When It Gets Tight, the Best Step Forward.

Day Sixteen of the Paddy Power World Darts Championship turned the heat right up as the knockout stages began to bite. Luke Littler was forced to dig deep to repel a late Rob Cross charge and keep his title defence alive, while Ryan Searle delivered another ruthless reminder that he hasn’t dropped a set yet.
From afternoon breakthroughs to night-session authority, Ally Pally once again exposed who thrives when the pressure bites and who doesn’t.

AFTERNOON SESSION

Breakthrough Runs & Pressure Payoffs

The afternoon session set the tone with momentum swings and fearless performances as places in the latter stages came into focus. Breakout runs gathered pace, pressure moments were seized, and the Ally Pally crowd stayed fully engaged - helped by the presence of Welsh international Louis Rees-Zammit, spotted soaking up the action and adding to the buzz inside the Palace. On the oche, there was no room for hesitation, only players ready to take their moment moved on.

Justin Hood 4–1 Ryan Meikle

(3–2, 3–1, 3–0, 1–3, 3–2)
Hood’s breakout run shows no signs of slowing. The debutant produced a composed, confident display, landing a trio of ton-plus finishes to control the match. Even back-to-back 146 and 147 checkouts from Meikle couldn’t derail Hood’s focus as he powered into the last 16.

 

Charlie Manby 4–2 Ricky Evans

(1–3, 3–2, 0–3, 3–2, 3–1, 3–0)

Another statement from the youngest man left in the field. Manby shook off early struggles on the doubles and flipped the match on its head, winning nine of the final 12 legs to keep his dream debut alive. Confidence growing, belief building.

 

Kevin Doets 4–3 Nathan Aspinall

(1–3, 3–2, 2–3, 3–2, 2–3, 3–0, 3–0)
One of the games of the tournament. Aspinall fired in his second 170 of the championship to move ahead, but Doets responded with ice-cold timing. Huge 112 and 164 checkouts, followed by clinical finishing in the decider, sealed a dramatic victory — and a quarter-final showdown with Luke Humphries.

Key Session Insights

Number of 180’s scored in this session - 50

Highest outshot of the session – 170 (Nathan Aspinall)

Highest 3 dart average – 97.48 (Kevin Doets)

 

EVENING SESSION

Heavy Scoring, Heavyweight Control

As the lights came up, the standard followed. Heavy scoring, decisive finishing and elite composure defined an evening where reputations were tested and statements were made. The atmosphere lifted another notch with Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven among the crowd, as Ally Pally delivered its familiar mix of star power and high-stakes drama. When the pressure peaked, the night session once again separated contenders from survivors.

Josh Rock 4–1 Callan Rydz

(1–3, 3–2, 3–0, 3–2, 3–2)
Rock delivered under pressure, combining aggressive scoring with calm finishing. A 99 average and nine maximums ensured Rydz was kept at arm’s length as the Northern Irishman marched into the quarter-finals with authority.

Ryan Searle 4–0 James Hurrell

(3–2, 3–0, 3–1, 3–1)

Relentless. Searle remains the only player yet to drop a set in this year’s championship. Averaging close to 101 and pinning doubles at will, the Somerset thrower cruised through to his first Ally Pally quarter-final without giving Hurrell a foothold.

Luke Littler 4–2 Rob Cross

(3–1, 1–3, 3–0, 3–1, 2–3, 3–2)
A champion tested and a champion responding. Littler averaged almost 107, smashed in an astonishing 17 180s, and absorbed everything Rob Cross threw at him in a heavyweight battle worthy of the biggest stage.

Cross forced the issue late with a stunning 126 bull finish and rapid-fire legs, but Littler answered with a ten-dart break and a composed 68 checkout to shut the door and stay on course for history.

Key Session Insights

Number of 180’s scored in this session – 46

Highest outshot of the session – 128 (Luke Littler)

Highest 3 dart average – 106.58 (Luke Littler)

QUARTER-FINALISTS CONFIRMED

• Luke Littler
• Ryan Searle

With the remaining spots filling fast, the tournament has officially reached collision mode.

LOOKING AHEAD — DAY SEVENTEEN

Round four reaches its conclusion on Tuesday, with tension rising and margins tightening.

Luke Humphries meets Kevin Doets, while darting icons Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson renew one of the sport’s most storied rivalries. Gian van Veen continues his charge against Manby, and Jonny Clayton and Josh Rock headline a stacked afternoon session.

Tuesday December 30
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
Round Four x3
Luke Woodhouse v Krzysztof Ratajski
Jonny Clayton v Andreas Harrysson
Justin Hood v Josh Rock

Evening Session (1900 GMT)
Round Four x3
Charlie Manby v Gian van Veen
Michael van Gerwen v Gary Anderson
Luke Humphries v Kevin Doets

At this stage, there is no room to hide and no margin for error. The push toward the World Championship trophy is now fully underway.

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