Sheerness' Harry Lane sees UK Darts Open debut hindered by damaged arrow in defeat to Karel Sedlacek

Harry Lane's big outing at the UK Darts Open was hampered by a darts malfunction.

The Sheerness thrower was up against Czech Republic’s Karel Sedlacek and was going along nicely in the First Round before one of his darts got damaged.

“I had a bit of misfortune,” he explained.

“I hit seven perfect darts, 180, 180 and treble 20 and missed the treble 19 and hit a treble 10 and ended up going out in 12 darts but then my next throw, my stem snapped. I couldn’t get it out of the dart!

“The stem broke inside the dart, I couldn’t twist it out.

“My head started going, I thought it would explode with everyone watching me. I was thinking I couldn’t get it out.

“I have only got one set of darts, which I got made personally for me. I will have to get another set made - much easier and less stress!”

With a crowd of around 500 at Butlin’s in Minehead, Lane finally got the dart fixed but it was too late.

He said: “I had to use my point to get it to come out and I went off it after that, started going into the fives and stuff. I was comfortable up until then.

“I didn’t expect so many people there, either. I have only previously played in front of about 100 - it does give you a buzz and some of them were cheering me on, people I didn’t even know.”

It was the first time Lane had qualified for the major tournament.

He said: “I can definitely see myself doing it in the future more often with a little more practice, a little more composure when things go wrong, instead of panicking!

“It was an amazing experience. Since I was there on Friday I have been practising loads, I have a buzz about darts again. I know I can compete.”

Lane is looking for sponsorship to help him get to tournaments - and perhaps a second set of darts!

His next big event