Robert Thornton wins inaugural World Seniors Darts Championship after superb victory against Martin Adams
WSDT
Robert Thornton has won the 2022 World Seniors Darts Championship by defeating Martin Adams in a 5-1 sets win.
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Thornton was utterly dominant until the finishing line came in sight missing eleven match darts throughout allowing Adams back for a set back and also to send the requisite one to a decider.
But in the end, 'The Thorn' is a World Champion adding to his titles at the World Grand Prix, UK Open and World Masters after a classy weekend for the 54-year-old who scoops £30,000.
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Thornton sealed the opening leg with an 89 checkout to break throw. He began his throw with a 177 and followed up an Adams 180 with one of his own to leave 44 as he went one away from the opening set.
‘The Thorn’ was averaging 118 as he smashed in double 20 to go one set up. Adams missed bull for a 72 checkout to get a leg on the board and the Scot smashed in double 16 to hold.
Thornton missed a chance at 84 to seal a break but more darts went begging for Adams and double 11 was pinned by Thornton to go one away from a 2-0 sets lead. A 77 checkout saw Thornton make it six legs without reply to lead 2-0.
Adams finally got his final off and running to hold. They produced back-to-back 180’s but Adams allowed Thornton back for a clinical 68 to hold and make it 1-1. A 116 checkout to break followed it up and he was throwing for a 3-0 lead.
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‘Wolfie’ hit a third 180 but Thornton again hit one to be first to a finish on his throw and had six at 124.
Adams hit another 180 but a 68 checkout went to Thornton as he went two sets away from the title. He hit double 12 to begin the next set with a hold of throw.
Adams missed three at double 20 for a hold but Thornton couldn’t clean up this time missing 68 only for double trouble to continue for ‘Wolfie’ and Thornton hit double 10 to go one away from a 4-0 lead.
It was the best leg of the match for Adams as he aimed to find his way back in and Thornton missed the chance for a 12-darter. Adams claimed a 10-darter as a result to break throw as he aimed to send it to a decider.
Adams from nowhere was kicking into gear with another 180 and hit a 15-darter on double 10 to send it all the way. Thornton wasn’t flustered by the Adams resurgence and despite missing 111 on double 20, he returned for double 10 for the set and he was 4-0 up.
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He began Adams throw with a 180 but ‘Wolfie’ sealed double three as he wouldn’t give in. A seventh maximum followed for Thornton who hit double 10 to hold.
He missed the chance at a 127 but returned after Adams couldn’t take out 119 and it was 2-1 and one away for Thornton.
He hit 128 to leave 36 with Adams well back but he missed three match darts. Adams was looking at 130 but missed the bull.
More match darts went as Thornton missed two at double four and Adams hit 48 to send it all the way. Adams found a 72 checkout to go 4-1 down.
Thornton held throw as he aimed to head towards the finish again but Adams did the same with an 81 checkout. Thornton set up 32 from 146 as he put himself at the brink again.
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He hit a 180 followed by 140 on Adams throw to leave 88 and missed double seven for the title with another match dart going. Two more went from seven.
Adams returned for 71 and he hit double 20 to send it all the way. Thornton had the throw for the win again and he hit a ninth 180. Thornton missed 68 for the match again but finally returned for double two to claim the title.
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- Good, absolutely no loss if we never see this dancing goof ever again......no that is not fair. He absolutely cannot and has never been remotely able to dance!richieburnettrocks10-11-2026
- Yes Phil,now the money in the game is bigger than ever,you'd play littler. Well so would I! Retire on your memory Phil,and your successful careerrick6709-11-2026
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
- I'm disappointed he was not able to secure a spot at the Grand Slam. With Carl Sneyd taking care of Daryl Gurney, he would have had to beat Andy Boulton before facing the winner of Sneyd vs Mensur Suljović for a Grand Slam spot. Unfortunately, after beating Filip Bereza comfortably, he succumbed to Boulton, and the board would ultimately be won by the highly inconsistent Carl Sneyd. Since he could instead have been drawn against the likes of Cristo Reyes, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Stephen Bunting, I think once Gurney was out of the picture he would have been favourite to win his board, and it seems like a massive missed opportunity to put 5 grand on his ranking and seal another major TV appearance ahead of the Worlds. The highs and lows of following Raymond van Barneveld!Deduce635806-11-2026
- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
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- She's technically not a professional though as she doesn't hold a pro tour card.mr-pablo04-11-2026
- Such a shame that lakeside has been reduced to this. Fantastic venue,and previously a great tournament. Not any morerick6703-11-2026
- Seems to me that the top 16 players pick and choose whatever they want to play. Good,all the money will get spread out more. They get more money from exhibitions than tournaments so let them all withdrawrick6703-11-2026
