Matt Campbell tops Jeff Smith to win Event #2

The best players in Canada faced off in Event #2 of the 2021 Championship Darts Circuit season in Moncton, New Brunswick, on Saturday, with ‘The Ginja Ninja’ Matt Campbell emerging victorious.

Campbell, who averaged 87.2 during the day, overcame a 4-1 deficit in the finals against ‘The Silencer’ Jeff Smith, winning 5 legs on the spin, to capture the title 6-4. The title is Campbell’s first of the season and fourth of his career.

Matt Campbell was on cruise control in the early rounds, defeating Darryl Christie 5-2 in the round of 16, and following that up with a 6-1 victory over Event #1 champion, David Cameron, in the quarterfinals. He turned it on in the semifinals, routing Shawn Brenneman 6-0 with a staggering 102.5 average and three 180s to reach the finals.

Jeff Smith, who reached his first final since 2019, defeated Ben Garner 5-2 and Dave Richardson 6-1 to set up a rematch with Jacob Taylor, the man who eliminated Smith in Event #1 last night. Jeff exacted some revenge with a 6-5 victory, despite Taylor’s 99.1 average and three 180s. Smith averaged 96.5 with two 180s of his own in the victory.

The top seed, Jim Long, had the highest average during Event #2, with 93.6, but a tough draw would see him eliminated in the quarterfinals by Jacob Taylor, who was right behind him at 93.2. Taylor led all players with eight 180s and 53% success on checkouts.

Event #3 takes place on Sunday, August 15, in Moncton, and is the final event this weekend.

Article by Brian Fraser
August 14, 2021