Richie Howson ended his wait for a first televised title at the 2024 World Seniors Champion of Champions with a 13-10 victory over Andy Hamilton in the final.
Howson had suffered defeat in three televised finals last year but finally entered the winner’s circle following a series of superb displays in Blackpool.
The 58-year-old, who qualified for the event via the WSDT Order of Merit after Lisa Ashton declined her invitation, battled back from 8-6 down to win seven of the last nine legs in a hard-fought final.
Having thrashed defending champion Leonard Gates 10-2 on Saturday in a repeat of the 2023 final, Howson then sealed his spot in the final with a 13-11 victory over Martin Adams on Sunday afternoon.
The Essex ace made a slow start to the final, gifting Hamilton a 3-0 lead before taking out 86 on the bull to close the gap to 3-2.
Howson hit the front for the first time at 5-4 courtesy of a 14-darter in leg nine, but only for Hamilton to clinch four of the next five legs to make it 8-6.
Howson hit back with another 14-darter en route to levelling the contest at eight-all, and but after Hamilton nudge back in front, ‘The Owl’ took control of the tie courtesy of a run of four straight legs.
Hamilton stopped the rot in leg 22 to keep his hopes alive, but Howson closed out the match in style with a clinical 13-darter on double eight.
“This has been a while coming,” admitted Howson. “I really thought I could win one of these, but until you actually do, you don’t know.
“I’m just absolutely over the moon.
“Andy is a fighter like you’ve never played before up there. He just does not let you go. I don’t know how I managed to nick a couple of legs at the end there.
“I’m just so grateful that I’ve finally won one. It means everything. All that I’ve been doing for the last three years on the Seniors tour has been working up towards winning one of these.
“I’ve put in a lot of hard work and it’s finally paid off.”
Hamilton, who came through the final Golden Ticket qualifier to earn his debut in the event, fell narrowly short of a first televised title of his own.
“I came up short in the final, the best player won on the night,” reflected Hamilton.
“I’ve tried my hardest, it wasn’t my night but I’ll be back again. The Hammer always comes back.
“I’m playing great darts, I’m competitive, I hate losing without a doubt, I’m just disappointed I didn’t play my best game in the final but I’ll move on from this and get better.”
The former PDC world finalist defeated reigning World Seniors champion John Henderson 10-8 in the quarter-finals, before firing in seven 180s and a high checkout of 144 in a 13-11 success over Richard-Eirig Rowlands in the semi-finals.
World Seniors Champion of Champions 2024 Schedule
Sunday March 24
Semi-Finals
Richie Howson 13-11 Martin Adams
Andy Hamilton 13-11 Richard-Eirig Rowlands
Final
Richie Howson 13-10 Andy Hamilton
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