STUART Kellett’s bid to win back a tour card is off to a solid start following the opening day’s action at the PDC’s Q School.

The Northwich thrower prevailed in a deciding leg during each of his first two matches to eliminate Tom Lonsdale and then Robert Collins in Wigan.

However an impressive three-dart average of 94.7 could not prevent Conan Whitehead from recording a 5-2 win in high-quality third-round encounter.

The 37-year-old’s opponent landed three maximums and was clinical on doubles, taking out 68 and then 71 in the final two legs to go through.

“I played well but didn’t take my chances and made mistakes,” said Kellett afterwards.

“If I sort out my doubles, I might be ok.”

He travelled to Robin Park Tennis Centre with Andrew Poynton, a teammate at Rudheath in the Cheshire Men’s Super League.

And his friend was unlucky to be paired first with Glen Durrant, the newly-crowned Lakeside world champion who ran out a comfortable 5-0 victor after averaging close to 102.

Simon Preston, from Middlewich, also reached the third round after seeing off Jamie Henry (5-0) and Sam Cromwell (5-2).

However the 51-year-old was squeezed out by Cameron Menzies after a deciding leg.

Like Kellett he collected a first point for the Q School Order of Merit – a ranking table that will allocated tour cards to players occupying the top 11 places after four days of competition.

Jamie Hughes and Harry Ward were the two winners of tour cards on offer at the end of day one, which started with close to 400 hopefuls toeing the oche.

Play resumes on Friday, from 10.30am, with a new tournament when a further two tour cards are up for grabs.

Results (selected)

Professional Darts Corporation (PDC)

UK Qualifying School

Thursday, January 17

Round One

Stuart Kellett 5-4 Tom Lonsdale

Simon Preston 5-0 Jamie Henry

Round Two

Glen Durrant 5-0 Andrew Poynton

Stuart Kellett 5-4 Robert Collins

Simon Preston 5-2 Sam Cromwell

Round Three

Cameron Menzies 5-4 Simon Preston

Conan Whitehead 5-2 Stuart Kellett