THE World Seniors Champion of Champions has come to a thrilling end – and it is Richie Howson who lifts the Blackpool title after beating Andy Hamilton.
Howson, 58, eventually held off a Hamilton comeback to win the match 13-10.
But it was a disappointing tournament for 16-time world champion Phil Taylor who crashed out in his first match against Martin Adams.
Scores on the doors
Luke Humphries is leading the Premier League darts table after picking up his third successive win – with the roadshow moving on to Belfast next.
Teenage sensation Luke Littler has made a phenomenal start to his debut season, sitting third with 11 points – and heads into Nottingham in fine form after winning the Belgian Open.
The 17-year-old starlet has been fired into the limelight ever since his phenomenal performance at the 2023-24 World Championships.
The wonderkid was the youngest-ever finalist at the prestigious tournament but was beaten on the night by World No1 Luke Humphries.
Since then, however, Littler has picked up his first title as a pro, winning the Bahrain Darts Masters.
But the teen sensation did lose in the Dutch Darts Masters final to Michael van Gerwen.
After the Worlds, Littler was invited to play in the Premier League, and the 17-year-old has continued to raise eyebrows on his debut season.
Ecstatic Howson hails Blackpool crowd
Beaming Richie Howson says there’s “no better feeling” than winning his first major title.
Howson beat Andy Hamilton in yesterday’s final of the World Seniors’ Champions of Champions tournament in Blackpool.
The Londoner, 58, a three-time runner-up last year, revealed his ecstatic reaction on making it fourth time lucky.
He said: “I’ve finally, finally done it. The emotions just run through.
“And the crowds have been absolutely fantastic this weekend, and all you can hear is them cheering.
“There’s no better feeling. Everyone wants to be a winner and it’s a great feeling.”
Howson ‘kept himself together’
Darts legend Bobby George praised Richie Howson for holding his nerve to finally land his first major title via his fourth final.
Londoner Howson, 58, was runner-up on the senior circuit last year in the World Championship, Masters and Champion tournaments.
And after Howson won five of the last six frames to beat Andy Hamilton 13-10, George told the BBC: “He deserved it.
“As soon as he broke he was in command. He didn’t make mistakes near the end.
“He’s been a finalist in a major three times but now he’s won one. Being alone.“
