Callan Rydz's World Darts Championship campaign is over after he was defeated 5-3 against Michael van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace. The 26-year-old, who was bidding to join fellow Bedlington-born arrowsmith Chris Dobey in the last four, was beaten in the quarter-final on Wednesday.

Rydz had been one of the star performers of the World Championship so far. Having started as world No.43, the boyhood Newcastle United supporter beat Romeo Grbavac 3-0 in the first round before easing past Martin Schindler 3-0 in round two to make it after Christmas.

He then put on a dazzling performance to destroy world No.11 Dimitri van den Bergh 4-0, and followed that up with a narrow 4-3 win over Welshman Robert Owen in the fourth round. That set up a tie against Van Gerwen, ranked the third best player on the planet, on New Year's Day.

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Although there was 40 places between the two in the PDC Order of Merit, Rydz wasn't performing like there was a huge gap between them. Despite losing the first set, he still managed to average over 103. And Rydz fired back to make it 1-1 before both players once again held their throws in the third and fourth set.

Despite throwing FOUR 180s and averaging 107.3, Rydz lost the fifth and sixth sets as Van Gerwen appeared to take control. But Rydz didn't give up, winning the seventh set to make it 4-3 and showed spirit to push the 'Green Machine'. Unfortunately for the 'Riot', he lost the eighth set and bowed out.

But as Van Gerwen was throwing for the match, Rydz displayed a moment of class. The Dutchman was receiving a scattering of boos from the Ally Pally crowd - who were backing his opponent to win - but Rydz appeared to tell the supporters to stop jeering Van Gerwen.

Van Gerwen, who ended up hitting double 16 to win the match and ran over to the corner of the stage to celebrate his win, told Sky Sports after the game: "He gave me everything. He didn’t stop hitting trebles. When I was 4-2 up I thought I broke him but he never gave up.

"I was getting annoyed at a point! But I did it when I had to and I’m really happy with my performance.

"My game is in a good place. We are only in the semis, so it doesn’t mean anything yet. The game had everything, it had drama, 180s and to be part of games like this gives you a lot of joy.

"It’s one of the best performances I have done in a long time. I’m over the moon. I’ve had a tough year and been battling everywhere. I’m still here and believe in my own ability. This means a lot."