Darryl Fitton won the battle of nerves between debutantes as he took the first set in style - but Welshman John Burton settled to bounce back for victory.

England's Fitton raced to a 3-0 legs lead to take the first set - checking out on 164 to clinch it.

But Burton was having nothing of it and squared the match with a 3-1 success in set two. Every leg went against the throw in set three as the players traded blow for blow - Burton eventually winning 3-2.

A 116 shot out in set four put Burton two legs ahead and one win away from victory. Fitton hit back with a leg as he struggled to survive but was helpless as Burton checked out for overall victory.

If there is going to be a nailbiting match on the oche you can bet Martin Adams is going to be involved . . . this time against Dutchman Co Stompe.

England captain Adams shot into the lead when he whitewashed the Dutch professional in the first set.

In set two Stompe hit a 104 check-out to go two ahead and Adams missed a 156 finish by the width of a wire, which cost him the game.

But Adams (pictured in action at the Lakeside) was not going to give in and fought back from 2-1 down in the third - levelling with a 13-darter before going on to put himself 2-1 up in sets.

Stompe had first throw advantage in the fourth and duly checked out with 14 darts to go ahead. Adams levelled, went behind once again and then got back on equal terms before bring the house down with a delightful 138 check-out (60 54 x12) to claim the match.

"The fourth set was do-or-die time," said Adams.

Austrian-born Norwegian Robert Wagner put on a dazzling display as he beat England's Gary Robson.

Robson, knocked out in round one by Raymond van Barneveld last year, clinched the first leg but the set went to a more determined Wagner (3-2).

Wagner, who took one of the qualifying places to get to the Embassy at the end of last year, continued his domination of the match and could have won set two with a whitewash, had he not missed several chances at double ten in leg three.
Robson seized the opportunity and soon drew level at 2-2 before squaring the match at a set each.

Back came Wagner in set three as he reeled off three successful legs to put himself back in charge at 2-1 up in sets. He did the same in set four to take the match and his impressive display included one 12-darter, a 14-dart finish and six 15-dart check-out.

Wagner the former bodybuilder took to the big stage skillfully and served notice of an exciting new darts talent.

Clark kicked off with a maximum and then followed it up with a lowly 36!
The man nicknamed "Superman" followed it up by holding his

throw and his nerve against the two-times champion to take the first set.

But the Dutchman was not about to get on the plane home and stepped up a gear to reproduce the form that netted him the title in 1998/99.
Barneveld knocked out six cracking legs in a row to put himself in the driving seat at 2-1 up in sets.

He took the opening game in set four before Clark stopped the rot but Barneveld was in a different class and moved smoothly into round two where he will meet Welshman John Burton.

Professional player Tony Eccles made a brief appearance at the Embassy in 2002 after losing out in the first round.

But the Englishman showed he was worth his seventh place seeding when he took the first set off Belgian Erik Clarys who was making his sixth appearance at the Lakeside.

Clarys' called on that experience in set two which could have gone to any one of the players but went the Belgian's way when Eccles missed his doubles.

The third set went to a deciding leg as Eccles went two up only to see Clarys bounce back with two legs before claiming the fifth.

Eccles battled on, moving 1-0 ahead and then 2-1 up before the man nicknamed "The Sheriff" got back on equal terms at two legs each and finished off the match to book his place in round two.

Dutch darts star put on a dazzling display of high quality arrows to captivate a packed
Lakeside Country Club as she opened her campaign in the Embassy.

De Boer, who will celebrate her 23rd birthday during Embassy week and is nickednamed "Bambi", showed her Welsh opponent what she was capable of as she won the first leg with just 13 darts
and followed up to take the opening set with ease.

But Rogers-Pickett refused to drop her head and got into the match by holding her first throw advantage in the next set before going 2-0 ahead in legs.

Back came de Boer with a 76 check-out in the next game.

The Dutchwoman made it 2-2 but was left trailing as Rogers-Pickett roared away in leg five.

But she could not get out and de Boer struck with 18, treble 12 double eight for victory.