Grand Slam of Darts - Match Reports 6. Day
Wayne Jones 10:6 Robert Thornton
Home-Town hero Wayne Jones won through to the quarter-finals of the Daily Mirror Grand Slam of Darts, defeating Robert Thornton
10:6.
Jones had won past the first round narrowly on Tuesday night after squeezing through Group B at the Wolves Civic, and made the
Scot pay for missed doubles as he reached the quarter-finals in front of his home crowd for the first time.
While Thornton edged the first leg on double top, after three misses from Jones, it was the European Championship finalist who
found his range to surge clear.
He took the next four after Thornton missed darts to take every leg, three times on tops and once for the bull as Jones stepped
in to land finishes of 82 and 64 in taking command.
Thornton edged the sixth on double top as he regained his touch, before checking out 129 on the bull to cut the gap to 4-3.
Jones landed tops to win a fifth leg before a two-dart 62 finish saw Thornton keep pace, only to then miss five darts to square
the game in leg ten as Jones finished 68 for a 6-4 advantage.
Jones then posted an 11-dart leg, the best of the game, to break throw with a 96 finish before hitting a 180 for a second
successive leg in moving clear at 8-4.
A brace of double top finishes from Thornton, after a single missed double from Jones in both legs, saw him halve the deficit.
But Thornton then missed one dart at his beloved double top to edge a crucial 15th leg, as Jones earned a reprieve from five
earlier misses to hit double two and move a leg away from the win.
Thornton hit his first 180 of the game to open the next, but when he missed one dart at double top and two at double ten Jones
was swift to seal the win on double ten.
"I knew it would be tough and I was pretty relieved that Robert missed his doubles in the end," said Jones. "The finishing was
always going to be a deciding factor and luckily enough it was in my favour.
I feel like I'm on the verge of throwing a high average on stage and have to go up there and do it now. I can't wait for the
quarter-finals on Saturday."
Thornton conceded: "I had my chances and scored well enough but my doubles cost me. My finishing was good in the group games but
I missed too many doubles tonight."
Terry Jenkins 10:7 Tony O'Shea
Terry Jenkins came from 3-0 down to defeat Tony O'Shea 10-7 and maintain his ever-present record in the quarter-finals of the Daily
Mirror Grand Slam of Darts.
Behind three-time winner Phil Taylor, Jenkins has proven the most successful player in the Grand Slam of Darts since the
tournament was introduced in 2007, reaching the quarter-finals that year and the final and semi-finals since.
He will now return to the Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Saturday to compete in the last eight after overcoming a superb showing
from O'Shea, who hit ten 180s and averaged 101 in the contest.
Stockport's O'Shea, a quarter-finalist in last year's event, made a superb start with a 180 to open the game in a 14-dart leg
before taking the second leg in 11 darts with another maximum and a 100 finish.
He also won leg three, after Jenkins missed double top for a 120 finish, before the Ledbury ace hit a maximum and double four
to edge the fourth.
While O'Shea landed tops to lead 4-1 at the break, Jenkins returned to the stage with a brilliant spell to take four successive
legs and hit the front.
Having initially broken throw in the sixth, he traded 180s with O'Shea in the next before landing double top, finished double five
in the eighth to level - after the pair again hit maximum scores - and then double four to lead 5-4.
O'Shea levelled the game on double ten, after hitting his sixth 180, he could only wait on a finish as Jenkins edged the 11th on
double four.
O'Shea won the next in 12 darts to level and a 14-darter also saw him clark back to seven-all, but Jenkins held his throw to win
the 15th with a two-dart 87 finish.
He then produced the game's key momeny with a break of throw to move clear at 9-7, finishing 100 for a 12-darter before sealing
the win in 13 darts on double two.
"Tony played great darts and deserved to take the first session but I worked hard to get back into the game," said
Jenkins. "I love this tournament and am really pleased to be in the quarter-finals, but I want to go all the way."
O'Shea said: "I hit more 180s than doubles at the end and that cost me but it was a great game to be involved in. I don't
mind losing if I play well and do myself justice, and I think I did that."
Gary Anderson 10:3 Colin Osborne
Gary Anderson powered into the quarter-finals of the Daily Mirror Grand Slam of Darts, defeating Colin Osborne 10-3 to set up a
clash with home favourite Wayne Jones on Saturday.
The Scot was rarely troubled by a below-par Osborne, who had produced his best televised darts this year in winning through the
group stage but never hit top gear against Anderson.
He found himself 3-0 down in little time, as Anderson posted double top to win the opening leg, double eight to break in the
second and tops again for a 71 finish in the third for a trio of flawless finishes.
Osborne was first to a double in the third, but missed double 16 and two darts at double eight before Anderson copied those
lapses to give the Derby-based star a reprieve, as he finally hit double eight to get off the mark.
Anderson swiftly restored his cushion with a 125 finish for a 12-dart leg, although Osborne returned from the break with a pair
of 180s in taking the sixth to cut the gap to 4-2.
However, he could do little to halt another surge from Anderson, who took out legs of 14, 14 and 13 darts to move 7-2 up, with a
missed bullseye for a 126 finish proving Osborne's only chance.
Anderson also took the next despite a 180 from his opponent, and another 12-dart finish gave Anderson a 9-2 lead.
He then missed three match darts in the 12th leg as Osborne landed double 16 to keep the game alive, but failed to pressure
Anderson's throw in the next as the Scot posted tops to secure passage to the last eight.
"My finishing was great and I'm delighted to be through," said Anderson. "It will be different against Wayne Jones on Saturday
because he's in great form.
He's a local lad and will have plenty of support but I'm confident and I'll give it a good go."
Osborne admitted: "Gary scored superbly and finished well, and he fully deserved to win. I prepared well but it wasn't my night
and I couldn't find my form on stage."
James Wade 10:9 Mervyn King
James Wade won a nail-biting deciding leg against Mervyn King to progress to the last eight of the Daily Mirror Grand Slam of
Darts for the first time in four attempts at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall.
The left-hander has been a second round loser in the previous three years of the £400,000 tournament, but edged a thriller
against King to set up a quarter-final with Terry Jenkins on Saturday.
Wade initially came from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 before the players traded legs throughout an absorbing contest, with King missing
two darts for a 10-8 win and one dart to take the decider before the world number two prevailed.
King had started the game brilliantly, kicking off with a 13-darter to open the game with a break of throw before moving 2-0 up
with a 14-dart finish.
Wade, though, hit a 180 in the third before double ten got him off the mark, and landed a 161 checkout to level before hitting
another maximum and double top in a 13-dart finish to lead 3-2.
Wade then posted his fourth maximum of the game in the sixth, but missed double top for a 120 checkout as King posted double eight
to level.
The pair traded double ten finishes in the next two legs before Wade hit a pressure tops to lead 5-4.
King levelled on double eight but, after missing two darts for the 11th, then finished 64 in two darts to tie the match at six-all.
He then posted a 180 in a 14-darter for a key break to lead 7-6 - although the next four legs would also go against the throw to
lead him 9-8 up.
However, he would be unable to close out the win, missing two darts at double 18 and nine for a 96 finish in the next as Wade, with
his third dart, hit double five to force a decider.
King hit a 140 and three tons in the final leg and, after Wade missed double top for the match, he returned needing 61 - only to
hit the bullseye when aiming for 25, and then missed double four to take the win as his opponent returned to hit his trusted double
ten for victory.
"It was a really tight match and I'm just so happy to get the win," said Wade. "I was nervous but I also found myself too relaxed
in the middle of the game and put myself in a tough position.
I got out of it though and will look forward to playing Terry on Saturday. He knocked me out last year so I'm keen to play him in
the quarter-finals."
Terry Jenkins came from 3-0 down to defeat Tony O'Shea 10-7 and maintain his ever-present record in the quarter-finals of the Daily
Mirror Grand Slam of Darts.
Behind three-time winner Phil Taylor, Jenkins has proven the most successful player in the Grand Slam of Darts since the tournament was introduced in 2007, reaching the quarter-finals that year and the final and semi-finals since.
He will now return to the Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Saturday to compete in the last eight after overcoming a superb showing from O'Shea, who hit ten 180s and averaged 101 in the contest.
Stockport's O'Shea, a quarter-finalist in last year's event, made a superb start with a 180 to open the game in a 14-dart leg before taking the second leg in 11 darts with another maximum and a 100 finish. He also won leg three, after Jenkins missed double top for a 120 finish, before the Ledbury ace hit a maximum and double four to edge the fourth.
While O'Shea landed tops to lead 4-1 at the break, Jenkins returned to the stage with a brilliant spell to take four successive legs and hit the front. Having initially broken throw in the sixth, he traded 180s with O'Shea in the next before landing double top, finished double five in the eighth to level - after the pair again hit maximum scores - and then double four to lead 5-4.
O'Shea levelled the game on double ten, after hitting his sixth 180, he could only wait on a finish as Jenkins edged the 11th on double four. O'Shea won the next in 12 darts to level and a 14-darter also saw him clark back to seven-all, but Jenkins held his throw to win the 15th with a two-dart 87 finish.
He then produced the game's key momeny with a break of throw to move clear at 9-7, finishing 100 for a 12-darter before sealing the win in 13 darts on double two.
"Tony played great darts and deserved to take the first session but I worked hard to get back into the game," said Jenkins. "I love this tournament and am really pleased to be in the quarter-finals, but I want to go all the way."
O'Shea said: "I hit more 180s than doubles at the end and that cost me but it was a great game to be involved in. I don't mind losing if I play well and do myself justice, and I think I did that."
Gary Anderson 10:3 Colin Osborne
Gary Anderson powered into the quarter-finals of the Daily Mirror Grand Slam of Darts, defeating Colin Osborne 10-3 to set up a
clash with home favourite Wayne Jones on Saturday.
The Scot was rarely troubled by a below-par Osborne, who had produced his best televised darts this year in winning through the
group stage but never hit top gear against Anderson.
He found himself 3-0 down in little time, as Anderson posted double top to win the opening leg, double eight to break in the
second and tops again for a 71 finish in the third for a trio of flawless finishes.
Osborne was first to a double in the third, but missed double 16 and two darts at double eight before Anderson copied those
lapses to give the Derby-based star a reprieve, as he finally hit double eight to get off the mark.
Anderson swiftly restored his cushion with a 125 finish for a 12-dart leg, although Osborne returned from the break with a pair
of 180s in taking the sixth to cut the gap to 4-2.
However, he could do little to halt another surge from Anderson, who took out legs of 14, 14 and 13 darts to move 7-2 up, with a
missed bullseye for a 126 finish proving Osborne's only chance.
Anderson also took the next despite a 180 from his opponent, and another 12-dart finish gave Anderson a 9-2 lead.
He then missed three match darts in the 12th leg as Osborne landed double 16 to keep the game alive, but failed to pressure
Anderson's throw in the next as the Scot posted tops to secure passage to the last eight.
"My finishing was great and I'm delighted to be through," said Anderson. "It will be different against Wayne Jones on Saturday
because he's in great form.
He's a local lad and will have plenty of support but I'm confident and I'll give it a good go."
Osborne admitted: "Gary scored superbly and finished well, and he fully deserved to win. I prepared well but it wasn't my night
and I couldn't find my form on stage."
James Wade 10:9 Mervyn King
James Wade won a nail-biting deciding leg against Mervyn King to progress to the last eight of the Daily Mirror Grand Slam of
Darts for the first time in four attempts at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall.
The left-hander has been a second round loser in the previous three years of the £400,000 tournament, but edged a thriller
against King to set up a quarter-final with Terry Jenkins on Saturday.
Wade initially came from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 before the players traded legs throughout an absorbing contest, with King missing
two darts for a 10-8 win and one dart to take the decider before the world number two prevailed.
King had started the game brilliantly, kicking off with a 13-darter to open the game with a break of throw before moving 2-0 up
with a 14-dart finish.
Wade, though, hit a 180 in the third before double ten got him off the mark, and landed a 161 checkout to level before hitting
another maximum and double top in a 13-dart finish to lead 3-2.
Wade then posted his fourth maximum of the game in the sixth, but missed double top for a 120 checkout as King posted double eight
to level.
The pair traded double ten finishes in the next two legs before Wade hit a pressure tops to lead 5-4.
King levelled on double eight but, after missing two darts for the 11th, then finished 64 in two darts to tie the match at six-all.
He then posted a 180 in a 14-darter for a key break to lead 7-6 - although the next four legs would also go against the throw to
lead him 9-8 up.
However, he would be unable to close out the win, missing two darts at double 18 and nine for a 96 finish in the next as Wade, with
his third dart, hit double five to force a decider.
King hit a 140 and three tons in the final leg and, after Wade missed double top for the match, he returned needing 61 - only to
hit the bullseye when aiming for 25, and then missed double four to take the win as his opponent returned to hit his trusted double
ten for victory.
"It was a really tight match and I'm just so happy to get the win," said Wade. "I was nervous but I also found myself too relaxed
in the middle of the game and put myself in a tough position.
I got out of it though and will look forward to playing Terry on Saturday. He knocked me out last year so I'm keen to play him in
the quarter-finals."
James Wade won a nail-biting deciding leg against Mervyn King to progress to the last eight of the Daily Mirror Grand Slam of
Darts for the first time in four attempts at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall.
The left-hander has been a second round loser in the previous three years of the £400,000 tournament, but edged a thriller against King to set up a quarter-final with Terry Jenkins on Saturday.
Wade initially came from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 before the players traded legs throughout an absorbing contest, with King missing two darts for a 10-8 win and one dart to take the decider before the world number two prevailed.
King had started the game brilliantly, kicking off with a 13-darter to open the game with a break of throw before moving 2-0 up with a 14-dart finish. Wade, though, hit a 180 in the third before double ten got him off the mark, and landed a 161 checkout to level before hitting another maximum and double top in a 13-dart finish to lead 3-2.
Wade then posted his fourth maximum of the game in the sixth, but missed double top for a 120 checkout as King posted double eight to level. The pair traded double ten finishes in the next two legs before Wade hit a pressure tops to lead 5-4.
King levelled on double eight but, after missing two darts for the 11th, then finished 64 in two darts to tie the match at six-all. He then posted a 180 in a 14-darter for a key break to lead 7-6 - although the next four legs would also go against the throw to lead him 9-8 up. However, he would be unable to close out the win, missing two darts at double 18 and nine for a 96 finish in the next as Wade, with his third dart, hit double five to force a decider.
King hit a 140 and three tons in the final leg and, after Wade missed double top for the match, he returned needing 61 - only to hit the bullseye when aiming for 25, and then missed double four to take the win as his opponent returned to hit his trusted double ten for victory.
"It was a really tight match and I'm just so happy to get the win," said Wade. "I was nervous but I also found myself too relaxed in the middle of the game and put myself in a tough position. I got out of it though and will look forward to playing Terry on Saturday. He knocked me out last year so I'm keen to play him in the quarter-finals."