Darts results: Nathan Aspinall crowned World Matchplay champion after thrashing Jonny Clayton in the Blackpool final

After a keenly contested start to the Winter Gardens showpiece, the Asp reeled off 11 legs on the trot from 5-5 thanks to a combination of power scoring and ruthless finishing to storm into an almost insurmountable 16-5 advantage.

This run of mesmerising darts included a breathtaking 170 checkout when Clayton was waiting to come back on 40 in the 16th leg and not even the Ferret could stop himself smiling at the sheer brilliance of his opponent.

The Welshman did eventually manage to pull a leg back but it merely delayed the inevitable as Aspinall completed the biggest margin of victory in a World Matchplay final since Phil Taylor crushed Terry Jenkins 18-4 back in 2009.

It's Aspinall's second career major title and first since the 2019 UK Open and becomes just the 12th different player to lift the Phil Taylor Trophy.

The new world number five averaged 96.21 compared to his opponent's 93.56, hit seven of the 12 maximums in the match and five of the seven 100+ checkouts.

Clayton headed into the final regarded as the most clinical finisher of the two but he missed 19 of his 25 attempts at doubles as Aspinall pinned 18 of his 40 attempts.

“It’s an amazing feeling. I'm so happy for me and my family and so proud of myself," claimed Aspinall, who becomes the 12th player to lift the coveted Phil Taylor Trophy.

“I did so well to keep it at 5-5. I was doing Jonny Clayton things! I was taking out those three-dart combinations and that kept me in the game.

“I think that third session was the key. I don’t know what it was, but then I suddenly found my scoring, and I finished brilliantly all game.

"I think for those ten legs, my scoring was up there with the best I've ever scored and that was the telling factor tonight."

There was nothing to separate the pair after a high-quality opening ten legs, which remarkably featured five ton-plus checkouts.

Aspinall drew first blood with a 110 combination, and also produced a brace of 108 checkouts to keep Clayton at bay, despite the Welshman boasting an eight-point lead in the averages.

Clayton – who had taken out nine ton-plus finishes in his run to the final – conjured up a majestic 141 checkout in leg seven, before firing in a 101 kill to restore parity at five apiece.

Nevertheless, Aspinall then produced one of the most astounding spells of dominance in World Matchplay history to storm to the title, winning 13 of the last 14 legs to scoop the £200,000 top prize.

The Stockport star reeled off four consecutive legs in 11, 14, 13 and 12 darts to stretch his lead to 9-5, and Clayton was left shell-shocked as Aspinall’s blistering barrage showed no sign of relenting.

The 32-year-old produced a mesmerising 170 checkout to make it six legs without reply, and a 115 combination in leg 18 continued the procession, as his lead stretched to 13-5.

Aspinall’s astonishing winning run totalled 11 legs before Clayton finally stopped the rot to reduce the arrears to 6-16, but it simply delayed the inevitable.

Normal service was resumed for Aspinall in leg 23, as he landed a 16-dart hold on tops to move a leg away from glory, and despite some late double trouble, he eventually landed double five to cap off the greatest win of his career.

“These things don’t happen very often, so I want to enjoy this moment!” continued Aspinall, who also paid tribute to Clayton, who showed incredible character throughout the week in Blackpool.

“To share that final with Jonny was very special. He is such a lovely guy. He’s the best person on the tour. I wish him and his family all the best. He’s a gentlemen of the game, he’s a credit to our sport, but I’m just happy I beat him!”

Clayton – also featuring in his maiden World Matchplay final – performed magnificently in his run to the final, which was fuelled by his desire to triumph for his ill father.

The Welshman had only claimed a solitary win at the Winter Gardens prior to this year’s tournament, and he was full of praise for a brilliant Aspinall.

“I came out of the blocks well but then Nathan just turned up,” conceded the 48-year-old, who pockets the £100,000 runner-up prize.

“I cannot argue with the result. I was beaten by the better player, and what a fantastic guy he is.

“To make the World Matchplay final is an amazing achievement. I’m a very proud man.

“I’d like to thank my family and this phenomenal crowd. One day I will get back on this stage in a final, and hopefully that will be my night.”

World Matchplay: Past finals

• 1994 - Larry Butler 16-12 Dennis Priestley
• 1995 - Phil Taylor 16-11 Dennis Priestley
• 1996 - Peter Evison 16-14 Dennis Priestley
• 1997 - Phil Taylor 16-11 Alan Warriner
• 1998 - Rod Harrington 19-17 Ronnie Baxter
• 1999 - Rod Harrington 19-17 Peter Manley
• 2000 - Phil Taylor 18-12 Alan Warriner
• 2001 - Phil Taylor 18-10 Richie Burnett
• 2002 - Phil Taylor 18-16 John Part
• 2003 - Phil Taylor 18-12 Wayne Mardle
• 2004 - Phil Taylor 18-8 Mark Dudbridge
• 2005 - Colin Lloyd 18-12 John Part
• 2006 - Phil Taylor 18-9 James Wade
• 2007 - James Wade 18-7 Terry Jenkins
• 2008 - Phil Taylor 18-11 James Wade
• 2009 - Phil Taylor 18-4 Terry Jenkins
• 2010 - Phil Taylor 18-12 Raymond van Barneveld
• 2011 - Phil Taylor 18-8 James Wade
• 2012 - Phil Taylor 18-15 James Wade
• 2013 - Phil Taylor 18-13 Adrian Lewis
• 2014 - Phil Taylor 18-9 Michael van Gerwen
• 2015 - Michael van Gerwen 18-12 James Wade
• 2016 - Michael van Gerwen 18-10 Phil Taylor
• 2017 - Phil Taylor 18-8 Peter Wright
• 2018 - Gary Anderson 21-19 Mensur Suljovic
• 2019 - Rob Cross 18-13 Michael Smith
• 2020 - Dimitri Van den Bergh 18-10 Gary Anderson
• 2021 - Peter Wright 18-9 Dimitri Van den Bergh
• 2022 - Michael van Gerwen 18-14 Gerwyn Price

World Matchplay Most Titles

• Phil Taylor - 16
• Michael van Gerwen - 3
• Rod Harrington - 2
• Peter Wright - 1
• Dimitri Van den Bergh - 1
• Rob Cross - 1
• Gary Anderson - 1
• Larry Butler - 1
• Peter Evison - 1
• Colin Lloyd - 1
• James Wade - 1

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL WORLD MATCHPLAY RESULTS

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