Davies blitzes ‘Boomerang’ to reach semi-final

WALES’ Ritchie Davies blitzed reigning champion Tony David to clinch his place in the semi-finals of the Embassy World Darts Championship in Frimley Green last night.

The computer engineer, who lost 3-1 to David in the first round 12 months ago, produced an awesome performance to inflict a 5-0 defeat on the ‘Deadly Boomerang’.

Davies nailed double 10 for a 14-dart first leg and followed up with a 15-darter to take the second . He then took out double 10 to clinch the first set. The first four legs of the second were shared before Davies held his nerve to hit double 10 for a 2-0 lead.

David led 2-1 in the third set but his rival fought hard and levelled with a successful attempt at double 10.

The Australian was beginning to feel the pressure and missed double top. The confidence in Davies was flowing and he capitalised to open up a three-set lead.

The qualifier also reeled off the next two legs, increasing his checkout percentage to over 47, before David responded with a 110 finish.

However, the Aberdare thrower hit double 12 to take a four-set lead into the interval.

David would have been delighted with the break in play to try and regain his composure, but there was no let-up when they returned to the oche.

Davies won the first leg with an 11-dart finish before following up with an 81 checkout.

David nailed two double 20s to force another deciding leg, but Davies finished in style with a 121 checkout.

“I never thought I would have beaten him by that score,” admitted Davies afterwards. “I was just focused when I went up there tonight but I never expected to do it in that style.

“As the games were going on everything came together, my finishing and my scoring.

“I knew that Tony had started slowly in his previous two games and I thought that if I could start quickly and pressure him, then I had a chance.

“But 5-0 was a bit of surprise, I never expected to do that.”

David said: “Ritchie’s got ability, talent and tonight he played the better darts.”