GARY WELDING 4-1 ERWIN EXTERCATTE
(3-0, 0-3, 3-1, 3-0, 3-1)
GARY WELDING continued his dream run at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship with a 4-1 second round win over Erwin Extercatte.
The St Helens thrower knocked world number one Colin Lloyd out of the tournament last week, and added Dutch qualifier Extercatte to his list of scalps as he moved into the last 16.
Welding roared out of the blocks, taking the first set 3-0 before the Dutchman levelled matters by winning the second.
The 24-year-old rookie also went ahead for the only time in the game by winning the opening leg of the third set, before Welding reeled off six straight legs.
That took him 3-1 up in the game, and though Extercatte battled in the next, Welding had enough to complete the win.
"That's the first time I've been a favourite in a game and there was some pressure," admitted Welding.
"That was the worst I've played for a while but I'm just happy to get through. I didn't want it to go to 3-2 because I was giving it my all and the double two to win it was sweet!
"I'd love to get to the quarters, I think I will play better against John Kuczynski and I'll certainly have to.
"But I've got the game to go a long way and it's just about getting it out of me.
"This tournament is the creme de la creme. You get here once and want to give it your all. I've had a bit of luck and I know I can throw a lot better than that."
Extercatte said: "I've had a great experience but my doubles let me down today. Hopefully I'll have a good year and be back in 12 months."
Match Stats
| Gary Welding | 4-1 | Erwin Extercatte |
| 19 | 100+ | 16 |
| 10 | 140+ | 8 |
| 4 | 180 | 1 |
| 28.52 | Ave1 | 26.74 |
| 85.56 | Ave3 | 80.21 |