Robert Thornton produced a timely revival to lead Group C overnight after the opening day of action at the MODUS Super Series in Portsmouth.
The former UK Open champion, and longstanding DartsWorld ambassador, who had finished bottom of Group A with just four points, responded superbly on Thursday afternoon.
After an early 2-4 reverse to Finnish debutant Petri Rasmus, “The Thorn” recovered strongly, recording a 4-3 deciding-leg win over pre-tournament favourite Harry Ward, a clinical 4-0 whitewash of Nico Plovier and a 4-2 victory against Jamie Kelling.
Those results left him top of a competitive six-player group after a full round of fixtures.
Rasmus made an impressive Super Series debut, collecting notable wins including that early success against Thornton and a 4-2 victory over Plovier.
Belgium’s Nico Plovier also enjoyed a solid afternoon with three wins from five, ending the day strongly.Harry Ward, the 2019 Players Championship winner making his return to this stage, endured a mixed session.
He began brightly with a 4-1 win over Jim Widmayer but needed a late recovery victory to keep himself in the mix rather than rooted to the foot of the table.
Jim Widmayer produced one of the day’s highlights with a hat-trick of ton-plus checkouts in a deciding-leg victory over Jamie Kelling, while Kelling struggled for consistency.
The group remains wide open heading into Friday’s concluding afternoon session, where the top two will progress to Saturday’s Finals Night.
Thornton holds the overnight lead, with Rasmus, Plovier and Ward all well placed to challenge.
MODUS Super Series Darts – Week Nine
Thursday 1st October
Group C (Day One)
Petri Rasmus 4–2 Robert Thornton
Harry Ward 4–1 Jim Widmayer
Jamie Kelling 1–4 Nico Plovier
Robert Thornton 4–3 Harry Ward
Nico Plovier 2–4 Petri Rasmus
Jim Widmayer 4–3 Jamie Kelling
Robert Thornton 4–0 Nico Plovier
Play continues live and free on Pluto TV with Group B (Michael Wiles, Jamie Atkins, Radek Szaganski, Aden Kirk and Gemma Hayter) beginning later in the evening. Jeff Smith has already booked his place in Saturday’s Finale as Group A winner.
Images: Tip Top Pics
