Count keeps hopes alive

Ted Hankey kept alive his hopes of reaching the last 16 at the Grand Slam of Darts as he overcame a predictably hostile crowd to beat Wayne Mardle 5-4.

The reigning BDO world champion and number two seed spoke out against the fans in Wolverhampton following his defeat to Scott Waites on Sunday after being put off by shouts from the floor.

There was another hostile reception for 'The Count' on Monday, but he maintained his composure to earn a hard-fought triumph over Mardle.

Things should have more comfortable than they ended up proving for Hankey who led 4-2 at one stage and had four darts at a double for the match.

But having missed them, Mardle stepped in and went on to level the match at 4-4 to force a deciding leg.

Hankey, though, proved clinical when he needed it most and, having produced a fine visit of 110 to leave himself with just 32, he took out double 16 at the first time of asking to emerge victorious.

Wade on form

Elsewhere, James Wade produced a superb fightback to beat Robert Thornton 5-3.

Wade, who finished with a 109 three-dart average, had done little wrong early on but still found himself trailing 3-0 against an inspired Thornton.

But 'The Machine' held his nerve to haul himself back on terms and, when Thornton missed three darts at a double, hit double ten to edge ahead.

He then closed out the match in style as he checked out 88 to maintain his 100 percent record.

In the other match in Group H, Andy Hamilton proved too strong for Gary Mawson as he ran out a 5-2 winner.

In Group G there were victories for Terry Jenkins and Dennis Ovens with Jenkins making it two wins from two.

'The Bull' saw off American Darin Young 5-3, while Ovens defeated Adrian Lewis by the same scoreline to end his opponent's hopes of reaching the last 16.

Gary Anderson confirmed his qualification for the next round as he overcame Steve Beaton 5-2, while the other match in Group F saw Kevin McDine squeeze past Dutchman Co Stompe 5-4.

The final contest of the evening saw Australian Simon Whitlock turn around a 4-2 deficit to clinch a thrilling 5-4 win over Scott Waites.

Whitlock pinched a dramatic final leg with a cracking 142 check-out and the result means that the 'Wizard of Oz' is now favourite to qualify from Group E with Waites and Hankey needing to win their final matches to have any chance of going through.