Big Robbo is buried by “The Count” Ted Hankey

Ted “The Count” Hankey swept into the second round burying Gary Robson 3-0 in a clinical 30-minute performance.

The Telford-based fifth seed showed no mercy as he fired out four 180s and two 13 dart finished to topple the title aspirations of “Big Robbo.”

Afterwards “The Count” admitted: “That was a tough game for me but I felt good up on stage. The first few legs were a bit shaky but I was there to do a job tonight and knew what I had to do.”

Nerves featured strongly in the opening set, won by Hankey but only after he missed an agonising 11 efforts for the doubles. Twice he led in the set, his first maximum of the match paving the way for double five after Big Robbo wired bull for a 122 set-saving checkout in the fourth leg.

The opening four legs of the next set went with the throw, Hankey – who hit 42 180s 12 months ago on his title run -  hitting his third of the match in the deciding fifth leg to move into a comfortable 2-0 lead.

Maximum number four followed in the opening leg of the third set, Robson - who has twice reached the last eight in the tournament – levelling but Hankey sweeping back to to take the third on his favourite double tops.

As Robson’s scoring faltered in the fourth leg, Hankey powered in a brace of 140s and with Big Robbo stranded in the 200s, fired in a 66 match-winning checkout, finished on double 20.