Darren Webster continued his blistering run of form in the first round of the William Hill World Championship at the Alexandra Palace last Saturday. The Norwich man defeated world number 16 Stephen Bunting in a 5 set thriller. The first 4 sets saw Stephen lead 1 -0 and then 2 -1 before Webster levelled to take the game into a deciding set. Having already finished legs with checkouts of 140, 147 and 157 Webster was playing with the self belief and confidence we have been seeing since his 5 - 0 whitewashing of Phil Taylor at the Grand Slam in November. The match caught fire in the fifth set when Bunting, who was leading 2- 1 failed to check out on double16 to win the match. Having saved one match dart the Norfolk man stepped up to take out 75 to give himself some much needed breathing space. Darren also won the fourth leg to make it 2 all. The fifth leg saw Stephen again take the lead. You could visibly see the relief on the face of the likeable former BDO World Champion as he edged ever nearer to the finishing line and on his way into the second round. However Webster had other ideas. With Bunting leading 3 - 2 Webster was again staring down the barrel of a gun as inexplicably Stephen missed five match darts to finish the game. Never one to look a gift horse in the mouth Darren nonchalantly walked up and finished the job off like he was playing for goldfish at a local coastal fairground. Having pulled the game back to 3 - 3, keen hunter Webster could smell blood and took little time in taking the seventh leg to build up a 4 - 3 lead and move in front for the first time since the first leg in the first set! With darts in hand Darren finished the match off taking out 66 to cap a remarkable performance. Whoever he faces in round two will not fancy facing the ever improving Norfolk darts ace. Within seconds of the finish Buntings manager Jon Archer approached Websters manager Jess Harding to offer congratulations. It was a classy gesture.