JAMES WADE AND Robert Thornton created history by both hitting nine-darters at the World Grand Prix tonight during a thrilling second round clash at Dublin’s Citywest Hotel.
Wade had been on the receiving end of the first-ever nine-dart finish in the double-start format when he took on Brendan Dolan in the 2011 World Grand Prix semi-finals.
The left-hander this time create his own slice of history as he opened the second set of their contest by scoring 160 and 180 before taking out 161 on the bullseye for a perfect leg.
Having been a set up at the time, Wade then took out 156 to lead 2-0 in the second set, only for Thornton to hit back and win the set 3-2 and repeat the scoreline in the third.
The Scot then matched Wade’s earlier nine-darter in the second leg of set four, scoring 160, 180 and 161 himself to not only complete a perfect leg but also to ensure the game would go down in history as the first where both players have achieved the feat, even more remarkable given the double-start format.
Thornton, though, missed four match darts as Wade edged the fourth set 3-2.
The excitement of that clash eclipsed the drama of the night’s opening second round game, as Kevin Painter came from two sets down to defeat Adrian Lewis 3-2 in a thrilling sudden-death leg.
Lewis had edged the opening two sets 3-2, hitting a superb 142 checkout to win the second, only for Painter to race through set three without reply to kick-start his challenge.
Painter then came from 2-1 down to win the fourth set in a deciding leg – after Lewis missed one match dart at the bull – before defying the Stoke ace’s fourth ton-plus finish by hitting his eighth 180 in the game’s deciding leg, as he moved into the quarter-finals.
Come on Hibernian beat the filth
Fights all over the place real shame this going to take away from the win.. Happy for Stokes..
Rangers skum came on the pitch after the Hibs fans and started their usual crap..
To be fair they are rotten but there is no need for Hibs fans to rub into the rangers players similar to the Hull fan to Richard Keogh during the week..
Your trying to blame Rangers for this trouble…..your deluded!
Take your blinkers off David
Stokes is on fire today. He could have had a hat trick already..Rodgers and a Hibs win would round off a great weekend..
Stokes is a Hibs legend now. 114 years. Delighted for Hibs, what a game.
Hibs would have taken this over promotion every day of the week.
Some match so far how is Kevin Doyle in Ireland squad ahead of Stokes .
Because Stokes is rubbish.. Come on he is in the Scottish 2nd league..
‘Cause he’s a head case…come on the hibs, sunshine on leith
I still think he is better than Doyle .
And Doyle plays for Colorado rapids
Doyle is still playing at a higher standard.. Both aren’t good enough for Ireland.. But I don’t anyone looked at our squad announcement apart Stokes and thought where is Stokes?
I can guarantee that the FA cup final won’t be as good as this game,
And that’s supposedly a “higher standard”
Yeah the players will be tho.. Every single one of them.. So what’s your point?
Doyle is playing for one of the best teams in the MLS at the moment..
Higher standard often makes for a worse game cos they cancel each other out
Nice goal in fairness to him.
3-2 Get in Hibernian
The pitch invasion at the end almost reminded me of an all Ireland final before plan b! That’s until everyone remembered its soccer and your supposed to hammer the sh*te out of each other.
Pmsl..
I hope Stokes lifts the Scottish Cup.
Stokes scores again .
Great final so far..
Plan B Plan B Plan B
Disgraceful scenes
Dry your eyes ffs. Disgraceful scenes your arse.
Some carry on ,on the pitch at the moment
that should be supporting hibs sorry,I’m a Motherwell fan but have always had a soft spot for the hibees,I hope the Celtic fans who claim to be delighted for hibs were supporting them rather than the usual just anti rangers bile
Well done Hibs&stokes!
Good game. What minute will Hibs do a Hibs?
were you supporting jobs for hibs sake or just being anti rangers genuine question
It wouldn’t have mattered who Hibs were playing today. I would have wanted them to win regardless. 114 years they’ve been waiting on this, I’m sure the majority who don’t support either side would have wanted them to win it.
The fact that it was against the tribute act just added a bit of spice to it.
HIbs are a disgrace, pure filth!