Darts
2024 World Matchplay: Ryan Searle Put Out The Heat to Book Rob Cross Clash
Searle defeats Heta 10-4, advances to face Rob Cross in World Matchplay's next round.
In a thrilling first-round encounter at the World Matchplay, Damon Heta faced off against Ryan Searle on the iconic Winter Gardens stage.
Heta, who entered as the seeded player, aimed to secure a spot in the next round against Rob Cross by winning a race to 10 legs.
Ryan Searle on Heat
Despite an early 2-0 lead, courtesy of some sharp two-dart finishes, Heta found himself challenged by Searle's impressive scoring.
Searle, known as "Heavy Metal," turned the tide with a spectacular 167-checkout in the third leg, igniting his comeback. He followed this with a remarkable 142 three-dart checkout, neatly finished on double tops, to level the match at 2-2.
Maintaining his momentum, Searle clinched a third consecutive leg to take a 3-2 lead heading into the first mid-match interval.
Brutal Big Finishes from Searle
Heta faced a series of missed opportunities as Searle continued his relentless pursuit of victory, winning the next two legs to secure a confident 5-2 lead. Heta's struggles were evident as Searle extended his streak to five consecutive legs.
The Australian managed to halt Searle's momentum by holding his throw in the eighth leg, reducing the deficit to 5-3.
Although, the man from Somerset quickly reasserted his dominance, regaining a three-leg advantage at 6-3.
The onslaught didn't stop there; Searle delivered his third ton-plus checkout of the match, a stunning 130 finish on the bull, pushing his lead to a commanding 7-3 as they headed into the second interval.
Image credit: Professional Darts Corporation (PDC)
Heavy Metal Advances
Facing an uphill battle, Heta began to show his precision with a solid break of throw that included five perfect darts.
Again, Searle's relentless nature prevailed as he immediately broke back to extend his lead to 8-4.
Despite Heta's efforts, he couldn't match Searle's dominance and ultimately lost the match 10-4.
Searle now advances to face former Matchplay champion Rob Cross in the next round.
Stay tuned to SportsBoom.com for live updates, post-match reports, and interviews from the legendary Winter Gardens in Blackpool. Don't miss a moment of the action!
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