ST HELENS darter Michael Smith was forced to fend off a valiant fightback from Chris Dobey in a bruising encounter to reach the World Matchplay quarter finals.

Dobey defeated Smith at the same stage of last year’s World Matchplay and World Championship, and he fired in sublime 170 and 140 finishes midway through proceedings as he aimed to repeat those heroics.

The former Masters champion then wired the bull for a stunning 135 kill which would have levelled the contest at nine apiece, although Smith withstood the pressure in a nervy finale to keep his title hopes alive.

“I wasn’t at the races there,” conceded Smith, who dumped out 2018 champion Gary Anderson in round one.

“I was 4-1 up without playing well. Chris gave me a lot of chances early on, and then I got involved in a battle I should never have got involved in.

“It was a bit nervy going into the last three or four legs, but I managed to get over the line and I’m in the quarter-finals now, which is good.”

Smith will now play Rob Cross, who produced an inspired display to reach the last 8.

The pair went head-to-head in the 2019 final at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, and they will renew rivalries at the Empress Ballroom on Friday.

Cross put in an electric performance to book his place in the last eight, averaging 106.99 in an emphatic 11-6 success against Ryan Searle.

Having survived six match darts in his first round win against Gian van Veen, Cross was at his brilliant best against the Somerset star, crashing in a brace of ten-darters within the opening six legs.

The 2019 champion later opened up a two-leg cushion that he would never relinquish, before capping off a majestic display with an 11-dart hold.

“I still think there’s more in the tank,” insisted Cross, despite recording his highest average on the Winter Gardens stage.

“I am enjoying the game. It is not complicated for me at the minute, I’m playing with freedom, and if I carry on, who knows where I can end up?

“I love this tournament. I have always loved this tournament since I walked into this building eight years ago.

“I’m sure those memories of winning [the title] in 2019 will stay with me forever, but now I want to win it again.”

Three-time champion Michael van Gerwen also continued his title challenge on Day Five in Blackpool, defying a late fightback from a tenacious Joe Cullen to close out an 11-8 victory.

The Dutchman accounted for Luke Littler in a heavyweight first round showdown, and he started strongly against Cullen, firing in a spectacular 151 checkout to lead 4-1.

Cullen – a semi-finalist in 2023 – won three straight legs from 9-5 adrift to threaten an unlikely turnaround, although his late onslaught came in vain, as Van Gerwen wrapped up a hard-fought win.

“I cannot wait to play my next game. I’m buzzing,” declared Van Gerwen, who will play Andrew Gilding in the last eight, in a repeat of their memorable 2023 UK Open decider.

2024 Betfred World Matchplay.

Wednesday July 17.

Second Round x4.

Andrew Gilding 11-5 Krzysztof Ratajski.

Rob Cross 11-6 Ryan Searle.

Michael van Gerwen 11-8 Joe Cullen.

Michael Smith 11-9 Chris Dobey.

Thursday July 18 (2000 BST).

Quarter-Finals x2.

Ross Smith v James Wade.

Luke Humphries v Dimitri Van den Bergh.

Best of 31 legs.

Friday July 19 (2000 BST).

Quarter-Finals x2.

Michael van Gerwen v Andrew Gilding.

Michael Smith v Rob Cross.

Best of 31 legs.