Saturday’s action at the Marshall Arena was filled with excitement as Plaisier surged to victory in Events 18-19 of the Challenge Tour, knocking Connor Scutt off the top spot of the Order of Merit standings.
Van Schie also had a standout performance, clinching his first Challenge Tour title in Event 18 by fending off a late comeback from Daniel Ayres.
The Dutch player, known for his impressive averages, showcased his skills once again with a stellar 108.85 average in Event 16. Van Schie continued his dominance on Saturday, hitting legs of 11, 12, and 14 darts against Ayres to claim the £2,500 prize.
His journey to victory saw him overcome tough opponents like Michael Baker, Kai Gotthardt, and Alexander Merkx before reaching the final where he faced and defeated Ayres.
Van Schie’s winning streak continued in Event 19, where he defeated top players like Ted Evetts, Darius Labanauskas, and Anton Ostlund, extending his run to 13 wins in a row. However, his quest for consecutive titles was halted by Plaisier in the semi-finals.
Plaisier’s path to the title was equally impressive, with wins over strong competitors like Brian Verhelst, Reece Colley, and Niall Culleton. He then went on to defeat the likes of Peter Jacques and David Davies before taking down Van Schie in the semi-finals.
In a thrilling final showdown, Plaisier faced off against Lee Cocks and emerged victorious with a 5-3 triumph, claiming the £1,000 runner-up prize. Cocks had his own impressive run, eliminating former Grand Slam champion Scott Waites and Andy Boulton along the way.
Daniel Ayres also had a strong showing, conceding only 12 legs on his path to the Event 18 final earlier in the day.
The 2024 Winmau Challenge Tour action will resume on Sunday, August 18, with Event 20 at the Marshall Arena. Fans can expect more intense competition as the fourth weekend of play comes to a close.
