REIGNING champion Michael Smith was cheered on by Saints full back Jack Welsby in the crowd at Alexandra Palace as he continued the defence of his Paddy Power World Darts Championship title.

Bully Boy battled to victory over Madars Razma on Wednesday, joining fellow St Helens darter Dave Chisnall in round four.

Smith, who is aiming to become only the fourth player in World Championship history to win back-to-back titles, recovered from a sluggish start to see off Latvia’s number one Razma in a gruelling affair.

Razma silenced the partisan crowd after producing a timely 14-darter to draw first blood in the opening set, before Smith won six of the next eight legs to seize control of the tie and lead 2-1.

 

The Latvian then spurned two darts at double to restore parity in a pivotal fourth set, and Smith capitalised in powering to victory, following up 75 and 80 finishes by crashing in six perfect darts in a stunning final leg.

"I managed to battle hard there and get the win in the end," declared Smith, who will play either Ross Smith or Chris Dobey for a place in the quarter-finals.

"I'm not happy with the performance, but I'm happy to be in the next round, and hopefully I can find my A-game for the rest of the tournament.

"I wanted to put on a really good performance and I think I tried too hard, but I'm looking forward to playing Ross or Chris, because I know it will be a high-scoring game."

St Helens Star:

Elsewhere, Warrington's Luke Littler - who is a graduate of the St Helens Darts Academy - continued his record-breaking run with a comprehensive 4-1 success against Canada’s Matt Campbell, to become the youngest ever player to progress to the last 16 at the World Championship.

The 16-year-old swept to the opening set in a matter of minutes, before reeling off legs of 14, 12 and 14 darts to double his lead – featuring a magnificent 130 checkout midway through set two.

Littler then punished key misses from Campbell in the latter stages of set three to move to the cusp of glory, only for the Canadian to open his account with a clinical 120 combination in a fourth set decider.

However, the World Youth Champion responded with a sublime 164 checkout to kick off set five, which he followed up with a brilliant 11-darter on his way to another landmark victory.

“It’s unbelievable,” admitted Littler, who averaged 97, landed eight 180s and converted three ton-plus finishes to move through to a last 16 clash against Jim Williams or Raymond van Barneveld.

“Overall, it was a good performance. It wasn’t quite as good as the first round, but I don't care if I win with the lowest average of the tournament, as long as I get the result.

“I’ve got nothing to lose now, because I’ve already overachieved. Jim is playing well, but it would be unbelievable to play against Raymond on that stage.”

Earlier in the day, Dave Chisnall defeated Gabriel Clemens 4-1 to reach the last 16.

Chisnall won nine out of ten legs in the opening exchanges to establish a commanding lead 3-0, punishing 22 missed darts at double from last year's semi-finalist to keep his title hopes alive.

The third round action continues on Thursday, with Stephen Bunting taking on Florian Hempel.

2023/24 Paddy Power World Darts Championship.

Wednesday December 27.

Afternoon Session.

Third Round.

Scott Williams 4-3 Martin Schindler (1-3, 0-3, 3-0, 3-2, 0-3, 3-1, 4-2) (R3).

Dave Chisnall 4-1 Gabriel Clemens (3-1, 3-0, 3-1, 1-3, 3-2) (R3).

Rob Cross 4-2 Jeffrey de Graaf (3-2, 3-0, 2-3, 3-2, 1-3, 3-1) (R3).

Evening Session.

Luke Littler 4-1 Matt Campbell (3-0, 3-0, 3-2, 2-3, 3-1) (R3).

Michael van Gerwen 4-0 Richard Veenstra (3-1, 3-1, 3-2, 3-0) (R3).

Michael Smith 4-1 Madars Razma (2-3, 3-1, 3-1, 3-2, 3-1) (R3).

Thursday December 28.

Afternoon Session (1230 GMT).

Florian Hempel v Stephen Bunting (R3).

Joe Cullen v Ryan Searle (R3).

Ross Smith v Chris Dobey (R3).

Evening Session (1900 GMT).

Gerwyn Price v Brendan Dolan (R3).

Luke Humphries v Ricardo Pietreczko (R3).

Ricky Evans v Daryl Gurney (R3).