DENNIS PRIESTLEY rued a mid-game lapse despite a straight sets win over Josephus Schenk in the first round of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.
The world number three looked on course for a comfortable victory when he took six of the first eight legs.
Dennis Priestley However, Dutchman Schenk battled back to lead in the third set before Priestley finally set up a second round date with Denmark's Per Laursen.
Schenk won the game's opening leg, but Priestley powered back with the next three to take the first set averaging 98.46.
Priestley stepped in to punish Schenk's missed doubles in the second set's opener, and doubles his advantage on double top before seeing the third leg slip away after posting a 180, with the Dutch youngster ending a run of losing five successive legs on double four.
Priestley took the next leg to wrap up the second set, but allowed Schenk into a 2-1 lead in the third.
However, he stepped in when Schenk missed double 14 for the set to land double ten, and then sealed victory on double top.
"I'm pretty pleased - especially after the first leg," said Priestley. "At 2-0 up I was playing some pretty decent darts but I lost the fire in my belly after that.
"I lost my way for a little while and was probably fortunate to win 3-0. I was poor in the third set and have been playing for long enough to know that I should have kept the pressure on him.
"Even at my age you can still learn and I have to be better, more motivated and kill people off. I know it's in my so I can find it again."
