ACOMB arrows ace Chris Thompson was hoping to negotiate a way past two-time World Championship runner-up Ronnie Baxter at the UK Open last night.

The St Paul’s player’s match with world number six and Premier League star Baxter was scheduled as the last game on board seven during the Sky-televised competition at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium.

Thompson had earlier displayed his class with three ton-plus checkouts against second round opponent Justin Pipe.

The “Hitman” won 6-4 against the slow-playing Pipe, whose world ranking of 77 also made him a tricky customer.

Thompson made the first break of the match in fantastic fashion, throwing two treble 19s and a bull to checkout on 164 and go 2-1 ahead.

He then finished on 104 to hold his darts in the next leg before a mid-game wobble saw the scores levelled at 3-3.

But despite having nine darts at 120 to take a 4-3 lead, Pipe went behind when Thompson threw another crucial bull finish to check out on 130. The former UK open quarter-finalist then held his nerve for victory despite Pipe managing an 11-dart leg to trail 5-4.

Thompson’s St Paul’s team-mate Martyn Turner bowed out at the second round stage, waiting until 11pm on Thursday to tackle Mark Harris. The only break of the match came in the third leg and, when Turner missed a double to level at 5-5, Harris went on to hold his throw and clinch a 6-4 victory.