DARTS ACE PRAISES MEIKLE DOUBLE MASTERY
24/05/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
PAUL NICHOLSON has hailed Ryan Meikle as one of the best double 10 hitters on the planet.
‘The Barber’ was in fine form yesterday as he beat Joe Cullen 6-1 in round one of the Dutch Darts Championship in Rosmalen.
Suffolk thrower Meikle nailed six out of ten darts at double in the match to record his first Euro Tour win since 2023.
World No. 64 Meikle couldn’t keep the run going though, as he was knocked out 6-4 by Ryan Searle in Saturday’s second round.
Former major winner Nicholson praised Meikle’s ability on smashing the outer ring and even likened the 28-year-old’s playing style to two darting legends.
He said on commentary: “Meikle’s game is very much like James Wade.
“Twelves, tops and tens.
“Now I don’t have the stats to back this up.
“But this is a feeling based on watching Ryan for the last decade.
“I think he is one of the best double 10 hitters in the world.
“He must be in the top three percent. The feeling I have when he’s got double 10 is he will hit this.
“He is like a left-handed Dennis Priestley.
“That is maybe the best compliment I can pay him.”
Meikle’s functional double percentage (51.86%) is the fourth highest on tour this year.
The Englishman had a positive 2024 reaching a Players Championship quarter-final and the fifth round of the UK Open.
And this season Meikle has had a steady start as he reached the third round of three ProTour events.
Image by Taylor Lanning.
