MARTIN ADAMS 3 v PHILL NIXON 0

Howls of delight echoed round the capacity crowd at Lakeside as defending champ Martin “Wolfie” Adams toppled fellow veteran Phill Nixon 3-0 in a repeat of last years final.

Fourth seed Adams fully justified his pre-tournament  6/1 second favourite odds from the bookies as he ruthlessly repelled the pint-sized father-of-eight from the North East.

Despite a combined age of 102 years, the duo served up some top class darts – including three 180s – in the 12 legs of darts, which lasted a shade under the half hour.

And it left the England skipper weeping with relief.

I am a bit emotional,” admitted Wolfie, wiping away the tears, his voice quivering.

“Walking out on stage brought back all the emotions from last year’s final. If I had played one of the other players it would have been different. I have never been that emotional when I have won, only when I have played absolute garbage.

“I have a lot of sympathy for Phil but at least I haven’t got to play him again. We did not deserve having to play each other in the first round  but that’s the way of the draw,” said the defending champion.

Anderson fired out his intentions with a maximum in the opening leg of the clash, following up with a faultless 98 checkout, finished on double 19 but then faltered, missing three doubles for the set.

Nixon, recalling his miraculous comeback from 6-0 down 12 months ago sensed a weakness and posted Adams a warning by levelling, Wolfie holding the throwing advantage to take the fifth leg and set with his second shot at double tops.

Throwing first, the player from County Durham took the opening leg of the second set, Adams blazing in two 180s to steal the advantage. Nixon missed double 18 to save the set, the England skipper hitting double 11 to extend his lead.

The Peterborough-based England skipper shrugged off further double trouble to open up a 2-0 lead and after Nixon missed a match-saving 156, the world champ clinched his place in the next round with his second attempt for double eight.

 
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