Hayter Hits Championship Tour Double

Gemma Hayter claimed a double of Women’s Amateur Darts Circuit Championship Tour wins, in her first appearance at Eston Sports Academy this year.

Gemma defeated Steph Clarke 5-2 in the Event 5 Final, averaging just shy of 80 and hitting 2 180s. She then went on to claim Event 8, clinching a 5-4 win against last year’s WADC Finals Day winner Deta Hedman in the Final.

Hayter included a crucial 150 score in the deciding leg against Deta, leaving double 18 to put Hedman under pressure.

“It’s a big one to win, it’s always been Semi Finals so to get my first one is a big relief. I’ve just got to knuckle down now, keep doing what I’m doing and play my own game.”

“I’m buzzing, there were a few nervy games, but you need nerves to spur you on. It was a nice setup and it put the pressure on Deta, luckily the double snuck in at the end.”

The Hampshire player signed with MODUS at the back end of last week and has now added a pair of WADC Championship Tour Titles. Gemma has also put herself into the mix to secure a Finals Day spot at the MODUS Super Series, sitting 5^th in the rankings with 164 points.

The England international was involved in a quality contest with Fallon Sherrock in the Semi Finals of Event 5, averaging 88.69, hitting 2 180s and including a 13-dart leg.

“Fallon speaks for herself; she’s a massive player and it was a really good game. I enjoyed it, but I also know Steph (Clarke) she’s an England player, you can’t count anyone out now, it’s a different level.”

After her maiden event win we caught up with Gemma:

🗣️@WomensADC Championship Tour Event 5 winner Gemma Hayter speaks to DW on the back of winning £500 in prize money in Middlesbrough. 👏👏

Gemma continues what has been a fantastic start to the year, already reaching the Semi Finals on the PDC Women’s Series. pic.twitter.com/0lA1h4IONQ
— Darts World Magazine (@Darts_World) May 25, 2024

Vicky Pruim came into the second weekend of the Championship Tour as the number one ranked player, reaching 2 Finals back in March. Vicky ended the weekend top of the pile once again, having beaten Red Dragon star Natalie Gilbert 5-3 in the Event 7 Final.

The Sweden international pinned a 95 finish on the bullseye to clinch the £500 winner’s cheque in Middlesbrough, whilst coming through some high-quality matches earlier in the tournament against Gemma Hayter, Angela Kirkwood, and Joanne Oldershaw: who hit a 116 finish to send the Semi Final into a 9^th and Final leg.

“I just thought keep calm, let them fly, you’ve been playing well, so just keep going. In the end, I started bad in that leg, but I hit a 140 and a 137 to leave myself on the winning double. I hit it and thought thank you, I’m going to buy a lottery ticket now.”

“A few games were edgy, I missed doubles to let the other person back in, and they took advantage of it. It’s good to see Natalie play like that in the Final, I didn’t want her too, but she played well. I was glad to get over the line, the bullseye went in, and it was pure relief.”

Fallon Sherrock was the weekend’s other winner after a 5-1 win over Gemma Hayter in the Final of Event 6 averaging 93.88. The Queen of the Palace is 16 points behind Pruim in the rankings having played 6 of the 8 competitions so far.

“Going into today, I wasn’t sure how I was going to play. Playing Gemma (Hayter) in the first competition really woke me up for the second one, so I’m really happy how I’ve done.”

Hayter included a 140 checkout to take the opening leg of the Final of Event 6, but Fallon reacted emphatically, reeling 5 legs in a row to take the title.

“After Gemma hit the 140, it gave me a wake-up call. To me, that’s sending me a message: I’m here and I’m not going to fold. I needed to step up if I wanted to win, she’s so relentless, a very good player and constantly solid. I was relieved to get over the winning line.”

Darts World spoke to Gemma for the second time in as many days after her superb effort:

🗣️Champions Reaction 🚨

A relieved Gemma Hayter was happy to finally get over the line in a highly contested Final by both players.

It’s been a fantastic last few days for Gemma having signed with @ModusDarts180 and now winning 2 @WomensADC Championship Tours! 🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/BeeqDcDKpE
— Darts World Magazine (@Darts_World) May 26, 2024

Steph Clarke had an impressive weekend in Middlesbrough, reaching 1 Final and 2 Quarter Finals to move 12^th in the rankings, having played 4 of the 8 tournaments.

Angela Kirkwood is well positioned at the halfway stage, sitting 3^rd in the rankings with 249 points. “Girl on Fire” is 57 points ahead of Deta Hedman in 4^th, with Gemma Hayter and Lorraine Hyde in 5^th and 6^th place.

Congratulations to Vicky Pruim and Fallon Sherrock who both picked up 2^nd wins on the WADC Championship Tour this year, along with Gemma Hayter who played her first weekend, won 2 competitions and walked away £1000 richer.