BDO World Darts Championship
Venue: Lakeside Country Club, Frimley Green, Surrey Dates: 1-9 January
Coverage: Live on BBC Two, BBC Red Button and BBC Sport website Adams edges out Walton in Lakeside thriller BDO world champion Martin Adams sealed a 4-3 victory against 2001 winner John Walton in a gripping match to reach the third round at the Lakeside. The England team-mates served up a memorable encounter at Frimley Green, with Walton coming close to deposing Adams in a thrilling final set. But Lincolnshire's Adams, 54, prevailed in a sudden death 11th leg to progress. "I felt like an old man up on stage tonight, I just had no strength in my arm to throw the darts," he admitted. "That was unbelievable, and what a crowd - I think they are one the best we have ever had here at Lakeside." Sheffield's Walton, 49, declared: "Two of the oldest in the field showed the young 'uns how to play darts. I know I had Martin rattled."  | 606: DEBATE |
Adams took the first set - with both players hitting some big scores - before Walton levelled, but 'Wolfie' raced through the next 3-0 for a 2-1 lead. Walton dug deep in the fourth set to draw level again with his fourth attempt at double 12. Adams won the next but 'John Boy' refused to be beaten and dragged himself back to 3-3. Walton went ahead in the decider only for Adams to level with a 106 checkout, and at 5-5 the match went to a sudden death final leg. Walton hit the bull, winning the right to throw first, but Adams kept pace and nailed a nerve-shredding victory on double 18. Adams will next face Ross Smith, who moved smoothly into the last eight with a 4-1 win over Dutchman Willy van der Wiel. Smith needed just 43 minutes to see of Van der Wiel, and the 22-year-old from Kent said afterwards: "I am coping with the nerves better this year and think that is because I have prepared properly." Earlier, former champion Ted Hankey crashed out in the first round, losing 3-0 to sixth seed Scott Waites. Hankey admitted: "Scott was the better man today, it's as simple as that." Waites, 33, said he was not at his best but was "full of confidence" going into the second round. "Ted wasn't on top of his game but I took my chances," said Waites, who won the Grand Slam of Darts title in November.  Hankey admitted he was not at his best against Waites. |
The gulf between the two players in this eagerly awaited clash was clear to see, with Waites finishing the match with a 30-plus per dart average, compared to the former double world champ on 28.36. Waites surged through the opening set unchallenged, including a second leg 13-dart finish as Stoke's Hankey slowed his game to find his range. The Yorkshireman opened the second set with a 14 darter, Hankey, who won the Lakeside crown in 2000 and 2009, hitting a 180 in the next as he levelled. The next two legs went with the throw, Waites pouncing for an 80 checkout, finished with a single 20, double 20 and double 10 to pile on the misery for Hankey. Twice, Hankey led the third set as he tried to speed up his game but wayward darts and a missed attempt for an 80 checkout finished with double tops allowed Waites to level. Tons were traded in the deciding fifth leg, but Hankey agonised after missing a match-saving 91 checkout, gifting the match to Waites who coolly followed up single nine with double 16 to book his place in the second round. In the day's other first-round matches, third seed Dean Winstanley edged past Martin Atkins 3-2. Winstanley will face 14th seed Robbie Green in the second round, after Green swept Andy Boulton aside 3-0 with a dominant display of darts. "I can play much better than that, but maybe that's a good thing because I'm saving my best for later in the tournament," said Green, who won each of his three sets with a 3-1 winning margin. "I can beat the best but now it's time for me to prove it." Stephen Bunting also eased into the second round with a comprehensive 3-0 win over 11th seed Brian Woods. Scotty 'too hotty' for Hankey
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