STUART Kellett will take on Antonio Alcinas, a regular in Spain’s World Cup team, in the first round of the Gibraltar Darts Trophy on Friday.

The Northwich thrower has made a trip to the Mediterranean buoyed by an improved showing in last weekend’s Players’ Championship tournament, when he won £1,500.

On Sunday, the 34-year-old’s progress was halted by one of the Professional Darts Corporation’s in-form players in the form of Josh Payne.

The emerging star, who had claimed his first senior title the previous afternoon, won their second-round meeting in Barnsley after Kellett – coincidentally – edged another Spaniard, Cristo Reyes, by claiming a deciding leg in his opener.

On Saturday he saw off another familiar face from the World Cup of Darts, Germany’s Jyhan Artut, and 30th seed John Henderson before bowing out against Jonny Clayton in the last 32.

The Cheshire regular, who helped his side secure their spot in the BDO British Inter-County Championship’s top-flight last month, plays later in a European Tour event at the Victoria Stadium for the second time.

A 6-4 defeat against Jani Haavisto ended his involvement at the inaugural Gibraltar Darts Trophy back in 2013.

Should Kellett prevail against Alcinas, he will meet seventh seed Ian White in the last 32 on Saturday.

Draw

Gibraltar Darts Trophy

Friday, May 6

First Round

Afternoon session (Midday to 4pm)

Ross Smith v Joe Murnan

Michael Rasztovits v Steve Beaton

Nick Fullwell v Antony Lopez

Justin Pipe v Jamie Lewis

Antonio Alcinas v Stuart Kellett

John Henderson v Wayne Jones

Dirk van Duijvenbode v Dyson Parody

Daryl Gurney v David Pallett

Evening session (6pm to 10pm)

Andy Hamilton v Max Hopp

Christian Kist v Cristo Reyes

Gerwyn Price v David Francis

Rowby-John Rodriguez v Jermaine Wattimena

Joe Cullen v Kevin Painter

Mark Walsh v Stephen Bunting

George Federico v Alan Norris

Kyle Anderson v Steve West