Dan Outwin has been crowned the 2023 Northern Singles champion, after an impressive 7-0 defeat of Trent's Toby Saunders in the final.

The Northumbria player came into Saturday's event as the top favourite, his impressive reel of team performances not going unnoticed.

But with a long day featuring nearly 10 hours of play, the chance for shocks and surprises was there.

A 100 out in the first leg of the final helped to steady any nerves, not that they seemed on show, before a solid double 10 extended his lead in leg 2.

Trent's Saunders was unlucky to not take leg 3, heading east from double 20 into the double 1 segment and duly punished by Outwin.

Any hopes of taking leg 4 seemed extinguished by Outwin's opening maximum, before a tidy set-up shot of 102 to leave double 16 helped him to 4-0.

After winning the next leg, the final before a short interval, double 10 once again delivered in leg 6 to leave him just one from the title.

A second 180 of the match opened leg 7, before another exceptional score of 132 to get him to a double.

Following a few shaky doubles, he pinned double 2 to defeat Saunders and win his first UDUK singles crown.

An average of 76.80 (first 9 average of 94.71) proved more than enough in the end for the Northumbria student.

Dan Outwin, right, presented with his Northern Singles trophy by UDUK President Kyle Mandell (Image: UDUK/Thomas Bartley)

The group stages began just after 10am, with groups of 7 or 8 battling it out

7 players advanced with a perfect record: Jack Clucas (Hallam), Dan Outwin (Northumbria), Phil Want (Trent), Janek Hill (Leicester), Ollie Burgess (Hallam), Morgan Shillito (Hallam) and Nathan Hennessy (Leeds).

The knockout stages began not long after 5pm, with a short preliminary round before the last of 32 began.

Last year's Northern Singles finalist Jonny Litler and Sheffield's Jack Quinn were amongst those to make it to the last 32 via the prelims.

The last 32 stage sprang up a few surprises, notably the departure of Summer Showdown finalist James Buckby at the hands of Bangor's Ben James.

There were also commendable victories for Ryan Pass (Loughborough) and Cameron Christie (also Loughborough).

The last 16 saw the exit of Trent's Phil Want as well as Hallam's Morgan Shillito, who was defeated by Hill in a close 3-2 tie.

In the quarter-finals, one of the day's top contenders, Janek Hill, was defeated (4-1 by Dan Outwin), whilst Ben James's impressive run came to an end at the hands of Daniel Marsden.

Two quite lopsided semi-finals ensued, as both Outwin and Saunders breezed into the final dropping only a leg each, before Outwin's final rout.

Earlier on in the day, Manchester Metropolitan's Isobel Lee defeated Leeds's Eleanor Pettem 3-0 to win the Yorkshire Classic women's title.

Lee, who also qualified for the knockout stages of the main event, impressed as she got the better of the Leeds opponent to take home the £10 prize.

UDUK President Kyle Mandell said, "This year's Yorkshire Classic was a massive triumph, featuring some absolutely fantastic darts on show all day."

"Well done to our winner, Dan Outwin, as well as our runner-up Toby Saunders, and indeed all those who made the trip to Leeds to participate."

"Thanks also to Raj and the New Moorside Club for their excellent hospitality, helping our day to run as smoothly as possible and delivering an event which all participants and spectators enjoyed."

RESULTS (LAST 16 ONWARDS)

Last 16

Toby Saunders 3-0 Filip Brom

Phil Want 1-3 Oliver Burgess

Jack Quinn 2-3 Daniel Marsden

Rico Eyles 1-3 Ben James

Dan Outwin 3-0 Luke Davies

Janek Hill 3-2 Morgan Shillito

Cameron Christie 3-0 Sam Hurley

Thomas Williamson 1-3 Ryan Pass

Quarter-Finals

Toby Saunders 4-1 Oliver Burgess

Daniel Marsden 4-3 Ben James

Dan Outwin 4-1 Janek Hill

Cameron Christie 1-4 Ryan Pass

Semi-Finals

Toby Saunders 5-1 Daniel Marsden

Dan Outwin 5-1 Ryan Pass

Final

Toby Saunders 0-7 Dan Outwin

[ENDS]

Thomas Bartley - 02/12/2023

Outwin outclasses Northern Singles in Leeds

The Northumbria player takes home 2023 title