Martin Atkins (Eng) bt John Walton (Eng) 3-1

Walton gunned down by “The Assassin” in 44-minute shoot-out

Martin “The Assassin” Atkins produced a giant-killing display in the all-Yorkshire clash to gun down former world champ John Walton 3-1.

It took Leeds-based Atkins 44-minutes to bid seventh seed John Boy “good night” as he fired out his title intentions with an eye-catching 132 checkout.

And it was all the more remarkable because the former world title winner from Sheffield stole the opening set against the throw.

There was intense interest in the all-northern encounter with former Yorkshire favourite Dennis “Bimbo” Hickling who appeared in the world championships back in the 1990s among those in capacity crowd.

Walton signalled his intentions hitting a maximum as he stole the throwing advantage in the opening set. He took the next and then blasted in a 97 checkout, finished on double 10, wrapping up the set in a speedy eight minutes.

All four opening legs of the second set went against the throw after both players misses 100 plus checkouts, Atkins levelling the match on double four, with his fourth attempt at a double after the former world champ missed bull for an 88 checkout and a 2-0 match lead.

The players traded the opening legs in the third set, Walton clinching double 18 against the throw to edge 2-1 in front but then fluffed double tops for a set-winning 100 finish, Atkins, who had hammered in a maximum, exited on 69, finished on double 18 to level the set. Despite a brace of 140s from John Boy, the Assassin hit his 72 checkout, gunning down the  double 18 target with a single dart.

The opening legs of the fourth set went against the throw, Walton hitting his third 180 of the match in the next as he finished on 64, Atkins replying with a 13-darter. The Assassin had a place in the next round in his sights as he gunned down Walton, firing out a 180 and 140 followed with a superlative 132 victory checkout, finished on double 18.