It was a comeback that was brought on after Walton missed handfuls of match darts to win with consummate ease but he finally found his form again in the decider to take it 3-2. Next up is John Part tomorrow.
In the opening set, Walton sealed it after it went all the way with a 14-darter en route from 'John Boy'.
He doubled his advantage in the second with a 3-1 sets win but the highlight came from Wallace who produced a 118 checkout but it was the Yorkshire ace who was one away.
Wallace aimed to offer further resistance but Walton produced a 180 in a quality scoring leg with a 58 checkout as he held to go one away from the finishing line.
A 135 and 180 from 'McDanger' saw him en route to a decider with Walton producing a fourth 180 but Wallace hit double 20 to force a decider.
A 101 from Wallace brought him down to 60 and the pressure got to Walton who couldn't get a dart from 114. But two darts at the set went begging for Wallace.
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Walton though was poor at finishing the match but again it was a reprieve as Wallace missed three more. Both players continued to miss and Wallace eventually got over the line to force another set.
Walton sealed on opening break in the next set but Wallace broke straight back with a 180 and 140 back to back to make it 1-1.
He added to that double 10 to make it 2-1 as he went one leg away from levelling up. Walton was feeling the nerves but he sent it to a decider. But Wallace forced a deciding set pinning double 19.
'McDanger' continued to look quality and took a break of throw on double 20 to go 1-0 up.
Walton hit back though with an 80 checkout and a 66 checkout followed for Walton to go one away again.
Wallace missed 64 for a hold and Walton finally got over the line with a 70 checkout on double 20.
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RESULT 🎯
John Walton wins the opening match of day 2 at the @jenningsbetinfo World Seniors Darts Championship.
He defeats Les Wallace in a deciding set to progress!
#WSDC2022#WorldSeniorsDarts