2309: To be quite honest this last match tonight has been like a slow death compared with the incredible scenes of earlier on when Mardle crashed out to 'The Caveman'.

But finally it's over with Wade beating French 3-1 and hopefully there won't be too many matches like this in the remainder of the tournament.

Let's instead reflect on the big event of the night which will live long in the memory as Alan Caves defied the odds to knock Hawaii 501 out of the championship at the first hurdle.

In a way it's bad for the tournament because Mardle brings so much joy and excitement to the spectators but, as they say, we all love a big upset and that's exactly what we got.

2256: I don't believe it. Despite being 2-0 down and looking like a complete waste of an entry spot, French has bounced back to take the third set with a 113 outshot. Great darts from the Kiwi and if he keeps this up, we could see another shock. Stay tuned.

2235: Wade looks all set to win this match after taking the first set and his New Zealand opponent isn't up to much.

But I'm not a fan of young darts players like Wade just for the reason there seems to be little character and personality, which is what darts is all about.

He's only 23 and already who looks set for a bright future in the game but one thing he must work on is getting the crowd involved.

The atmosphere is flat because he's just trying to win this game without the entertainment and as a result the whole emotion of night has been sucked out of the Circus Tavern.

2215: The name's Wade, James Wade, nicknamed 009, and he's up against Warren French in the final match tonight.

After Mardle's exit it's quite a flat atmosphere here with the crowd still in disbelief.

There's no point even saying 'it'll take something special for this match to live up to the previous one' because it just won't.

Unless of course Wade can produce his fourth nine dart finish of the year - that would cap of a truly unreal night of darts.

2206: It's all over and the Caveman has done it! Mardle is heartbroken after losing 3-2 in what can only be described as a darting spectacle! What drama!

Mardle's dad was preparing to do a jig of delight on the floor and those around him were hoping to sing his son's name. But his opponent Caves has ruined all that and Wayne's World has come crashing down.

What an occassion and for the Caveman it is his first ever win on television and it's a night he will never forget.

2155: It's bedlum here at the Circus Tavern! Words can hardly describe what an incredible match this has been so far.

Locked together at two each in the final set, they now have to win by two clear legs to reach the second-round.

The pressure is sky high and the nerves are jangling, but whatever the result, both players can be proud of what they have brought to the stage.

2143: This will probably be remembered as one of the best matches of this year's tournament but both men are now feeling the pressure.

It's now two sets apiece and Mardle has delighted his fans to take this cracker into a decider. This is the sort of match which gives darts such a good name and I for one will never forget this. It's impossible to pick a winner, but the momentum is with Hawaii 501.

2130: As Mardle mounts a dramatic comeback, winning the third set, Sky commentator Sid Waddell has just claimed Hawaii 501's dad is "erect"!

Sure, it's exciting, but that exciting?!

2120: The crowd are deathly quiet, their favourite is heading out here. The Caveman has moved into a two sets to nil lead! If Caves can win it will send huge shockwaves through these World Championships.

To coin a phrase from the great Bobby George, Mardle is being well and truly beaten up here. Is there any way back?

2109: This is just fabulous to watch and the paying public are certainly gettting their money's worth.

The Caveman has fought back to win the first set despite going two down in legs and the trebles and doubles are looking very big for him.

On another day Mardle would be out of sight but what a contest we have here. Is the upset on the cards? What a shock it would be.

2105: 'Easy, easy, easy,' was the chant from the floor when Mardle took the first two legs. But it's a sizzling standard of darts all round in this thrilling match and Caves has squared it up at 2-2.

Both men are throwing 140s and 180s with ease and are hardly pausing between releasing the arrows.

2100: Oh how the crowd love 'Hawaii 501' Mardle, they have made it quite clear who they are behind as both men make their entrances to the stage. Alan Caves, originally nicknamed 'The Caveman', is donned in his West Ham colours of claret and blue, but there is surely no way he'll be blowing buddles with joy tonight.

Already Mardle has weighed in with a fabulous 14-darter to take the first leg. More of the same please Wayne.

2055: As we revealed in the run-up to the tournament, Priestley has admitted to the television cameras that he has worked hard on his stamina in the build up to this tournament and despite being an "idle person", he's been pumping away on the exercise bike in recent weeks.

But he even said: "Once I've burned over 500 calories, I get off and then start on the chocolate biscuits again."

It's that kind of attitude which will probably prevent him lasting the distance this year.

2045: Another easy one-sided game tonight as twice world champion Priestley waltzes into the second round with a 3-0 victory over a hapless, Schenk whose on his way home.

Having said that many early losers like to hang around for a few more days to sample the special atmosphere at the Circus Tavern - but he'll need a lot of cheering up after that.

Next up it's the great entertainer of darts Wayne Mardle, who is up against Alan Caves.

2030: It's magic darts as far as Priestley is concerned, averaging around 97 as he moves into a 2-0 set lead while for Schenk, it's sloppy.

The not-so-flying Dutchman is just about scoring 70 for every three darts and you can't expect to get far if you throw like that. In fact on this form anyone in your local Rose and Crown will give him a good game.

2015: Priestley is rolling back the years and looks in great form after taking the first set. He's flying here after such a great season while Schenk is already half way home to Holland.

Every time he hits a ton 80 he waggles his finger in the air and he's really milking this crowd who are roaring him on all the way.

A semi-finalist at the World Grand Prix earlier this season, Priestley should wrap up victory here soon and that would set up a meeting with Per Laursen.

2000: The Menace is at the oche now for his first-round encounter and at the moment it's all pretty level. Both men have a leg to their name in this first set and we've just had the first maximum in the match from Schenk.

The crowd will be hoping to get a longer match to enjoy than the last one because any more like that and they'll be home sooner than they got here.

1950: After the comfortable 3-0 victory a few moments ago, Beaton admitted the Purfleet stage is the "hardest in the world" to play on and that he's struggled to settle on it in the past.

However he's now confident ahead of his second-round clash with Terry Jenkins claiming: "If I play to my best, I'll win."

Just for the record he also said his tan isn't down to sunbeds or the winter weather in Purfleet. He's just had a holiday with his wife in Tenerife. Ah, that explains it now.

1945: It's all over, Beaton has powered his way into the second round without losing a single leg! He wasn't given a game and Convery is only too apologetic about his performance.

1935: Just when the crowd have settled into their seats after ordering their first pint of the night, the match is virtually over. Beaton is winning two sets to nil and has hardly broken sweat with the lack of physical exertion.

Convery will want the stage to swallow him up and take him far, far, far away from here - it's quite frankly embarrassing.

1930: Poor Gerry Convery is being blown away at the moment. He's already lost the first set in double quick time and is not really looking comfortable in the second.

In fact matters have just got worse for the part-time driving instructor. He had a shot at double top to win his first leg, but his dart hit another already nestling in the board and Beaton capitalised to move into a 2-0 lead in legs.

Come on Gerry! As much as I want to see Beaton win, it's soul destroying to see a player of Convery's standard playing like a one of those pub players who always end up on double one.

1915: Stevie Beaton walks to the stage with 'Staying Alive' by the Bee Gees pumping around the Circus Tavern here at Purfleet.

He may not be sporting a golden mullet anymore but he's certainly spent many an hour under the sunbed.

1900: This evening's entertainment is about to get underway and there aren't many better ways to start than with Steve 'Bronzed Adonis' Beaton.

The 1996 Embassy World Champion is my personal favourite, and tonight he's up against Gerry Convery. I'm a little nervous for him as he needs a solid performance behind him, but even if he does lose there is still some cracking matches later on to look forward to.

Dennis 'The Menace' Priestley battles against Josephus Schenk before eighth seed Wayne Mardle faces his tricky clash with Alan Caves.

The final contest of the night will see up-and-coming prospect James Wade against Warren French.

1700: The final match of the afternoon's session saw my namesake 'The Hammer' pound last year's giant-killer Gary Welding 3-0 to reach the second round.

However, if Andy Hamilton's maths work is anything to go by, I wouldn't back him to go much further in Purfleet.

While he was winning two sets to nil and throwing to win what should have been the final leg of the match, Hamilton misread his own score and hit the double two required by Welding to bust the five he needed!

Fortunately he didn't come to regret that terrible mistake, although he did lose that particular leg. No one needs reminding that an error like this against a player such as Phil Taylor will be costly.

1600: Colin Monk is one of the game's more familiar faces, but he's gone out in the first round.

Seeded 30, Monk crashed out of the championships after being thrashed by the impressive Per Laursen, who is now available at 300/1 to go all the way.

Monk's distinctive style of opening his mouth at the point of every throw didn't seem to have the required effect this afternoon to leave his merry band of supporters rather deflated.

Meanwhile Wayne Jones and Dave Ladley have also proved they could be dangerous players in Purfleet.

Both men cruised into the second round of the competition following convincing victories over Ian Branks and Lionel Sams repectively.