TONY O'SHEA 2 v ROBERT THORNTON 4

Robert “The Thorn” Thornton produced the sports top checkout of 170 as he pulled off a shock 4-2 victory and dismiss the fifth seed Tony O’Shea.

The Scot proved to be a real thorn in the Cheshire man’s title plans during the 64 minute encounter with power-scoring and pinpoint finishing as he ended the match with a 30.64 average.

“I was delighted with my performance. I played a power game and punished him with big scores. It was a grand game of darts.

“The leg in which I hit 170 was a good leg and important for me to do but that is what the game’s all about.

“It is the second time I have reached the last eight and the longer format will suit me but I am just taking each game at a time,” said the Scot.

The Stockport grandfather had cruised into a 2-0 lead but saw the battling Scot level and then miss double 18 to sneak the opening set against the throw - O’Shea hitting double eight.

Trailing in the second after Thornton blasted out a 180 in the opening leg, the Cheshire marksman produced a pulsating 161 checkout (60, 51, bull).  Thornton took the third leg with double nine and then narrowly missed bull for a 130 finish, scooping the set with his next throw on double four to level the game.

The black-shirted Thornton led the third set 2-1 and then stunned the crowd with the game’s top  checkout – 170 to open up a 2-1 lead, adding the third set 3-1, despite a maximum from “Silverback.”

O’Shea raced into a 2-0 lead in the fifth, Thornton taking the third leg with the aid of maximum but the fifth seed replied in the next with a 180 to leave himself 66. On his next throw he hit treble 10 but a wayward second dart hit double one but he recovered to hit the set-winning double 17!

Thornton struck a psychological blow in the opening leg of the sixth set, exiting on double 16 against the throwing advantage. He held his throw in the next, notching his fourth 180 in the third leg and then coolly exited on 98 with two darts to move into the last eight and a guaranteed £6000 payout.

 
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