STUDLEY darts ace Andy Smith is hoping for a repeat performance in 2006 - another dazzling year at the oche.

The lumberjack rounded off 2005 by securing a place in the PDC World Darts Championships at the famous Circus Tavern in Purfleet.

Smith, known as The Pie Man, won his opening two games to reach the last 16 of the event, which was ultimatley won by Phil Taylor for his 13th title, and that proved enough to put him into the world's top 32.

He made the best of starts in the competition with a 3-0 victory over Colin Monk in the opening round.

Smith was then involved in a 4-3 thriller against American Ray Carver before going out 4-2 to 14th seed Alan Warriner-Little.

"I'm disappointed that I lost because if I had played as well as I had in the previous games then I would have been through to the quarter-final," Smith admitted.

"I feel like I didn't turn up and missed too many doubles, but this week has been a great experience and I've had a superb year.

"It was my first time here at the Circus Tavern, I've won two games and will move into the top 32 now," he added.

Smith has a two-week break before heading for competitions in Eastbourne and Gibralter at the end of the month.