The Ferret, Jonny Clayton had to dig as deep as his nickname suggests to finally squeeze his way through to the last 16 of the 2026 PDC Paddy Power World Championship – and goodness me, he earned it.
In another white-knuckle Ally Pally classic, the sole remaining Welshman in the tournament eventually galloped home in a deciding set, but only after surviving a ferocious, no-nonsense challenge from the hugely impressive Niels Zonneveld.Clayton struck first, pinching the opening set and briefly hinting at control. That illusion didn’t last long.
Zonneveld refused to go away, clinging to the Ferret’s coat-tails like a man possessed, dragging the match into a full-blown scrap. Soon enough it was 2-2. Then 3-3. Both men trading haymakers, power scoring flowing freely, tension thick enough to slice with a dart point.A tie-break loomed. The crowd braced. Then, just when it mattered most, the world number five slammed the door shut.
Three straight legs. No discussion. No appeal. Just ruthless execution and an unmistakable look of relief washing over Clayton’s face as he crossed the line. Job done – just.
He now waits to see whether Andreas Harrysson or Ricardo Pietreczko will attempt to derail him next.
Earlier in the day, the post-Christmas action was ignited by a classic comeback from Polish number one Krzysztof Ratajski, who refused to lie down against Dutchman Wesley Plaisier. After an even exchange of the opening two sets, Plaisier found momentum and suddenly surged into a commanding 3-1 lead. At that point, it looked ominous.
But Ratajski is forged from stern stuff – a Polish Eagle who does not relinquish his perch easily. Grit, belief, and sheer bloody-mindedness dragged him back into the fight, clawing the deficit away before sealing victory in a seventh-set decider and ending Plaisier’s excellent run.Awaiting him next is Luke Woodhouse, the only man from the afternoon session to emerge with something resembling serenity.
Woodhouse edged the opening exchanges with Andrew Gilding, but once parity was established, Woody floored the accelerator. Goldfinger, by contrast, seemed to hit the brakes hard. A composed, assured win for the Harrows man, who marches into round four having equalled his best-ever World Championship run – achieved just twelve months ago.
Drama. Grit. Deciders. Ally Pally, very much back in full working order.
SATURDAY 27th DECEMBER – Afternoon Session Report Round Four
Wesley Plaisier 3-4 Krzysztof Ratajski
Andrew Gilding 1-4 Luke Woodhouse
Jonny Clayton 4-3 Niels Zonnerveld
—–Ends—–
Images: PDC
