Maria produces epic victory to move into World's semi

MARIA O’Brien produced one of the best performances of her professional darts career to move to within one victory of the BDO Ladies’ World Championship final.

At the Lakeside Country Club, Frimley Green this afternoon, O’Brien made a mockery of the bookies 1-6 quote to be beaten by Fallon Sherrock, as she swept the 24-year-old aside by two sets to nil.

The first four legs of the opening set were shared with Maria winning in 19 and 13 before taking the deciding leg in 16.

Sherrock had the darts in the second leg, but it was the Plymouth thrower who took the opening leg with victory in 14 after opening with back to back 140s.

Sherrock then edged in front when winning the next two in 18 and 19 but O’Brien dug deep again to level with a 16-darter.

The Milton Keynes thrower had the darts in the deciding leg of the second set but could not make the advantage count.

Maria hit four ton plus scores in succession, and just missed out on a 151 outshot, before hitting double six for a win in 18.

O’Brien will now face Mikuru Suzuki in the semi-final tomorrow afternoon after the Japanese representative defeated Sharon Prins.

Maria finished with a three-dart average of 86.9 and was 43% on her doubles with six hit from 14.