Top seed Tony wins all-Cheshire clash to book place in second round.

Top seed Tony O’Shea survived a spirited display from debutant Robbie Green to win through 3-2 in the opening game of the 2010 championship.

The two Cheshire county team mates served up some tasty darts but it was the experienced O’Shea – runner-up 12 months ago – who held his nerve to edge into the second round with a 28.86 average

It took the man nicknamed Silverback 49 minutes to scramble through against “Kong” Green, in a match in which both players nervously missed doubles.

Forty eight-year-old O’Shea from Stockport held his throw to take the opening set 3-1, despite battling Green firing out two maximums.

In the second set World Masters runner-up Green took the opening leg and then capitalised on O’Shea missing double tops for a 80 finish.

But O’Shea levelled and then produced a brilliant 160 check-out  (60,60,double tops) to snatch the second set. Battling Green replied,  taking the third set – against the throwing advantage - unchallenged.

The opening four legs of the next set went with the throw and Green throwing first, levelled the match with double 20 in the deciding fifth leg, plunging the match into a deciding fifth set.

The Stockport sharpshooter annexed the opening leg on double 16 and then fired out his third 180 and a 118 finishing checkout to move ominously within a leg of victory.

With the throwing advantage, O’Shea raced down to a double and after missing double 16 planted the winning dart in double eight to start his title assault.

Wiping away sweat from his brow, O’Shea confessed: “I am dead chuffed. I would have been happy to have hit a 19 average and got through. It was a terrific game, Robbie is a mate and we play county darts together and it is always difficult to play against friends on stage.

“After winning the opening set, I then picked up the second with 160 but it is not like me to take out a big finish. Then Robbie kicked in and started to come back but I think experience counted. You cannot buy that experience, I just did not panic.