Career-best for Jamie Hughes in Grand Slam

The Black Country thrower remains in with a shout of making the knockout stages after an imperious performance at the Civic Hall this afternoon,

'Yozza' raced to a staggering 106.23 average in his Group G vanquishing of Chisnall, who will be wondering how he managed to lose so widely after racking up 102.51.

Hughes recorded his highest average in competitive darts and redressed the balance, after squandering a 3-0 lead to lose 5-3 to James Wade in his first group clash yesterday.

He set his stall out from the very first throw against the darts, two 140s and a 127 in consecutive visits leaving 16, with double eight achieved with the third and last throw for 1-0.

Two 180s in the second leg showed how Hughes was getting into top gear, with Chisnall firing back with a maximum of his own. Double eight, at the second attempt, made it 2-0.

'Chizzy' replied by pulling one back in the fourth leg, taking double 16 with one dart to halve the deficit. 180s followed from both in leg five, which Hughes took on double 14 to erase 124.

High checkouts from both looked on the agenda in the sixth leg, with Chisnall missing the bull for 167 while Hughes fluffed double five for 130. He returned to go 4-1 up in the mad house.

This time there was no looking back from the 30-year-old, who secured success on his maiden Grand Slam journey after 122 left him double 19, with 38 achieved with six and double 16.

Hughes returns to the Civic stage on Tuesday night for his final group game against James Wilson. Wade beat Wilson 5-3 during the afternoon session to top the group.

Tickets for the Grand Slam are still on sale, by calling the Civic Box Office on 0870 320 7000 or online via www.theticketfactory.com/pdc.