Paddy Power World Darts Championship - Day 5 Recap
The drama at Alexandra Palace continued to unfold on Day 5 of the Paddy Power World Darts Championship, from Robert Owen’s emotional victory to Nick Kenny’s spectacular finishing, it was a day to remember for Welsh darts fans.
Emotional Robert Owen salvages Tour Card hopes with 3-1 against Clement
Robert Owen, affectionately known as “Stack Attack,” would have instantly lost it had he been beaten but instead he stunned the 27th seed German Giant. Facing Gabriel Clemens – a semi-finalist in last year’s tournament. The Welshman rose to the occasion, producing one of the best performances of his career to secure a 3-1 victory.
Owen’s insists there is ‘still more in the tank’ after producing one of his best performances with a 99 average and 40% success on doubles.
“They’re going to know I mean business,” Owen declared after his victory. “There’s still more in the tank, and they’ll have to play really well to beat me.”
Owen is back at the day job at 9am this morning but insists he still has unfinished business at Alexandra Palace
Nick Kenny produced a moment of magic to seal his first round victory
Owen’s fellow Welshman Nick Kenny also celebrated victory on Thursday, converting a spectacular 170 checkout to wrap up a 3-0 thumping of former Grand Slam quarter-finalist Stowe Buntz.
Kenny’s performance was capped by a stunning 170 checkout – the first of this year’s championship – which brought the crowd to its feet and cemented his place in the second round.
Kenny averaged just shy of 88 as he wrapped up a 3-0 victory over is American opponent and will now take on five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld on Saturday evening,
Elsewhere on Day 5
- Kevin Doets produced the upset of the day, defeating Michael Smith in a thrilling tie-breaker. Averaging 105 in the final ten legs, Doets called it the “best feeling” of his darting career.
- Callan Rydz delivered the highest average of the last 96 stage, an incredible 107.06, as he swept past Croatian debutant Romeo Grbavac in under 17 minutes.
- Nitin Kumar put up a fierce fight but is sadly out from the World Darts Championship after a tough contest against Martin Lukeman.
Day 5 Highlights:
Afternoon Session
3x First Round, 1x Second Round
- Lok Yin Lee 3-1 Chris Landman (2-3, 3-0, 3-0, 3-0) (R1)
- Callan Rydz 3-0 Romeo Grbavac (3-0, 3-1, 3-1) (R1)
- Martin Lukeman 3-1 Nitin Kumar (2-3, 3-1, 3-1, 3-1) (R1)
- Robert Owen 3-1 Gabriel Clemens (3-2, 3-0, 1-3, 3-1) (R2)
Evening Session
3x First Round, 1x Second Round
- Nick Kenny 3-0 Stowe Buntz (3-1, 3-2, 3-1) (R1)
- Matt Campbell 3-2 Mensur Suljovic (3-2, 2-3, 3-0, 2-3, 3-0) (R1)
- Scott Williams 3-1 Niko Springer (0-3, 3-1, 3-1, 3-2) (R1)
- Kevin Doets 3-2 Michael Smith (0-3, 3-1, 0-3, 3-0, 6-4) (R2)
Looking Ahead- Friday, December 20:
The Paddy Power World Darts Championship continues on tonight, as three-time winner Michael van Gerwen headlines Day Six alongside 2024 Masters champion Stephen Bunting.
Development Tour Order of Merit winner Wessel Nijman will also feature, with former quarter-finalist Ian White and Germany’s Florian Hempel amongst the other names in action. And Williams O’Conner will take on Dylan Slevin this evening
*photos credited to PDC*
