Rampant Robert Thornton claims inaugural World Seniors Championship title
Robert Thornton secured the 2022 World Seniors Championship title in emphatic fashion with a 5-1 victory over Martin Adams in the final at The Circus Tavern.
A ruthless Thornton dropped only three sets in five wins en route to clinching the £30,000 top prize in Purfleet as he created a slice of darting history by becoming the first name on The Legends trophy.
The former World Masters, UK Open and World Grand Prix winner turned on the style in the final with ten maximums and a 92.6 average to deny Adams glory.
Thornton had kicked off the day with a 4-2 victory over 2011 Players Champion Kevin Painter in the Semi-Finals and took control of the final early on with six consecutive legs to take a two-set lead.
A blistering first set saw ‘The Thorn’ fire in legs of 14, 11 and 13 darts for an average of 118.66, while he added a 116 checkout in set two.
Adams stopped the rot by securing his first leg in set three but only for Thornton to reply with three straight legs to extend his lead to 3-0.
The fourth set went to a deciding leg, but it was Thornton who again held firm to seal it and move further clear.
A resilient Adams dug deep to get his first, and only, set on the scoreboard as he survived multiple match darts from the Scot to edge the fifth and stay alive in the contest.
Thornton, however, crushed any hopes of a miraculous comeback as he wrapped up the title in set six on double two.
“It’s absolutely amazing,” said Thornton. “I’ve got to make history twice this week. I opened the first match and I’ve won it – first on, last off, that will do me.
“I’ve been comfortable all week and felt brilliant up there.
“This is the first event of its kind and I’m very happy to be the first name on the trophy.
“Words can’t describe it. I’m looking forward to the next one now, I’m enjoying my darts again.”
Adams secured a Semi-Final victory over nine-time major finalist Terry Jenkins in the afternoon session by four sets to two, having also defeated Richie Howson and Larry Butler to reach the latter stages.
The three-time BDO World Champion admitted: “The consistency just wasn’t there tonight, maybe I was a little bit tired.”
“Robert always seems to hit a 180 at the right time and they’re the ones that hurt the most.
“Fair play to Robert, he played absolutely brilliant.
“I think I can take a fair bit of confidence out of it. This has been the first stage event I’ve played in for quite some time and I can go to Lakeside now with a bit more confidence than I came here with.
“I’m extremely proud to be part of it, for a few years I’ve said ‘wouldn’t it be nice to have a World Seniors?’ and it’s happened. It can only grow and grow.”
The World Seniors Tour continues at Lakeside in Frimley Green from May 28-29 with the World Seniors Masters.
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World Seniors Championship 2022 Day Four Results
Sunday February 6
Afternoon Session
Semi-Finals
Kevin Painter 2-4 Robert Thornton
Terry Jenkins 2-4 Martin Adams
Evening Session
Final
Robert Thornton 5-1 Martin Adams
