Steve Lennon has come from 2-0 down to beat Owen Bates 3-2 in a thrilling first round tie at the Alexandra Palace.
Making his World Championship debut, there seemed to be understandable nerves for Bates early doors. Lennon too was struggling as both players missed numerous darts for the opening leg before the Englishman finally pinned double 1. That seemed to settle Bates somewhat as he took the opening set 3-1.
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Set 2 saw Lennon grow into the game. With the set going all the way to a deciding leg though, it was Bates that kept his cool, pinning double top and taking a two set lead.
Yet more misses at the outer ring from Lennon saw Bates capitalise in the opening leg of set 3, breaking the throw. The Irishman broke straight back however, and after holding in leg 3, Lennon was right back in the contest. After Bates missed a dart for a level set, Lennon pinned 118 to cut his deficit in half.
After Lennon took the opener of set 4, momentum was well and truly with the Irishman. Bates though, wrestled back some control with a masterful 81 on the bull. Seven darts came and went for Bates in the next leg though with Lennon punishing. After Bates then wired the bull for a 170, Lennon took the set and levelled up the match.
Despite a few misses, Lennon's scoring ensured multiple opportunities at double and eventually he took the opening leg of the deciding set. Bates fired back with a hold of his own in leg 2, but after he dropped though on tops for a 120, Lennon nailed double 16 last dart in hand to go a leg from victory. A few moments later, Lennon secured the win.
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