LEDBURY’S Terry Jenkins made a first-round exit from the World Matchplay in Blackpool with a 10-4 defeat to Ian White.

The Bull was behind throughout the match against the number 16 seed, who averaged more than 100.

Stoke’s White kicked off with a 180 in an 11-dart leg and also took out 160 as he gained control before ending the contest by hitting 10 doubles from 14 attempts.

“I’m very happy with that,” he said. “It turned out to be a cracking game. We both hit plenty of 180s and big scores.

“I felt quite confident coming here and I’ve kept up my run of not losing in the first round in Blackpool.

“I’ve moved the form which I’ve shown for a while in the floor tournaments onto the big stage now and it’s going well for me at the moment.”

However, White crashed out 13-4 to world champion Michael van Gerwen in the second round.

Jenkins, 50, has never won a major event, despite a career world ranking high of four, but previously reached the World Matchplay final in 2007 and 2009, losing to James Wade and Phil Taylor respectively.

However, the Bull’s handy record in the competition mattered little as 43-year-old White produced some of his best darts.

Jenkins threw first but White immediately hit 180 and took out an 11-darter to break throw straight away.

The Staffordshire player doubled his lead with a stunning 160 check-out but his opponent pulled out two maximums and a crucial double 10 to fight back.

Despite another 180 from Jenkins, White, nicknamed Diamond, checked out 100 with double 10 to regain his edge.

The roles were then reversed as White posted his second maximum only for the Herefordshire thrower to make it 3-2.

But Jenkins then dropped three legs in a row to go 6-2 down with his rival producing 180s and clinical double finishing.

The Bull found the 180 to win his first leg in four but Diamond checked out on 86 in two darts and moved within two legs of victory with an 80 finish.

Tops moved White to the brink of victory on 9-3 but Jenkins kept his hopes alive after his opponent missed the bull.

However, Diamond then took out 60 to seal a convincing win and keep the Bull waiting for another crack at a major trophy.