CARDIGAN darts star Jamie Lewis is putting in the practice hours in preparation for the 22nd annual PDC BetVictor World Matchplay darts tournament which starts this weekend at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

The 23-year-old Welsh hopeful has been drawn against world number 16 Justin ‘The Force’ Pipe of Taunton in a first round game on Sunday afternoon.

Pipe (43) who has reached the quarter-final on two previous occasions is odds on to beat world number 33 Lewis, but the Cardigan thrower is playing some tremendous darts just now and could cause an upset.

The £450,000 tournament offers a £100,000 prize to the winner and even first round losers pick up £6,000. The tournament runs from July 18-26 and is live on Sky Sports.