Darts Jan 22, 2026

Charlie Manby continues dream World Darts Championship run as Nathan Aspinall is knocked out

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Charlie Manby continues dream World Darts Championship run as Nathan Aspinall is knocked out

Charlie Manby reached the last 16 of the World Darts Championship on debut after defeating 'Rapid' Ricky Evans 4-2 as crowd-favourite Nathan Aspinall was knocked out.

The 20-year-old, who had already knocked out Cameron Menzies and Adam Sevada, won the last three sets and the final five legs in another stellar performance as Evans fell in the round of 32 for the seventh time in his career.

Manby, a star on the Development Tour, set up a mouth-watering encounter with European champion Gian van Veen for a spot in the quarter-finals.

Dutchman Kevin Doets produced a staggering late burst to defeat Aspinall in a deciding-set thriller, while Justin Hood proved too good for Ryan Meikle to make it through.

Yorkshire star Manby averaged 90, hit 11 180s and a high checkout of 57 in his victory, despite a staggering 41 missed darts at doubles.

"It hasn't really sunk in yet but I'm feeling it all now," said Manby, nicknamed 'Champagne'. "The doubles were frustrating me - I should have taken the first set! It's as simple as that but I recovered quite well.

"Ricky is a funny character, but you could see his [demeanour] changing. You learn a lot but I showed I got a lot a lot of bottle after my first game, while the second game was quite easy.

"Gian is doing well but at the same time, so am I. I'm waiting for my A-game to come."

Speaking on Your Site, Laura Turner spoke about Manby's clash with Van Veen on Tuesday, saying: "Manby has showed maturity beyond his years. He is only 20 and he's on debut. One of his most important darts was winning the second set.

"Playing Van Veen here is totally different to the Development Tour, which is a race to four legs. It's a longer format and it's the world stage. Van Veen is now established and won a major tournament, but Charlie seems relaxed."

From 2-2 in sets, Doets won eight out of 11 legs averaging close to 109 in the final three sets to set up a meeting with former world champion Luke Humphries in the last 16.

An epic contest featured eight ton-plus checkouts, 23 maximums, a Big Fish and seven perfect darts.

"That was insane! I started off rough. I was lucky to be 2-2, but then I should have been 3-2 up. He hit the 170 to go 3-2 up, but after that I was just on fire, I couldn't miss any more," said the 27-year-old, nicknamed 'HawkEye'.

"This is what you dream of. This is my second year in a row in the last 16 and I want to go even further."

'Happy Feet' Hood continued his fairy-tale debut Ally Pally run to reach the fourth round, with a tie against Callan Rydz or Josh Rock next.

Hood didn't quite reach the heights of his win over Danny Noppert but he has enough in the tank to defeat Meikle 4-1 despite hitting just 13/40 doubles.

Three ton-plus checkouts carried him to a convincing win over 'The Barber'.

"It's good but there's still more games to go. I'm playing well. Today wasn't my best performance, but I'll put that right next game," said the diminutive Somerset star.

"If you win, you win. If you play well, happy days, if you don't, it's all about getting that win.

"Ryan's a class bloke, class player, but I got the win. I got the crowd on my side - they love me. I think it's because I'm three foot tall."

The first game of the evening will see World Cup winner Rock take on Rydz in the last game of round three.

The final two evening games will then kick off round four, as reigning champion Luke Littler continues his bid for back-to-back titles against 2018 winner Rob Cross, while Ryan Searle takes on James Hurrell.

Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch every match exclusively live all the way through until January 3 on Your Site' dedicated darts channel (Sky channel 407 from December 10). .

Tags:

darts news

Share this article

Related Posts

PDC Tour Qualifying School: Lakeside champions Jimmy Van Schie, Shane McGuirk earn cards as Charlie Manby's bid goes to last day

PDC Tour Qualifying School: Lakeside champions Jimmy Van Schie, Shane McGuirk earn cards as Charlie Manby's bid goes to last day

Jimmy Van Schie and Shane McGuirk, the last two Lakeside world champions, secured PDC Tour cards for the first time on the penultimate day of Q-School...

Premier League Darts 2026: Schedule, venues, players, format, prize money as Luke Humphries defends title against Luke Littler and other rivals

Premier League Darts 2026: Schedule, venues, players, format, prize money as Luke Humphries defends title against Luke Littler and other rivals

All you need to know about the BetMGM Premier League Darts 2026 including the players, format and schedule.The Premier League sees the world's best da...

Luke Littler: World Darts Championship winner agrees historic £20m deal with dart supplier

Luke Littler: World Darts Championship winner agrees historic £20m deal with dart supplier

Luke Littler has earned a historic payday after agreeing a record £20m deal with his dart supplier.The 18-year-old, who claimed the first £1m prize po...

Luke Littler: Teenage sensation 'hungry for more' on 19th birthday after Saudi Arabia Darts Masters win with World Masters looming

Luke Littler: Teenage sensation 'hungry for more' on 19th birthday after Saudi Arabia Darts Masters win with World Masters looming

Luke Littler is turning 19 and despite achieving so much in such a short career remains hungry for more after "overachieving" so far.Littler became th...

Luke Littler: World No 1 reveals goal to beat Phil Taylor's record to stay at top of PDC rankings

Luke Littler: World No 1 reveals goal to beat Phil Taylor's record to stay at top of PDC rankings

Luke Littler has revealed he wants to surpass Phil Taylor's record of most days as world No 1 in the future.Littler is guaranteed to be at the top of...

Premier League Darts: Stephen Bunting fortunate, bitter pill to swallow for Danny Noppert says Wayne Mardle

Premier League Darts: Stephen Bunting fortunate, bitter pill to swallow for Danny Noppert says Wayne Mardle

Your Site Darts' Wayne Mardle believes Stephen Bunting is "fortunate" and questioned the snubbing of Danny Noppert for this year's Premier League Dart...