BDO World Darts Championship final recap: Glen Durrant 7-3 Scott Waites
Leg-by-leg report from the BDO World Darts Championship final as Glen Durrant beat Scott Waites 7-3 to win the title for the third year running.
- Scroll down for leg-by-leg report, highlights & stats
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So there you have it, an historic week at the Lakeside fittingly ends with Glen Durrant emulating the late, great Eric Bristow by winning this title for a third year in a row.
Duzza also goes down in history as the only man to be 100% from three Lakeside finals, moving ahead of Jockey Wilson and Phil Taylor who were two from their 'only' two.
The 48-year-old fully deserved it and simply had too much scoring power for the former two-time champion Waites, winning four sets on the bounce just when it looked like we could potentially go the distance just like 12 months ago.
It was typical of the affable Teesider to play down that achievement at the trophy ceremony by saying Bristow won his treble when darts was under one unified organisation - but good thing he quickly added that the likes of Scott Waites are still legends too.
He said: "That means the earth and back and to do it against an absolute Lakeside legend like Scott Waites, that really was the icing on the cake. I thought for four or five sets there he was much the better player and I just kept finding that double like I did against Jim Williams (in the semi-final) and I think I got just a little bit lucky.
"Just remember Eric Bristow won it when it was a unified organisation. I know I'm not playing Michael Van Gerwen, Michael Smith, Gary Anderson, the works. All I can do is beat legends like Scott Waites and Jim Williams so I'm mega-happy."
Waites said: "I am gutted about losing but we went into the break at three apiece and to be honest Glen didn't give me much of a chance after that. I missed a few doubles and he didn't and that's why he's champion."
FINAL MATCH STATS
Averages
- Waites: 91.38
- Durrant: 95.19
180s
- Waites: 10
- Durrant: 13
Doubles
- Waites: 18/47 (38.30%)
- Durrant: 25/54 (46.30%)
Ton+ Checkouts
- Waites: 160, 128, 104
- Durrant: 131, 106
GLEN DURRANT WINS THE BDO WORLD DARTS CHAMPIONSHIP!
SET 10 SCORE: Waites 2-3 Durrant
MATCH SCORE (Best of 13): Waites 3-7 Durrant
Leg Six
With the finishing line within touching distance, Durrant falters on his throw slightly to give Waites a real chance to break but he misses three darts at double 18! The Teesider then takes out 48 to win this title for the third year in a row. Legendary status!
Waites 2-3 Durrant
Leg Four
Duzza lands his 13th 180 to effectively seize the darts on the Waites throw and he makes the most of it with a 14-dart break, completed with a 52 checkout. He now has the throw for the title...
Waites 2-2 Durrant
Leg Three
Waites takes his tally of 180s into double figures but he can't take out 120 after failing to hit a treble and Durrant makes it hurt even more with a 114 checkout, finished on double tops, to hold the throw.
Waites 2-1 Durrant
Leg Two
The Halifax man is looking strong again and backs up his break in the previous leg with a 15-dart hold thanks to a 62 checkout.
Waites 2-0 Durrant
Leg One, Durrant to throw first
It doesn't look like Waites is down and out quite yet as a nerveless checkout from 66 sees him break the Durrant throw in 14 darts.
Waites 1-0 Durrant
THIRD INTERVAL: Waites 3-6 Durrant (Best of 13)
Odds: Duzza is 1/50 for close this match out while Waites is 12/1. Click here now for all the Sky Bet live darts markets including most 180s & highest checkout.
Averages
- Waites: 92
- Durrant: 96
180s
- Waites: 9
- Durrant: 12
Doubles
- Waites: 16/42 (38.1%)
- Durrant: 22/51 (43.14%)
Ton+ Checkouts
- Waites: 160, 128, 104
- Durrant: 131, 106
SET NINE SCORE: Waites 2-3 Durrant
MATCH SCORE (Best of 13): Waites 3-6 Durrant
Leg Five
A sloppy visit of 45 leaves Waites 206 and Durrant rubs salt into the wound with a 177 to leave eight, which he pins at the first attempt for a 13-darter. He's just one set away from equalling Eric Bristow's record of three successive titles.
Waites 2-3 Durrant
Leg Four
But don't rule out Waites, who shows great character with a 12-dart break of his own that was finished off in style with an 83 checkout.
Waites 2-2 Durrant
Leg Three
Duzza is motoring on now, with a 12th maximum and a 106 checkout breaking the Waites throw in 12 darts. When he plays like this he's formidable and few of his main rivals in the BDO can live with him.
Waites 1-2 Durrant
Leg Two
Durrant has been so strong on his own throw over the past few sets and he now serves up the joint best leg in the match, equalling Waites' early 11-darter with a clinical 87 checkout.
Waites 1-1 Durrant
Leg One, Waites to throw first
Waites isn't done yet and takes out double 16 for a comfortable 14-dart hold.
Waites 1-0 Durrant
SET EIGHT SCORE: Waites 1-3 Durrant
MATCH SCORE (Best of 13): Waites 3-5 Durrant
Leg Four
An 11th 180 from Durrant at the start of this leg against the throw puts him in command and he takes full advantage with a 70 checkout for a 14-darter. It's the first time either player has opened up a two-set lead.
Waites 1-3 Durrant
Leg Three
The two-time defending champion hardly looks ruffled as a clinical checkout from 80 completes a 14-dart leg that puts him one away from a two-set advantage in this compelling final.
Waites 1-2 Durrant
Leg Two
The first really dramatic finish to a leg as Waites spurns five darts at doubles, including going bust in the madhouse only for Durrant to blow three chances of his own for a break. The Yorkshireman finally hits double one for a 22-dart hold!
Waites 1-1 Durrant
Leg One, Durrant to throw first
Durrant maintains his momentum since the break as he hits his 10th 180 en route to a superb 13-dart leg, with Waites back on 160.
Waites 0-1 Durrant
SET SEVEN SCORE: Waites 1-3 Durrant
MATCH SCORE (Best of 13): Waites 3-4 Durrant
Leg Four
The Teesider agonisingly misses the bullseye for a 170 checkout but it matters little in terms of the leg as he returns to take out 25 for a 14-dart hold that seals the set.
Waites 1-3 Durrant
Leg Three
Durrant raises his game to break the Waites throw in 14 darts and if he holds throw in the next, he'll retake the lead in sets.
Waites 1-2 Durrant
Leg Two
Duzza responds to Waites' showstopping checkout with a comfortable 15-dart hold in which he landed his ninth 180 of the match.
Waites 1-1 Durrant
Leg One, Waites to throw first
Wow. With Durrant waiting on 70 to break Waites' throw, the Yorkshireman then pins two treble 20s and then tops for a stunning 160 checkout. That's the second time he's taken out 160 in this tournament but will still share the highest checkout prize of £5,000 with Krzysztof Kciuk and Willem Mandigers unless either player tonight can go better.
Waites 1-0 Durrant
If you're wondering where the seventh set updates are, the players have departed the stage for a longer than usual 15-minute break. I don't think it's come at a bad time for either player - it's been very even and both are producing steady darts. Hard to call and you wouldn't bet against there being a deciding set.
SECOND INTERVAL: Waites 3-3 Durrant (Best of 13)
Odds: Duzza is 1/2 to emulate Eric Bristow while you can back Waites at 6/4 for glory. Click here now for all the Sky Bet live darts markets including most 180s & highest checkout.
Averages
- Waites: 91
- Durrant: 93
180s
- Waites: 8
- Durrant: 8
Doubles
- Waites: 12/30 (40%)
- Durrant: 13/34 (38.24%)
Ton+ Checkouts
- Waites: 128, 104
- Durrant: 131
SET SIX SCORE: Waites 1-3 Durrant
MATCH SCORE (Best of 13): Waites 3-3 Durrant
Leg Four
Durrant is hardly put under any pressure against the throw - thanks largely to his eighth maximum - and goes on to seal the break which gives him the set.
Waites 1-3 Durrant
Leg Three
Waites makes all novice players feel a bit better about their own games with a visit of 23 in this leg but made an even bigger error when hitting eight instead of 16 which would have left him a shot at the bull. Durrant makes him feel worse by pinning double 16 for a pretty sloppy 20-darter. Waites will rue that - it's not often Duzza is so weak on his own throw.
Waites 1-2 Durrant
Leg Two
The Halifax man fires in an eighth 180 en route to a 14-dart hold and it must be said his finishing over the last four sets has been exemplary. Overall his checkout percentage is 40% but that takes into account his horror show in the first two sets.
Waites 1-1 Durrant
Leg One, Durrant to throw first
Nothing spectacular to write about there as Durrant pins double tops for a 17-dart leg.
Waites 0-1 Durrant
SET FIVE SCORE: Waites 3-2 Durrant
MATCH SCORE (Best of 13): Waites 3-2 Durrant
Leg Five
The Yorkshireman holds his nerve on double 16 with his last dart in hand to move ahead in sets for the first time in the match. Still over halfway from victory, however, and they'll be no let up from Durrant.
Waites 3-2 Durrant
Leg Four
Waites levels up the 180s count at seven apiece but Durrant is unfazed as more consistent scoring and a 72 checkout sees him take this set the distance.
Waites 2-2 Durrant
Leg Three
Waites is a different player to the one who was struggling so badly on his doubles in the early stages of this match and he now pins double 16 at the first attempt to complete a 104 checkout for a 15-darter.
Waites 2-1 Durrant
Leg Two
A fairy routine hold of throw for Durrant there and despite that very poor second set earlier, he's averaging 95 for the match compared to Waites' 92.
Waites 1-1 Durrant
Leg One, Waites to throw first
No set has been won by the player throwing first in the opening leg but this could be where that changes as Waites' sixth 180 paves the way for a 16-dart hold.
Waites 1-0 Durrant
SET FOUR SCORE: Waites 3-1 Durrant
MATCH SCORE (Best of 13): Waites 2-2 Durrant
Leg Five
Durrant nails a seventh 180 to put the pressure on the Waites throw but he later misses double 16 break and his opponent pins the same target to take the set.
Waites 3-1 Durrant
Leg Four
Durrant stays alive in the set with a comfortable 13-dart hold of throw, which was aided by a sixth maximum. Waites 2-1 Durrant
Leg Three
Durrant stays alive in the set with a comfortable 13-dart hold of throw, which was aided by a sixth maximum.
Waites 2-1 Durrant
Leg Two
The pair trade maximums - they both now have five each - but when Duzza fluffs his lines from 104, Waites cleans up 46 for a 15-dart hold.
Waites 2-0 Durrant
Leg One, Durrant to throw first
Durrant misses two darts at double when attempted to checkout from 74 and Waites makes him pay by finishing 52 for a 14-darter.
Waites 1-0 Durrant
FIRST INTERVAL: Waites 1-2 Durrant (Best of 13)
Odds: Duzza is 1/6 to win his third world title in a row while Waites is 7/2 to get his hands on the trophy again. Click here now for all the Sky Bet live darts markets including most 180s & highest checkout.
Averages
- Waites: 90
- Durrant: 94
180s
- Waites: 4
- Durrant: 4
Doubles
- Waites: 5/18 (27.78%)
- Durrant: 7/15 (46.67%)
Highest Checkouts
- Waites: 128
- Durrant: 131
SET THREE SCORE: Waites 1-3 Durrant
MATCH SCORE (Best of 13): Waites 1-2 Durrant
Leg Four
Much better from the history-seeking Duzza as a pair of 180s and a 78 checkout in a sublime 12-dart leg see him move ahead 2-1 in sets and he'll have the advantage of throw in the next.
Waites 1-3 Durrant
Leg Three
Waites is made to pay for more wasteful finishing - this time on double five - as Durrant breaks throw on two 10s with a 16-darter.
Waites 1-2 Durrant
Leg Two
Durrant seems to be back on his game as he backs up a super visit of 171 puts him on his way to a 14-dart hold of throw.
Waites 1-1 Durrant
Leg One, Waites to throw first
The 'Scotty-2-Hotty' momentum continues as he follows his fourth 180 of the match with a 128 checkout on the bullseye to complete a fine 12-dart leg.
Waites 1-0 Durrant
SET TWO SCORE: Waites 3-1 Durrant
MATCH SCORE (Best of 13): Waites 1-1 Durrant
Leg Four
Waites pins double five with his last dart in hand to level up the match in sets and his relief is clear to see. Had he missed that, Durrant would have probably levelled and then had the darts for a 2-0 set lead. However Waites needs to brush up on his finishing as he's missed 10 of his 14 attempts.
Waites 3-1 Durrant
Leg Three
The pair trade 180s in a classy leg but it's Durrant who takes it with a superb 131 checkout under pressure for a 15-darter.
Waites 2-1 Durrant
Leg Two
Waites follows up the break of throw with a hold on double nine as he makes the most of Durrant going off the boil. The Teesider is averaging in the 70s in this set.
Waites 2-0 Durrant
Leg One, Durrant to throw first
Durrant misses four darts at a double to let Waites, who spurned two of his own, off the hook and the Yorkshireman breaks throw with a 16-darter.
Waites 1-0 Durrant
SET ONE SCORE: Waites 1-3 Durrant
MATCH SCORE (Best of 13): Waites 0-1 Durrant
Leg Four
Durrant holds his throw once again to make the most of the break he earned in the opening leg so he now moves 1-0 up in sets. He's averaging 94 and still hasn't missed an attempt at a double.
Waites 1-3 Durrant
Leg Three
Waites is up and running in style as his first maximum and an 85 checkout completes a superb 11-dart leg. But he still needs a break to force a decider in this opening set.
Waites 1-2 Durrant
Leg Two
Clinical finishing again from Duzza as he backs up the first 180 of the match by taking out 62 for a hold of throw. Waites has missed two attempts at double so far but this is a marathon, not a sprint.
Waites 0-2 Durrant
Leg One, Waites to throw first
It's first blood to Glen Durrant as he takes out 83 for an 18-dart break of throw in the opening leg of this final.
Waites 0-1 Durrant
1720: Right the players are out and up on the oche so let play begin!
1715: Last night Glen Durrant said: "Eric Bristow is such a hero for all of us and to go three each with him would be something special - but if I think like that, I'll lose tomorrow."
Wonder if Scott Waites will 'innocently' mention Bristow's name in conversation during the intervals?!
1710: If you fancy a flutter but still not made your mind up, I did write a betting preview which you can click here to read. That said, there isn't much time to do that, so in a nutshell I reckon Waites is good value at 13/5 given his experience, confidence and quality while, as mentioned below, Durrant has been given closer matches than the scorelines suggest and is occasional troubled by nerves despite his success. My other suggested bets are 5/4 on Waites with a +2.5 set start on the handicaps and a 7/2 poke on the match having 42+ legs, an outshot of 143+ and 21+ maximums.
1705: The players will come out shortly so let's now look at the head-to-head record of the pair in tournament play. Once again, Waites' figure is on the left.
- Overall: 3-7
- 2018 meetings: 0-2
Waites 4-5 Durrant - Finder Masters, Dec
Waites 2-6 Durrant - World Championship SF, Jan - Lakeside meetings: 1-1
- BDO Major Titles: 4-8 (Lakeside: 2-2)
2018 Titles: 1-6 (Majors: 0-2)
One of Waites' three victories over Durrant was the 2016 quarter-finals as the 41-year-old went on to lift his second Lakeside title so there won't be any mental block on his part that he can get the job done tonight, even though he was soundly beaten in last year's semi-final.
1655: Now those all important tournament statistics, with Waites' figures listed first...
- 3-dart Average: 90.27 - 96.34
- 180s: 24 - 33
- 100+ checkouts: 7 - 9
- Highest checkout: 160 - 124
- Sets won/lost: 18/6 - 18/8
- Legs won/lost: 60/36 - 66/50
It's easy to look at the overall consistent scoring power of Durrant throughout this tournament - and indeed nearly all the tournament he plays - and make him a clear favourite to triumph yet again but Waites is a man for the big occasion and when he's on, he's on. The Yorkshireman can reach the same levels as Duzza so don't be surprised to see an upset.
1645: Let's take a look at how both players reached the final, starting with two-time defending champion Glen Durrant.
- First round: 3-0 v Mark McGrath
(Av: 93.9, 180s: 7, Legs Won/Lost: 9/3) - Second round: 4-3 v Scott Baker
(Av: 95.91, 180s: 8, Legs Won/Lost: 18/14) - Quarter-finals: 5-2 v Kyle McKinstry
(Av: 98.01, 180s: 7, Legs Won/Lost: 18/14) - Semi-finals: 6-3 v Jim Williams
(Av: 96.06, 180s: 11, Legs Won/Lost: 21/19)
As you can see, the 48-year-old Teesider only had one real scare when it comes to set scorelines and he also averaged consistently high in the mid-to-late 90s. However, despite this many sets were close and much of his success was down to holding his nerve in deciding legs. Just look at the legs won/lost count in each game, except the first.
Scroll down for Scott Waites' route
Here's how 'Scotty-2-Hotty' made his way to his third Lakeside final:
- First round: 3-1 v Jeffrey van Egdom
(Av: 86.55, 180s: 8, Legs Won/Lost: 10/5) - Second round: 4-1 v Richard Veenstra
(Av: 92.82, 180s: 5, Legs Won/Lost: 14/8) - Quarter-finals: 5-3 v Conan Whitehead
(Av: 95.34, 180s: 8, Legs Won/Lost: 17/14) - Semi-finals: 6-1 v Michael Unterbuchner
(Av: 85.29, 180s: 3, Legs Won/Lost: 19/8)
Waites may not have averaged as highly as Durrant but he's made lighter work of his opposition although he was pushed hard by Conan Whitehead in a high-quality quarter-final which underlined how fired up he is to reach the top of the BDO once more.
1630: Welcome to our live coverage of this evening's BDO World Darts Championship final as a thoroughly entertaining - and also historic - week of action reaches its climax at the Lakeside.
We've seen the first Asian world darts champion crowned thanks to the brilliant Mikuru Suzuki capping off her stunning debut with victory over Lorraine Winstanley while who can forget how 13-year-old Leighton Bennett became the youngest ever player to win the Youth title?
The men's event has also seen no shortage of drama but there's still time for one more epic duel between two players looking for a slice of history.
Glen Durrant is, of course, bidding to become the first man since Eric Bristow in 1984-86 to lift the prestigious title for the third year in succession but unlike in his previous two finals, he's facing a man who knows what it takes to become a Lakeside champion.
Scott Waites, who triumphed here in 2013 and 2016, has also never lost when the world title is on the line - so whoever wins will become the first man to have a 100% record in as many as three finals. Phil Taylor and Jockey Wilson are the two other greats who have a record of played two, won two in Lakeside finals.
Over the course of the next few updates I'll run you through their respective routes to the final, tournament stats and their head-to-head records.