Home hope Royal was the huge favourite, but struggled from the outset against an opponent with nothing to lose.

Wilford managed to get a grip on the rink in the early exchanges.

This led to three doubles in a 10-4 first set victory.

Royal fought back in the second, but a nailbiting set ended 7-7.

This proved enough for a shock victory to set up a round two tie with Scotland's Paul Foster.

It marked the latest in a succession of shock results at the Potters Leisure Resort in Hopton-on-Sea in Norfolk. 

However, Foster avoided joining the growing list of vanquished stars in a comfortable victory over English qualifier Michael Cheeseman.

Foster was tested before prevailing 9-4, 8-6.

There was English success over Scotland in the first contest of the day as Jamie Chestney won 15-1, 12-3 against Paul Hay.

Mixed pair action is due to begin tomorrow alongside the singles competition.