Ted Hankey on target for big darts pay day

Shropshire darter Ted Hankey is three victories away from banking a £100,000 jackpot.

The 43-year-old from Telford edged through to the quarter-finals of the Grand Slam at Wolverhampton's Civic Hall last night with a thrilling 10-9 success over Holland's Michael van Gerwen.

Hankey's run to the last eight has already guaranteed him £15,000 in prizemoney.

Further riches await should he defeat Mark Walsh in a best-of-31-legs encounter tomorrow afternoon to reach Sunday's action, when the semi-finals and final will be staged.

"Tomorrow will be a different game against Mark," added Hankey. "He's a great player and the format's a little bit longer again, and I'm looking forward to it."

Last night's encounter also offered evidence that Hankey is finally winning over the darting public.

After a string of well publicised spats with the crowds in the Grand Slam in recent years, the crowd were chanting Hankey's name after his victory over the plucky van Gerwen.

By James Garrison