WSDT World Matchplay Day 2

Updated: October 6, 2024

Texan Leonard Gates fell agonisingly short in his attempt to retain the World Matchplay he won a year ago. After disposing of Lisa Ashton and Robert Thornton earlier in the day, ‘Soulger’ was unable to prevent John Henderson from lifting the trophy.

The big man from from Aberdeen raced into an early 4-1 lead, giving the American just a sole opportunity at 119 in the first leg. Missed doubles from the US #1 in the next two left him with a real mountain to climb. While he fought valiantly to close the gap, Gates could never get close enough, and ended up losing 9-6.

After seeing off James Richardson in a tense opener on Friday, Gates cruised past Ashton in the quarter-final 8-1, and followed with a relatively comfortable 9-4 win over Thornton. ‘Hendo’, meanwhile, had been making his way past Tony O’Shea, David Cameron, and Richie Howson.