RONNIE Baxter took his medicine and then prescribed a first round beating for MItchell Crooks at the Embassy World Darts Championship yesterday.

Baxter lost the first set but then stormed back to win the next three and made light of the repetitive strain injury that has blighted his preparations.

"I was dosed up on painkillers and apart from the odd twinge, I felt great," said the fourth seed, who meets England captain Martin Adams in the second round tomorrow.

Baxter had been fearful that the pain in his neck and right shoulder would flare up but that was the least of his worries as the unranked Crooks stormed through the first set.

The Irishman's blitz featured five maximum 180's but Baxter said: "I knew he couldn't keep it up."

And the 39-year-old from Church, bidding to go one better at the Lakeside this season after losing in the last two finals, was proved right as he stepped up the pace with a mix of big scores and faultless finishes.

His three darts average of just over 98 was the second highest of the tournament so far and puts him in a good frame of mind for taking on former World Number One Adams, unseeded this time after a bleak year.

"I was apprehensive when I first walked onto the stage, but having got past Mitchell I am now extremely excited," said Baxter.

"I have been practising hard and sometimes it has been tough but now, touch wood, everything is on course."