WILLIAM O'CONNOR moved into the third round of the William Hill World Darts Championship after winning a five-set thriller against James Wilson at Alexandra Palace.
Wilson opened each of the first two legs with 180s, winning leg two with an 81 checkout but a 147 from O'Connor cut the Yorkshireman's lead but he responded with a sublime 160 finish to seal the set.
A fourth 180 helped Wilson win the first leg in the second set before O'Connor levelled by taking out 110. The Irishman then landed double eight to win both of the following legs, levelling the match at one set apiece.
O'Connor took the third set 3-1 but a brilliant 128 finish helped Wilson take set four to last leg decider, where he pinned double four to force a fifth set after his opponent had missed a darts at tops for the match.
A 96 finish saw Wilson level the the final set at 1-1 before a 62 finish put O'Connor within a leg of the victory, which he wrapped up with a clinical two-dart 90 checkout.
Match Stats
Averages:
Wilson - 93.80
O'Connor - 98.73
180s:
Wilson - 6
O'Connor - 4
Highest Finish:
Wilson - 160
O'Connor - 147
100+ Checkouts:
Wilson - 2
O'Connor - 2
Finishing:
Wilson - 9/21
O'Connor - 12/24
