OUTLANE-based darts star Scott Waites will tackle St Helens’ Steve Bunting later today in a bid to reach the British Darts Organisation’s World Championship quarter-finals at Frimley Green.
The 33-year-old, who recently won the Daily Mirror Darts Grand Slam, earned his place in the second round with a clinical demolition of the fancied Ted Hankey in the opening round, Waites taking the match in three straight sets.
The Huddersfield darter got away to a great start, when he took the opening leg of the first set against the throwing advantage, and he never looked back, despite his opponent notching three maximums during the contest.
Waites produced 19 tons – his best a 154 – but it was his stunning finishing which sealed victory over the man, known as The Count, who had previously won the World title in 2000 and 2009.
After taking the opening set 3-0, Waites needed to finish well as Hankey hit back, taking both the second and third sets into a fifth leg before the Outlane man checked out to complete victory.
“I am pleased to get that out of the way and hopefully I can settle now,” said Waites, who is well known around the town where he regularly plays with the Duster Miller at Longwood and the Foresters Arms at Crosland Moor in the respective Golcar and Primrose Hill and Newsome Darts Leagues.
“Playing here in the first round is the hardest thing to do in darts,” added Waites, before going off to prepare for today’s second round clash.
His second round opponent Bunting also stormed into the second round inflicting a devastating 3-0 whitewash on Cumbrian Brian Woods, while producing the tournament’s best average so far – 31.54.
