Former UK Open champion Andrew Gilding claimed a tense 12–10 victory over Damon Heta in a dramatic opening-round clash to kick off Sunday afternoon at the 2025 Betfred World Matchplay.
Blackpool has never been the kindest of hosts for The Heat. Aside from a lone quarter-final run in 2023, Heta has now suffered four first-round exits – the latest despite averaging over a ton.Gilding, meanwhile, had to dig deep. Trailing 4–1 going into the first interval, he proverbially needed to pull his Goldfinger out. And to his credit, he did – clawing his way back to level at 6–6.
From there, the match became a tight affair, the pair trading blows in one- or two-leg bursts, neither man able to pull clear.
At 10–10, we headed into overtime, with the old ‘must win by two clear legs’ rule looming large.In a match that swung back and forth like a pub door in a coastal breeze, it was Gilding – calm, composed, and unmistakably unhurried – who found the right darts at the right time.
He broke Heta’s throw then held his nerve to seal it 12–10 and send the Antipodean packing.It’s a big win for the Suffolk man, who now finds himself in the last 16 for the second year running – once again reminding everyone that, yes, he really did win a TV major not all that long ago.
We haven’t forgotten, Andrew. And if you keep this up, neither will Blackpool.
Sadly on the other side of the coin – for Damon – The Heat is off (back home)
—–Ends—–
Images: Taylor Lanning / PDC
