CARDIGAN darts star Jamie Lewis produced the performance of his career to knock out Peter Wright at the William Hill PDC World Darts Championship, to reach the last 16 of the competition.

The 26 year-old had to come through the PDPA Qualifier just to make it to Alexandra Palace, but it was the Welshman who played like a top seed as he averaged an amazing 107 to beat number two seed Wright 4-1 in a dream display.

Lewis hit an incredible 13 180s and tremendous out-shots of 125, 123 and 121 helped him to an overall checkout ratio of 54 percent as he continued what could be a breakout performance.

Lewis averaged 120 for two sets as he hit a purple patch rarely seen on the big stage at the World Championship to leave Wright trailing, despite the 2014 finalist also averaging 103 in reply.

“I still can’t quite believe it to be honest,” said Lewis, who plays James Richardson in Thursday’s third round tie. “I expected to give him a good game, but didn’t expect to beat him.

“I’ve been playing well during the last couple of weeks, and I thought if I can keep playing like that then I’ll give him a good game, but to win - I’m obviously over the moon with it.

“It’s always been there, it’s been me not really believing in myself. The last few weeks I’ve started to believe in myself a bit more, and it’s obviously working so hopefully I can keep it going.”

Scotsman Wright played well himself, winning the opening set against the darts, before hitting an 11-dart leg at the start of the second set in what seemed liked business as usual for the favourite.

Lewis, however, then embarked on a sparkling run as a trio of 12-darters, including 125 and 123 checkouts, saw him level the match as he averaged 119 for the set.

Lewis was hitting 180s for fun - 10 in 10 legs at one stage - and left Wright needing an 11-darter on a 121 outshot to break the throw in set three, only for Lewis take the set’s deciding leg to take a 2-1 lead.

Yet another 11-darter followed for Lewis to start set four, but again Wright dug in to force a decider, before the Welsh youngster again pulled out all the stops as he took out 121, going out on bull, with his rival left marooned on double eight.

The fifth set also went the distance and Wright was left cursing missing four set darts as Lewis roared back to take out 66 and duly claim a place in the last 16.

Ranked 46 in the world, and competing in a sixth successive championship, Lewis had swept aside Professional Players Championship finalist Jonny Clayton 3-0 in the first round.

In the all-Welsh encounter, Clayton tried to lay down a marker in the opening leg with his first 180, but Lewis responded with a maximum of his own on the very next throw - and he built on that by taking out a superb 126 for a 12-darter.

Lewis closed out the first set with a brilliant 11-darter, after Clayton had to take out 104 to get off the mark.

Clayton, from Pontyberem, failed to reproduce the form which saw him finish the Players Championship Finals as runner-up last month, and that earlier preliminary round win had warmed Lewis up nicely.

Lewis could not keep up his 101 average in the second set, but the result was the same as he doubled his lead, despite handing a leg to Clayton with three missed double 16s, as he returned to hit that same double to move two sets up.

Clayton won two legs in the third set, but Lewis always looked the stronger as he hit 180s in all three legs he won - highlighted with a 130 finish and a closing 11-darter to win the match.

Lewis started the day with a preliminary round success over Kenny Neyens, surviving a flying start from the young Belgian to win 2-1.

Lewis now faces 57th seed James Richardson in round three at Alexandra Palace tonight (Thursday, 7pm).

His opponent, from Rushden, Northamptonshire will also be playing in the last 16 for the first time after he overcame former quarter-finalist Alan Norris 4-1 in another solid showing.