Worth the Waites - Yorkshireman Scott snatches dramatic win on PDC World Darts Championship debut

Yorkshire’s Scott Waites snatched a thrilling win in his debut at the William Hill PDC World Darts Championship.
Scott Waites at the oche in his win over Matt Campbell. Picture by Lawrence Lustig/PDC.Scott Waites at the oche in his win over Matt Campbell. Picture by Lawrence Lustig/PDC.
Scott Waites at the oche in his win over Matt Campbell. Picture by Lawrence Lustig/PDC.

The two-time Lakeside BDO champion edged past Canada’s Matt Cambell 3-2 in a match which went all the way.

All five sets were won by three legs to two, with Waites hitting back from two legs down to win the sudden-death 25th.

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It was Huddersfield-based Waites’ first time on the Alexandra Palace stage, though he is a past winner of the Grand Slam of Darts which involves players from the PDC and BDO.

Scott Waites celebrates his win. Picture by Lawrence Lustig/PDC.Scott Waites celebrates his win. Picture by Lawrence Lustig/PDC.
Scott Waites celebrates his win. Picture by Lawrence Lustig/PDC.

Campbell clinched a high-scoring opening set, which included five 180s, thanks to a sublime 160 checkout in the fifth leg.

Waites levelled before coming from a set behind again to force the decider, in which a brilliant 152 finish gave his opponent a two leg lead.

But the Yorkshireman refused to be denied winning the following two legs to secure a last-leg shoot-out which he won with a stunning 11-darter, finishing 81 to book a second round meeting with sixth seed Nathan Aspinall, a semi-finalist in each of the past two years, on Wednesday.

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"After playing 24 legs to get to that point I was determined not to lose," said Waites of his dramatic victory.

"I've played one of the best games ever and only just managed to get over the line.

“I have to give credit to Matt for that. I feel sorry for him having to go back to Canada, but what a player.”

Waites added: "On my day I can give anybody a game and I think I can take Nathan all the way.

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"As a Yorkshireman I like to get my money's worth and I think everybody watching at home got their money's worth today."

Bradford’s Joe Cullen begins his campaign with a second round tie against Wayne Jones on Tuesday.

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