RICHIE BURNETT 3-2 MARK WEBSTER

RICHIE BURNETT came out on top in the battle of the Welsh World Champions by knocking out Mark Webster in a titanic five-set battle on the opening night of the 2012 Ladbrokes World Darts Championship.

Both players missed chances to secure a place in the second round before Burnett hit the winning double in the sixth leg of the deciding set to end Webster's hopes in a classic first round encounter which included 20 maximums.

Burnett made a nightmare start to the contest as he missed a total of ten darts at doubles in the opening two legs, which allowed Webster to step in and open a 2-0 advantage.

Burnett got off the board in the third leg by taking out 78 and then won the fourth by hitting double eight after both players had recorded maximums.

The deciding leg saw Burnett hold the advantage of throw and he made that count by hitting a 62 finish to claim an opening set that he looked like losing.

Webster fired in a 180 in the process of winning the first leg of set two before Burnett won the second in style with a 121 finish, completed on the bullseye.

The world number six regained the lead by taking out 62 to win the third leg and then kicked off the next with his fourth maximum of the game.

Webster was first to a finish, but missed five darts to win the set, although Burnett could not capitalise as he missed four darts at tops and the left-hander returned to hit double eight and claim the set.

Both players hit maximums at the start of the third set and Burnett hit another to set up a chance of a nine-dart finish.

That was not to be, but the leg was won by the 1995 Lakeside Champion on double 18 before Webster held throw to take the second.

Webster, who has reached the last four in the previous two years at Alexandra Palace, hit his seventh maximum in the third leg but missed a dart at the bull for a 167 checkout, and Burnett stepped to hit double 18 with his third dart to convert a 96 finish.

That gave him a 2-1 lead, and some solid scoring saw Burnett to a finish first in the next, and he duly hit double top take the set and regain the lead.

Both players held their throws at the start of the fourth set before Burnett hit a maximum and an excellent two-dart 85 finish to break throw.

Burnett was now throwing for the match but Webster fired in a maximum at a vital time and landed double top to keep the game alive.

A dramatic deciding leg saw Burnett miss two darts at double 16 for victory, and Webster showed his class by taking out 100, courtesy of landing double top with his third dart to force a fifth set.

Burnett put those missed chances behind him as he began the final set with a 13-dart finish, but Webster held throw to level.

The third leg saw Burnett miss four chances to break throw and Webster hit an 80 finish to move one leg away from victory.

The next leg saw Burnett miss a dart at bullseye for a 161 checkout, but Webster failed to land double top which would have secured him a remarkable triumph.

Burnett accepted the reprieve and hit double eight to keep the match alive before beginning the fifth leg with a maximum.

Burnett won the leg in 14 darts to establish a 3-2 lead before Webster missed five darts at doubles to take the sixth leg.

Burnett missed another dart to take the match but Webster was off-target with three darts at double five and Burnett hit double top to end a fabulous contest.

After the match, a delighted Burnett said: "That was a hard draw for both of us and a tough game to play, but I'm thrilled to have won.

"My scoring was excellent throughout the game and that created chances for me.

"I feel that my game is back to where it was when I was at the top of the game and if I continue to score well then I'm a match for anybody."