0005: The final match of the opening night has all been about the 'Rassel Dazzle'.

Jan van der Rassel not only claimed a thrilling 3-2 victory over the dangerous Colin 'Jaws' Lloyd but he also managed to enter our lookalike competition as former Liverpool defender Neil Ruddock - but with slightly more grey hair.

The big Dutchman had more than enough shots at a double in a nerve-wracking deciding set to win the match and so nearly became a tournament choker before finally edging it 6-4 just after midnight to reach the next round.

He may not be as sharp as 'Razor Ruddock' but already he's made a big impact on two fronts after just one day of the tournament.

2240: It wasn't as easy as we expected but having gone one set down, Hawaii 501 has sneaked into the second round with a 3-2 victory over the American Razor.

There were enough flashes of magic to suggest, yet again, "it could be his year" while his pumped up celebrations after every double kept the crowd awake despite moving well into the night on this first day of action.

Carver, by contrast, kept fighting having slipped 2-1 behind to take the match into a decider but it's a shame his doubles were greeted with such a lack of affection from the crowd. In fact it was so quiet you could almost hear a bounce out.

2155: "If only Wayne could live up to his stage entrance," is a phrase we've all probably uttered over the years.

His career has promised so much and I just wish I had a pound for each time a commentator asked "could this be his year?" - I'd already have two quid tonight.

He's perhaps too much of an entertainer rather than a serious professional and while he's a big hit with the supporters here tonight and should have few problems beating the Razor from Chicago, I doubt he'll go the distance this year.

But we just wouldn't have him any other way.

2135: Well, after all that, our first 'choker' of the tournament Mark Walsh fires an unstoppable 110 outshot to stun Gray and win the match 3-2!

So much for my prediction! Perhaps I'll get it right this time by tipping Wayne Mardle to thrash Ray Carver - an American pro - 3-0. It's sure to be a nice easy warm up match for Hawaii 501.

2125: We'll see so many choking episodes at Alexandra Palace during this year's event and Walsh's trembling hands are a fine example of what's to come.

Having blown the chance to win the match, he's now missed seven straight attempts at a double allowing rising star Gray to level the match at two sets each and there's no doubt who has the momentum now.

Of course part of the excitment of darts is watching players crack under the pressure of this great stage and allowing their down-and-out opponent to make a staggering comeback. And this is exactly what we're seeing tonight.

If you could write the script of a darts match, it would be pretty much like this one right now - simply textbook!

2110: It looks like I might have written off Gray far too early. It looked like he had as much future as a failed X-Factor contestant, although Sporting Life's bloggers are tipping Same Difference and Rhydian for big things.

Walsh had one dart to take the match, however, in the first of this year's 'choke-watch' he sent his arrow above the treble 20 bed. Gray doesn't look a gift horse in the mouth and takes the third set to keep this match well and truly alive.

2050: Things don't get any better for Gray in the second set as Walsh battles into a 2-0 lead. It looks like it is going to be a 'Gray day' for Adrian.

Poor old Adrian isn't having much luck at the moment in a situation that reminds me of the Burford school sixth form darts tournament of 2002.

My good friend Aled was in first round action of the competition as he took on a female darts player with little pedigree in the competition.

All poor old Al needed to do in a final set closest-to-the-bull shoot-out was hit the board. However, he couldn't even manage that and was knocked out in the first round.

Although, in fairness to Gray, he is performing a fair bit better than Aled and is playing a competitor of considerably more stature in Walsh.

2040: And we are into the night's second match at London's premier darting venue with Adrian Gray taking on Mark Walsh.

Sadly neither of these players offer us the opportunity of making a second addition to the lookalike parade. Although Gray looks like he could have been part of popular musical act Blazin Squad, who you might remember for their hit singles 'Flip Reverse' and 'Love On The Line', which sadly wasn't a song about the romantic life of an assistant referee.

However, Gray, despite his musical talents, loses the first set to Walsh, who is throwing his arrows with an air of quiet dominance.

2005: It is 'Danish delight' as the second set goes to Laursen, Denmark's premier darter. However, Tabern, who has grown a mildly impressive 'tache, takes the third to go
3-1 up.

In the first of what will hopefully become a regular feature during this tournament, Sporting Life brings you its first World Darts lookalike.

He may have recently taken over as Birmingham City manager but it looks like Alex McLeish is on the 'oche' in the form of Per Laursen. Hopefully, Laursen will be able to get the best out of the struggling Premier League side in the coming months.

And it now appears that is exactly what Laursen will have to do as Tabern clinches a 3-1 victory. Not a rip-roaring start to this year's tournament, but the fun has begun and everyone is delighted at the start of what will, hopefully, be another memorable 'darts-fest'.

1930: And what a what a way to start! Scottish arrow-thrower Alan Tabern has thrown a 180 on the first trip to the oche of this year's tournament.

Tabern builds on that superb start by taking the first set against Denmark's Per Laursen, as the fans continue to flock into Alexandra Palace.

The new venue is already starting to look like a fantastic place to host the world's best darts tournament.

The 'Ally Pally' crowd have so far failed to get into this match but do not worry things will improve with Wayne 'Hawaii 501' Mardle coming up later.

1915: It's "game on" at London's Alexandra Palace as the 14th PDC World Darts Championship finally begins and I hope you're ready for what is set to be yet another thrilling two weeks of drama, entertainment, comedy and an awful lot of sweat from some of the world's biggest 'athletes'.

Before we get started I must alert you to one of the world's greatest darts tipsters - our very own Reece Killworth - who has produced his annual 'preview of profit' to accompany this year's event.

Last year he correctly predicted Raymond van Barneveld would be crowned the king of darts at the Circus Tavern, but he had to go through a roller coaster of emotions before the Dutchman eventually managed to defeat Phil 'ThePower' Taylor in one of the most incredible sporting finals of all time.

Click here to read what he thinks this time!

First up on the oche tonight we have Alan Tabern against Per Laursen so now it's time for us to sit back, relax and enjoy the action!