Tyrone thrower Mickey Mansell has advanced to his first televised ranking quarter-final, at the Grand Slam of Darts, at the age of 51.
Mansell beat Dutchman Danny Noppert 10-7 in Wolverhampton to set up a last-eight clash with Scot Cameron Menzies.
The Clonoe Cyclone recovered from an early 2-0 deficit, averaging 99.05 and landing 10/15 double checkouts.
Rob Cross made safe progress into the quarter-finals after a 10-4 win over Ritchie Edhouse.
Cross, last year’s runner-up and the highest seed left in the competition, hit back each time after being 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 down to bring things level, on the second occasion producing a checkout of 164.
There was then further checkouts of 160 and 110 from the 2018 world champion, who pinned 10 of his 12 double attempts, as he surged to victory.
Cross will now face Martin Lukemanwho defeated Ross Smith 10-5 in their last-16 clash.
Three-time beaten finalist James Wade bowed out with a dramatic 10-9 loss to Menzies, who came back from 6-4 down to move into his maiden televised quarter-final.
Menzies, in the knockouts despite losing two of his three group games, said in quotes on pdc.tv: “I have never been so nervous. My heart was racing.
“This has been a rollercoaster. I didn’t think I deserved to be here, but I’m very grateful to be where I am, and this is arguably my best result in the PDC.”
Belgium
