BDO World Darts: Alan Norris says he can win title

Alan Norris believes he can win the BDO World Championships after shocking defending champion Scott Waites in the first round.

The 41-year-old averaged more than 93 in his 3-0 victory over Waites.

Yeovil-born Norris told BBC Sport: "I can go all the way, definitely.

"There's room for improvement. It's not a case of relaxing for a few days - it's a case of getting on the board for five or six hours a day and keeping the consistency going."

It is the first time Yorkshire's Waites, 36, has lost in the first round at Frimley Green, having safely negotiated his opening encounter in each of his six previous visits.

He becomes the second reigning champion in succession, after Christian Kist's early exit in 2013, to begin their defence of the BDO title with a defeat.

"Alan played awesome and the better man won on the day," said Waites, who is undecided about whether he will give up his day job as a carpenter to take up darts on a full-time basis.

"No excuses. My game didn't come to fruition and his did. I just didn't turn up. Darts is all about the day. If you don't turn up, you don't win."

Norris, who now lives in Scotland after spells residing in Spain and Sweden, impressed throughout and booked a place in the second round with a checkout of 85 on the bull.

"I've been keyed up for this one for some time," said Norris, who has never been past the last eight in his five previous appearances at the World Championship.

"I told everyone at the pub that it would be 3-1 and they've lost a lot of money because it was 3-0.

"We've played a few times and it's always a good game. Scott hit 112 when I missed 84 [for the match] but I managed to get my focus back. I'm over the moon with that against the defending champion."

And he said that there were no nerves about facing an established player such as Waites early in the competition, adding: "It's better to play someone like Scott.

"We've got a lot of qualifiers here this year. Last year I was very nervous playing against Wayne Warren here. He'd won a few tournaments but I'd never really watched him play and I was probably more nervous about that.

"I know what Scott can do and I know what I've got to do to beat him. Against Scott on form, my average wasn't enough today, but it's a good start to the tournament."