LOCAL darts star Ryan Searle plays last year’s finalist James Wade in Round Two of the World Matchplay at the Winter Gardens this evening (Wed, July 22).

In the opening round on Sunday, Searle beat Wiliam O’Connor 10-6 while Wade won 10-7 against Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena.

Favourite for the title is World No 1 Luke Littler who hit a nine-darter in beating Nathan Aspinall 11-8 to reach the quarter-finals.

Littler continues his quest to become the first player since Michael van Gerwen in 2017 to go back-to-back in Blackpool, and the world No 1 currently holds the World Darts Championship, UK Open, Premier League and Masters.