Manley crashes out after thriller

THREE-TIME runner-up Peter Manley was involved in yet more controversy as he tumbled out of the Ladbrokes.com World Championship in Purfleet last night.

The man darts fans love to hate lost 4-3 in the second round to Wynand Havenga — the first South African to contest the sport’s most prestigious event — despite recovering from three sets down.

Havenga, a 41-year-old finance manager from Cape Town, had shown himself to be a character in his opening victory over Steve Maish on Monday, celebrating extravagantly when he hit a maximum score of 180 or won a leg.

“When I was 3-0 up I thought I was going to kick his butt,” said Havenga, who will meet Adrian Gray or Darren Webster in the third round next week.

“He came back strongly but I still knew I could take him. My mindset was right.”

Earlier, Lewis also thwarted a superb fightback, from Wayne Jones, to win another exhilarating second round match.

The 21-year-old from Stoke produced a performance of which his mentor Taylor would surely have been proud as he triumphed 4-3 with the help of 13 maximum scores of 180.

Next opponent for Lewis on December 28 will be either Andy Jenkins or Andy ‘Pieman’ Smith.

Terry Jenkins resisted a comeback from Steve Beaton to prevail 4-3.

“I went 2-0 up but then the doubles just wouldn’t go in for me,” said sixth seed Jenkins.

“I lost my way a bit and let it get to me, but I held my own in the end.

“I knew I had to play well because Steve has been coming back to his old form and his finishing is brilliant.”

Rico Vonck, a 19-year-old from Holland, set up a possible third round clash with compatriot Raymond van Barneveld courtesy of a 4-2 victory against Canadian champion Brian Cyr.