Robert’s Reign to Continue?
Scotsman Robert Thornton comes into the upcoming 2023 World Seniors Darts Matchplay as the reigning champion, having beat Phil Taylor 12-10 in last years Final at the Bonus Arena in Hull.
The competition will have a new home in 2023, with the tournament to be played at the York Barbarican this Saturday live on TNT Sports.
The Thorn has shown since the introduction of the Seniors Circuit that he is the man to beat, having claimed back-to-back World Senior Darts Championship crowns at the Circus Tavern. Thornton defended his title with a 5-2 victory over Richie Howson in the Final, having won the maiden event 12 months earlier with a 5-1 victory over Martin Adams in 2022.
Robert comes in as the Number 1 Seed and will take on fellow Red Dragon player and the reigning WDF World Champion Neil Duff. Duffman claimed a weekly win on the MODUS Super Series earlier in the year, after beating the reigning WDF Boys World Champion Bradley Roes 4-1 in the Final at the Live Lounge.
Fellow Scotsman John Henderson will make his debut on the World Seniors Circuit this weekend in York, having impressed last week at the MODUS Super Series. The Highlander topped Group A, but just fell short on Finals Night after losing to Fallon Sherrock MBE in the Semi Finals.
The Red Dragon player has found victories both in the Super Series and the PDC Challenge Tour this year, beating Dutch international Ron Meulenkamp 5-3 in the Final in Hildesheim.
Henderson will open his 2023 World Senior Darts Matchplay campaign against former World Senior Masters winner David Cameron, and the 50 year old comes in as the Number 7 Seed.
Leonard Gates returns to World Seniors Circuit action this weekend in York, with this his first televised tournament as a Winmau player.
The Soulger has claimed the two Seniors Circuit tournament titles this year, winning the maiden Jenningsbet Champion of Champions back in March. The USA international defeated Richie Howson 13-10 in the Final at VIVA in Blackpool, having beat 10 Time World Champion Trina Gulliver in the Quarter’s and former 3 Time World Champion Martin Adams in the Semi’s.
Gates has defeated The Owl in consecutive Seniors Circuit televised Finals, after also claiming the 2023 World Senior Darts Masters with a 6-2 victory in sets. Leonard included an impressive 95.86 average in the Semi Finals, to beat another multiple Seniors televised winner Robert Thornton 5-3 in the Semi Finals.
The Winmau player comes into the 2023 World Senior Darts Matchplay as the 2nd Seed and will open his campaign against Northern Irish international Colin McGarry.
Martin Adams will not feature in this year’s tournament after ruling himself out for personal reasons and will be replaced by Deta Hedman.
The action will start from 1pm live on TNT Sports this Saturday, with former BDO World Champion Scott Mitchell opening the action against former Red Dragon Champion of Champions winner Paul Hogan from the York Barbican.
By Harry Masterson
2023 World Seniors Matchplay: Order of Play
Afternoon Session:
Scott Mitchell (6) v Paul Hogan
Richie Howson (8) v Trina Gulliver
Deta Hedman v Kevin Painter
Leonard Gates (2) v Colin McGarry
Evening Session:
John Henderson (7) v David Cameron
Robert Thornton (1) v Neil Duff
Phil Taylor (3) v John Part
Glen Durrant (5) v Jim McEwan