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Unicorn’s World No.1 was booted out of the 2006 Ladbrokes.com tournament by qualifier Gary Welding. It was a stunning shock. It is a bitter blow for Lloyd, who had targeted World Championship glory.

Welding, from St.Helens, produced an amazing comeback after Lloyd raced into a 2 set lead and looked on course for an easy win.

But Lloyd suddenly lost his range, his confidence and his way, as Welding incredibly reeled off 9 out of the next 10 legs, to take the match 3 sets to 2.

‘Jaws’ won the first set inside five minutes. He hit three 180s and produced 11 and 12 dart finishes. Lloyd’s average was nearly 113.

He was still averaging 108 after taking the second set and was throwing some terrific darts but it all fell to pieces. Lloyd was too upset to comment and left the venue soon after his defeat.

What followed was quite simply inspired darts from the World No.51. For the next half-an-hour, Welding looked like a world-beater and Lloyd looked dazed..

Welding averaged 110 during the third set and the magic just kept on coming. He took the fourth set 3-1 and Lloyd was shell-shocked.

The crowd at The Circus Tavern just couldn’t believe what was happening….and neither could Lloyd.

It was one-way traffic in the decider. Welding produced a classy 116 check-out to take the second leg and finally nailed double five to take out Lloyd. The St.Helens man fell on the oche in celebration.

He said: “It was all about confidence. Even after those first two sets, I still believed and I could see Colin was struggling. It is the biggest victory of my life.”

Lloyd was left to reflect on what might have been. All those hopes and dreams shattered for 2006.

Team Unicorn’s Peter Manley breezed into round two, despite being far from his best. He had to follow the Lloyd/Welding thriller and it was always going to be a case of after the Lord Mayor’s show.

But Manley was still far too good for veteran Kevin Spiolek, winning by 3 sets to nil and he threw in a terrific 155 check-out just for good measure.

‘One-Dart’ will face Londoner Jason Clark in the 2nd Round.

On Wednesday, Unicorn’s former World Champion Bob Anderson takes to the stage against Andrew Hamilton.

But the world of darts is still in shock from the exit of Colin Lloyd.

By Stuart Pyke