Lloyd looked nervous and edgy at the start of the match…..not surprising really after what happened 12 months ago against Gary Welding. The German No.1 started the game with a 180, then unbelievably missed 10 darts to take the first set. ‘Jaws’ needed only one chance and took it…..from there, he didn’t look back.
“I was so nervous,” he admitted. “I stole that first set….things then went my way and I am just so happy and relieved to get through.”
After that edgy opening set, Lloyd then took the next six legs to close out the match, with an average of 90.5. He said: “It’s been a really tough year with losing in the first round of so many major TV tournaments and there have been a lot of other issues outside darts that I have had to sort out. This victory is very sweet and hopefully I can start to relax now.”
It is going to be some 2nd Round showdown against Raymond Van Barneveld on Friday night. Barney was far from his best but still too good for Australian teenager Mitchell Clegg. The 16-year-old put up a really good performance and showed that he is going to be a big prospect in the future. Barneveld won three sets to nil and the message is now - bring it on against Lloyd on Friday!
Lloyd said: “I can’t wait for the match. Raymond has been a breath of fresh air in the PDC and he is a great darts player. I will give him the respect he deserves and I am sure I will get the same from him. I will shake his hand on the stage and then try to rip his head off!”
Adrian Lewis coasted into the 2nd Round. The Unicorn Contender didn’t drop a single leg against Australian Grand Prix Champion Anthony Fleet. To be fair, Lewis didn’t get out of second gear but he did what he had to do……a 91 average and a date against either Wayne Jones or Ian Branks in the 2nd Round.
Lewis is the bookies third favourite for the tournament and he looks set for another good run at the Circus Tavern.
But there was big disappointment for Unicorn’s former World Champion Bob Anderson, who crashed out in the 1st Round – beaten by qualifier Darren Webster.
Anderson was hampered by an injury to his throwing arm and never really got going. An end average of just 75 told its own story. ‘The Limestone Cowboy’ lost the first five legs of the match against the man from Norwich and was two sets down in no time at all.
He rallied to take the third set but he just couldn’t find any form at all and Webster wasted no time in closing out the game.
Anderson said: “Obviously I am disappointed to be going home but I wasn’t at my best today. These things happen and I must aim to come back stronger and determined in 2007.”
Two weeks ago, Anderson couldn’t even reach the dart board when he was throwing after trapping a nerve in his neck. “For me, it was an achievement to get here and win a set. I would never use the injury as an excuse and I will go home, relax over Christmas and hope to come back strong next year,” he said.
Tuesday 2nd Round results (best of five sets):
Mark Walsh 0-3 Rico Vonck
Wednesday’s 1st Round schedule:
Wayne Jones v Ian Branks
BY STUART PYKE
