KIRK SHEPHERD caused the biggest upset of the Ladbrokes.com PDC darts world championships so far after knocking out No.4 seed Terry Jenkins in the first round at Alexandra Palace.
The 21-year-old recovered from 2-1 down last night to win a five-set thriller after Jenkins had failed to get over the line even though he had seven darts at doubles to clinch the match in the fourth.
Qualifier Shepherd made his illustrious oppon
ent pay, making Jenkins the second big-name casualty in the tournament so far following Monday's elimination of Colin Lloyd.
Shepherd started well, taking the first two legs and, although Jenkins hit back to level the opening set, it was the outsider who got to the double first in the decider to take the lead. Jenkins appeared set to uphold the form book, though, after winning eight of the next nine legs to establish a 2-1 advantage – and a 2-0 lead in the fourth.
One leg away from winning, however, Jenkins faltered and allowed Shepherd in to land double 18 and then double eight to level the set.
After taking that one 3-2, Shepherd took advantage to inch into the second round as Jenkins missed more doubles. That was not the only shock of the day as fellow qualifier Jamie Caven scored a straight-sets win over Wes Newton.
Thirty-one-year-old Caven dropped just four legs on his way into round two – where he will meet Wayne Mardle on Saturday.
Jason Clark held his nerve to survive a storming comeback by Bob Anderson to win 3-2.
Sixty-year-old former world champion Anderson recovered from 2-0 down to level the match and then lead in the deciding set.
Anderson's 141 finish in the fifth made him favourite – but not for long, Clark nicking the next two legs and then hitting two 140s at the start of the next as he closed out the match.
Denis Ovens' challenge began well as he took nine successive legs to whitewash Colin Monk, while Barrie Bates dropped just one leg against Canada's Gerry Convery.
The all-Irish battle between Mick McGowan and Jason Barry resulted in a 3-0 victory for the former.
There were no upsets in the late matches as Chris Mason and Kevin Painter both booked their places in the second round.
Mason, seeded 18, was a comfortable 3-1 winner over Steve Brown, while 2004 finalist Painter – the 15th seed – cruised past American Gary Mawson 3-0.
