These are pressure-free legs for Waites. If he holds, he holds. He knows he's going to get plenty of chances to win this match. Incidentally, Waites has only won four more legs than Smith, but they have been at crucial moments. Waites to a finish, leaving 12 as Smith fails a shot at 158. Scotty misses three at D6, but Smith is all over the board. As the crowd get rowdy, Waites looks over his shoulder, then mops it up.

Does Smith still believe? The very least he must do is hold throw from now on, then hope for some Waites errors. He's in good shape in this first of the eighth set, a 180 leaving only 30. D15 missed three times, the D6 missed twice. If Waites takes out 65 here, the Fat Lady may be called. He misses D6, allowing relief for Smith.  

Very good from Waites, back-to-back 140s exactly when he needs them. The Silencer, though, responds by filling the T20 bed. Waites, though, comes for 100. He'll have six darts for 6-1. Two at D20 missed, Waites returns and nails the top lipstick. It's 6-1 and Waites is one set from the title.

Let's not forget Martin Adams in 2007. He led 6-0 after the second break, before the late Phill Nixon fought back to 6-6. Adams did hold it though to win 7-6 - but what a final!

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The Lakeside is engrossed, rather than rowdy. Spectators seated at tables, the odd trip to the bar. Jugs of lager. Iffy scoring from Smith, but Waites unable to take advantage. Still, the Yorkshireman first to a finish, 143. Not taken, so Smith for 135 and the set. He leaves 56 as Waites comes for 50. D16 nailed! Waites is back in charge and will throw for 6-1. Massive leg coming up.

So, Waites throwing to stay in the seventh set. He's lost five legs in a row and his scoring has been wobbly. Smith is slightly ahead in this leg and is first to a finish. He'll come for 140 and the set. No shot, but Waites must take 161. He misses T17, so Smith has his chance at 80. One at tops... just too high. Waites, scowling, has one at D16, but it isn't there. Smith? No! Three missed. Finally, Scotty takes D4. It's only a hold, so Smith will throw for the set.

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Smith has had problems holding his throw after breaking, but a 140 has him down to 76 and a shot at 2-0 in this set. Tops? Yes! One dart into the red bit. This is much. much better from Jeff Smith.

Waites looks solid after the break, 161 after nine. Smith, though, is on his tail, and waits on 121. The Canadian gets his chance, setting up 32. Waites for D18 to hold... no. Smith to break... yes! One at double eight. He leads against the darts. The comeback?

They're heading back out to very warm applause. Waites will throw first in this seventh set. He's six legs from a second world title.

Bobby George
Former World Championship runner-up

"The first round was disappointing as some of the players we had never seen before and it makes it hard to predict a winner. Over the week it got better though and  although the final has been a little disappointing, it can get better."

The players have taken another break. I wonder if Jeff Smith wanted it, or would have been keen to keep going after winning the set?

He has managed to get on the board with the advantage of the darts, now he has to break the Waites throw.

Bobby George
Former World Championship runner-up

"Jeff Smith still isn't throwing right, because he's under pressure.

"The 180s and the big out shots aren't there - there's only been one. It's not explosive this game, it's slow pace in terms of the scoring, and it's only gone quick because it's 5-1 in sets"

Smith has three chances to get a set on the board here. He's loose in the first of them and Waites is making the running towards a break back. The former champ has one at D20, but gives it too many beans. Smith on 161 for the set. T18? Yes. T19? Yes. Surely not? Bullseye? Yes! Jeff Smith wins the sixth set with a 161 checkout! The catalyst? 

There's only been five whitewashes in the history of the BDO tournament... is Jeff Smith about to become the sixth?

1979: John Lowe 5-0 Leighton Rees

1986: Eric Bristow 6-0 Dave Whitcombe

1991: Dennis Priestley 6-0 Eric Bristow

1994: John Part 6-0 Bobby George

2000: Ted Hankey 6-0 Ronnie Baxter

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Phil Cartwright
BBC Sport

For all you stats fans out there, the last whitewash in a BDO final was Ted Hankey's 6-0 win over Ronnie Baxter in 2000. If Waites wins 7-0 here, it would be the first in a best-of-13-sets contest at Lakeside.

Up and running? A maximum gives Smith the early advantage against the Waites throw. He's a long way clear and will get at least six at 116. Tops? No, just too low. He'll come back for two 10s. Missed. Two fives? Missed twice. Two twos? Yes! He'll throw for the set...

You have to feel for Jeff Smith here. There's no flashiness about him, he's just turned up to play darts. Problem is, he's getting steamrollered by a Yorkshireman who isn't missing. He has the darts in this set and mist hold his throw, otherwise Waites will be throwing for the match. Scotty for 94, but doesn't get a shot at double. Smith must take tops here... he misses, but is saved by D10. Crucial hold. Two more required. 

Phil Cartwright
BBC Sport

Nipped down to the players' room during the first short interval. Jeff had a quick comfort break and then was on the practice board. Scott did not throw a dart.

Can Smith find the scoring that would lead to a crucial break? A Waites 140 gets him to top of the shop, 170. Only one T20, but he'll come back for 72. Double 18 is missed twice, thrice, four times, but not five! Five darts at D18, but Waites doesn't worry. He's 5-0 up!

Smith must hold to stay in the set and avoid a 5-0 deficit. It's better from the Canadian, two 140s leave 141 after nine. Waites is miles back, so Smith has D8 to stay in the set. Nailed, a missile in the red bit. Problem is, Waites is throwing for 5-0...

Image source, Rex Features