Dean Winstanley came from 5-0 down to defeat Gary Anderson 13-11 in an incredible Betfair World Matchplay debut last night, as local favourites Wes Newton and Ronnie Baxter and emerging star Justin Pipe joined him in progressing to the second round.
Yorkshireman Winstanley – who only joined the PDC circuit in January – endured a nightmare opening in his early legs on the Winter Gardens stage despite opening the game with a 180, as a string of missed doubles allowed Anderson to take command.
Winstanley then found his range to win eight of the next nine legs and move 8-6 up – only for Anderson to then level and edge back in front, but the Yorkshireman held his nerve on tops to secure a tie-break victory.
“I’ve never been stuck for words before but I am now – I can’t believe it,” said the 31-year-old. “Gary’s a great competitor and a fantastic guy, but at 5-0 down I said to myself that I wasn’t going out, and I dug in.
“The crowd were brilliant and they got me through the game, and I’m just so happy to win – it’s uneblievable.”
Winstanley now plays Blackpool’s Ronnie Baxter in the second round tomorrow, after the 1998 runner-up defeated Dave Chisnall 10-7.
Chisnall hit seven 180s and a 170 finish, but never recovered from allowing Baxter to get into a 3-0 lead as the home favourite hit six maximums, finishes of 133 and 108 and two 11-darters in a fine display.
Fleetwood’s Wes Newton, the number five seed, overcame World Youth Champion James Hubbard 10-5, with a pair of 91 finishes in two of the final three legs seeing him finally overcome a solid debut on the Winter Gardens stage from the 20-year-old.
Newton’s second round opponent will be world number 12 Justin Pipe, who enjoyed a victory when the pair last met on the televised stage at the World Championship.
“I lost my cool on that day and let his style get to me,” admitted Newton. “He’s not throwing slow to put you off, that’s just how he plays, and I’ll be ready for that.
“We’ve played twice since and I’ve won both games, so hopefully I’ll be okay on Thursday.”
Pipe was a 10-4 winner against another young star, Bradford’s Joe Cullen, who found himself 4-0 down after checkouts of 106 and 112 from the Taunton ace, and even a 170 finish was not enough for the 23-year-old to progress.
The second round begins tonight with four matches, including World Champion Adrian Lewis up against Andy Smith.
2007 World Matchplay champion James Wade faces Mark Walsh, two-time finalist Terry Jenkins plays five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld and Michael van Gerwen plays Steve Beaton.
Tuesday’s winners return tomorrow night for their second round games, which will be played alongside the ties involving reigning champion Phil Taylor against Stoke rival Ian White and Andy Hamilton’s clash with Mark Webster.
Latest betting: Evens Phil Taylor, 11/2 Adrian Lewis, 15/2 James Wade, 12/1 Raymond van Berneveld, 33/1 Michael van Gerwen, 33/1 Wes Newton. 50/1 bar