Schedule and preview Thursday evening session 2022 World Seniors Darts Championship

It is time for darting action to return to the Circus Tavern with some of the biggest legends in the sport set to play at the 2022 World Seniors Darts Championship starting on Thursday evening.

The first round takes place first with many of the main World Champions e.g Phil Taylor, Martin Adams, John Part and Trina Gulliver MBE coming in during the second round.

They will play the winners of the opening games which take place over the evening session on Thursday and afternoon session on Friday with all matches best of five sets until the Semi-Finals.

Up first on the oche in Purfleet will be a former World Champion who famously had a walk-on involving a horse at the venue in Bob Anderson.

Health and safety wouldn't allow for that to take place now but 'The Limestone Cowboy' will face a potentially quality clash against Robert Thornton.

'The Thorn' fresh off Q-School is one of the only players still active in professional darts involved so poses a tricky threat for Anderson - who is known to still play at Super League level so still competitively but hasn't played on TV since his League of Legends win back in 2008. The winner to play Trina Gulliver MBE.

Following that, it will be the battle of the walk-ons as Peter 'One Dart' Manley will walk on to the dulcet tones of Amarillo against Deta Hedman who will be feeling 'Hot Hot Hot' with 'The Heart of Darts' aiming to erase the narrative of a potential reunion between Manley and Phil Taylor in the second round.

Manley who barring a few run-outs at Q-School has been mainly putting his time and effort into the PDPA as the Chairman, while for Hedman, she is still winning titles and has been a perennial winner for a long time so those dreaming of the reunion may not get it.

Following that is a real intriguing tie as two former World Finalists collide in Tony O'Shea and Kevin Painter.

Two of the top names on the exhibition circuit, it could be one of the ties of the first round if both players are on it with Wayne Warren awaiting the winner tomorrow evening.

From O'Shea to one of his best friends and another fan favourite in Darryl Fitton who will be hoping to go 'One Step Beyond' the first round at the Circus Tavern.

He faces Richie Howson though. He qualified through in Newbury late last year and 'The Owl' who has big stage experience has the potential edge of only living just down the road so can he harness that to see off 'The Dazzler'.

Robert Thornton v Bob Anderson

Peter Manley v Deta Hedman

Tony O'Shea v Kevin Painter

Darryl Fitton v Richie Howson