After a tumultuous few days for Nick Fullwell which saw his car, darts and other items stolen from his house hours before he was due to head to
Lakeside, he has made an impressive start to his 2022 WDF World Championship campaign.
Fullwell stormed past Rory Hansen with relative ease claiming the tie 3-0 against the Canadian who impressed in his opening win of the week but was no match for the PDC Tour Card holder.
Fullwell opened proceedings with a superb start easing to the opening set with a 118 checkout en route. He began the set with a 112 checkout to break throw and consolidated with a 14-darter averaging 107.
Hansen sealed a hold back but Fullwell hit double 20 to seal the set and despite some problems sealing the win initially, Hansen missed multiple darts at double to hold and handed ‘Hero’ the chance to get over the line and he produced.
While in a Double Dutch ladies clash, it was Priscilla Steenbergen who prevailed on her Lakeside debut against third seed, Anca Ziljstra.
After a poor opener earlier this week, it was a polished display from 'Smurf' who impressed in particular in the scoring phase and now in a wide open section of the draw, Kirsty Hutchinson or Jo Clements will now await in the Quarter-Finals.
To begin the tie, Steenbergen hit a 180 followed by a 114 checkout to draw level. She missed 120 for a break and further darts including busting double one but Zijlstra couldn’t hit a double either and Steenbergen finally hit double one to break and went one away from the opening set. She hit double 10 to claim the opening set.
Ziljstra missed the chance to break but Steenbergen missed two darts to hold and Ziljstra returned for double eight. Steenbergen hit back on double eight to level up and went one away on double 10.
Steenbergen missed 82 on the bull for the match and Ziljstra held to send the set all the way. But the former got over the line with a 64 after Ziljstra missed set darts.