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ROBERT THORNTON 10 – 8  Wez Newton

Robert Thornton continued his brilliant run of form in the Speedy Services UK Open, with a 10-8 triumph over Wez Newton in the quarter-finals at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium.

‘The Thorn’, who hit four 180’s in the match, added Newton to his list of high profile scalps, after knocking out Mark Webster and Gary Anderson in earlier rounds.

“I’m happy to be through,” said Thornton, who last reached a major semi-final in 2009.

“He kept breaking me and I knew I had to break straight back. The final leg was massive for me. I’d been on four nine-darters in the last few weeks and lost the leg every time so I was delighted to get the job done.”

Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Thornton hit his first maximum in the opening leg, but missed darts at his double allowed Newton in for an early break of throw.

The Scotsman broke straight back, before Newton did the same to edge back in front.

‘The Thorn’ was the width of the wire away from making it four consecutive legs won against the throw, but Newton hit double top to end that trend and go 3-1 ahead.

The former World Master hit double top to reduce the deficit, and then pulled level by taking out 56 after setting it up with a 140 when it looked like the leg might be beyond him.

Thornton hit double ten to take the lead for the first time in the match, before kicking off the next leg with his second 180 followed by a 140.

Newton managed to hold though, hitting double seven to restore parity, before taking out a classy 82 finish to edge back ahead.

Thornton then took out 61 for another break of throw, putting himself 6-4 in front.

Newton broke back but the resilient Thornton did the same to restore his two leg advantage.

‘The Thorn’ hit double five to make it 8-5, before Newton hit double top to effectively keep himself in the match.

‘The Warrior’ grabbed what looked to be a crucial break of throw when he followed up his second 180 with a 121 checkout.

‘The Thorn’ though refused to let his opponent back in, hitting double 18 to break again and leave himself throwing for the match.

Both players kicked off a tense 17th leg with 140’s, before Newton took out another 121 finish to keep himself in the match once more.

Thornton bounced back again, hitting six perfect darts against the throw, before eventually hitting double top to book his place in the last four.

‘The Thorn’ will play Dave Chisnall tonight’s semi-final.

“I’m just happy to be here,” added Thornton, who goes back into the top 32 in the order of merit.

“I’m just going to go and chill and prepare in the same way as I have been all weekend.”

By Chris Murphy

See four of the world’s top professional darts players go head to head in the Charlton Masters on Thursday 19 July.

Robert Thornton and Raymond van Barneveld both made it through to the quarter-finals of the Speedy Services UK Open after winning incredible matches at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday evening.

Thornton won eight consecutive legs to complete a remarkable comeback against Dennis Priestley in Bolton, while van Barneveld won a tense last leg decider against Peter Wright.

Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC

‘The Thorn’ stormed back from 5-1 down to beat ‘The Menace’ 9-5, setting up a quarter-final clash with Wez Newton.

“At 5-1 down I just thought ‘what am I doing?’,” said Thornton, who reached the last eight for the second consecutive year.

“I managed to calm myself down, relax and start playing darts again. I’d worked so hard to get to this match and I didn’t want to throw that away.

“I love this tournament. The atmosphere is brilliant and I can’t wait to be back tomorrow.”

‘Barney’ had to win the last three legs to pip Wright, who suffered the unfortunate fate of busting 138 when he was throwing for the match.

“I was lucky in the end but I am pleased to be through,” said van Barneveld. “I feel sorry for Peter because he played a brilliant game but I dug in and got the result.

“I was tired after watching Holland lose in the football, so I need to rest and prepare for tomorrow but I’m glad to go back to the hotel smiling and still in the tournament.”

‘Barney’ will face Dave Chisnall in the last eight on Sunday.

Earlier in the evening Michael van Gerwen bowed out at the hands of Terry Jenkins, while Australian pair Simon Whitlock and Paul Nicholson also exited the tournament.

Sunday afternoon sees the remaining eight players go head to head over the best of 19 legs, with the semi-finals and final taking place on Sunday night.

By Chris Murphy

Speedy Services UK Open

Quarter-Final draw (involving MODUS players)

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD v Dave Chisnall

ROBERT THORNTON v Wez Newton

(Winners meet in semi-final)

See four of the world’s top professional darts players go head to head in the Charlton Masters on Thursday 19 July.

Simon Whitlock was too strong a force for the much-fancied Justin Pipe in the fourth round of the Speedy Services UK Open, while Robert Thornton produced the shock of the round with a 9-7 triumph over fellow Scotsman Gary Anderson on Saturday afternoon.

Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC

There was also a victory for Paul Nicholson, who is joined in the last 16 by Dutch pair Raymond van Barneveld and Michael van Gerwen.

Whitlock triumphed 9-5 over Pipe to set up an evening clash against Dave Chisnall.

“Justin is one of the hardest players to play,” said Whitlock, who averaged over 95. “I just did enough to win and I’m really pleased to have beaten him.

“I feel good about myself and hopefully I can get a rhythm going. I’m here to win and if I wasn’t I wouldn’t even turn up.”

Thornton grabbed his second scalp in as many days, when he knocked out Gary Anderson, who had hit a nine-darter in the previous round.

“I’m enjoying it again,” said Thornton, who is returning to form after suffering from pneumonia.

“It’s all down to hard work and constant practise. I’m pleased that I’m coming back to form and I’m more relaxed than I’ve ever been. I’m going to go and get some rest ahead of tonight.”

Thornton takes on Dennis Priestley in the battle for a quarter-final place.

Nicholson progressed at the expense of Arron Monk, with ‘The Asset’ posting an average of almost 100.

Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC

“I said before the tournament that no expectations means no pressure and I think I should adopt this attitude more often,” said Nicholson, who will face Dennis Ovens in round five.

“I learned  a lot from last year and I’m actually feeling a little bit fresher than at this stage last year. Now I’m going to go away and prepare for tonight.”

van Barneveld produced one of the performances of the afternoon, hitting three ton plus finishes in a classy victory over Andy Hamilton.

“I knew what I was up against,” said van Barneveld who faces Peter Wright in the last 16.

“He (Hamilton) had a great World Championship and Premier League so I’m happy with the win.

“He took out two bull finishes, which annoyed me, so I was pleased to win it with the 126 checkout.”

van Gerwen hit a 170 checkout on his way to victory in a thrilling match against Mervyn King.

“I played very well and I’m pleased to be through,” said van Gerwen, who will play Terry Jenkins on the main stage tonight.

“My finishing could be a little bit better, but the 170 was a special moment and I’m looking forward to my next game.”

The fifth round takes place on Saturday evening with all games played over the best of 17 legs.

By Chris Murphy

Speedy Services UK Open

Fifth round draw (involving MODUS players)

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN v Terry Jenkins

SIMON WHITLOCK v Dave Chisnall

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD v Peter Wright

ROBERT THORNTON v Dennis Priestley

PAUL NICHOLSON v Denis Ovens

See Barney, Whitlock, Wade and Webster live at the CHARLTON MASTERS next month