Day One - World Darts Championships 2010
Kevin McDine 3-2 Dennis Priestley - (1-3, 2-3, 3-0, 3-2, 3-1)
Kevin McDine produced a fabulous comeback to defeat former World Champion Dennis Priestley in the first round of 2010 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.
Dennis appeared to be cruising into the second round after winning the opening two sets, but the 24-year-old showed great fight, defying a knee injury sustained during the match.
Both players held throw in the opening set before Dennis took a 2-1 lead by landing double two.
That was followed in the next leg by a fantastic 150 checkout from the 59-year-old to take the set and open up an early lead.
McDine hit the first maximum of the game at the start of the second set, but wasted three chances at doubles and Priestley stepped in with a 64 finish.
McDine managed to win the second leg but Priestley hit a 116 checkout to lead the set for the second time.
Priestley's clinical finishing continued in the fourth leg when he converted a 140 checkout to take the second set and move 2-0 up.
McDine - who twisted his knee on the stairs leading from the stage in the break after the second set, took the third set without reply, wrapping it up with a 15-dart finish to get himself back into the contest.
McDine took the opening leg of the fourth set, before Priestley landed double ten to win second, despite a maximum from his opponent.
The Irthlingborough-based thrower won the third leg with a 127 finish on the bullseye, but Priestley won the fourth leg to go within touching distance of victory.
However, McDine kept his composure and managed to hit double four to take the match into a deciding set.
The final set kicked-off with McDine landing another bullseye finish to convert a 92 checkout, before Priestley won the second with a fantastic 11-darter.
McDine took the third leg by landing double 16 and won the match in the next by hitting the bullseye for the fourth time in the game for a 119 finish.
