Webster makes his Mark

Brave Greatbach gets guard of honour, Hankey hammers Woods

Last updated: 5th January 2009

Webster makes his Mark

Webster: Reigning champion

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John Walton and Mark Webster both recorded easy victories in the opening round of the BDO World Darts Championships at Lakeside.

The two former champions posted impressive 3-0 results to set set up a mouth-watering clash between the pair for a place in the quarter-finals.

Walton, seeded 15 for the tournament this year, may have been victorious but it was beaten opponent Shaun Greatbach who was the star of the show.

The 39-year-old from Lakenheath is battling cancer, which has left him four inches shorter, and was given a players' 'guard of honour' as he left the stage.

Massive headache

"When I got up this morning I sat on my bed with a massive headache and no energy but I wanted to play," Greatbach told www.lakesideworlddarts.com.

"I thought to myself I have got to do it for myself and all the people who had come to watch me at Lakeside."

Next up for Walton will be reigning champion Webster, who started the defence of his title with a 3-0 whitewash of Willy van der Wiel.

The trainee plumber from Wales needed just 23 minutes to thrash the Dutch newcomer.

"I am chuffed to get through, the first round is so nerve-wracking," he said afterwards. "I didn't sleep well and was restless all night worrying about today's match."

Sunday's action contained plenty of other routine wins for the big names on display, Ted Hankey amongst those to triumph 3-0 in the opening round.

'The Count' was in impressive form to put paid to Brian Woods' hopes of another good run in the event after he reached the semi-finals last year.

Fourth seed Scott Waites started off with an equally emphatic result, thumping 19-year-old debutant Ross Smith.

Shock result

However, there was a shock result when 13th seed Steve West was blown away by another Lakeside first-timer, Alan Norris.

"It is a lifetime dream to be here. I felt really sorry for Steve but I want to do well this week," Norris, who becomes just the second unseeded player to reach round two so far, said.

"I've got Scotty (Waites) in my next match and have never lost to him but he is playing well this week and is a superb player."

Stephen Bunting was the only losing player to win a set in the day's action. He was eventually beaten 3-1 by sixth seed Gary Robson.