PDC World Darts Championship Round-Up | Nathan Aspinall in showstopping conclusion, Daryl Gurney downs Beau Greaves in thriller

The first round finished on Friday night with Beau Greaves v Daryl Gurney and Nathan Aspinall among the headline acts at the PDC World Darts Championship with Irish duo William O'Connor and Keane Barry also making it through.

Firstly to Daryl Gurney who started the night as the outsider against Greaves who compared to the two-time major champion hadn't been on the Ally Pally stage and had played Lakeside in the years before. Albeit Greaves is highly touted having been the dominant force in ladies darts for years and also beating Luke Littler to reach the World Youth Final where she lost to Gian van Veen.

Albeit with Greaves it is very much hot and cold in regards to often players will snaffle the chances against her and so she ends up losing despite playing well. For instance in this tie she was defeated 3-2 despite hitting seven 180's and playing well on her return.

Greaves began with a double 20 hold before putting the pressure on Gurney. She laid up double 20 but Gurney took out 90 on double 15. Gurney missed 124 and Greaves recovered to get a shot at double 16 after a stray dart into single one but 'Superchin' didn't break. The Imperious Women's Series queen busted her score though and Gurney got a gift.

Gurney had darts for the opening set and Greaves broke on double 10 to level at 2-2 and she was throwing for the set. But Gurney took it first dart on double 20. Greaves made it 1-1 after it looked like Gurney was going to run away with it. She hit a 128 checkout on the bull and double eight for a 10-darter to claim it and make it 1-1.

Four perfect darts to start the leg for Greaves. She missed the bull though for 74 and Gurney got a chance at 72. He got a dart at double 16 but missed it. Greaves hit double eight to hold and lead.

Greaves missed a plum second dart to get a shot at 144 and Gurney got a shot at double eight with all three blocking and 'Beau N Arrow' got a sudden chance but couldn't take it. Gurney finally hit double four for 1-1. Gurney broke to go one away from a two set lead as he left 41 to break. He took aim at double 16 and pinned it. Greaves broke for 2-2 but Gurney broke back after a regrip on 102 from Greaves saw her miss a set chance.

Gurney missed 146 on double 16 to hold and Greaves held on double four to lead the fourth set. Greaves missed 110 to hold. Gurney took aim at 148 but missed it and Greaves held for 2-0. Greaves missed 80 for the set and Gurney missed another dart at 117 this time. Greaves responded on double 10 to make it 2-2. Greaves made no mistake to begin set five. She led once more. But Gurney broke and was throwing for the win after pinning an incredible 144 checkout. This proved to be the chance he needed as he sealed the win from there. Gurney missed 130 on the bull but returned to seal the win after Greaves missed 148.

Nathan Aspinall also starred staving off a real test and also the Ally Pally wasp again to see off Lourence Ilagan. He hit a 170 checkout to win it and open his account in style.

Aspinall missed chances to break and go 2-0 up in the opening set and Ilagan hit double 10 to level in set one. Aspinall missed 141 but returned only to miss multiple darts to seal it. Ilagan couldn't get the treble on 103 to get a shot and 'The Asp' returned for double 12 finally. 

A 180 and double 10 saw Ilagan though turn the tables and seal the opening set. Albeit Aspinall levelled up his tie with Lourence Ilagan. He broke post break with a 114 checkout and held on double 16. He sealed the set 3-1 with a 61 checkout. lagan went 2-1 up with a 64 checkout after Aspinall missed 85 only for the Asp to respond with 84 and he was  throwing for the set. He held with a 56 checkout for 3-2.

Albeit on the verge of a decider, Aspinall turned the tables supremely with a 170 checkout to win it. Absolute brilliance from 'The Asp'.

Same can be said for William O'Connor who thrashed Krzysztof Kciuk to start the night with the best average of the tournament so far. He hit 102.36 with Kciuk only winning two legs overall.

He hit seven 180's, a high checkout of 167 and 52.9% on the doubles. While to end the night, Keane Barry made light work of TIm Pusey. The Aussie who had to change his nickname from The Magnet got the crowd's attention but after a poor start from Barry, it was all 'Dynamite'. He hit a 92 average and 9/17 on the doubles with Pusey missing 10 in all to lose on his debut. That is the first round done.