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JAMES WADE 6 – 2 Mark Webster

James Wade moved into round two of the European Championship with an opening night victory over Mark Webster on Thursday.

The seven-time PDC major title winner won the first three legs to stamp his authority on the game and his opponent couldn’t find a way back.

“I’m happy I won but it was difficult to play a friend,” said Wade.

“But I had a job to do and fortunately I got it done. Now I can look forward to the next one and the rest of the tournament.”

Wade took out 80 in clinical fashion to hold his throw in the opening leg, before a maximum helped him break the throw.

‘The Machine’ raced three legs clear but Webster stopped the rot by pegging double 16.

Wade rattled in his second 180 before bedding tops to restore his three leg cushion.

Webster pinned double top to take the sixth leg and followed it up by firing in his first 180 but missed a dart at the bull to break, with Wade hitting double ten to move 5-2 in front.

And the world number four sealed the win with a fine finish of 96.

Wade meets Jamie Caven in round two on Saturday.

By Chris Murphy