The first BDO champion of 2017 will be crowned on Saturday when the women’s World Championship final is played out at the Lakeside Country Club. It is a busy day at Frimley Green as the men’s semi-finals will be played too in what has all the makings of a great day of darts.
Corrine Hammond vs Lisa Ashton
The women’s title will be decided in an Ashes battle as the Australian surprise package Corrine Hammond faces Lisa Ashton who will be looking for a third world title. If you look at the odds Ashton only has to throw straight to win this one.
Corrine Hammond has surprised everyone to this point but I don’t think this final is in her control. I think it is all about Lisa Ashton. If Ashton hits her doubles she is going to win this very comfortably. Hammond can’t keep up with Ashton in the scoring department so if the Lancashire Rose is in any way proficient on the outer ring I expect her to win 3-0.
Danny Noppert vs Darryl Fitton
The women’s final is followed by the first men’s semi-final as two men looking for a place in a first world final meet. Danny Noppert has looked the real deal so far this week and he is going to take a lot of beating but those who have written off Darryl Fitton have had egg on their face so far.
This will be the third time the two will have met and Noppert leads 2-1 and for me he is a rightful favourite. He is expected to win well with the bookies and if he doesn’t suffer any nerves or stage fright he has the potential to do that but this will be a nervy affair and I’m not convinced the schedulers have done Noppert any favours so I’ll leave this one alone.
Glen Durrant vs Jamie Hughes
The top seed Glen Durrant takes on the number four seed Jamie Hughes in what is the pick of the two semi-finals. Hughes won three of the first four meetings between these two but he has lost all eight matches since then including their two matches on this stage in this tournament in 2015 and the World Masters last month.
Sometimes you have to put history to one side though. Glen Durrant has cleared been wracked by pressure and nerves in this tournament and he looks as tight as a drum. Jamie Hughes has come through a couple of real battles in the last two rounds with strong resolve, good nerves and a relaxed demeanour.
If Hughes can stay with Durrant in the early stages and get the Middlesbrough man thinking about the job in hand then I think he can win this one. I thought the huge bullet Durrant dodged against Paul Hogan would have freed him up but there was no evidence of that in the quarter final. Hughes was very impressive in taking care of Wolfie and a repeat of that could well be enough here.
Tips
WON – Back L.Ashton to beat C.Hammond 3-0 for a 3/10 stake at 2.25 with Ladbrokes
Back her here:
Back J.Hughes to beat G.Durrant for a 3/10 stake at 3.30 with Skybet
Back him here:
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