The second block of events at ADC Winmau Championship North commenced at Middlesbrough Sports Village, and Irish eyes were smiling on a sweltering Saturday in the North East, as Steve Lennon scooped both titles on offer on day one.
The Carlow native was coming into the weekend on the back of success a week earlier, as he took both ADC Ireland Championship events as well as a win in the doubles competition.
Lennon was in sparkling form all day on Teesside, and he won Event Five in some style, averaging over 105 to take a 5-2 win in the final against Jack Main.
The Irishman began his day with a pair of whitewash wins against Ridley Ladigus and Michael Williams respectively, and after getting past John-Sebastian Wright, he then defeated Harrison Leigh to make the quarter finals.
A routine 5-0 win against Ryan Hawkes booked a place in the last four, and that’s where Lennon really came into his own. A truly stunning 107.19 average accounted for the in-form Carl Batchelor as Lennon marched into the final, where ‘Main Man’ Main would await him.
Main opened with a 98.56 average in a whitewash of Ozzy Ayres, and after easing past Ronan McDonagh, he averaged over 90 to seal a 5-3 win over Gary Hayes, who had put out the likes of table-topper Daniel Ayres and multiple ADC event winner Chris Wickenden earlier in the day.
A 5-2 win against Phil Coward preceded a last-leg success against Danny Trueman as Main advanced to the final. Lennon dominated though, going 4-0 up against a backdrop of power scoring, and although Main fought back, Lennon wasn’t for beating, and he took the spoils and the £1,000 first prize.
Like London buses, after winning his first ADC title on UK soil, Lennon doubled up, working hard throughout Event Six before winning 5-2 again in the final, this time against Lewis Pride.
He averaged over 99 to take a 4-3 win in round one against Ryan Hogarth, and he went the distance again to make the last 32 at the expense of Michael Winspear.
After seeing off Willie Borland, Lennon went the distance again, edging Vince Tipple 5-4, and after thrashing Ash Coleman 5-1 in the last eight, he then withstood a fightback from Daniel Ayres, who rallied from 4-1 down before Lennon secured victory in the deciding leg.
Yorkshireman Pride would be the opposition, and the Event Three winner had more serene progress to the showpiece.
A recent call-up to the PDC Pro Tour, Pride started with wins against Ben Hodgson and Riley Emery, before he scored an impressive whitewash win against Oliver Mitchell. After easing past Richie Parkin, Pride then produced a sublime 107.36 average to move into the semi-finals at the expense of Alan Boyd, who was defeated 5-0. Pride would then have to work hard to make the final, winning through 5-3 against Andrew Ingman.
Pride started well in the final itself, a 124 finish giving him an early lead, but Lennon responded with a 120 kill to level. Although Pride closed to 3-2 behind, Lennon wouldn’t be denied, and a 17-darter was enough to seal a second title on the day, and to catapult him up to second in the standings.
The action continues on Sunday, with Events Seven and Eight scheduled.
