BEN Ward says winning a match on live television for the first time has boosted his confidence as a darts player.

The Dorchester thrower beat Jason Lovett in front of the ITV cameras in the preliminary round of the UK Open last Friday.

Ward and his Norwich opponent were first up on the main stage in Minehead, with the former eventually coming out on top by five legs to two.

Mark Cox beat 26-year-old Ward in the next round, but at least the county town man did manage to win a game this year.

Fellow Englishman Steve Maish beat Ward 5-0 on his UK Open debut in 2014.

“It was good to get a bit of a monkey off my back by winning on live television for the first time,” said Ward.

“I did miss a few doubles and could have made it more comfortable for myself than it was.

“It was more adrenaline than nerves on the main stage, and it was quite a come down when I played Mark.

“I didn’t play that well against him and he took his chances, but I feel more confident now after that first match.”

Dutchman Michael van Gerwen beat Scotland’s Peter Wright 11-5 in the final of the Coral-sponsored competition at Butlins Minehead Resort.

Ward is off to Barnsley this weekend for European Tour qualifiers and Players Championship events.