STEPHEN BUNTING enjoyed a comfortable William Hill World Darts Championship debut as the Lakeside Champion defeated Robert Marijanovic 3-1 in the first round, with the Croatian having earlier edged out Holland's Jermaine Wattimena 4-3 in their preliminary round clash.

Bunting claimed the opening set 3-0 with the minimum of fuss, and hit his stride as he won the second in the same manner with the aid of legs of 13 and 14 darts and an 82 finish on the bull.

Marijanovic got off the mark by taking the first two legs of the third set, and after Bunting hit back it was the Croatian who sealed the set with a fine 13-darter.

There was to be no shock though, as Bunting fired in a second 180 in taking the first leg of set four, and he claimed the next on double ten before sealing the win in style with a 124 checkout to secure a tasty second round tie with James Wade.

"It's been a fantastic year, and to get through to the next round here is a dream come true," said Bunting. "I was a bit nervous at the start, and in the practice room it wasn't going as I'd liked it to but I've got a lot of friends and family here and they helped me through.

"From the first week I stepped foot in the PDC this is what I've been looking forward to. I'm still Lakeside Champion and to be World Champion over here in the PDC would be like all my Christmases come at once.

"I've got plenty of time now to get ready, and I will be ready for James Wade because he's a great player and I'll need to be at my best to beat him, but I know if I am at my best I'll be hard to beat."

Match Information.

First Set 3-0 - Bunting edges a nervy opener, checks out 48 for the next and both men hit 180s in the third leg as the St Helens man takes the set.

Second Set 3-0 - Easy for Bunting again. He nails 82 on the bull and double 16 and again hits double 16 for the set.

Third set 1-3 - Marijanovic threatens an upset as he hits two 180s and two double 20s to hit back by taking the set 3-1.

Fourth set 3-0 - Bunting kicks off with a 180, then hits double ten and signs off in style with a 124 finish putting him through.