Ashton Blasts "We're not Scared of the Men" After Epic Opener

Lisa Ashton has blasted “we’re not scared of the men” after her historic first William Hill World Championship game ended in defeat. The Lancashire Rose took the opening set in a cracking clash with Jan Dekker but the Dutchman fought back to take the next three and the match. Ashton, whose average in the first set was over 107, said: "I feel good but also a little bit gutted. I'm pleased with how I played but felt I could have taken a few more chances. I think I've done the Ladies proud. "I wanted to show that we're definitely not scared of the men, that we're ready to get up on stage with them." "Up on stage we're both just players, but still, a man doesn't want to lose to a woman." Rob Cross admitted he had to “slap” himself to keep his William Hill World Championship dreams alive. Voltage looked like his hopes of defending his fairytale title were grim as serial giantkiller Jeffrey de Zwaan swept to an easy opening set win at the Ally Pally last night. But Cross showed real steel to dig in and grind out three successive set wins to book his place in round two. He said: “After the opening set I went backstage and mentally slapped myself. I needed to wake up and quickly. “Jeffrey was playing brilliantly and he did for the whole game. What a player that boy is going to be. I knew I had my work cut out to get a result. “I just get plugging away. I knew if I could get my scoring going, get him under pressure, then I would get opportunities. “There was a big moment in the second set decider when I hit two 140s and 96 to win it, that was probably my turning point. “I love this place, that stage feels like my own still. I’m still unbeaten here and that feels good. I’ve gone back to my old practice routine and I feel good. “Now I can get to be with my family and I feel brilliant. It’s been a tough night and I’m obviously delighted to fight another day.” Cody Harris pulled off the first surprise of the 2019 Worlds by dumping out rising German star Martin Schlindler. The Kiwi star battled his way to a 3-2 win over highly-rated Schindler in an early cracker at the Ally Pally. Harris now plays last year’s semi-finalist Jamie Lewis tonight (Friday) and said: “I feel great, I’m just happy to feel a part of it. I’m relieved to get through. Now I just need to get a good rest, get something to eat and get ready. “All the hard work has been paying off since moving to the UK to play darts. I’m missing my family but getting better in this game. “Kyle Anderson and I are going through the same thing, both missing being home. We help each other out a lot. “Now I just want to get ready to play Jamie Lewis on Friday night. It’ll be tough but I’ll be ready for it.” 2018/2019 William Hill World Darts Championship Schedule of Play Thursday December 13 (1900) Jeffrey de Zwaan 3-0 Nitin Kumar (R1) Cody Harris 3-2 Martin Schindler (R1) Jan Dekker 3-1 Lisa Ashton (R1) Rob Cross 3-1 Jeffrey De Zwaan (R2) Friday December 14 Afternoon Session (1230) Michael Barnard v Jose De Sousa (R1) Alan Tabern v Raymond Smith (R1) Paul Nicholson v Kevin Burness (R1) Jamie Lewis v Cody Harris (R2) Evening Session (1900) Danny Noppert v Royden Lam (R1) Simon Stevenson v Ted Evetts (R1) Chris Dobey v Boris Koltsov (R1) Gary Anderson v Nicholson/Burness (R2)

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By Phil Lanning (@lannomedia)