Defending champion Scott Waites crashed out of the BDO World Championship at the first hurdle after a comprehensive 3-0 defeat by Alan Norris.

Bradford-born Waites would have been dreaming of emulating his feat 12 months ago but failed to even win a set against the world No 31 at the Lakeside Country Club in Frimley Green yesterday.

Waites, who is not a full-time professional, admitted he was well below-par.

“I’ve had a fair few mishaps coming up to Christmas but Alan played awesome on the day,” said the 36-year-old.

“I know what sort of game I’m going to get from Alan and I didn’t turn up.”

Tonight, two-time quarter-finalist Garry Thompson, from Silsden, was beaten 3-2 on a tie-break fifth set in the preliminary round by American Jim Widmayer after leading 2-1.

Thompson scored a 137 in the second leg but lost the opening set 3-2, though he won the second set after throwing six perfect darts to start the first leg.

Runs of 180, 100 and 100 helped Thompson win set three but there was no denying Widmayer as he became the first player from his country to ever reach round one.

Two-time semi-finalist Wesley Harms joined Norris in the second round after beating Paul Jennings 3-0, although Dutch compatriot and world No 8 Jeffrey de Graaf suffered a 3-0 defeat against Martin Atkins.

Meanwhile, three-time champion Martin Adams set-up an enticing first-round clash with last year’s runner-up Tony O’Shea after beating Canadian David Cameron 3-1 in the preliminary round.

Adams, winner in 2007, 2010 and 2011, has had a forgettable 12 months and has tumbled down the rankings, but will have the chance to bounce back against O’Shea.

Widmayer apart, other preliminary round winners today were Dutchman Christian Kist and New Zealander Mike Day.