Day one at the ADC Winmau Championship Grand Finals came to a close in Portsmouth, and Steve Lennon impressed as he averaged over 97 in an assured 5-2 last 16 win against Willie Borland at MODUS Live Lounge.
The Grand Finals feature the top eight players from both North and South regions after 12 events each, and former PDC Tour Card holder Lennon was in solid form, as he opened the first two legs with finishes of 151 and 107 before controlling the contest to move into the quarter finals.
Chas Barstow will be Lennon’s quarter final opponent, as he got the better of Lewis Pride in a tight 5-4 win.
Barstow pinned double ten with his last dart in hand to confirm victory.
16-year-old Lewis Cook has a lot of eyes on him this weekend, and the youngster began his campaign with a 5-2 success over David Sumner, averaging nearly 90 in the process.
Cook will take on Graham Hall in the last eight, and the defending champion battled a slipped disc to see off Ashley Coleman by a 5-2 scoreline.
Top seed Danny Ayres opened the tournament on the South Coast, and he took a routine 5-0 win against Danny Trueman, who was a late-notice replacement for Jamie Owens, who was forced to withdraw.
Ayres will face WDF Welsh Open champion Ryan Hogarth, as the Scot recorded a 5-2 win against Dan Nicholls.
Second seed Callum Francis was given a huge scare by Roger Crook, who arrived with an army of family and friends behind him, and missed match darts for 5-3 and 5-4 wins, as Francis stepped in to deny him at the death.
That win set up a meeting with Jack Main, who was superb on his doubles, ending with an 81 checkout on the bullseye to confirm a 5-1 win against Alan Slater.
The event is played to a finish on Sunday afternoon, where the winner will trouser £3,000.
ADC Winmau Championship Grand Finals
Last 16
Danny Ayres 5-0 Danny Trueman
Ryan Hogarth 5-2 Dan Nicholls
Lewis Cook 5-2 David Sumner
Graham Hall 5-2 Ashley Coleman
Steve Lennon 5-2 William Borland
Lewis Pride 4-5 Chas Barstow
Alan Slater 1-5 Jack Main
Callum Francis 5-4 Roger Crook
Quarter Finals
Danny Ayres v Ryan Hogarth
Lewis Cook v Graham Hall
Steve Lennon v Chas Barstow
Jack Main v Callum Francis
–ENDS–
