On familiar soil, amid the fervour and unmistakable pride of a home crowd, former Lakeside Champion Neil Duff etched his name once more into the annals of WDF history, capturing the 2026 Northern Ireland Open darts title with a performance defined by resilience, composure, and perfectly timed authority.
For the Ballyclare born stalwart, this was not merely another addition to an already impressive résumé – it was a deeply resonant triumph. A twelfth WDF ranking title, yes, but one secured on native ground, amplifying its significance and emotional weight in a manner only sport can truly deliver.
Duffman’s route to glory was anything but straightforward. While his early passage through the draw carried an air of serene control – dispatching his opening opponents without the concession of a single leg – the pattern soon shifted into something far more precarious. Three successive encounters were decided by the finest of margins, each requiring a last leg decider and an unflinching nerve.
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Mark Yeates, Steve Lennon, and Andy Coulter all pushed him to the brink, yet each time, Duff summoned the necessary resolve to prevail. A composed 4-1 victory over Alan Casey then secured his place in the final, setting the stage for a compelling showdown.
If there were any lingering doubts about his capacity to deliver under pressure, the 2022 Lakeside champ emphatically extinguished them in the final. Racing into a commanding 3-0 lead, he appeared poised for a straightforward coronation. However, his opponent Neil Withers mounted a spirited resurgence, clawing his way back to parity and threatening to overturn the contest entirely. At that pivotal juncture, Duff’s experience became the defining factor. Regrouping with steely determination, the County Antrim arrow-smith reasserted control, capturing the decisive legs required to seal a richly deserved and emotionally charged victory.
In the women’s event, Anca Zijlstra delivered a performance of equally commanding distinction. The Dutch ace secured her eighth WDF title – and her first since October 2024 – with a convincing 5-1 triumph over Paula Jacklin. The crowning moment arrived in spectacular fashion, as Zijlstra produced a breathtaking 160 checkout to punctuate her dominance. Not content with a single success, The Phoenix returned the following day to double her weekend tally, once again overcoming Jacklin, this time by a 4-2 margin, to claim the Matchplay crown and underline her resurgent form.
The Open Matchplay title on Sunday was claimed by England’s Pat Scurfield, who delivered a composed and assured performance to defeat Ireland’s Dylan Quinn 5-3 in the final, securing his maiden WDF title and departing Belfast with memories that will undoubtedly endure.
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In the youth ranks, Northern Ireland’s Elliott Thomas provided the home supporters with further cause for celebration, producing an impressive display to overcome compatriot Rocco Sterling 4-2, backed by a commendable 80 plus average. The girls’ event came tantalisingly close to delivering a home double, as Amber Toole reached the final, only to be denied by England’s Olivia Heaton, who claimed a 4-2 victory.
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There was almost further silverware for Duff in the pair’s competition. Partnering Alex Williams, the duo advanced impressively but ultimately fell short, succumbing 4-1 to the English duo of James Beaton and Lewis Gurney.
And so, the curtain falls on a captivating weekend in Belfast – one defined by home triumph, Dutch excellence, and a tapestry of performances that blended drama, precision, and sporting theatre in equal measure.
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—–ENDS—–
Images: World Senior Darts
