What’s going on? Jonny Clayton doesn’t usually hang about in Blackpool – he’s oftenback home ferreting before most players have even finished their midweek media rounds.But not this year.
The Ferret is one match away from the final after a flying start helped him to a commanding victory over Stephen Bunting.
In fairness, Clayton did hang around until the end a couple of years ago – finishing runner-up to Nathan Aspinall – and now he’s making a solid attempt at defending that rather tasty paycheque.
This was one of those matches where the crowd didn’t know who to cheer for – two of the most likeable players on the circuit, going toe-to-toe in a quarter-final that had “tie-break” written all over it. But when the fourth and fifth seeds collide, the start matters. Clayton’s was excellent. Bunting’s was a complete write-off.
At the first ad break – or “intermission” if you’re John Part – it was 5-0 to Clayton. Not ideal.Although Bunting managed to get on the board, by the end of the second session he was still 7-3 behind – only just within range of Jonny’s tail-lights.
The Welshman stretched the gap to 10-5 and from that point on, Bunting was chasing shadows. The scoreboard crept up: 11-7, 12-7, 13-7… you get the idea. I briefly paused at 15-7 to watch the moment live – and sure enough, Clayton finished things in style with a crisp 118 checkout.Job done.
The Ferret’s into the last four, where he’ll face James Wade on Saturday night for a shot at his second World Matchplay final.In the press conference, I had a few pressing questions lined up for Jonny.
One darts-related, one animal-themed, and the last – well, a touch delicate. First up, the flying start. Given how evenly matched they were in the rankings and on paper, that early lead felt massive:
“I think that was massive, 5-0,” said Clayton. “I didn’t expect it, I don’t think the public expected it either. If you were a betting person, I don’t think anyone would have predicted that score after one session – but it happened, and it was good for me.
”Next came the animal question. With an Eagle, a Tiger and an Asp having all lifted the Matchplay trophy over the years (Google it if you’re confused), I asked Jonny how nice it would be for a Ferret to finally get his paws on it:
“Ooh, imagine. It’d be great to win it – I’d love to win it.”He is imagining – and if he wins two more matches, he won’t need to.
Finally, I asked whether wrestling superstar, Hulk Hogan’s demise today had disrupted his preparation.
“Absolutely. We used to go to the same gym,” he said, before adding with a grin,
“Obviously not – if he picked me up, he’d throw me out of the arena…”
I suspect he was fibbing. Jonny’s a great darts player, but he doesn’t strike me as a regular at Pure Gym.
