In a thrilling finish at the WDF World Darts Championship final, Jimmy van Schie overcame a threeset deficit to claim victory over Mitchell Lawrie, winning 63. The match, held at Lakeside, highlighted the exceptional talent of both competitors, with Lawrie, only 15 years old, breaking records as the youngest player ever to compete in this prestigious event.
Match Highlights
The final began with Lawrie seizing an early lead, winning the first set after a tense finalleg decider. He maintained momentum, racing to a 30 advantage in sets. However, Jimmy van Schie displayed remarkable resilience, coming back to win six out of the next seven sets.
Performance Stats
- Final Score: Jimmy van Schie 6 3 Mitchell Lawrie
- Average scores: Both players averaged over 93
- Maximums: 21 scored between the two competitors
- Final Set Decider: Lawrie failed to convert a critical double, allowing van Schie to secure victory on double five.
Key Moments
Van Schie’s win was marked by an impressive 86 checkout in a finalleg shootout during the fourth set. He narrowly missed a ninedarter in the fifth, hitting the D18 wire after eight perfect darts, showcasing his incredible skill and tension during the match.
Quotes from the Finalists
After the match, van Schie praised Lawrie’s talent, stating, “He’s a phenomenal player… I had to keep believing in myself.” Lawrie reflected on his performance: “I went three sets up and then just couldn’t hit anything… It’s a great achievement to have got here, but I just wasn’t good enough in the end.”
Other Championship Results
Earlier in the day, Lawrie won the WDF World Youth Championship final against Florian Preis with a dominating 42 score. Meanwhile, in the women’s final, Deta Hedman, 66, claimed her first WDF Women’s World Championship title by defeating Lerena Rietbergen 41.
Deta Hedman’s Achievement
Hedman made history as she became the oldestever World Champion at Lakeside. After initially falling behind, she scored five consecutive legs, finishing with a notable 112 checkout to secure her victory. This win marks a significant milestone, avenging three previous losses in earlier finals.
As darts continues to evolve, the performances at the WDF World Darts Championship highlight the future potential of both emerging talents like Mitchell Lawrie and established players such as Jimmy van Schie and Deta Hedman. The thrilling matches set the stage for the upcoming Paddy Power World Darts Championship, scheduled from December 11 to January 3, broadcast live on Sky Sports.