Robert Thornton claims inaugural World Seniors Darts Matchplay title with victory over Phil Taylor in thrilling final

Robert Thornton has added World Seniors Darts Matchplay glory to his World Seniors Championship victory at the Circus Tavern earlier this year triumphing at the Bonus Arena in Hull with a thrilling 12-10 victory over Phil Taylor.

Thornton went out early during the World Seniors Darts Masters but has shown that he is the man to beat on the WSDT Tour again this weekend in Hull with victories over Brian Dawson, Terry Jenkins, Martin Adams and now 'The Power' who has reached back-to-back finals without winning a title as the greatest player of all time to many continues to wait for glory.

Early on in the race to nine, it was Taylor who took the early advantage recovering from early missed doubles to move two clear with a lead of 4-2 over Thornton at the first interval. 

On return, Thornton made it 4-3 with a 77 checkout and levelled up with a 180 and 81 checkout for a 12-darter. But Taylor broke back in a scrappy leg before holding on double eight to go 6-4 up before maintaining his two leg margin at the second interval moving two away from the title.

A 180, 140 and double 20 saw Thornton make it 7-6. But a 180 and 68 checkout from Taylor saw him go one away as Thornton couldn’t find the break needed.

Taylor got match darts on the Thornton throw but ‘The Thorn’ pinned 48 to hand it over to Taylor to throw it out or send it the distance.

It was a poor leg from Taylor though who was not down to a finish after 12 darts and Thornton after busting 64 gave Taylor more chances to win but he missed a 115 checkout and second dart, Thornton hit double 10 to get the break he craved to make it 8-8.

Double 20 saw Thornton suddenly go one away at 9-8. Taylor kicked into life again on his throw but he missed 80 to tie it up and Thornton got the chance to seal the match on 107 only to spurn it and ‘The Power’ sent it the distance again.

A 180 to leave 82 though put Taylor first to attempt to break Thornton’s throw but like his match darts, it was a missed opportunity allowing Thornton to pin 81 to make it 10-9.

But with Thornton sat on 80 to win, Taylor hit a skin saving 82 to make it 10-10. A 100 checkout from Thornton saw it set at 11-10 with Taylor having to hold to send it to sudden death.

Both kicked off 140 with Thornton making it three in a row leaving 81 after nine and he hit 25 for the win from there.