Thornton stumbles past Part and Gates comes through epic tussle with Mason at the World Seniors Darts Masters

The semi-final lineup at the World Seniors Darts Masters is complete. Joining Richie Howson and Dennis Harbour in the final four, will be Robert Thornton and Leonard Gates.

The two-time World Seniors Champion, Robert Thornton was up against three-time World Darts Champion, John Part. Despite Thornton being the heavy favorite for this one it was 'Darth Maple' that took the opening set. After Part then missed two darts for a 2-0 lead however, a visibly frustrated Thornton levelled up.

The third set was also Thornton's in double quick time. Despite not St his blistering best, Thornton continued the momentum and increased his lead to 3-1.

Always a fighter though, John Part wasn't going down without a fight, taking the fifth set to stay in the match and in a dramatic, scrappy, deciding leg to the sixth set, Thornton spurned a number of match darts allowing Part to get back to 3-3. After yet more missed darts it's the deciding set, the Thorn finally scrambled across the line.

For the final quarter-final place it was Chris Mason and Leonard Gates. It was Mason who took the first set, in impressive style as well. Gates, who came through a high quality encounter on Saturday night with Mark Dudbridge, was seemingly struggling with the heat on stage. Nevertheless, the Champions of Champions winner was able to level up at 1 set all.

The topsy-turvy encounter continued to swing one way and then the other with Mason going 2-1 ahead before Gates levelled again at 2-2.

With both players evenly matched, Gates breaking the Mason throw to go 3-2 ahead felt massive. Mason himself though was unfazed, instantly hitting back to take the sixth set in two straight legs and make it 3-3.

When Mason busted 8 on double 13 though, Gates was able to nudge in front in the deciding set, just a leg away from the win. A moment later Gates took out 64 in three darts sealing the win.

Thornton prevails in a World Seniors Masters battle

Thornton will play either Gates or Mason in the last 4⃣.#WorldSeniorsMasters pic.twitter.com/y1CcpI2BNx

— World Seniors Darts (@SeniorsDarts) June 25, 2023