WHITWELL-ON-THE HILL’S Terry Temple pushed Premier League runner-up Simon Whitlock all the way before losing 9-6 in the third round of the UK Open.

Temple trailed 3-0 and 5-2 against the world number six, but threw a 150 finish to kickstart a comeback that saw him follow up with a 13-dart leg on the way to pegging back the Australian ace to 7-5.

Two-time World Championship finalist Whitlock then threw a trademark bull finish to check out on 121 with Temple waiting on 81 after three consecutive 140 throws to win a pivotal 13th leg.

The relief was palpable on the Wizard’s face and, although Temple went on to hold his throw in the next leg, Whitlock closed out the game with three darts at 101.

Temple finished the game with 26 ton-plus scores to his name, including two 180s.

“The Beard to be Feared” claimed seven maximums in a total of 31 three-figured throws.

Prior to facing Whitlock, Temple had defeated world number 59 Steve Hine, nicknamed “The Muffin Man”, in stylish fashion.

Throwing maximum 180s in each of the first three legs of the second round contest, Temple stormed into a 3-0 lead and, although Hine hit back with a leg against the darts, the North Yorkshireman went on to clinch a 4-1 win.

Temple claimed ten tons on his way to victory and also checked out in 13 darts to claim the second leg.

In the first round, Temple never had to be at his best to beat modest Speedy Services qualifier Mark Kelly, although he only missed one double in the 4-0 whitewash win.

Temple’s best legs in that match were 16-dart efforts with his highest checkout only 36.

He threw eight tons, while his 46-year-old Silsden-based opponent – an amateur league player with 25 years’ experience – only managed two and failed to get one single shot at a double.

Temple started his UK Open run with a 4-2 preliminary round triumph over home-town player and ex-World Matchplay quarter-finalist Matt Clark.