Raploch darts star falls short in Lakeside final heartbreak after historic run
It was double final heartbreak for Raploch darts sensation Sophie McKinlay as she made her mark on the historic Lakeside stage.
The 18-year-old was one of the stars of the event at the iconic Frimley Green venue, becoming the first female to compete in both the ladies and girls finals in the WDF World Championships over the weekend.
In her return to the ladies’ final, she beat some of the biggest names in the women’s game - including four-times world champion Lisa Ashton, German Irina Armstrong, former runner-up Aileen De Graaf and Dutch star Lorena Rietbergen.
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That set her on course for a clash with world number one and two-time defending champion Beau Greaves in the final.
Sophie claimed the first set to put herself on course for a shock win, but Beau recovered from losing her first set of the tournament to rattle off four in a row and claim victory 4-1.
In the girls’ semi final, Sophie defeated Italy’s Aurora Fochesato - last year’s winner - to face her best friend on the darts circuit, Paige Pauling.
During a close match, Paige came through to win 2-0 in two tough sets.
Following her big achievement, Sophie said on Facebook: “I may not have won in the end but making two Lakeside world championship finals on debut is a dream come true.”
