Wales commenced their pursuit of a third World Cup of Darts title with a convincing 4-1 victory over Lithuania on the opening day of the tournament in Frankfurt, Germany. The Welsh pairing of Jonny Clayton and newcomer Nick Kenny overcame Darius Labanauskas and Mindaugas Barauskas in their Group C encounter.
The match, played at the Eissporthalle, saw Wales lose the initial leg in the best-of-seven format. However, the duo quickly found their rhythm, securing the next four legs to seal the win. This performance sets them up strongly for qualification from their group, which is a new requirement for nations outside the top seeds.
Jonny Clayton, a two-time winner of the World Cup of Darts alongside Gerwyn Price in 2020 and 2023, is now partnered with Nick Kenny. Kenny's inclusion marks his debut in the prestigious team event, following Price's decision to withdraw from the tournament to prioritise family time amidst the demanding darts schedule. Kenny, currently ranked 62nd in the PDC Order of Merit, stepped into the void, offering a fresh dynamic to the Welsh side.
Wales, who were also beaten finalists last year against Northern Ireland's Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney, are now poised to join the top-ranked nations in the second round, which include England, the Netherlands, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. To achieve this, they must secure another victory against Thailand in their next Group C fixture on Friday.
The format change, requiring nations like Wales to navigate a group stage after Price's withdrawal, adds an extra layer of challenge to their campaign. Despite this, their dominant performance against Lithuania suggests they are well-prepared to contend for the title once again, with Clayton's experience complementing Kenny's fresh talent.