Lakeside erupted into a glorious collision of past and future tonight, serving fans a molten cocktail of youth, experience and pure darting theatre as a bona fide legend and a star-in-the-making both ignited the iconic stage.
First up, the kid who’s tearing up the rulebook. Mitchell Lawrie – the teenage cyclone, the 15-year-old whirlwind of tungsten – continued his riotous march through the field by posting the highest average of the tournament so far. And he didn’t just beat number two seed Jason Brandon… he obliterated him. A whitewash so clean it practically gleamed under the Lakeside lights.
The talented American entered Surrey as one of the favourites to lift the title. But anyone who’s watched the Scottish prodigy carve through opponents this season knew Brandon was walking into a storm. Two sets in and Wee Sox was gliding, barely needing to break sweat as he dropped only a single leg. Brandon rallied and dragged the third to a decider, but Lawrie – cold, calm, ruthless – took the crucial leg and booked a showdown with another American, Jeff Springer.
Springer himself was meant to face Andy Davidson, but fate intervened. The Scot withdrew through illness, granting “The Stinger” a free pass into the next round and straight into the path of Lawrie’s lightning.
At the opposite end of the darting spectrum, experience roared back into the spotlight. The incomparable Deta Hedman – a woman who has more big-stage moments than most players have pub league nights – once again proved that age is merely a mathematical inconvenience. The resolute looking 66-year-old icon clawed back from a set down to topple Japan’s Mikuru Suzuki 2-1, powering into yet another quarter-final.
There, the Caribbean Queen will meet sixth seed Sophie McKinley, after the Scot edged out young Paige Pauling. Not that Pauling’s week is over – the teenager now turns her attention to chasing a third straight Girls title.
Speaking of rising stars, Coventry’s Jenson Walker continues to stride toward the sport’s upper tiers. “The Interceptor” wasn’t firing at full throttle, but even in a much lower gear he had too much for a similarly off-song David Fatum, running out a solid 3-1 winner over the North American. Next on Walker’s hit list: Australia’s Raymond Smith in what promises to be a belter.
And completing tonight’s round-up, the match that opened the show. Qualifier Stephen Rosney refuses to let reality interfere with his fairytale. The Irishman swept aside Switzerland’s Thomas Junghans in straight sets to keep the dream alive. New Zealand now stands in his way as the next chapter awaits.
Two sessions await tomorrow, starting at noon with fourth seed James Beeton taking on Caleb Hope – and if tonight is anything to go by, Lakeside is about to serve up more fireworks.
Wednesday Night – Results
Open Round 2: Thomas Junghans (14) 0-3 Stephen Rosney
Women’s Round 2: Sophie McKinlay (6) 2-1 Paige Pauling
Open Round 2: Andy Davidson (15) w/o Jeff Springer Jr
Open Round 2: David Fatum (6) 1-3 Jenson Walker
Women’s Round 2: Deta Hedman (3) 2-1 Mikuru Suzuki
Open Round 2: Jason Brandon (2) 0-3 Mitchell Lawrie
——ENDS——
Images: Chris Sargeant / WDF
