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Ted Hankey was crowned Lakeside World Darts Champion after winning a thrilling 133-minute final against Stockport’s Tony O’Shea.

Both players were left exhausted after the match went to the full 13 sets but it was 40-year-old Hankey who collected his second world title, overcoming a stage jinx against the 47-year-old grandad.

The Count had previously lost all stage matches – apart from one – against the Cheshire sharpshooter over the past two decades but on this occasion he let his walk-on music “Be On Your Way” deliver the message to Silverback.

It was an absorbing final, which threatened to fizzle out after Hankey appeared to grasp it by the neck and move ominously into a 3-1 lead but then re-ignited as determined O’Shea continually defied the odds to keep battling back.

Hankey recorded 15 180s in the match – taking his tournament tally to 42 – just a handful short of his record set in 2000, while O’Shea notched 30 during the week and nine in the final.

Despite missing for a 116 checkout finished on double 20, Hankey held his composure to take the first leg of the match against the throw on double five but failed to stamp his authority as O’Shea levelled. The next two went with the throw, O’Shea firing home on double 16 after Hankey was disturbed by a shout from the crowd.

Hankey then missed three doubles, the Cheshire player annexing the opening set of the second set against the throw as he attempted to impose his authority on the game but he missed double 16, as The Count took double two. He fired in double 10 and then clinched the set 3-1 to level the match on double 12 after O’Shea missed double 16 for a 64 finish.

The Count fired in his first 180 of the match as he opened up a 2-0 third set lead but he didn’t look happy, sweating profusely and constantly talking to himself and grimacing, as O’Shea pulled back a leg, the Telford player missing double tops and then hitting double 10 for a 2-1 match lead.

Hankey then complained to referee Barry Gilbey about stage-side photographers. Earlier he had complained about fans shouting out when he was throwing for doubles.

The Count annexed the opening leg of the fourth set, and then after Silverback drove home a maximum but missed doubles Hankey swooped for a superb 111 finish completed witdouble tops, scooping the set unchallenged.

In a complete transformation with a couple of sets lead The Count’s style appeared silky smooth as he buried two 180s to take a 2-1 lead but missed a crucial four doubles with his throw for the set, O’Shea holding his throw in the fifth leg on double 20 to pull the match back to 3-2.

Hankey - the seventh seed - exited on 98 to take a 2-1 lead in the sixth and hit a 70 checkout completed on double 20 with his second dart for a 4-2 interval lead following an hour’s play.

Refreshed from the break, O’Shea hit his seventh 180 to edge 2-1 ahead, Hankey missing bull for a 164 set-equalling checkout and then punished for two further missed doubles as Silverback hit double 16 to again reduce Hankey’s match lead to a solitary set.

The Stockport steamroller rumbled on O’Shea hitting his fourth successive double 16 to take the opening leg of the next set against the throw, the seventh seed immediately levelling, taking the third with the throw and clinching the set on double nine after O’Shea missed a set saving double tops.

Twice Hankey trailed in the ninth set, levelling only to see battling O’Shea crash home a 14-darter finished on 54 to once again reduce The Count’s match lead to one set but a 3-0 success in the next restored Hankey’s two set leading margin.

The opening legs of the 11th were shared, Hankey clinching the third leg against the throw but then missing an opportunity to clinch the title on 62, as O’Shea after missing double tops, swept in double 10 to keep his title hopes alive, hitting double eight to take the match to 6-5 as chants of “Tony, Tony, Tony” echoed around the packed arena.

Both players smashed home 180s in the first leg of the next, O’Shea missing five crucial doubles to let in Hankey with a 76 checkout, finished on double 20 to move into a 2-0 set lead. Hankey then missed double tops for a match-winning 120 flourish, double 13 proving lucky as he exited on 81 to keep his interest alive. He added the fourth leg to take the set to 2-2.

Hankey blazed in a brace of 180s but missed double 20s and then a further three doubles for the title as cool O’Shea defied the pressure to hammer home double six to level the match.

The opening two legs went against the throw, Hankey blasting in his 15th 180 and then holding his nerve to clinch the title and £95,000 crown with double 10.

The jubilant champ confessed: “ When we got to 6-6 I thought I ain’t ever going to win it.

“Tony played so well, constantly putting pressure on me. I would hit a 180 to leave a shot and he would follow up hitting a maximum and come right behind me.

“When I won my first title it was great because I always want to win the Embassy world championship but this win is special. To win this second title means more to me for personal reasons. My home life is now more settled and everyone was here to see me win.

But I really thought I had blown my chance tonight,” admitted the new double champ.

Runner up Tony O’Shea added: “I was always there to nick doubles he missed. I would take a big breath and become a big bag of nerves! I enjoyed the game but I was a little tired towards the end…”

IT was back down to earth today for Pride of Stockport Tony O’Shea after his nail-biting World Darts Championship final.
  
The self-confessed "big northern softie" lost a dramatic and thrilling final at The Lakeside Club in Surrey to favourite Ted Hankey.
  
But O'Shea, 47, from Romiley will not have to wait long before his next darts appointment.
  
Having collected a runner-up cheque for £30,000, he'll be supporting the pub team he plays for in the local league at The Pineapple Inn in Marple tonight.
  
Minutes after stepping off the world stage, O'Shea told the MEN that he was looking forward to returning home.
  
"I actually haven't played for about seven weeks. We've got that many players, I'm not good enough on a Monday night," he joked. "I could do with a night off darts, to be honest."
  
In one of the greatest finals of all time, O'Shea staged a brilliant comeback to take the final to the wire in a deciding set.
  
Telford-based Hankey, 40, had several chances to win the title but was stunned by the Stockport fightback before he finally triumphed 7-6.
  
"I thought it was over probably seven or eight times – it was unbelievable," added O'Shea. "When I came out after the break I thought, 'I've nothing to lose.' But I was a bit tired near the end. I think I'm carrying one or two pounds too much.
  
"But he deserved his victory – he played really well. I just hope everyone enjoyed it – there's aways next year.
  
"If somebody would have said to me two weeks ago that I'd lose in the final of The Lakeside, I'd have probably said, 'Wow.'"
  
He was cheered on by wife Gill, who described him as her world champion: "The best man on the planet."
  
In a cauldron of heat and noise, ninth seed O'Shea battled for the world crown, watched by a sell-out 1,400 crowd at fever pitch and millions on TV.
  
The atmosphere in the auditorium was just as red hot, with the country club transformed into a gladitorial arena under the television lights.
  
But it was Hankey who kept his cool. Nicknamed "The Count" due to his resemblance to Dracula, he went into the tournament with a new health regime, cutting down his pre-match drinking from ten pints to three.
  
Chocaholic O'Shea, who likes to do the ironing at home, did his best to produce a sweet and smooth performance in a night of pure theatre.
  
Hankey responded with top class flowing darts to resist O'Shea's late onslaught and take both the trophy and the winner's cheque of £95,000.
  
Grandad Tony, the third oldest man in the field, was competing in his first British Darts Organisation World Final in front of an audience he described as "phenomenal".
  
The former greenkeeper and football fan wears a shirt in the blue and white colours of Stockport County, with Gill sporting blue streaks in her hair.
  
He beat close friend Darryl Fitton in the semi final, the pair doing their “Strictly Stockport” dance when stepping on stage, bouncing their beer bellies together. Darryl is also due at the pub this evening.
  
Gill explained her husband's sweet side: “People think most of the belly is through the beer. But it’s not. It’s being a chocaholic as well.”
  
A darts player herself, she confessed to being “a nervous wreck” watching him step up to the oche for the final.
  
O'Shea's brother and sister Mick, 45, and Gill, 43, were also there supporting him. "It's such an emotional experience to see him in the world final," said Mick. "It's just been amazing."
  
Nicknamed "Silverback" – a reference to his figure – O'Shea was given a deafening reception as he walked on stage to Hey Baby by DJ Otzi.
  
Many fans – mostly all clutching pints – wore fancy dress and queued for hours outside before the doors opened for the big match.
  
Among others cheering O'Shea on this week was Stockport-born actor Will Mellor, star of the appropriately named comedy Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps.

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It was case of six time lucky for Dutch woman Francis Hoenselaar as she won her first world title, denying Trina Gulliver her eighth title.

It was sweet revenge for the 43-year-old second seed from Rotterdam who had previously finished runner up to the remarkable Gulliver on five occasions.

It is only the second match the Somerset-based Gulliver has lost on the Lakeside stage.

Gulliver missed double tops to steal the throwing advantage in the opening leg, Hoenselaar coolly hitting double eight. However the Dutch player missed the opportunity to steal the advantage in the next as the former winner blasted in double 20, the third going with the darts as Hoenselaar hit double 10 – her third dart for a double.

Gulliver fired out a 16-dart finish on double 18 to level, Hoenselaar sweeping back to hit 180 and race down to the double, clinching the set with a two dart 66 finish on double 18.

The seven times champ turned the screw hitting 125 and 100 to annex the opening leg with the throw in the second set on double tops. The Golden Girl hit 123 and 140 scores to move 2-0 ahead after hitting a 60 out shot finished with her favourite double tops. Gulliver clinched the set on double tops but only after the Dutch player missed the same double twice.

The Dutch Crown won the race to the double to take the opening leg of the third set with the throwing advantage with her third dart for double 20.

She hit two 140s in the next but missed three doubles, Gulliver then missing three attempts to finish, as Hoenselaar finally hit double four with her fifth effort for a double.

A further two 140s steered the Dutch player to double and she fired home emphatically on double 12 to bring the 30 minute clash to a close.

Self Styled Prince of Dartness Ted “The Count” Hankey gave “Wolfie” Martin Adams the silver bullet in a tense 6-4 battle.

Hankey played his best match of the week, with a huge 14 180s and equalled the tournament’s top checkout of 161 – ironically hit by Adams at the beginning of the semi final showdown.

Both players notched 31 plus dart averages and there were 12 and 13 dart checkouts plus 200 plus scores of a ton and over.

The opening sets went with the throwing advantage, Hankey swooping to take the third against the throw 3-1, despite a maximum from Wolfie.

Twice The Count led in the fourth but battling Adams levelled and then took the crucial fifth leg.

It was Hankey who seized the initiative to open up a 3-2 interval lead, charging back from losing the opening leg to take the set 3-1 on double seven after missing double 14.

Despite two maximums from The Count, Wolfie leapt in to take the sixth set with a 180 and double 12 with his second throw. Hankey blazed into the seventh set, equalling the tournament’s highest checkout set by Adams in the second leg of the game – 161 – against the throwing advantage.

Adams returned the compliment in the next leg and then held his throw, Hankey levelling and then firing in a superb pressure 116 checkout finished on double tops against the set advantage for a slender 4-3 match lead.

Hankey opened up a 2-0 lead in the next but had an agonising three scrape the wire of the double 18 for a shock two-set lead. Throwing first in the fourth leg, Adams who had started missing doubles, recovered from a missed double 16 to hit double eight but then missed double tops for a set-winning 76 checkout, Hankey edged 5-3 in front after hitting double two.

The opening legs of the third went with the throw, Adams missing double 10 for a blockbusting 140 finish, Hankey then hitting two treble 16s and hitting the wrong side of wire for double tops. Adams grabbed the leg on double five to defend his throw and then took the next against the throw to reduce the match lead to 5-4.

Throwing first in the next Hankey started hammering nails in Wolfie’s coffin as he moved ominously 2-1 ahead after hitting double tops.

He powered in a 180 – his 14th of the match and 27th of the week – to leave himself 81, hitting treble 19, double 12 when he returned to the oche to swoop into his third final in 10 years, after Adams had left himself 24.

Victorious Hankey was delighted with his performance: “That’s the best I have played all week, I can’t believe I have reached the final.

“Martin was awesome, he kept hitting 140s and 180s. I missed a few doubles but I did not want the it to go to 5-5.

“I’m looking forward to the final but have never beaten Tony O’ Shea on stage in the 20 years I have been playing him. Even in last month’s World Masters I lost to him in the last 16.

“Tony has had good form for six months but I know it is down to me to put the work in and decide how I am going to play him.

“I am really proud to be in the final of the world championship here at Lakeside,” declared Hankey.

Defeated semi finalist Adams was philosophical about his defeat: “It’s the way it goes – that’s darts!”

O’Shea wins “battle of Cheshire” to march into his first final

Ninth seed Tony O’Shea won the battle of Cheshire, toppling his childhood friend and county team mate Darryl Fitton 6-4 to reach his first world final.

It was an absorbing 99-minute clash which proved “one step beyond” for Madness fan Daryl Fitton, the fifth seed.

The clash of the two Stockport sharpshooters had attracted huge interest with Hollyoaks actor Will Mellor from Stockport joining the capacity crowd to cheer on the Cheshire darts aces.

Tony O’Shea stole the march in the opening set, leading 2-0 after taking the opening leg against the throw but then Silverback missed double 16 and double eight to take the lead, Fitton striking double tops.

O’Shea defended his throw in the next for a 3-1 success, finished on double 16.

Fitton opened up with back-to-back 180s in the next and then took the next against the throw, hitting his fifth 180 to finishing the set on 66 for a 15-dart leg.

O’Shea edged 2-0 ahead in the fourth but then missed double tops for the set, recovering to take the deciding fifth leg on double 16.

Forty seven-year-old grandfather O’Shea took the crucial third leg in the fifth set against the throw with a 80 checkout finished on double 10 and then held on to take the match on double 16 – the first break of the match for an interval 3-2 lead.

Despite Fitton, 46, taking the opening leg of the sixth against the throw, Silverback won three straight legs to open up a 4-2 match lead, pressing home the advantage in the next 3-0 - against the throw - to move closer to a dream final place.

But determined Darryl took the next 3-1 – despite a brace of 180s from O’Shea - to narrow the match lead.

The opening four legs were shared in the ninth set, Fitton squeezing home his favourite double tops to further narrow O’Shea’s lead.

Fitton then missed three doubles for the 10th set after opening up a 2-1 lead, his opponent striking double eight with his first strike. Fitton hit his second maximum of the set but it proved one step beyond as Fitton wired three match-saving doubles, his Cheshire team mate firing out 76 on a bull finish.

Both players were in tears after the game and emotionally hugged each other.

O’Shea said: “It was a terrific match for both of us. There have been so many good players from Cheshire – particularly Stockport – but this is the first time that anyone has reached the final.

“Darryl was absolutely awesome and I am absolutely gutted for him,” said O’Shea.

Fitton added: “The crowd was fantastic and Tony’s bull was right in the middle.”

It's more like a Hammer Horror film than a darts championship as Dracula faces the Wolfman (Wolfie) in the semi-finals of the Lakeside World Darts Championships.

Ted 'The Count' Hankey took out John Walton 5-1 in an amazing display of top-claibre darts to move into the last four.

Hankey, 40, from Telford, finished with a superb 138 checkout as he bid goodnight to 'John Boy' Walton. He said: "I wanted so much to get through the semi final, it means there is no pressure I am back next year. If I had lost it would have destroyed me big time. I have never lost in a semi final here and am not bothered who I play next," .

And Martin 'Wolfie' Adams joined him in the semis by beating Gary Robson 5-4. Wolfie will have to step his game up if he is to avoid being bitten by the count!

Although Adams raced into a 3-0 lead Robson hit back to make it 3-1 before the interval and then won the next two sets as well.

Both players were nervous in the closing stages and missed numerous doubles before Adams hit a double five to seal victory.

Martin Adams has admitted he will have to focus more if he wants to win his second BDO world championship. 'Wolfie' has made an unconvincing start to the Lakeside showpiece despite getting through to the quarter-finals.

He defeated debutants Dave Chisnall and Daryl Gurney to set up a last eight meeting with Gary Robson.

The England captain was taken to a five-set tiebreak by Chisnall on Monday night and then saw an early 2-0 advantage wiped out by Gurney on Wednesday before triumping 4-2.

And Adams – the oldest player in the tournament – knows he will have to improve if he is to lift the world title for the second time in three years.

Adams had missed bullseye for an impressive 161 check-out in the opening leg against Gurney, but held his throw throughout the set for an early lead.

He then battled back after losing the opening two legs of the second set by blasting a brace of 180s and checking out on 76 and 79 to level before hitting double eight to double his overall advantage.

The match followed the same pattern in the third set as Gurney raced into a 2-0 lead again only to miss double 15 for a set-winning 150 finish.

Adams was successful with double four and double tops to level, but he missed bullseye for a 121 finish in the set-deciding leg and Gurney was able to reduce the arrears.

The opening three legs of the fourth set went with throw, but Adams missed another bullseye for 121 and then double 16 and double eight to gift Gurney to chance to tie the match.

The fifth set went the other way with every leg going against the throw before Adams secured a set-winning 101 check-out.

He sealed his place in the quarter-final after hitting back from 2-0 down to finally see off the gallant Irishman.

Adams commented: "I would like to have won 4-0, but Daryl threw some very good darts.

Well, you just never know with darts; Number 1 seed Gary Anderson has crashed out of the World Championship losing 5-3 to Tony O'Shea in the quarter-finals at Lakeside.

Anderson got off to a bad start, trailing 3-0, but hauled it back to 4-3 before Englishman O'Shea closed out.

The ninth seed said: "I knew Gary was going to come back, he always does. But I'm now made of much sterner stuff."

LONDONDERRY darts player Daryl Gurney crashed out of the BDO World Championship with his pride intact.

The 22-year-old, who has won rave reviews from pundits in the sport, lost out to former World Champion, Martin Adams at Frimley Green on Wednesday night.

Having lost the first two sets, Gurney fought back valiantly to level at 2-2, before Adams' experience shone through.

The Englishman progressed to the quarter-finals with a 4-2 victory.

Making his first appearance on the big stage, the Ulsterman upset the odds by defeating number 14 seed Garry Thompson in the first round.

If Wolfie can see off fellow Englishman Robson, he will face either John Walton or Ted Hankey in the semi-final, with the final taking place on Sunday.

ROSS Montgomery is hoping he can boss his second round match with Ted Hankey tonight (Wednesday) as he eyes a place in the quarter-finals of the World Darts Championship.

The Greenhills player was in good form in Monday’s first round match as he claimed a 3-1 victory over Welshman Martin Phillips to set up a meeting with the former world champion.

And The Boss is expecting a tough match when he squares up to the Englishman on the oche.

Things are only going to get tougher for Ross, though, as if he overcomes the challenge of Hankey he will face another former champion in the form of either John Walton or the defending champion Mark Webster.

And after that it would likely be a semi-final encounter with Martin Adams – who helped stop Ross from quitting the game a few years ago.

Top seed Gary Anderson moved into the last eight of the BDO World Championship following a thrilling 47-minute clash against Welsh international Robert Hughes which he claimed 4-2.

Anderson took the first set before his opponent hit back to level and in the third the Pembrokeshire player twice led after firing in two 180s, a perfect single dart for double tops gave the Welshman a surprise match lead.

Anderson then slowed the pace of the game and levelled on double one.

His opponent took a surprise 2-1 lead with a perfect single dart for double top but Anderson showed his class by scraping double one to level.

Anderson then went on to take the remaining sets but admitted he had not felt comfortable.

He said: “Seriously I am a good tournament floor or pub player. I prefer to be in the shadows and really do not being like on stage in the limelight with the cameras but I know I have to do it because it is my job. But trust me I do not enjoy it.”

Fourth seed Scott Waites moved into the quarter finals, whitewashing Swedish number one Alan Norris 4-0.

The pair served up an entertaining encounter with Waites hitting nine 180s in the 33-minute clash.

Fifth seed Darryl Fitton came from behind to beat 12th seed Simon Whitlock 4-2 in a hard-fought encounter which included 16 180s, an 11 and two 12-darters.

The “Wizard of Oz” Whitlock produced a 12-darter to take the opening set 3-0 before Fitton levelled by taking the second set 3-0, finishing off with a double top.

Whitlock went back ahead but Fitton won the next three sets to claim victory.

Ninth seed Tony O’Shea produced eight 180s to thrash Dutchman Edwin Max 4-0 and reach the last eight.

The Stockport grandfather of four was never troubled by the player from the Hague and he made the perfect opening with a 180 to set the tone for the match.

Yorkshireman John Boy Walton, 47, opened the millennium in stunning fashion by claiming the Winmau World Masters in 2000 and then followed this up to become the 2001 BDO world champion.

Those successes meant that Walton was only fourth player in history to win the World Masters and the world championship in the same season, joining the likes of Eric Bristow, Richie Burnett and Bob Anderson.

He has enjoyed only moderate success since his 2001 world championship victory and Walton hasn't won any of the major open events since his successful year in 2001 when he took the British Open, British Classic, Belgium Open, Scottish Open and Portland Open. However, Walton made history at the 2007 Winmau World Masters in Bridlington by hitting a televised nine dart finish.

It was the first time a player had hit a nine-darter in the 34-year history of the event and was the first on BBC television since Paul Lim's historic world championship feat in 1990.

He is currently ranked 19 in the BDO world list and 22nd with the World Darts Federation (WDF)

Walton was the first player to have won either version of the world professional darts championship wearing spectacles.

Martin Adams became the second in 2007 and Mark Webster became the third last year

Trina Gulliver's attempt to regain her Lakeside Women's World Championship title has got off to a successful start.

The number one seed beat Lisa Ashton 2-0 in the quarter-finals at Frimley Green on Saturday to set up a semi-final with Karin Krappen this Saturday (January 10). The Dutch number four seed beat Scot Anne Kirk 3-1.

Francis Hoenelaar plays fellow Dutchwoman Rilana Erades in the other last-four game. The final is on Sunday.

Gulliver's unbroken reign at the top ended a year ago when she was beaten 2-0 in the final by Anastasia Dobromyslova.

The Southam star, gunning for her eighth straight title, had never been beaten on the Lakeside stage.

But Dobromyslova, 23, produced 94 and 90 checkouts, a maximum, 165 and six 140s en route to her first world crown.

She is not defending her title, having accepted an invitation to play in the rival PDC world championships.

The Russian, now based in the UK, lost 5-3 to Remco van Eijden in the preliminary round at Alexandra Palace.

MARKET Deeping's Martin Adams survived a massive first round scare to continue his World Championship charge on Monday night.

'Wolfie' was taken to the wire by Lakeside debutant Dave Chisnall before triumphing 3-2 after a nail-biting tiebreak.

Missed doubles proved costly for the England captain as he continuously allowed qualifier Chisnall back into the contest.

Adams, the 2007 champion, bounced back after losing the opening leg to win the first set 3-1 after hitting double 16 on each occasion with his first dart.

Both players missed vital doubles in the second set which Chisnall eventually took on a deciding fifth leg with his sixth dart for a double.

Adams made the most of his throwing advantage to take the third set by whitewashing Chisnall who replied in kind in the next set to level the contest again.

Further missed doubles continued to hamper Adams in the fifth and final set as the match headed for a tiebreak.

Adams defended his throw to move 3-2 in front in the set only to see Chisnall level.

The St Helens man then missed an agonising five darts to steal the lead before Adams hit double tops with his third attempt to edge 4-3 ahead.

Adams again missed countless double before clinching victory on double 12 to earn a clash with Daryl Gurney in the second round.

MARTIN Adams has high hopes of capturing the Lakeside World Championship for a second time next week.

The 52 year-old – known around the world as 'Wolfie' – already holds the big Winmau World Masters crown after ending a near 20-year wait to win that tournament last month.

And now he is desperate to reclaim the World Championship title he won in 2007 and gallantly defended before a semi-final elimination at the hands of eventual champion Mark Webster last year.

Number 3 seed Adams, who starts with a first round match against Dave Chisnall on Monday night, said: "Having been without the trophy for a year, I want it back badly.

"It is the greatest title of all in the game and holding it is a huge honour. Hopefully I can do that again and it would be wonderful to have both the World Championship and the World Masters in my possession side by side.

"Ideally I would love to do the hat-trick and get the World Cup singles this year as well, but I am only concentrating on part two at the moment.

"Winning the World Masters was a great preparation for this championship and practice has been going well.

"I had a stomach complaint for a few days over Christmas which meant I couldn't have too much turkey and kept me off the board for three or four days, but I have been throwing again since.

"I am going into the tournament with a pretty good feeling and I am delighted with how the draw has worked out."

A meeting with the winner of the Garry Thompson/Daryl Gurney clash lies ahead for Adams in the second round. Both those players are also making their first appearances in the event.

A repeat of his semi-final showdown with Webster last year is also on the cards should both successfully negotiate the early rounds.

Adams is joint 5-1 second favourite with Webster behind 5-2 shot Gary Anderson who heads the market. The Scotsman is regarded as the top talent in the BDO sphere but has fallen at the first hurdle at the Lakeside in the past two years and is facing another tough opener against Norweigan thrower Robert Wagner.

Tomorrow will be a difficult yet proud day for many in the BDO fraternity as Shaun Greatbatch steps up to the Oche at the Lakeside Country Club.

The 39-year-old Cambridgeshire player takes on John Walton, the No15 seed, in the first round of the Lakeside World Professional Championship. But, it's fair to say that Match Three at 2.40pm tomorrow could be Greatbatch's farewell shot at big-time darts. Shaun has been battling valiantly against bone marrow cancer.

"It's going to be pretty emotional," said the Lakenheath marksman. "I've not been able to play competitively since May. The treatment has destroyed my immune system and I've got a cold, so I've no energy. It's not looking good, but I've just got to pick myself up and give it a go."

Because of the treatment Shaun has lost two stone and is four inches shorter (6ft 1in).

Greatbatch admitted: "I don't know what the future holds. To get to Lakeside next year I'd have to go through the qualifiers - I can't see myself travelling all over Europe for ranking points, I just couldn't do it.

"I might try to get involved in some other way, such as coaching the county youth team or something like that (his son Tom is a key member of the under-18s). But I can't see me carrying on, there's more to life than darts."

Good luck for the future Shaun - whatever that may hold.