WEEKEND CHAOS AT ALLY PALLY AS THE TITLE RACE TAKES SHAPE
Shock Exits, Statement Performances & the Draw Begins to Bite
Day Fourteen and Fifteen at Ally Pally delivered momentum shifts across every corner of the draw. Jonny Clayton once again proved his big-stage nerve, Andreas Harrysson continued a fearless debut run that refuses to slow, and Luke Littler underlined his status with a performance that raised standards across the field. From seasoned champions to breakout contenders, the title race tightened with every session.
Day Fourteen of the Paddy Power World Darts Championship marked the return of round three after the Christmas break — and it returned with force.
Littler was ruthless, averaging 107+, converting 71% on the doubles, and winning 12 of 15 legs without dropping a set, the second-highest average of the tournament and his best-ever at Alexandra Palace. Elsewhere, Hurrell averaged 98+ across seven sets to eliminate the fourth seed, while Jonny Clayton and Niels Zonneveld both posted 98+ averages in a high-quality decider.
AFTERNOON SESSION
Momentum Swings, Composure & High-Stakes Recovery
Krzysztof Ratajski 4–3 Wesley Plaisier
(0–3, 3–0, 1–3, 2–3, 3–2, 3–2, 3–1)
Ratajski survived a major scare, recovering from 3–1 down and three missed match darts to mount a composed comeback. Four ton-plus finishes — including a decisive 116 — sealed one of the tightest contests of the day.
Luke Woodhouse 4–1 Andrew Gilding
(3–1, 1–3, 3–0, 3–0, 3–2)
After a measured opening, Woodhouse found top gear. Averaging over 103 across the final three sets, he pulled clear decisively to reach the last 16 for a second straight year.
Jonny Clayton 4–3 Niels Zonneveld
(3–2, 1–3, 3–0, 0–3, 3–2, 1–3, 3–0)
A contest defined by quality and nerve. Both players averaged above 98 as momentum swung repeatedly, before Clayton asserted control in the deciding set to progress for the fifth consecutive year.
Key Session Insights
Number of 180’s scored in this session - 34
Highest outshot of the session – 152 (Krzysztof Ratajski and Andrew Gilding)
Highest 3 dart average - 99.36 (Niels Zonneveld)
EVENING SESSION
Breakthroughs, Shock Exits & Statement Performances
Andreas Harrysson 4–2 Ricardo Pietreczko
(3–2, 2–3, 3–0, 1–3, 3–0, 3–1)
Harrysson’s dream debut continued. Never trailing, the Swede absorbed pressure before closing strongly, taking six of the final seven legs to move into the last 16.
James Hurrell 4–3 Stephen Bunting
(3–1, 2–3, 2–3, 3–0, 3–1, 2–3, 3–1)
The biggest shock of the weekend so far. Hurrell dumped out fourth seed Bunting despite massive finishes from the former champion. Averaging over 98, Hurrell controlled the leg count and delivered when it mattered most.
Luke Littler 4–0 Mensur Suljovic
(3–0, 3–0, 3–2, 3–1)
A performance for the record books. Littler averaged 107+, converted 71% of his doubles, and never dropped a set. Seven straight legs set the tone as the reigning champion underlined his title credentials emphatically.
Key Session Insights
Number of 180’s scored in this session - 34
Highest outshot of the session – 161 (Stephen Bunting)
Highest 3 dart average - 107.09 (Luke Littler)
HUMPHRIES HOLDS FIRM AS MVG AND ANDERSON EDGE TOWARDS A SHOWDOWN
Day Fifteen ripped through round three with no let-up, delivering raw power, survival under pressure and the moment the draw finally snapped into focus. More star power arrived at Ally Pally as Tottenham Hotspur duo James Maddison and Brennan Johnson were spotted in the crowd, adding to the noise as the atmosphere surged inside the Palace. Gary Anderson unloaded 14 maximums in a five-set battle, Ryan Searle blasted past the 102+ average mark, Luke Humphries held his nerve in a six-set dogfight, and Michael van Gerwen did exactly what champions do — moved on and locked in a heavyweight collision that now dominates the title conversation.
AFTERNOON SESSION
Experience Tested, Margins Exposed
Ryan Searle 4–0 Martin Schindler
(3–1, 3–1, 3–0, 3–0)
Searle was relentless. Posting a 102.29 average, he capitalised on missed chances and reeled off nine consecutive legs to secure a dominant whitewash.
Rob Cross 4–0 Damon Heta
(3–1, 3–2, 3–2, 3–1)
Another composed display from Cross. The former World Champion survived early set darts before asserting full control to book a round-four clash with Luke Littler.
Gary Anderson 4–3 Jermaine Wattimena
(3–1, 0–3, 3–1, 3–2, 2–3, 2–3, 5–3)
High drama throughout. Anderson missed a double 12 for a nine-darter and four match darts, but powered through in a tie-break, hammering in 14 maximums to keep his campaign alive.
Key Session Insights
Number of 180’s scored in this session - 42
Highest outshot of the session – 151 (Ryan Searle)
Highest 3 dart average - 102.29 (Ryan Searle)
EVENING SESSION
Pressure, Recovery & Championship Poise
Gian van Veen 4–1 Madars Razma
(3–1, 3–1, 3–0, 0–3, 3–0)
Van Veen continued to impress, building a commanding lead before closing the match with a stylish 125 checkout to reach the last 16.
Luke Humphries 4–2 Gabriel Clemens
(3–1, 3–1, 3–2, 0–3, 2–3, 3–2)
Humphries was pushed to the limit. After racing into a 3–0 lead, he withstood a fierce Clemens comeback - including a 100+ German average before producing nerveless finishes to survive.
Michael van Gerwen 4–1 Arno Merk
(3–1, 3–0, 1–3, 3–1, 3–1)
Van Gerwen remained composed and clinical. After a brief wobble, the three-time champion won six of the final eight legs to secure a blockbuster round-four meeting with Anderson.
Key Session Insights
Number of 180’s scored in this session - 36
Highest outshot of the session – 170 (Luke Humphries)
Highest 3 dart average – 101.49 (Gabriel Clemens)
LOOKING AHEAD
The tournament now shifts into overdrive as round four takes centre stage at Ally Pally. Heavyweights collide, momentum is tested, and margins tighten with every set. With form building, confidence rising and pressure at its peak, the next sessions promise zero margin for error as the race for the Sid Waddell Trophy accelerates.
Monday December 29
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
Round Three
Justin Hood v Ryan Meikle
Ricky Evans v Charlie Manby
Nathan Aspinall v Kevin Doets
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
Round Three x1
Josh Rock v Callan Rydz
Round Four x2
James Hurrell v Ryan Searle
Luke Littler v Rob Cross
Best of Seven Sets
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