“Live Blog Ian Tuckey, Digital sport journalist Updated: 17:06, 8 Nov 2024 THE World Seniors Darts Masters is underway in Sunderland with some huge names competing. Richie Howson, John Henderson and Robert Thornton all feature in the star-studded 16-player field. A new champion will be crowned in Sunderland this weekend as current champ Leonard Gates”, — write: www.thesun.co.uk
- Ian Tuckey, Digital sport journalist
- Updated: 17:06, 8 Nov 2024
Richie Howson, John Henderson and Robert Thornton all feature in the star-studded 16-player field.
A new champion will be crowned in Sunderland this weekend as current champ Leonard Gates is not in action in the North East.
- Start time: From 1pm GMT
- Live stream: discovery+
- TV channel: TNT Sports
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- Results recapHere’s how the first four last-16 clashes panned out earlier today.
Female stars Lisa Ashton and Trina Gulliver exited.
And only one of the four matches went beyond five legs.
Lisa Ashton 2-4 Matt Clark
Paul Hogan 4-1 Glen Durrant
Rob Thornton 4-0 Trina Gulliver
Eirig Rowlands 4-1 Andrew Kateley - Bookies back HendersonRivals have a mountain to climb if they want to topple “Highlander” – according to the bookies.
Scotland’s World Senior Darts champion John Henderson is a warm favourite at around 7/2.
Northern Irishman Neil Duff is rated at about 6/1 and English ace Scott Mitchell is listed third on 8/1.
There’s then a gap to Martin Adams and Chris Mason, both at around 12/1.
- Fours to be reckoned withA slow start could be curtains for tonight’s competitors.
That’s because it’s the first to four legs in each case.
It also means of course that whoever throws first has an even bigger advantage than usual.
- ‘Winning is best medicine’Michael van Gerwen says ‘winning is the best medicine’ ahead of the 2024 Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts.
The Dutchman is one of 32 stars battling for the £150,000 top prize in the tournament which starts in Wolverhampton tomorrow.
Credit: Instagram / @mvg180The three-time world champ appears back in form in recent weeks, triumphing in the Hungarian Darts Trophy two months ago, then taking two Players Championship titles.
PDC.TV quote the legend as saying: “My confidence is there and I feel good, and I think that’s the most important thing for success.
“I think in some patches I’m playing really well. In other patches maybe not stable enough.
“I believe I’m hitting form, but last year I felt like I was in the same situation and then I lost an unnecessary game in the World Championship.
“Of course it gives you confidence and energy for the rest of the year, because winning is the best medicine!”
- Night feverThere are still four matches to come this evening – including a belter to get us started.
Here’s the schedule for tonight’s last-16 games from 7pm:
- Martin Adams v Chris Mason
- Neil Duff v Darryl Fitton
- John Henderson v Scott Mitchell
- Richie Howson v Tony O’Shea
Credit: Getty
- Afternoon recapThat’s that until 7pm, with four players safely through to the quarters.
Matt Clark proved too strong for Lisa Ashton in the opener, before Paul Hogan saw off Glen Durrant.
Robert Thornton breezed past Trina Gulliver, while Richard Rowlands is through despite a game effort from debutant Andrew Kateley.
- Lisa Ashton 2-4 Matt Clark
- Paul Hogan 4-1 Glen Durrant
- Robert Thornton 4-0 Trina Gulliver
- Richard Rowlands 4-1 Andrew Kateley
- Rowlands speaks”The whole game came down to finishing. He wired them.
“He’s an excellent player, I’ve only recently met him. I was very lucky to get through that game.
“At one point I’d lost track of the sets, I just kept on winning legs.”
- Richard Rowlands BEATS Andrew Kateley 4-1A valiant performance from Kately on debut.
He averages almost three figures, but is all over the place on his doubles.
Rowlands books his place in the quarter-finals with double top. He was in a real game there.
- Latest scores – Rowlands 1-1 Kateley (3-1 in sets)It’s not over yet.
Two match darts missed by Rowlands and Kateley makes him pay, taking out tops.
Rowlands now throwing for the match.
- Latest scores – Rowlands 1-0 Kateley (3-1 in sets)Huge hold from Rowlands.
Kateley again puts the pressure on with his high scoring early in the leg, but just can’t see it out when it matters.
Tops for the Welshman – game shot. He’s now one leg away from the quarters.
- Latest scores – Rowlands 2-1 Kateley (3-1 in sets)Kateley knows how close that was.
Almost a massive 153 checkout, but double 16 – again – goes begging.
Rowlands makes him pay. The Welshman now just one set from victory.
- Latest scores – Rowlands 1-1 Kateley (2-1 in sets)Suddenly nobody can hit a double again.
Kateley with a huge chance to level it at 2-2, but double 16 and double 8 both go begging.
Rowlands – eventually – shows him how it’s done. A massive leg coming up.
- Latest scores – Rowlands 0-1 Kateley (2-1 in sets)Kateley’s comeback continues.
He averaged over 105 in the first stages of this match but just couldn’t buy a double.
No issues this time as D16 goes at the first attempt. That’s three legs on the spin for The Robot.
- Latest scores – Rowlands 0-0 Kateley (2-1 in sets)Debutant Andrew Kately has just got himself back in contention against Welshman Richard Rowlands.
Here’s how the rest of today’s matches have ended in Sunderland, with an evening session starting from 7pm.
- Lisa Ashton 2-4 Matt Clark
- Paul Hogan 4-1 Glen Durrant
- Robert Thornton 4-0 Trina Gulliver