SIMON WHITLOCK 6 v BRIAN WOODS 3

Wizard of Oz Simon Whitlock conjured up a magical performance to topple Cumbrian Brian Wood 6-3 and win through to his first world final for a showdown with top seed Mark Webster of Wales.

In an absorbing two hour clash the slow-throwing Aussie produced a 30.88 average, notching eight 180s and blasting out a 145 checkout to win through. Now Whitlock hopes to emulate fellow countryman Tony David who became the first winner from Down Under to win the title, back in 2002.
Flushed but delighted with his performance, the man wizard declared: “I cannot believe it. I just feel complete happiness and relief, it’s a great feeling. I have practised really hard and am looking forward to playing Mark. “I have practised hard for this week and it is paying off. I don’t think I have felt the pressure this week as I have spent a lot of my time playing with me eight-month-old son Locky. You could say Locky has been lucky for me!”

The opening sets of the intriguing clash between Aussie Simon Whitlock and Cumbrian Brian Woods were swapped. Then The Wizard conjured up a winning double to clinch the deciding leg in the third set to edge in front for the second time in the match. He added the next set to open up a 3-1 match lead.

The fifth set went 3-1 to the Aussie and double 20 gave him a commanding 5-1 lead – just one set short of the final he yearned. Both players hit 180s in the seventh set which the Cumbrian took
unchallenged, adding the next with the throw on double eight to pull the match back to 5-3 after Whitlock had missed a match-winning 146 checkout.

Throwing first in the ninth, Whitlock exited on double 18, took the second on double 16 against the throw and then clinched victory on double nine to win through and thwart “Peckers” dreams of world glory.

 

 
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