Ricky Evans sets up 'Chizzy' clash with battling victory over Gordon Mathers at World Darts Championship

Although not quite at his brilliant best, fan favourite 'Rapid' Ricky Evans has come through a gruelling first round tie with Gordon Mathers 3-2, setting up a showdown with Dave Chisnall.

As is the case every year, Ricky Evans brought the Alexandra Palace crowd to life with his Christmas themes walk on. Accompanied by a blow up elf, Evans, famed for his rapid throwing style, miked every second of his walk-on, having the audience in the palm of his hands singing along to Shakin Stevens classic Merry Christmas Everyone. Once the darts got underway, Evans was looking very good too, racing through a competitive opening set and into a 1-0 lead.

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Mathers though, more than held his own despite losing the opening set and in the second, the Aussie began to take control, breaking throw in the opener and the holding to move two up in the set. After some missed darts by Evans in leg 3, Mathers pinned double 4 to complete the whitewash set and get the contest back level at 1-1.

In set three, the Australian continued to put the pressure on Evans, giving himself plenty of chances on the outer ring. For Mathers though, that clinicalness just started to desert him at the wrong time as Evans managed to escape somewhat and get himself back in front at 2-1.

From there, you would have expected Evans to race towards the finishing line. That's not exactly how things happened though as Mathers continued to plug away, breaking the Evans throw in leg of set 4 to get himself 2-1 up in it. After Evans missed a dart at tops for leg 4, Mathers punished to force a 5th and deciding set.

Despite a visibly frustrated Evans berating himself after every poor dart, the Englishman did manage to break throw in the opening leg of set 5. After Mathers missed a dart to break straight back in leg 2, Evans was suddenly one leg away from victory. Mathers held firm in leg 3, making Evans throw for it. Pinning a brilliant 109 checkout, the victory was then secured.

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