Darts: Warriner on target

FIFTH-SEEDED Alan Warriner and the 1988 champion Bob Anderson both proved that experience is an invaluable asset at the Embassy World Professional championship at Frimley Green yesterday.

Warriner beat Mitchell Crooks, from Northern Ireland, in three straight sets and Anderson defeated Scott Coleman 3-1 in first round matches against opponents who were both making their debut in the event.

Crooks was not overawed by Warriner, who is ranked joint No 3 in the world, and averaged a highly creditable 30.54 a dart. But Warriner, from Lancaster, had a 32.82 average. Anderson was not so impressive but still knew too much for Coleman, a 27-year-old from Hayes, Middlesex.