Tony O'Shea (Eng) bt Martin Adams (Eng) 5-2

End of an era as Silverback slays Wolfie

 Stockport’s eight seed Tony O’Shea ended defending champion Martin Adams’ hopes of a record-equalling third successive world title, dumping him out 5-2.

Adams, top seed and 2/1 title favourite never settled in the clash between darts two elder statesmen – both in their 50s and both grandfathers – as they battled for a place in the last four in the 63-minute encounter.

Silverback’s victory ends near three-year unbeaten spell at Frimley Green for the England skipper and newly appointed BDO director.

He had suffered a pre-match scare when one of the lens dropped out of his only set of glasses. He managed to replace and tighten the frame in time for the match start.

The defending champ dropped his first set of the week as Silverback powered in two maximums and clinched the fourth leg on double six, Adams having missing double tops for a 117 finish in the previous leg for the opening set.

Despite a second maximum from Wolfie, rampant O’Shea clinched victory in the second with a three dart 81 finish to edge into a surprise 2-0 lead.

Taking the opening leg of the third set with his favourite double 16, O’Shea fired out a maximum but was stunned when the defending champ pulled off a 161, finished on bull to put himself in line for the £3000 highest checkout award. Silverback replied taking the third leg against the throw on double 16.

But not to be outdone Wolfie sent his fans into howls of excitement as he nailed 118 finished with double tops to pull back a set.

O’Shea took the opening leg of the fourth with the throw, Adams missing double tops for 160 and the Stockport man immediately producing the game’s top finish of 170 to steal Adams’ prizemoney for the top shot-out but more importantly move 2-0 ahead in the set. Wolfie missed double 16 for a set-saving 56, the eighth seed pouncing to finish the same required score on double tops for a 3-1 match lead.

Adams is renowned for being a scrapper and he surged through the fifth set unchallenged but O’Shea notched another maximum to defend his throw in the opening leg of the next set and pouncing for double 16 after Adams missed four attempts for doubles. With Adams trailing in the next the Cheshire county player exited on double 16 with his third dart for a comfortable 4-2 match lead.

He rushed into the seventh set, hitting a maximum and notching a two dart 81 finish completed on double 12 against the throw, stunned Adams watching on is disbelief. In the next Wolfie missed tops for 80 and O’Shea again jumped in to exit on double 10.

Adams defended his throw in the third leg, nervously needing four darts but Silverback swept in his third 180 of the set to set up a memorable 52 checkout, completed on his favourite double 16.