Rainham's Richie Howson will be looking to settle the score with David Cameron in the first round of 2023 JENNINGSbet World Seniors Darts Championship at Purfleet's Circus Tavern on Thursday.

The 57-year-old fell to Cameron in the semi-final of JENNINGSbet World Seniors Darts Masters at Lakeside Country Club in Frimley Green last May, before the Canadian won the £10,000 top prize after defeating legendary 16-time BDO/PDC world champion Phil Taylor.

Romford-born Howson, nicknamed 'The Owl', is a professional cabinet maker and returns to the iconic Circus Tavern exactly 12 months after losing to three-time BDO world champion 'Wolfie' Martin Adams in a thrilling five-set encounter in round two. 

The 66-year-old Lincolnshire-based Adams eventually marched on to the final of the inaugural world seniors champs but was crushed 5-1 by Scotland's Robert Thornton.

Howson had more than enough points on the World Seniors Darts Tour money ranking list to secure his dream return to the glitzy Circus Tavern stage and is looking forward to plotting his revenge on Nova Scotia-based Cameron, 53, who recently lost to defending UK Open champion Danny Noppert in the 2023 Cazoo PDC World Championships at Alexandra Palace.

"David is a great player and it will be a tough game," he said.

"But I'm playing some fantastic darts at the moment so it will be a really good game.

"David beat me 5-2 when we played each other in the World Seniors Masters semis. We've drawn each other in the first round at Circus Tavern for this year's worlds. Hopefully I can get past David and go deep in the tournament this year."

Howson hopes that many of his loyal fans will turn up to Circus Tavern for his mouthwatering opening rounder with Cameron on Thursday afternoon wearing the claret and blue colours of his beloved West Ham United.

"Hopefully they'll be able to get to the Tavern this Thursday afternoon for my first round game," he added.

"And if they want to wear the Hammers colours that would be fantastic."

Howson is one of 32 over-50 players competing in this £200,000 event which is spread across fours days from February 9-12 and features a whole host of former world champions, major title winners and qualifiers.

Friday evening's final batch of first-round matches sees defending champion Robert Thornton beginning his title defence against Dutchman Roland Scholten, while Taylor hopes to land his first world seniors mantle but first must get past Northern Ireland’s Colin McGarry.

This session also sees 2022 Premier League champion and three-time BDO world champion Glen Durrant take on former 2005 PDC world finalist Mark Dudbridge as Canada's triple PDC world champion John Part comes up against former Netherlands Co Stompe.

Besides from Howson, Thursday's opening session also features Terry Jenkins up against two-time world championship semi-finalist Chris Mason, Les Wallace playing Darryl Fitton (who lost to Howson in round one last year) and American Larry Butler against Darren Johnson.

Tickets are available at the Circus Tavern box office in person, by calling 01708 863838 or by logging on to www.dartshop.tv, with the action also shown on BT Sport and the BBC Red Button service.

First round draw: Roland Scholten v Robert Thornton, Andy Jenkins v Bob Anderson, Darren Johnson v Larry Butler, Dennis Harbour v Trina Gulliver, Daryl Fitton v Les Wallace, Scott Mitchell v Peter Manley, Lisa Ashton v Neil Duff, Dave Prins v Martin Adams, Leonard Gates v Tony O’Shea, Colin McGarry v Phil Taylor, Mark Dudbridge v Glen Durrant, Terry Jenkins v Chris Mason, David Cameron v Richie Howson, Kevin Painter v Ronnie Baxter, Keith Deller v Mike Huntley, John Part v Co Stompe.