TED HANKEY 3 v STEVE WEST 2

Former world champion Ted “The Count” Hankey survived a thrilling 55-minute thriller to bury the title hopes of debutant Steve West 3-2.

Hankey, the seventh seed produced bursts of vintage form – blasting out seven 180s and a 139 checkout and repelling an 11-darter from West – as he scrambled through.

A blistering 139 checkout in the opening leg followed by a 180 saw Hankey twice lead the opening set but West, who lives in Holland, pounced to bite back, taking 60 on double tops after the Telford player missed double six.

It was vintage Hankey in the next, scowling and prowling the stage as he fired out two maximums and repelling an 11-dart finish and 180 from West to level the match on double eight.

The third set went 3-1 to West against the throw - the game halted momentarily by referee Rab Butler after The Count complained about fans booing when he was throwing, Hankey swooping to level the match on double six in the fourth set.

Hankey hit his seventh 180 to lead the fifth set 2-1, West missing five doubles to save the game, as The Count ruthlessly fired out on 66, finished with on double 18.

After the match a plainly angry Hankey blasted the small section of the crowd who had booed when he was throwing for a crucial doubles.

“Never in the 11 years at this tournament have people booed when I have been throwing. This is a professional tournament – the real world darts championship – and that kind of behaviour does not have a place here.

 “Parts of the crowd were very naughty, in fact a real disgrace but there is no place for it here at Lakeside,” declared Hankey.

 
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