Ted Hankey bounces back to sink Steve Beaton

Hankey bounced back from a crushing 5-0 opening day defeat against Robert Thornton to beat Steve Beaton 5-3 at Wolverhampton's Civic Hall last night.

"I played my natural game last night and that was much better," said Hankey.

"I feel that this is the way I should continue and I feel that I'll have more success. It's the first time I've beaten Steve in 25 years, so it's a big win for me."

Hankey cashed in on some wayward finishing from Beaton to take the first leg, landing double top to win after his opponent had missed five attempts at a double.

The Telford darter then landed a 180 on his way to taking the second leg in 13 darts before a fabulous 161 checkout made it 3-0.

Scores of 180 and 140 put Hankey in command in the next leg but five missed darts at doubles allowed Beaton in to hit double 16 to reduce the deficit to 3-1.

Beaton continued his fightback by making but paid the price for missing double 10 to tie the match with Hankey striking to move 4-2 up.

The 1996 world champion kept the match alive by nailing double five but Hankey was not to be denied. Back-to-back 180s put Hankey in charge of the next leg and although he missed out on a possible nine-darter is not to be, the two-time World Champion secured two vital points.

Hankey is action again tomorrow evening when he takes on Holland's Michael van Gerwen and is hoping he has rediscovered his form.

"I'm really grateful for some support I got from some fellow players last night who told me to go up there and play my natural game," he said.

"I'm so happy because I think I've found the rhythm I need to push me on not just for this week but also for the next 12 months.

"I've been trying to do things to upset players, slow them down or manipulate them, but I've found my natural rhythm and I think that can get me to where I want to be."