CLAYTON LOSES OUT IN THRILLER
JONNY Clayton’s world title dream is over after he suffered a third-round exit in a dramatic encounter at Alexandra Palace.
The Pontyberem darts ace was beaten 4-3 in a deciding-leg sudden-death thriller by close friend Joe Cullen at the third-round stage.
Cullen completed an epic victory with a magnificent checkout.
With Clayton requiring just 40 to reach the last 16, Cullen needed 100 for victory. He threw a single 20 with his first dart, then remarkably followed it up with a pair of double 20s to reach the fourth round for the first time in 11 appearances.
It was the eighth 100-plus checkout of the match, with both players firing in four apiece.
In a high-quality contest, there were also 13 maximums thrown, with Clayton bagging seven of them.
Cullen made a fast start by moving 2-0 up, only for Clayton to fight back by taking the third 3-0 with the help of checkouts of 106 and 114.
Cullen then missed two darts to open up a 3-1 advantage as Clayton – a World Cup winner last month – restored parity. Then he won his third set in a row to move ahead.
But Cullen would not lie down and took the sixth set 3-0 before hitting back from 2-0 down in the decider that he went on to clinch in amazing fashion.
Clayton later said on Twitter: “Ah well, the dream comes to an end again. Well done to a great mate.”
Cullen said: “I’ve got a shocking record here so to come back and win the way I did is very pleasing.
“It’s not often that I give myself credit but I don’t mind saying I’m proud of myself.
“I knew the 100 checkout to win it had to go because Jonny was waiting on a double.
“The first dart at tops was so inviting for the second. It takes some doing to come back the way I did.” Former PDC semifinalist Jamie Lewis (circled, left) exited the tournament at the second-round stage.
But Lewis, who hails from Cardigan and now lives in Carmarthen, was far from downbeat after he pushed fellow Welsh star Gerwyn Price all the way before losing 3-2.
Price struggled early on, but improved in the second set and threw a 160 checkout to seal the third set.
But 29-year-old Lewis, who has recently returned to the sport after struggling with anxiety, fought back to take the fourth.
However, number three seed Price won the decider to progress.
Lewis’s form has deserted him this year, but his display against Price – and his performance in defeating Luke Woodhouse in the first round – shows he is returning to something like his best.
Lewis recovered from two down to beat Woodhouse.
His opponent flew out of the blocks and landed four ton-plus finishes as he opened up a two-set lead.
But Lewis won six of the next eight legs to send the match to a deciding set.
Woodhouse took the opening leg of the decider, but checkouts of 85, 61 and 100 from Lewis gave him victory.
“I started off really badly. I thought I was going to lose 3-0 and be going home,” he said.
“I started playing a bit more like I can and got the job done.” sets