Wade wins Slam shootout

Wade: Tense shootout win

Groups E-H qualifiers:
R Thornton v D Young
S Whitlock v S Beaton
T Jenkins v J Wade
G Anderson v S Waites

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James Wade won a dramatic nine-dart shootout with Andy Hamilton to book the final place in the last 16 of the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton.

The two men had met earlier in the night in a high-quality contest with both of them averaging over 100, and a 5-3 victory for 'The Hammer' put them dead level in the group and the only way they could be separated would be a nine-dart shootout.

During their group contest Hamilton took out 102, 120, 130 and 132 as he looked in blistering form, and Wade was forced to leave the venue to compose himself for the nerve-jangling shootout at the end of the night.

Wade won the throw for the Bull, but after both men had thrown twice there were only four points in it with the left-hander just ahead, but he managed to compose himself to hit a brilliant 180 that saw him set-up a clash with Terry Jenkins in the last 16.

Counted out

BDO world champion Ted Hankey was on the receiving end of more banter from the Wolverhampton crowd, but he looked to have silenced his critics as he raced into a 3-0 lead against Simon Whitlock.

'The Count' needed a 5-2 win to force a nine-dart shootout himself, but when sitting on 20 at 4-2 up, Hankey watched Whitlock take out 112 to kill off his chances, before the Australian went on to win 5-4.

Gary Anderson kept his unbeaten tag as he made it three out of three to march into the next round following a 5-2 win over experienced Dutchman Co Stompe.

Anderson averaged just under 100 and hit four 180s but the finishing was not great throughout the match, although it does not matter for the Scot who has been a semi-finalist in the Grand Slam the last two years.

"I expected more from Co but I pinched the first leg and kicked on from there," said Anderson, who faces Scott Waites next. "It's gone OK for me so far but I'd like to be averaging over 100. I had 99 tonight so there's more to come."

Wayne Mardle's struggles continued as he was whitewashed 5-0 by Waites, who ended up topping Group E after a second win of the tournament with an impressive 100.2 average - sealed with an equally-impressive 140 out shot.

Thornton class

Robert Thornton got the win he needed to make it through as he beat American Gary Mawson 5-2 after a lightning start put him 4-0 up, and he plays Darin Young in the last 16.

American star Young produced a late fightback to dump Denis Ovens out of the tournament and move into the last 16 with a 5-3 victory.

There was nothing riding on Adrian Lewis' game against Terry Jenkins, but Lewis at least ensured he salvaged some pride with an entertaining 5-4 victory over 'The Bull' despite trailing 4-2.

'Jackpot' Lewis was already out while Jenkins was already through, and he hit six 180s in a determined effort to make sure he at least went out with a win.

"I wanted to go up there and get a win," said Lewis. "I wanted to finish well and show people what I can do because I've not played as well as I can in my first two games."

Former world champion Steve Beaton came through a tough test against youngster Kevin McDine before eventually coming out on top in a final-leg decider 5-4.