Mickey Mansell has done it again with the Northern Irish Clonoe Cyclone breezing The Freeze 10-7 in another superb display as he breaks new ground at the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton.
Mansell surprisingly held off reigning world champion and defending champion Luke Humphries in the group stage. With this victory, Mansell qualified for the quarterfinals of a ranking major for the first time in his career. He hit a 99 average and 10/15 on the doubles en route to victory.
Noppert’s start was initially fine, with a 15-darter and an 11-darter in the first two legs. He fell completely silent after this 2-0 lead. It should also be noted that Mansell started to play a lot stronger. Through two 12-darters and a 64 finish Mansell turned the 2-0 deficit into a 2-3 lead.
Then ‘Clonoe Cyclone’ ran further out to a 6-2 lead. Still, something seemed possible for Noppert, when he came back to 6-4 just before the final break after a 13-darter and an 11-darter.
After the break, Noppert even reduced the deficit to 5-6 after a 14-darter. The Dutchman then got to start the 12th leg himself, but was not out in five innings. Mansell produced a 13-darter and took another break lead. A 117 finish then brought the Northern Irishman to 8-5.
Noppert threw out 60 to cut the deficit to 8-6, but then saw his opponent reach match point with a 13-darter. Noppert refused to throw in the towel already and managed to sign off with a 14-darter to make it 9-7. After that, “The Freeze” did not manage to increase the pressure in Mansell’s leg, as Noppert did not hit a single triple in four innings. Mansell quickly distanced himself and pulled out the win with a 120 finish.
Belgium
