Leonard Gates and Danny Lauby Jr will take to the oche at the lakeside in the 2023 WDF World Darts Championship. Not only will the winner stake their claim to a quarterfinal spot but they will also be the last USA player still standing in the men’s event.
After Jim Widmayer’s defeat to Jonny Tata this afternoon, the match features the remaining United States players in the competition with a spot in the Quarter Finals up for grabs.
The Soulger has enjoyed a strong return this time around at Lakeside after an early exit to Steve Hine in April last year, defeating Brian Corbett and 11th Seed John Scott in his run to the Last 16.
After the defeat at Lakeside in 2022, the Texas born player has gone from strength to strength having won 3 televised titles on the World Seniors Darts Circuit, a PDC title and a win on his debut at the Alexandra Palace against Geert Nentjes.
6th Seed Lauby opened his account in Surrey with a 3-0 victory over Jarno Bottenberg last night, averaging 91.20 with 2 180s. The 30-year-old dropped just one leg over the three sets with Jarno, finishing at a rate of 50% on his first outing at the home of world darts.
Lauby has played a wide variety of darts in an attempt to gain some experience and seasoning for these big occasions. The target player has thrown in local open across the UK as well as County and ADC events as well other ‘grass roots’ style arrows. He has also been on strong WDF across Europe.
Both players took part in the MODUS Super Series leading up to Lakeside with Leonard including a 9 darter in his Group B clash with Martin Thomas. The 3 Time Seniors Major Champion went on to reach the Final where he lost out to Red Dragon player Chas Barstow at the Live Lounge.
Danny reached Finals Night last week after finishing 2nd in Group C behind Stefen Bellmont, however he fell short at the group stage having lost to both Marcel Walpen and Jacob Taylor on Saturday night.
Both players are fluent non-nonsense in style and can hit spells of sublime form. If both manage to find their natural games it could be a contest of real fireworks and go a long way!
The winner will face a Dutchman in the Quarter Final, with 2006 World Champion Jelle Klaasen taking on Dennie Olde Kalter earlier in the night for a place in the Last 8.
Defending Champion Neil Duff also returns looking to keep up his 100% record on the Lakeside stage after defeating Moreno Blom 3-1 in the 2nd Round. Duffman will face 15th Seed Martyn Turner who defeated Liam Maendl-Lawrance on his first appearance at the home of world darts on Tuesday.
4 Time Ladies World Champion Lisa Ashton will open her account in the 2023 Ladies World Championship against Priscilla Steenbergen, with the winner to face 2022 Runner Up Kirsty Hutchinson in the Quarter Finals.
2023 WDF World Darts Championship: Evening Session Order of Play
Last 16:
Jelle Klaasen (3) v Dennie Older Kalter
Lisa Ashton (3) v Priscilla Steenbergen
Neil Duff (2) v Martyn Turner (15)
Danny Lauby Jr (6) v Leonard Gates
—–ENDS—–
Images: Chris Sargeant/WDF
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