SAINTS full back Jack Welsby reflected on an "electric night" after watching darts world champion Michael Smith move through to round four at Alexandra Palace.

The Sky Sports cameras showed Welsby, who signed a new contract with Saints before Christmas, cheering on Smith in the crowd.

And the full back posed for pictures with the world number one, with both holding Saints shirts, Welsby's with 2027, the date his new contract runs to.

Smith is a huge Saints supporter and rugby league, who can regularly be seen on the terraces at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

His two sons also play junior rugby league in St Helens.

Afterwards, Welsby posted on Instagram said: "Some night at Alexandra Palace watching my mate @michael180smith get to the last 16! Electric."

Bully Boy battled to victory over Madars Razma on Wednesday, joining fellow St Helens darter Dave Chisnall in round four.

St Helens Star:

Smith, who is aiming to become only the fourth player in World Championship history to win back-to-back titles, recovered from a sluggish start to see off Latvia’s number one Razma in a gruelling affair.

Elsewhere, Warrington's 16-year-old Luke Littler - who is a graduate of the St Helens Darts Academy - continued his record-breaking run with a comprehensive 4-1 success against Canada’s Matt Campbell, to become the youngest ever player to progress to the last 16 at the World Championship.

Earlier in the day, Dave Chisnall defeated Gabriel Clemens 4-1 to reach the last 16.

Chisnall won nine out of ten legs in the opening exchanges to establish a commanding lead 3-0, punishing 22 missed darts at double from last year's semi-finalist to keep his title hopes alive.

The third round action continues on Thursday, with Stephen Bunting taking on Florian Hempel.