Winmau’s Super Ted Wins in the Isle of Man

Double World Champ Ted Hankey lifted the prestigious Isle of Man International Darts Festival title and £5000 prize after flooring flying Dutchman Ron Meulemkamp 4-1.

The introduction this year of a seven leg final appeared to find favour with “The Count” after he had systematically buried his opponents in the qualifying rounds, taking his good form to the stage, where Hankey emerged from a 527-strong entry in the men’s singles, reaching the final after defeating fellow Winmau Star Darryl Fitton.
The opening legs saw both struggling to find consistency, two 100s and a 125 score steering Dazzler ahead in the third but he then missed seven doubles, handing a get-out-of-jail-free card to The Count who buried double five.
The Telford ace left 89 after nine darts in the next but then he suffered double-trouble missing six match-winning efforts as Fitton stepped in to punish The Count. A ton or more in each of his four visits to the oche saw Hankey leave himself 96, a late rallying 140 from the Stockport sharpshooter leaving him 76 but the former world champ needed just two darts to win through.
Two more promising stars of the Dutch darts scene – Ron Meulemkamp and Wesley Harms - served up an absorbing second semi final, the opening legs going with the throw Harms taking the third in 12 darts with a brilliant 161 finish.
Despite having the throwing advantage in the final, Hankey missed three double attempts to gift the opening leg to the bubbly Dutchman.
Hankey responded with a maximum in the second which he won with double four against the throw, holding his advantage in the next to move 2-1 ahead. Back-to-back 180s gave him the perfect start in the fourth leg, missing the crucial seventh 60 which could have set him up for the perfect game but recovering to take the leg with double tops.
Scores of 100 and 125 steered The Count into the commanding position in the fifth leg, clinching victory with a two-dart 84 checkout, completed on double 12.