Darts: John Henderson and Leonard Gates fight for the title at the World Seniors Matchplay 2024

In the first semi-final, Henderson proved too strong for Richie Howson 9-6. The Highlander can thus win his second TV title of the season on the World Seniors Darts Tour after becoming senior world champion at the beginning of the year.

Henderson started the game with a 76 finish in the first leg before Howson took the lead with a 17-darter and a 96 finish. But Henderson hit back with a 12-darter in the fourth leg and took the lead back with a 16-darter in the fifth leg.

The next two legs also went to the player with the throw, before Henderson was able to gain a break lead for the first time. After Howson missed a dart at the bullseye, Henderson shot out 111 to make it 5-3.

The Scottish crowd favorite then extended the lead with a 16-darter in the ninth leg. The three-leg lead remained intact throughout the rest of the game. There were no more breaks and with an 18-darter in the 15th leg, Henderson finished his job.

The defending champions from York will also reach the final. Gates avoided a Scottish final at the World Seniors Matchplay by defeating Robert Thornton 9-4 in the second semi-final.

The duel between Gates and Thornton can best be described as a game with little relative tension and where the standard was not too high. Thornton won the first leg with a 20-darter, but the next eight legs all went to Gates.

The American then missed match darts to decide the game, allowing Thornton to grab his second leg in the last minute. The Thorn then got even closer to 8-4, but then Gates took the game over the finish line with an 88 finish.