Heroic Henderson a Senior World Champion
John Henderson became the second winner of the Jenningsbet Senior World Darts Championship at the Circus Tavern, beating Northern Irishman Colin McGarry 5-0 in the Final on his debut to earn £30,000.
The Highlander follows in the footsteps of fellow Scot Robert Thornton in claiming TV Major Success on the Seniors Circuit, dropping no sets in his victories in the Semi Finals and the Final.
The Scotsman opened his campaign with a 3-1 victory over 10 Time Ladies World Champion Trina Gulliver, hitting a 160 finish in the opening leg against The Golden Girl.
Henderson came through Saturday’s Curtain Raiser with former Semi Finalist Kevin Painter to reach the Quarter Finals, hitting 2 180s before wrapping up a place in the Last 8 with a 109 checkout and a 3-1 win against The Artist.
The Scotsman produced an impressive three match surge on Sunday at the Circus Tavern, starting with a 3-1 victory over Andy Hamilton.
The Hammer ended Robert Thornton’s 2-year reign as World Champion on Saturday night, but it was Henderson who put his foot down, winning 6 of the final 7 legs in the contest.
The Red Dragon player included 6 180s and a 90.02 score in a match featuring 2 debutants at the World Senior Darts Championship.
The Highlander hit a 104 finish in the final set to set up a Semi Final with Jim Long, who was also enjoying an impressive first outing in Purfleet.
Henderson returned on Sunday evening in a ruthless mood, averaging 92.91 in a 3-0 win over The Gentleman including an opening 11 dart leg in the 2nd Set. Canadian international Long can hold his head high after a fantastic tournament, beating the likes of Paul Hogan and Martin Adams in a strong debut at the Seniors World Championship.
The Gentleman averaged the higher of the 2 Semi Finalists (93.16) despite defeat, but the former World Cup Winner included 3 180s and a Shanghai (120) finish en route to victory.
Colin McGarry ended what was a fantastic run from 4 Time Ladies BDO World Champion Lisa Ashton at the 2024 World Seniors Darts Championship, with the Lancashire Rose edging out the likes of Scott Mitchell and Chris Mason in previous rounds.
Lisa put up a real fight in her Semi Final with The Chief, but it was the Northern Irishman who reached the Final having hit 3 100+ finishes over the 5 sets played.
The Final was one way traffic right from the off, as The Highlander took the opening 2 sets by scores of 3-1 and 3-2 despite Colin hitting a 144 finish in the opening leg of the 2nd set.
Henderson went on to win the remaining 3 sets by a 3-1 scoreline at the Circus Tavern, wrapping up the title with a 114 checkout to become the latest Scottish World Champion.
John moves into Third for most money earnt on the World Seniors Circuit, with only Leonard Gates and compatriot Robert Thornton winning more than the player who resides in Huntly.
The World Seniors returns next month for the 2nd staging of the Champion of Champion at VIVA in Blackpool on the 23rd and 24th of March.
Congratulations once again to John Henderson who becomes the 2024 World Seniors Champion at the prestigious Circus Tavern.
By Harry Masterson
2024 Jenningsbet World Senior Darts Championship Results:
Quarter Finals:
John Henderson 3-1 Andy Hamilton
Jim Long 3-2 Paul Hogan
Lisa Ashton (6) 3-1 Chris Mason
Colin McGarry 3-1 Mark Dudbridge
Semi Finals:
John Henderson 3-0 Jim Long
Colin McGarry 3-2 Lisa Ashton (6)
Final:
John Henderson 5-0 Colin McGarry
