Robert Thornton could add the World Seniors Darts Matchplay to his World Seniors Championship win later this evening at the Bonus Arena in Hull after reaching the final with victory over Martin Adams 9-7 in an entertaining clash.
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Thornton reeled off six legs on the spin from 7-3 down to seal victory with a 93 average and will face Phil Taylor or Kevin Painter later this evening.
Thornton looked frustrated as he dropped his throw in the opening leg with Adams pinning double 20 for a 65 checkout. Both shared maximums but Adams was first to throw for the leg albeit ‘Wolfie’ missed the big number and Thornton replied with a 68 checkout to level up at 1-1.
Adams left double four in case Thornton couldn’t pin 120 but missed three darts to break. Thornton returned for double 20 to finally hold and make it 2-1.
He had the chance to break himself but fluffed his lines and Adams hit double 16 to make it 2-2. A 41 checkout saw Thornton hold to make it 3-2. A superb 146 checkout saw Adams tie it up at 3-3 at the break.
On return, Adams carried that momentum with a 96 checkout to break and make it 4-3 and he consolidated on double one to make it 5-3. A timely 140 from Adams left him on 121 which he pinned for another break to make it 6-3 and go three away.
He began his throw with yet another maximum with his average sat at 94 and pinned 81 to go 7-3 up. Thornton stopped the rot but again Adams hit a 180 to start his throw only for Thornton to miss 170 for a break. He hit double two though with Adams unable to take out 25 himself and it was suddenly 7-5 with Thornton throwing to go one away from levelling up.
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A 180 and 41 checkout did just that as Thornton went 7-6 down and the comeback was complete as Thornton broke to make it 7-7, he held throw to seal an 8-7 lead. A 180 and double 20 saw Thornton seal it.
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