Shaun Greatbatch stole the show at the BDO World Darts Championships at Lakeside on Sunday despite failing to win a set in his first-round clash with John Walton.
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 following his 3-0 defeat.
He told www.lakesideworlddarts.com: ‘When I got up this morning I sat on my bed with a massive headache and no energy but I wanted to play. I thought to myself I have got to do it for myself and all the people who had come to watch me at Lakeside.’
Former world champion Walton, the 15th seed, admitted it had been an emotional experience.
‘That is the hardest game I have played and I don't ever want to go through it again,’ he said.
‘We are all one big family in darts and this was going to affect everyone in the Lakeside arena and I am not afraid to admit I was filling up on stage.’
Champion Mark Webster, who is bidding to emulate Eric Bristow and Raymond van Barneveld and successfully defend the title, eased into the second round.
The trainee plumber took only 23 minutes to whitewash Dutch newcomer Willy van der Wiel 3-0.
Webster said: ‘I am chuffed to get through; the first round is so nerve-wracking. I didn't sleep well and was restless all night worrying about today's match.’
Fourth seed Scott Waites, a quarter-finalist 12 months ago, was equally emphatic in his match against 19-year-old debutant Ross Smith.
Ex-pat Alan Norris, now representing Sweden, swept aside 13th seed Steve West 3-0 to set up a second-round meeting with Waites.
The Lakeside debutant said: ‘It is a lifetime dream to be here. I felt really sorry for Steve but I want to do well this week.
‘I've got Scotty in my next match and have never lost to him but he is playing well this week and is a superb player. I know I need to lift my game by four or five points but I have the capacity to beat him.’
Ted Hankey was another 3-0 winner, ending the hopes of last season's semi-finalist Brian Woods.
In the final game of the day, sixth seed Gary Robson won a high-class encounter with Stephen Bunting 3-2 - the latter at least becoming the only losing player today to win a set.
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