JAMES WADE is looking to end a memorable year on a high at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.
The 23-year-old has had his best ever year on the PDC circuit, and has moved up to 11th in the World Rankings.
However, he has yet to progress past round one at the Circus Tavern, losing 3-0 to Mark Thomson on his debut two years ago before a narrow defeat to Wayne Jones in the 2006 event.
He meets New Zealand's Warren French in his opener next week at Purfleet, and said: "I am looking forward to it.
"Hopefully I can put a good result in this time after two bad ones.
"Last year, I was two sets up and lost against Wayne Jones. I lost it when the winning post came into sight and I hope I can get the job done this year.
"I don't feel embarrassed to be up there any more. I feel like I have actually earned the right to be on stage.
"I don't fear anyone, but I am cautious about playing a qualifier.
"I've slipped up too many times in the past. You don't know what they are going to do.
"It's probably Warren's first time on TV here and he'll either do one of two things - collapse or play well."
The high point of his year came in July when he reached his first major final at the Stan James World Matchplay - a result partly attributed to becoming a full-time professional three weeks earlier.
"It has and hasn't helped me," said Wade. "You have to watch for boredom setting in as well, and you can over-practice. It's all about keeping occupied away from playing."
Wade has hit three nine-darters during the year, at the UK Open North-West Regional Final win over John Part, against Alan Warriner-Little in a Players Championship tournament at Hayling Island and in the semi-final of the Norfolk Mens Singles versus Kevin McDine.
"I'm chuffed to bits with that," he said. "It looks easy but I guess whenever I get a shot at one I don't seem to miss, luckily.
"The most special was probably the first, against John Part. That was nice because it kind off finished the game off, I played really well and think my worst leg was 12 darts.
"If I repeat that in the World Championship, I'll win it!"
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