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Ross Smith was stung by a wasp on stage at the World Darts Championship after avoiding second-round pain to Niels Zonneveld.<\/p>\n
Number 16 seed Smith eased to a 3-1 victory over Zonneveld before running into problems at Alexandra Palace.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s the wasp,\u201d Smith said in his post-match Sky Sports interview as he noticed the insect.<\/p>\n
The Englishman then recoiled in pain and said: \u201cHe\u2019s just stung me like a good one.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smith, a prolific maximum hitter, was below his best but still produced seven 180s and the second 170 checkout of the tournament to see off plucky Dutchman Zonnevald.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t a great game and I didn\u2019t play nowhere near what I can,\u201d said Smith. \u201cBut I can enjoy my turkey and pigs in blankets now.<\/p>\n
\u201cI tried to get some fire in my belly, but it was really difficult. I was a bit nervy the last couple of days, everyone is because you just want to get through.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will relax now and hopefully be better after Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n
Exeter debutant Owen Bates lost a two-set lead as Ireland\u2019s Steve Lennon fought back to win 3-2.<\/p>\n
Lennon won nine of the last 11 legs against the 21-year-old crowd favourite to claim the win needed to retain his PDC Tour card.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know how I won that,\u201d said Lennon. \u201cI was panicking deep down, it\u2019s a massive win.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bates had qualified through the PDC Challenge Tour and emerged with huge credit from a pulsating contest, hitting five 180s and producing 101 and 108 second-set checkouts.<\/p>\n
\nIt wasn’t a great game and I didn’t play nowhere near what I can. But I can enjoy my turkey and pigs in blankets now<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
But Bates missed five doubles for a 2-1 lead in the fourth set as Lennon, who hit six maximums, grew stronger and booked a second-round meeting with Welshman Jonny Clayton.<\/p>\n
Lennon\u2019s compatriot William O\u2019Connor had a far more comfortable time with a 3-0 victory over Bhav Patel.<\/p>\n
The Indian left-hander was close to a 157 finish but he failed to win a single leg and the impressive O\u2019Connor \u2013 who hit 64 per cent of his doubles and averaged 98.74 \u2013 will play Chris Dobey next.<\/p>\n
Poland\u2019s Cork-based Radek Szaganski took to the stage on his Alexandra Palace debut wearing the colours of the Irish flag.<\/p>\n
Szaganski overcame Finland\u2019s Marko Kantele 3-2 with a final set 142 checkout helping him through to a second-round clash with five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld.<\/p>\n
There was more drama in the evening session as No. 4 seed Peter Wright was dumped out of the tournament in the second round. Coming up against Jim Williams, Wright never got into rhythm and lost three sets in a row to set up his early exit. <\/p>\n
After his win Williams said: \u201cIt\u2019s a difficult game. I\u2019ve got so much respect for that man. I was just fighting myself all the way there a little bit.<\/p>\n
\u201cProbably [out of] respect and trying too hard, there\u2019s load of things. But I\u2019m getting a double when I need to and that\u2019s the name of the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel ok, I don\u2019t know, it\u2019s a little bit frustrating but hopefully I will get there.\u201d<\/p>\n
The other three matches of the night session resulted in victories for Ryan Joyce who defeat Alex Spellman, Richard Veenstra after his 3-0 win against Ben Robb and 16-year-old Luke Littler who eased past Christian Kist in straight sets. <\/p>\n