2, 3–1)
Kenyan history written
David Munyua delivered one of the moments of the tournament. Trailing 2–0 and staring down three match darts, the Kenyan qualifier refused to yield. A clutch 135 checkout on the bull turned the match — and Munyua never looked back, completing a comeback for the ages and securing Kenya’s first World Championship victory.
Key Session Insights
Number of 180’s scored in this session - 21
Highest outshot of the session – 148 (Motomu Sakai)
Highest 3 dart average - 95.27 (Ryan Joyce)
EVENING SESSION
Pressure, Recovery & Big-Stage Nerves
Jermaine Wattimena 3–2 Dominik Gruellich
(3–1, 2–3, 2–3, 3–1, 3–0)
Jermaine Wattimena dug deep in a five-set grind. After falling behind, the Dutchman rattled off six consecutive legs across the final two sets to complete a determined comeback. Scott Williams is next.
Dave Chisnall 3–0 Fallon Sherrock
(3–1, 3–0, 3–2)
Dave Chisnall produced a measured, efficient display, converting 47% of his doubles and punishing missed opportunities to move through in straight sets. Ricardo Pietreczko awaits.
Michael van Gerwen 3–1 Mitsuhiko Tatsunami
(1–3, 3–2, 3–1, 3–2)
Survived — then stepped up
Michael van Gerwen was tested early and often. After dropping the opening set and trailing by two legs, the three-time World Champion survived nine set darts before swinging the match. Nine of the final twelve legs went his way — not vintage, but enough.
Krzysztof Ratajski 3–0 Alexis Toylo
(3–0, 3–1, 3–1)
Krzysztof Ratajski closed the night with authority. Averaging over 97, hitting 50% of his doubles and landing a spectacular 170 checkout, the Polish number one dominated throughout.
Key Session Insights
Number of 180’s scored in this session - 23
Highest outshot of the session – 170 (Krzysztof Ratajski)
Highest 3 dart average - 97.67 (Krzysztof Ratajski)
DAY NINE – FRIDAY 19TH DECEMBER
ASPINALL AND ROCK ADVANCE AS GURNEY EDGES GREAVES ON DAY NINE
Day Nine saw Round One draw to a close with pressure everywhere and margins razor-thin. Nathan Aspinall and Josh Rock survived tough tests, while Daryl Gurney edged a thriller against Beau Greaves in one of the matches of the tournament so far.
FRIDAY — ROUND ONE CONCLUDES
AFTERNOON SESSION
Composure, Control & Title Intent
Kevin Doets 3–1 Matthew Dennant
(2-3; 3-1; 3-2; 3-2)
Doets recovered from dropping the opening set to assert control, winning three straight sets with measured finishing. The Dutchman’s experience at Ally Pally showed as he booked a round-two clash with David Munyua.
Ryan Meikle 3–0 Jesus Salate
(3-0; 3-0; 3-1)
Meikle was ruthless from the outset, winning six consecutive legs to seize full control. High double efficiency ensured a one-sided contest as he cruised into round two.
Leonard Gates 3–2 Mickey Mansell
(3-2; 0-3; 3-1; 1-3; 3-0)
Gates showed trademark resilience in a tight five-set battle. Never trailing in the match, the American held his nerve in the decider to secure another opening-round win at Alexandra Palace.
Josh Rock 3–1 Gemma Hayter
(3-1; 3-0; 1-3; 3-2)
Rock was pushed harder than expected but found a way through. After Hayter claimed a set, the World Cup winner regrouped and closed out the match in a deciding leg, keeping his title charge alive.
Key Session Insights
Number of 180’s scored in this session - 13
Highest outshot of the session – 152 (Kevin Doets)
Highest 3 dart average - 92.11 (Kevin Doets)
EVENING SESSION
Drama, Doubles & Deciders
William O’Connor 3–0 Krzysztof Kciuk
(3-2; 3-0; 3-0)
O’Connor delivered one of the performances of the tournament so far. A tournament-high 102.36 average and seven 180s underlined a dominant display that set up a mouth-watering tie with Michael van Gerwen.
Daryl Gurney 3–2 Beau Greaves
(3-2; 1-3; 3-2; 0-3; 3-1)
A gripping contest decided by fine margins. Greaves landed a stunning 128 and the tournament’s first ten-darter, but Gurney’s crucial 144 checkout in the decider proved decisive.
Nathan Aspinall 3–1 Lourence Ilagan
(2-3; 3-1; 3-2; 3-2)
Aspinall was tested from the outset but responded with grit and grit alone. Two set-deciding legs, capped by a match-winning 170 checkout, carried him safely into round two.
Keane Barry 3–0 Tim Pusey
(3-2; 3-0; 3-1)
Barry delivered a composed, efficient performance, averaging 93 and converting over half his doubles. A straight-sets win that showed maturity beyond his years.
Key Session Insights
Number of 180’s scored in this session - 31
Highest outshot of the session – 170 (Nathan Aspinall)
Highest 3 dart average - 102.36 (William O’Connor)
SATURDAY 20TH December 22, 2025
ROUND TWO IGNITES - ZONNEVELD & GILDING DUMP OUT SMITH & DOBEY ON DAY TEN
Saturday delivered shocks in volume as round two began — with former World Champion Michael Smith and eighth seed Chris Dobey both sent packing.
AFTERNOON SESSION
Momentum Shifts & Relentless Scoring
Ryan Searle 3–0 Brendan Dolan
(3-1, 3-0, 3-1)
Searle was in full flow, averaging just shy of 99 and pinning 64% of his doubles. Dolan briefly rallied, but Searle’s scoring power proved overwhelming.
Andreas Harrysson 3–0 Motomu Sakai
(3-2, 3-1, 3-2)
Harrysson’s debut run continued with another assured display. A crucial 141 finish set the tone as he punished missed chances to advance with authority.
James Hurrell 3–2 Dirk van Duijvenbode
(1-3, 3-0, 3-1, 1-3, 3-1)
One of the shocks of the day. Hurrell fired in ten maximums and produced a sublime 132 checkout to stun the Dutch star in a dramatic deciding set.
Ricardo Pietreczko 3–2 Dave Chisnall
(3-1, 3-1, 1-3, 0-3, 4-2)
Pietreczko survived 11 maximums and a match dart to preserve his tournament hopes. A tense decider saw the German rattle off three straight legs under pressure.
Key Session Insights
Number of 180’s scored in this session - 33
Highest outshot of the session – 141 (Andreas Harrysson)
Highest 3 dart average - 98.67 (Ryan Searle)
EVENING SESSION
Seeds Fall, Statements Made
Niels Zonneveld 3–1 Michael Smith
(3-1, 1-3, 3-2, 3-0)
Zonneveld delivered the biggest win of his career, producing a composed, clinical display to eliminate the former World Champion. Missed chances proved costly for Smith.
Andrew Gilding 3–1 Chris Dobey
(2-3, 3-0, 3-1, 3-2)
Gilding produced his highest Ally Pally average to dump out the eighth seed. A crucial ten-darter and unflappable finishing sealed a standout victory.
Stephen Bunting 3–0 Nitin Kumar
(3-1, 3-0, 3-1)
Bunting was ice-cool from start to finish. Heavy scoring and 53% checkout efficiency ensured a smooth passage into the post-Christmas rounds.
Jonny Clayton advances directly to round three after Dom Taylor’s withdrawal.
Key Session Insights
Number of 180’s scored in this session - 22
Highest outshot of the session – 167 (Chris Dobey)
Highest 3 dart average - 99.01 (Andrew Gilding)
SUNDAY 21ST DECEMBER
DAY ELEVEN - PLAISIER STUNS PRICE AS LITTLER POWERS ON AT ALLY PALLY
Day Eleven delivered another seismic shock as Wesley Plaisier whitewashed Gerwyn Price, while Luke Littler continued his title defense in style.
AFTERNOON SESSION
Experience vs Nerve
Krzysztof Ratajski 3–1 Ryan Joyce
(3-1, 3-1, 0-3, 3-0)
Ratajski’s consistency proved decisive. After racing into a 2–0 lead, the Polish number one closed the match with a clinical 13-darter.
Mensur Suljovic 3–1 Joe Cullen
(0-3, 3-1, 3-2, 3-2)
Suljovic weathered early pressure before asserting control. Experience and timing proved crucial as he reeled off three straight sets to progress in a match packed with drama from start to finish.
Luke Woodhouse 3–0 Max Hopp
(3-0, 3-0, 3-1)
Woodhouse was in complete control, winning the opening six legs and never letting momentum shift. A dominant performance to book a round-three spot.
Rob Cross 3–1 Ian White
(3-1, 0-3, 3-1, 3-2)
Cross relied on trademark finishing under pressure. A decisive 92 checkout in a set decider swung the match as the former World Champion advanced.
Key Session Insights
Number of 180’s scored in this session - 21
Highest outshot of the session – 170 (Joe Cullen)
Highest 3 dart average - 93.91 (Krzysztof Ratajski)
EVENING SESSION
Shocks, Survival & Star Power
Martin Schindler 3–0 Keane Barry
(3-2, 3-2, 3-2)
Every set went the distance, but Schindler delivered when it mattered. Clinical finishes of 20, 118 and 76 in deciding legs sealed a ruthless whitewash.
Wesley Plaisier 3–0 Gerwyn Price
(3-1, 3-1, 3-2)
The shock of the tournament! Plaisier held his nerve, punished missed chances and produced a flawless performance to eliminate the former World Champion.
Luke Littler 3–0 David Davies
(3-2, 3-1, 3-1)
Littler survived early set darts before shifting through the gears. Once settled, the defending champion was untouchable, powering through in straight sets.
Damon Heta 3–2 Stefan Bellmont
(1-3, 3-1, 1-3, 3-1, 3-1)
Heta recovered from slow starts to grind out a hard-earned victory. Strong doubling in the closing stages proved the difference in a tense five-set battle.
Key Session Insights
Number of 180’s scored in this session - 25
Highest outshot of the session – 145 (Luke Littler)
Highest 3 dart average - 97.15 (Luke Littler)
LOOKING AHEAD
The festive tungsten marathon rolls on, with Luke Humphries, Nathan Aspinall and David Munyua all returning to the Alexandra Palace stage.
Monday December 22
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
Darren Beveridge v Madars Razma
Wessel Nijman v Gabriel Clemens
David Munyua v Kevin Doets
James Wade v Ricky Evans
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
Gian Van Veen v Alan Soutar
Nathan Aspinall v Leonard Gates
Luke Humphries v Paul Lim
Charlie Manby v Adam Sevada
Best of Five Sets
At Ally Pally, nothing is given and every day continues to rewrite the script. One thing you might be able to rely on? Another unexpected visit from the Ally Pally wasp.
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