Robert Thornton shone on the opening night of World Senior Darts World Championship. The scot produced a sustained spell of heavy scoring to move into the second round.
The Scot was never really troubled by the 1988 World Champion, although we did see glimpses of the old Anderson. A 116 checkout in the first set a highlight and 180 with his final three darts meaning a crowd-pleasing ‘finger point’ trademark celebration.
Robert Thornton 3-0 Bob Anderson
Championship at the Circus Tavern, Purfleet on the 4th February 2022
Peter Manley and Phil Taylor will do battle on the Circus Tavern stage once again.
Manley recovered from a set down to win 3-1 against Deta Hedman.
Taylor and Manley did battle on three separate occasions at the World Championships. Each time in the final, and each time with the same outcome.
The pair will face off as the headline match of the evening session on Friday 4th Feb.
Deta Hedman took the opening set as she settled the fastest on the Circus Tavern Stage. That unfortunately was as good as it got for the Heart of Darts as she only managed to win another 2 legs in the match. Manley raised his game from set 2 onwards, but will need to find an extra level tomorrow.
Peter Manley 3-1 Deta Hedman
at the Circus Tavern, Purfleet on the 4th February 2022
Kevin Painter may lie in waiting for the winner of that match. The Artist will take on Wayne Warren to open Friday evening’s session after he defeated Tony O’Shea in a mammoth encounter.
Painter looked like he would run away with the match, as he won the opening 2 sets. The 3rd set went all the way to a decider, but O’Shea hung on to extend the contest.
The 4th set also went the way of O’Shea, taking us to a final set.
The match narrowly avoided the sudden death leg with Painter winning the final set 6-4. O’Shea had previously broken in the set to lead for the first time, but a 156 checkout from Painter, the highest of the tournament so far, steered the match back in his favour.
Kevin Painter 3-2 Tony O’Shea
Hometown Qualifier Richie Howson saw off Darryl Fitton in the second 5 set match of the evening. The volume in the Circus Tavern rose significantly as the man from Rainham took to the stage with a significant amount of support.
It was an edgy start from both, as they missed plenty of doubles between them.
Fitton was the man to capitalise on the opportunities taking the opening set, but Howson found his feet and responded by winning the second.
The 3rd set also went the way of Howson as he won his 4th 5th and 6th leg in a row.
Fitton halted the run in set 4 as the pair once again had issues on the outer ring forcing a deciding set.
Howson though ran away with set 5, once again winning in straight legs, and sets up a match with Martin Adams tomorrow.
Howson 3-2 Fitton
Thursday 3rd February – 7pm Results
Round 1 – Best of 5 sets
Thornton 3-0 Bob Anderson
Manley 3-1 Hedman
Painter 3-2 O’Shea
Howson 3-2 Fitton
Friday 4th February – 1pm
Round 1 – Best of 5 sets
Les Wallace vs John Walton
Paul Lim vs Dave Prins
Alan Warriner-Little vs Larry Butler
Terry Jenkins vs Roland Scholten
Friday 4th February – 7pm
Round 2 – Best of 5 Sets
Wayne Warren vs Kevin Painter
Martin Adams vs Richie Howson
Phil Taylor vs Peter Manley
Trina Gulliver vs Robert Thornton
—–ENDS—–
Image: WSDT/Chris Seargent
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