News

James Wade faces Colin Lloyd on Friday evening after booking his place in the third round of the UK Open following a high quality encounter against Stephen Bunting at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium.

The world number three battled hard to see off his impressive opponent in a last leg decider.

Bunting took the first leg, before Wade hit double ten to draw level.

‘The Machine’ hit double twelve to grab a break of throw but Bunting restored parity when he hit double top in leg four.

Bunting then held his throw to move within a leg of beating the defending champion.

Wade hit double top to set up a deciding leg, which he won on double ten after his opponent missed three darts at double nineteen.

By Chris Murphy