Casey Gallagher 2 Deta Hedman 1

Posted: 10.01.17 in Darts Performance Centre Blog category

Our sponsored player pulled off a fantastic victory at The Lakeside

Casey Gallagher reeled off six consecutive legs to dump out top seed Deta Hedman and cause a huge shock in the first round of the women’s section. Hedman missed seven match darts for a straight sets triumph over her protégé, as the 20-year-old fought back to secure her first ever World Championship victory in dramatic fashion.

The first set was a real high-quality affair. Hedman kicked off proceedings with a classy 13-darter on tops, before Gallagher squared the set with a 17-darter via D5. Gallagher then fired in her first maximum and wired the bull for a 73 kill as she searched for a break, but Hedman produced a superb 114 checkout to regain the initiative.

The 20-year-old was outscoring Hedman and almost followed up a 140 with a ton-plus checkout, but she wired tops for a 103 outshot. However, she returned to pin D10 to force a set decider. Hedman had the advantage of throw and that paid dividends, as she converted a clinical two-dart 88 kill to win the set, with Casey sat poised on D19.

The second set was a far more nervous affair. ‘The Dark Destroyer’ established a two-leg lead in the set, after Gallagher missed opportunities in both legs. However, the youngster responded strongly, completing an unconventional 72 finish on D1 to stay afloat.

Hedman, who won an astonishing 18 ranking titles in 2016, appeared poised to complete a routine triumph in the fourth leg, but missed seven match darts and Gallagher profited to post D10 and keep the match alive. The former Swedish Open winner then followed up a 140 with a clinical 117 finish for a 15-darter to force a final set.

The 56-year-old had lost her conviction in the finishing department and Gallagher capitalised on Deta missing two darts at double in each of the opening two legs of the set to move within a leg of victory. The 20-year-old saw the finishing line in sight and landed her second maximum before posting D7 to seal the biggest victory of her career.

Match Report by Josh Gorton

Photos DG Media