Venue: Lakeside Country Club, Frimley Green, Surrey Dates: 1-9 January
Coverage: Live on BBC Two, BBC Red Button and BBC Sport website

West navigates 156 checkout

Martin Adams opened his defence of the BDO World Championship with a 3-1 win over Tony West at Lakeside.

Veteran Adams, 54, who is aiming for his third BDO crown, suffered a shaky start as West won the first five legs without reply.

But the England skipper, who lacked his usual consistency in the early stages, clawed his way back to win the second set and square the match.

The world champion regained his composure to claim a deserved win.

He will now face former champion John Walton in the second round, who beat 16th seed Dave Prins 3-1.

606: DEBATE Who do you think will win the tournament?

"Tony came out of the blocks racing," Adams told BBC Sport. "That's why he's so hard to play against, but it was like the final last year and I just said 'let him go, be patient and it will come good'.

"I am sure there are one or two people here who would like to see the champion beaten but I have to make sure I don't lose. Tony played really, really well but on the day I came good."

Other highlights on day one included Alan Norris defeating seventh seed Ross Montgomery 3-1 and Martin Phillips overcoming 12th seed Mark Barilli 3-0.

Gary Robson, the 13th seed, comprehensively beat Steve Douglas 3-0 and Willy Van de Wiel of the Netherlands, ranked ninth, saw off Alan Soutar 3-1.

Meanwhile, England's Trina Gulliver, the top seed in the women's competition, started with a 2-0 win over compatriot Wendy Reinstadler.

Jubilant Robson celebrates 170 checkout

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