JOHN PART, Alex Roy and Dennis Priestley moved into the second round of the 2006 Stan James World Matchplay when the tournament began on Sunday night.
Highlights will be available from 7pm on Monday evening for DartsTV subscribers.
2006 Stan James World Matchplay
First Round
Mark Dudbridge 6-10 Alex Roy
John Part 10-2 Wes Newton
Dennis Priestley 10-7 Alan Tabern
Best of 19 legs - games must be won by two clear legs
ALEX ROY 10-6 MARK DUDBRIDGE
ALEX ROY won the opening game of the 2006 Stan James World Matchplay with a 10-6 upset win over Mark Dudbridge.
The 31-year-old followed up his run to the last 16 at the Budweiser UK Open last month with a confidence-boosting win over the 2004 finalist.
Roy led 3-0 after punishing a poor start from Dudbridge, and the world 28 could have led 5-0 going into the first break - with missed doubles allowing his opponent to cut the deficit to one leg.
Roy won the next four to move 7-2 up before Dudbridge took the next two to threaten a comeback.
Another double from Roy put him to the brink of victory and, though Dudbridge took out a 12-dart leg, Roy sealed the win with double five.
"That meant a lot to me," said Roy. "You don't want to be the first player out of the tournament!
"I expected a fight from Mark but he didn't seem to be at the races. I missed a few doubles and let him in in a few legs, but I'm through and that's all that matters.
"I tried not to beat myself up and let it get to me. I switch off sometimes and I know I can do better, but I've tried not to punish myself for the past 18 months."
JOHN PART 10-2 WES NEWTON
JOHN PART dealt Stan James World Matchplay debutant Wes Newton a lesson in finishing with a 10-2 victory on Sunday night.
Part, coming off the back of his win in the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic at the start of July, was not at his best but punished some poor finishing from the local favourite.
Newton missed a host of doubles, hitting just two from 14 attempts in the opening ten legs.
Part led 4-1 at the first break, with Newton missing four darts in the fifth leg to cut the deficit.
He won the six leg with double 16, but Part pushed further ahead by winning four more before taking out 127 on the bull to move to within a leg of the match.
Newton was again off-target in the 12th leg, missing double 14 to give Part the chance to take victory with double four.
"I was solid," said Part. "It wasn't a high average but I was always in front and I did what I had to.
"I ran out ahead on the scoreline, but I didn't feel great and had to grind out a few legs. I took some key shots out when I needed to."
Newton said: "I'm gutted. It's been my dream to play here but my doubles let me down. Hopefully it will make me stronger and I'll be back next year."
DENNIS PRIESTLEY 10-7 ALAN TABERN
DENNIS PRIESTLEY overcame a stubborn challenge from Alan Tabern to move into round two of the Stan James World Matchplay with a 10-7 win.
The Yorkshireman cruised into a 7-2 lead against an opponent making his Blackpool debut.
But the rising star from St Helens hit back to win five of the next seven legs and put himself back to within touching distance before Priestley completed the win.
Priestley opened up an early 3-0 lead, punishing some sloppy play from Tabern in the second leg and taking the third despite a maximum from his opponent.
Tabern hit back to go into the break one leg behind, but four successive legs from Priestley - including a 120 finish - edged the world number seven clear at 7-2.
Tabern landed another maximum on his way to the tenth leg, and took out a 131 finish in the 12th as he began his comeback.
The qualifier then won the next two legs to pull back to 8-6 before Priestley landed double nine to win the 15th after hitting three successive 140s in the leg.
A 52 checkout of double top, double six kept Tabern in the game, but Priestley sealed the win with a 14-darter - including his fourth maximum of the game - to set up a second round clash with Alex Roy.
"It was a test of endurance," said Priestley. "It was very hot today, but I took on a lot of water before the game.
"Hopefully I can improve on this game as the tournament goes on."
Tabern admitted: "I don't think I played too well. Early on I had three darts at 40 which could have made a difference and make me relax a bit more.
"I fought hard and am disappointed, but good players start well and I suppose it's all experience for me."