Webster kicks off PC Finals with win, Thornton overcomes Richardson

Darren Webster was the first player into the second round of the Players Championship Finals, as the 11th seed defeated Antonio Alcinas 6-3. It was a sub-par performance from the 'Demolition Man', whose poor finishing let the Spaniard level at 3-3. The wayward Alcinas was unable to edge ahead, however, and Webster surged clear. A 10-darter ensured a respectable 92.96 average and a meeting with Mervyn King or Brendan Dolan in the next round.
Steve Lennon threw four 180s and a 177 as he defeated Zoran Lerchbacher 6-4 on board two. The 23-year-old debutant sacrificed a 3-0 lead, but a timely 84 checkout to go 5-4 up proved to be decisive. The Irishman, who reached the last 16 of the Grand Slam of Darts this month, struck his favoured double 16 to defeat to Austrian. He will face Rob Cross or Robert Owen in round two.
Robert Thornton came within millimetres of a nine-darter as he defeated James Richardson 6-5 in the most entertaining of the early games. The Scot missed ten match darts before squeezing in a double three to claim the win. A 108 checkout arrested a run of poor finishing for the 'Thorn', but Richardson refused to be beaten and forced a decider. After consecutive 180s, Thornton found the treble 20 and 19, but came inside the double 12 for the Players Championship Finals' second ever nine-darter. Despite his double trouble, Thornton edged over the line, with Richardson missing a dart at tops to steal the win.
Justin Pipe came from 2-0 down to defeat Mark Webster 6-3 and seal a tie against Kyle Anderson or Ron Meulenkamp. The Somerset veteran delighted his fellow West Country locals by fighting back and claiming victory on board two with a 92 average.
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