Issue 16 (April 15, 2016)

Friday 15 April 2016

Darts Weekly

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Friday 15 April 2016 Darts Weekly

World’s top two share points in high-quality draw in Belfast Michael van Gerwen 6 Gary Anderson 6 Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson shared the points in a high-quality draw at the SSE Arena Belfast last night.

The top two players in the PDC Order of Merit could not be separated as all 12 legs went with throw, with van Gerwen averaging 110.55 and Anderson just behind

on 108.24. Anderson, the defending Betway Premier League champion, produced the game’s crucial checkout, taking out 119 in leg 10 when MVG was sat on 48.

The pair traded 13 darters in the final two legs as both had to settle for a point.

Anderson said: “It was a good game but neither of us could get the break. I’m happy with where I’m sitting in the table.”

Nine darter helps Lewis to vital win James Wade 5 Adrian Lewis 7 Adrian Lewis hit a brilliant nine dart leg to come from behind and beat James Wade 7-5 in the Betway Premier League last night.

Jackpot had been flawless with his finishing to open up a 4-1 lead against Wade at the SSE Arena Belfast, before the 2009 Premier League winner fought back with four consecutive legs to go 5-4 up.

Lewis started the 10th leg with a 180 and then hit a 177 before finishing off 144 to complete his fourth televised nine darter, and the first seen in the Premier League since 2012.

The nine darter inspired Jackpot to go on and win the game’s last two legs and pinch the victory,

with Wade wiring the bullseye to grab a share of the points.

It was Lewis’ second nine darter on the PDC tour in the space of a week, with Jackpot having completed the perfect leg in a Players Championship on Friday.

“I’m lost for words,” Lewis said.

“It’s a really special moment for me. I took a 4-1 lead and I thought I was cruising, and before I knew it James was 5-4 up, he dug in really well and fair play to him.

“It got to the stage where I needed a massive leg, and I didn’t expect the nine darter to come from it. To hit the nine darter in front of this crowd is unbelievable, brilliant. I’m over the moon.

“I’ve hit a couple of nine darters recently and I’m really pleased with my form.”

Thornton and van Barneveld Robert Thornton 7 Peter Wright 2 Robert Thornton and Raymond van Barneveld both picked up two points as they played twice in Belfast last night.

The bottom two players in the

Betway Premier League are still scraping for points, with the Thorn denting Peter Wright’s play-off hopes with an impressive 7-2 win in the opening game of the night.

Thornton averaged 105.63 as he eased past his fellow Scot to record his second win of the season. The

Thorn took out 113 to open up an early 3-0 lead, and then enjoyed another three leg winning spell to go 6-1 up.

Wright, who had changed his darts for the sixth time in this current Premier League campaign, kept his hopes of a draw alive by

Darts Weekly Friday 15 April 2016

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Taylor beats old foe Barney to stretch his lead at the summit Raymond van Barneveld 5 Phil Taylor 7 Phil Taylor extended his lead at the top of the Betway Premier League after beating Raymond van Barneveld 7-5 last night.

The 16-time world champion defied a late comeback from Barney to edge out the final leg, as his unbeaten run in the Premier League stretched to 11 games. A

quick start from Taylor saw him open up a 2-0 lead, before the Power won three legs on the spin to go 5-1 in front.

At 6-2 up Taylor looked to be cruising to a comfortable victory, but van Barneveld had other ideas as he won the next three legs to force a deciding leg.

Taylor had breathing space to miss four darts in the final leg before hitting double two to win.

Taylor battles back to draw with MVG “I’m over the moon

and it’s another four points and a step closer to getting into the play-offs”

both get two points in Belfast winning the eighth leg. But it only delayed the inevitable, as Thornton wrapped up an excellent display with a 14 darter in the next leg to complete a 7-2 win.

The Scot then missed out on the chance to climb off the bottom, as van Barneveld won 7-4 in their

clash at the end of the night. The match looked finely poised at 4-4, but Barney reeled off three legs on the spin to clinch a 7-4 win and reopen a three-point lead over Thornton.

The Dutchman stormed into a 3-1 lead, but Thornton came back

with consecutive legs to square the match up at 3-3.

A 101 checkout then kept the match on throw for the World Grand Prix champion at 4-4, but Barney took the next three legs in 13, 15 and 12 darts to run out a 7-4 winner in Belfast.

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Friday 15 April 2016 Darts Weekly

Wales stun holders England to win British Internationals for the first time since 1981 Alex Moss CHIEF DARTS WRITER Wales ended a 35 year wait to be crowned men’s winners of the British Internationals as they finished top of the pile in Fife on Sunday afternoon.

Not since sharing the title with England in 1981 have the Welsh men’s team claimed success at the annual tournament contested between the three British nations.

But led by experienced captain Martin Phillips, Wales came back from 6-3 down to salvage a 6-6 draw with host nation Scotland on Saturday.

And then on Sunday, Wales raced into a 5-1 lead against holders England before wrapping up the win with three games to spare and finishing off as comfortable 8-4 victors.

Scotland’s 6-6 draw with England in the final game of the tournament ended any hopes the hosts had of taking the title, as Wales took home the trophy outright for the first time with three points to their name.

Two draws left Scotland in second place for the fourth consecutive year, while England finished last for only the second time in the event’s history.

The men’s tournament began on Saturday afternoon as Scotland took on Wales in a match which both sides knew they could not afford to lose, with holders England waiting for them the following day.

Breconshire’s Mark Layton gave Wales an early lead in the tie, with back-to-back 13 dart legs securing him a 4-3 win over Scottish debutant Steve Robertson.

It would also prove to be a losing debut for Glamorgan’s Richard Edwards, who paid the price for losing three straight legs to Stevie Plank. A 4-2 win for the Central thrower levelling up the match.

From the new caps to the experience of Gwynedd’s Phillips, who represented Wales for the 137th time and marked the occasion with a 4-1 win against Scott Robertson.

Ayrshire’s Cameron Menzies enjoyed a winning return to the Scotland team with a 4-2 victory over Jim Williams to make it 2-2, before Steven Mitchell edged past Scott Docherty 4-3 in a match which saw every leg go with throw and put Scotland in front at 3-2.

Neither side could pull away from the other as Tim Jones won a deciding leg against Steve Taylor to get Wales back on level terms, with two 14 darters securing Scotland captain Ross Montgomery a 4-3 win over Dafydd Williams.

That win inspired the hosts to win the next two games to go 6-3 up, but Wales showed great fight to salvage a draw.

Wayne Warren looked to have thrown it away for Wales when he let a 3-0 lead slip against Alan Soutar, but came through a decider to keep the match alive.

Wins for Christopher Harris and Mike Gillett secured Wales a share of the points, and that fightback would be the catalyst to an 8-4 win over England the next day.

Former England captain Martin Adams ran out a 4-1 winner over Harris in the opening game, and few would have predicted what was about to follow.

Jamie Hughes, Dave Parletti, James Hurrell, Dennis Harbour and Brian Dawson all tasted defeat as the Welsh surged into a 5-1 lead.

Shaun Carroll offered brief resistance for the holders by beating Williams 4-2, but it could not stop Wales from cruising to victory and eventually the title.

Gwynedd’s David Arwyn Morris showed all the nerves of a new cap as he bust a 118 checkout by hitting treble 20 going for double top.

Yet in the end it did not matter as he managed to beat England’s

Darren Peetom 4-2 and put Wales on the verge of a memorable win.

And they would not have to wait long as Nick Kenny got the better of Mark McGeeney 4-2.

Player of the tournament Glen Durrant posted a 97.92 average in his 4-2 win over Docherty, but it did not mask his and England’s disappointment.

Durrant was in good form again when England took on Scotland to bring the tournament to a close, with a 92.40 average putting his side 4-3 in front in the tie.

With five games left to be played it confirmed Wales were the winners, as they would have won more legs than Scotland if the hosts won 8-4 and the title was decided via that method.

Despite the trophy now no longer in their sights, Scotland won the next three games to put England on the brink of finishing the tournament with no points.

But captain Scott Mitchell and McGeeney won the final two games to seal a 6-6 draw.

Darts Weekly Friday 15 April 2016

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darts firsts x x x x x x xx x x x x x x x x

x x x x x x xx x x x x x x x x x x x x xx xx x x x

Hayter aiming for future caps with England following debut Gemma Hayter is hoping to get back in the England Ladies team for next year after making her debut at the British Internationals at the weekend.

The 22-year-old, who plays for Hampshire, enjoyed a 3-0 win over Frances Lawson on Sunday, as England cruised to a 6-0 victory against Scotland to retain the Ladies title.

And after experiencing her first taste of international darts, Hayter is aiming to earn more caps for her country in the years ahead.

“It was a really proud moment for me,” she said. “It was a bit of a shock that I even got considered, let alone selected.

“Halfway through the season I realised I was playing in the form

of my life. I thought I’d probably be the reserve because Maria O’Brien was higher than me in the averages, but I knew that I was being considered.

“The aim next year will be to try and get back in the team. It’s hard for me, because obviously everyone wants to get to Lakeside, but I don’t do the tour.

“I can’t because of work commitments, so the only chance for me would be to get through the qualifiers. Hopefully I can win the qualifier to get there.”

Hayter has been playing in the Hampshire Ladies team since the age of 15, and made her England debut in Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Wales.

England raced into a 3-0 lead, before Trina Gulliver, Deta Hedman and then Hayter all tasted defeat to hand Wales a point.

But Hayter and the England team regrouped for the final day and were all victorious in a 6-0 whitewash over Scotland to ensure they kept hold of the trophy.

The 2014 and 2016 Q-School winner, Tony Newell, talks us through his darts memories First darts memory?

Propping up a dartboard on the settee when I was about four or five-years-old and hitting a bullseye straight away!

First darts hero?

Bobby George.

First set of darts?

The first set I remember buying were 23g Dennis Priestley darts.

First darts team?

The first team I played for was the Royal British Legion in the Grange and District League.

First game on TV? It was in the last 64 of the UK Open this year against Adrian Lewis. I had beaten Paul Hogan 6-1 in the previous round and was then drawn out to play Adrian on the main stage at Minehead. I lost 9-1 but it was a great experience and I learnt a lot from it.

First nine darter?

I’ve only hit the one and it was last year. I got up in the morning, went downstairs to put the kettle on while only in my boxers. I had a chuck and hit a nine darter! I just need to learn to do it fully clothed now!

First professional tournament win?

I’m still waiting for a win on the Pro Tour but I have got straight through Q-School twice, and both times on the third day! In the 2014 Q-School I beat Dave Ladley 5-0 in the final round to win my tour card, and at the start of this year I beat John Michael 5-2 to get another two years on the PDC’s main tour.

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Friday 15 April 2016 Darts Weekly

Darts world pays tribute to the iconic MC Martin Fitzmaurice Eric Bristow and Raymond van Barneveld led the tributes for retired master of ceremonies Martin Fitzmaurice, who sadly passed away aged 75, yesterday.

Fitzmaurice was involved with the British Darts Organisation as a caller, scorer and a referee, but his most memorable role was as an MC, where before introducing the players onto the stage he would pronounce his popular “let’s play darts” catchphrase.

Bristow, whose fifth world title success in 1986 was chalked by Fitzmaurice, posted on Twitter: ‘Sad to hear BDO front man Martin Fitzmaurice died today. All the best to his family.’

Van Barneveld, who won four of his five world titles in the BDO where Fitzmaurice was at the time the MC, also paid tribute on Twitter: ‘Sad to hear that Martin Fitzmaurice passed away. He was a true icon in darts. The voice of darts for a long time. RIP Martin.’

Fitzmaurice was born on June 3, 1940 in Kensington, London, but his early years were spent living in Wales as the Second World War kept him away from his hometown.

On his return to London, Fitzmaurice would go on to attend the St. Clement Danes Holborn Estate Grammar School for Boys, where he completed his A-levels.

Before his association with the BDO began, Fitzmaurice had jobs working in a solicitor’s office, as an electrician and a tube train driver.

A move to the Essex town of Colchester saw Fitzmaurice’s involvement in darts really begin, as he was asked to chalk a match in a local pub.

After refereeing a youth match in Essex, Fitzmaurice was asked by Bobby George to referee for him during his exhibition matches, as his regular referee Freddie Williams was unavailable.

It was a partnership which would blossom, as the duo worked together for the best part of five

years, before George’s persistence saw Fitzmaurice gain a role working with the BDO. When caller Jack Price was taken ill during the 1985 World Masters, George persuaded the BDO to use Fitzmaurice as his replacement, which started the Londoner’s near 30-year relationship with the organisation.

Fitzmaurice played a part in a moment of darts history at the 1990 World Championship when he was the referee on stage during Paul Lim’s nine-dart finish, the first achieved in the tournament.

In an interview with the BBC back in 2004, Fitzmaurice recalled it as his favourite memory at the Lakeside Country Club, when he said: “It would have to be the nine darter by Paul Lim in 1990.

“I was fortunate enough to be the referee for that match It’s the first and only time a nine-dart finish has been thrown at the Lakeside.

No one else can claim to have been the referee.

“It also gave me nightmares. You have little room to manoeuvre up there, and when he hit the final treble 20, it covered double 12, so I couldn’t see it directly.

“I was hoping he doesn’t hit 57, then double 12, but he went and hit

57. There was no way in the world, with £52,000 riding on one dart, that I was going to move.

“So he threw it, the crowd went into bedlam, and I called: “Game, shot…” And it was only then that I checked it was in.

“At two o’clock in the morning, I woke up in a cold sweat, thinking: ‘What if it hadn’t gone in?’”

Fitzmaurice would go on to be the BDO’s master of ceremonies up until 2013, when he resigned after making racist comments at that year’s British Internationals.

In his resignation letter to the BDO he wrote: “No offence was intended, but I now realise that I should not have used material with racial references.

“I am proud to have been an integral part of the BDO for the last 27 years, and I have only ever given my full support to the organisation, players and officials.”

Fitzmaurice’s departure from the BDO left a bad taste in the mouth for darts fans, but few can argue the role he played in the sport.

His popular ‘let’s play darts’ catchphrase may not be used by current MC Richard Ashdown, but the BBC’s charity programme ‘Let’s Play Darts for…’ shows that his legacy will always be remembered.

Darts Weekly Friday 15 April 2016

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Database BDO BRITISH INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS (legs) (Glenrothes Recreation and Social Club, Fife) England Boys 3-1 Scotland Boys T Radlett (70.50) 3-2 J Gallazzi (60.51), C Rydz (74.67) 3-2 S Russell (69.51), D Perry (52.38) 1-3 C Johnston (54.12), O Maiden (65.13) 3-1 N Girvan (61.56).

England Girls 2-0 Scotland Girls D Ashton (49.65) 3-2 G Maxwell (45.39), B Greaves (52.44) 3-0 R Graham (44.88).

Wales Women 3-3 Scotland Women R Griffiths (57.81) 3-0 L Hepburn (51.00), C Savvery (66.66) 1-3 F Lawson (69.72), J Gore (61.77) 3-0 L Cowan (54.24), R Edwards (61.38) 3-0 K Smith (57.75), K Lewis (62.10) 2-3 E Davidson (64.95), K Bellerby (58.32) 2-3 L Hyde (67.86).

England Boys 3-1 Wales Boys J Bristow (68.61) 2-3 A Small (65.34), O Maiden (81.69) 3-1 C Phillips (75.93), T Radlett (71.34) 3-2 J Davies (59.43), C Rydz (73.92) 3-1 J Thomas (61.68).

Scotland Girls 0-2 England Girls R Graham (36.48) 2-3 D Ashton (37.89), G Maxwell (51.27) 1-3 B Greaves (60.00).

England Women 3-3 Wales Women L Ashton (73.92) 3-0 K Bellerby (59.55), F Sherrock (61.92) 3-1 C Savvery (57.69), L Winstanley (73.17) 3-1 K Lewis (61.20), T Gulliver (75.15) 1-3 J Gore (69.87), D Hedman (69.57) 0-3 R Edwards (73.92), G Hayter (53.97) 1-3 R Griffiths (60.75).

Scotland Boys 2-2 Wales Boys N Girvan (67.50) 3-2 A Small (62.13), J Gallazzi (54.90) 2-3 J Davies (55.08), S Russell (59.19) 0-3 C Phillips (70.44), C Johnston (69.36) 3-0 J Thomas (60.66).

Wales Men 6-6 Scotland Men M Layton (95.76) 4-3 St Robertson (87.15), R Edwards (63.96) 2-4 S Plank (72.06), M Phillips (86.49) 4-1 Sc Robertson (76.56), J Williams (80.82) 2-4 C Menzies (74.88), S Docherty (78.00) 3-4 St Mitchell (81.21), T Jones (85.14) 4-3 S Taylor (82.62), D Williams (80.70) 3-4 R Montgomery (93.51), N Kenny (91.23) 2-4 C Baxter (91.98), D A Morris (84.54) 1-4 A Soutar (88.74), W Warren (88.59) 4-3 S Ritchie (86.64), C Harris (84.75) 4-1 J Brown (82.59), M Gillett (89.37) 4-2 C Quinn (81.90).

England Men 4-8 Wales Men M Adams (79.68) 4-1 C Harris (77.46), J Hughes (89.49) 2-4 W Warren (88.92), D Parletti (71.85) 3-4 M Phillips (78.78), J Hurrell (90.18) 1-4 D Williams (85.92), D Harbour (85.95) 3-4 R Edwards (83.40), B Dawson (82.68) 1-4 M Lawton (91.26), S Carroll (84.54) 4-2 J Williams (82.71), D Peetoom (77.19) 2-4 D A Morris (76.29), M McGeeney (89.58) 2-4 N Kenny (85.11), G Durrant (97.92) 4-2 S Docherty (90.18), P Hogan (83.40) 1-4 M Gillett (88.74), Sc

Mitchell (88.38) 4-3 T Jones (82.20).

Scotland Women 0-6 England Women L Hyde (67.65) 2-3 L Winstanley (77.70), J Tully (55.20) 0-3 D Hedman (72.72), E Davidson (52.20) 0-3 T Gulliver (70.44), L Cowan (65.79) 1-3 F Sherrock (76.23), F Lawson (67.26) 0-3 G Hayter (73.92), K Smith (59.79) 0-3 L Ashton (72.72).

England Men 6-6 Scotland Men D Peetoom (80.13) 3-4 R Hogarth (79.83), S Carroll (75.81) 4-1 C Baxter (72.87), M Adams (83.85) 1-4 R Montgomery (85.26), D Harbour (87.45) 4-1 S Taylor (78.15), B Dawson (72.90) 1-4 J Brown (70.56), J Hughes (98.25) 4-1 St Mitchell (88.83), G Durrant (92.40) 4-1 St Robertson (79.83), D Parletti (76.35) 1-4 S Plank (81.27), P Hogan (94.89) 3-4 A Soutar (93.21), J Hurrell (92.49) 2-4 C Menzies (86.01), Sc Mitchell (82.05) 4-1 S Ritchie (78.72), M McGeeney (95.16) 4-2 C Quinn (85.47).

Men’s Final Standings 1. Wales 77 legs 14 sets 2. Scotland 68 legs 12 sets 3. England 64 legs 10 sets

3 points 2 points 1 point

Women’s Final Standings 1. England 29 legs 9 sets 2. Wales 25 legs 6 sets 3. Scotland 13 legs 3 sets

3 points 2 points 1 point

Boys Final Standings 1. England 21 legs 6 sets 2. Scotland 16 legs 3 sets 3. Wales 15 legs 3 sets

3 points 1 point 1 point

Girls Final Standings 1. England 12 legs 4 sets 4 points 2. Scotland 4 legs 0 sets 0 points Wales did not enter a girls team PDC PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP (legs) (Barnsley Metrodome, Barnsley) Event Three last 32 - M van Gerwen 6-2 J de Graaf, S Whitlock 6-2 J de Zwaan, M Webster 6-3 J Walker, J Wattimena 6-2 S Hine, R Green 6-4 D Johnson, J Wilson 6-4 T Jenkins, J Robinson 6-2 K Huybrechts, D Gurney 6-3 K Anderson, P Wright 6-3 A Hamilton, M King 6-5 P Taylor, C Dobey 6-2 M Hopp, D van de Pas 6-1 R Evans, S Beaton 6-2 C Hammond, A Norris 6-2 A Gilding, M Smith 6-0 J Caven, J Clayton 6-5 J Pipe.

Last 16 - M van Gerwen 6-2 S Whitlock, M Webster 6-5 J Wattimena, R Green 6-5 J Wilson, J Robinson 6-5 D Gurney, P Wright 6-5 M King, B van de Pas 6-2 C Dobey, A Norris 6-3 S Beaton, M Smith 6-2 J Clayton.

Quarter finals - M van Gerwen 6-0 M Webster, R Green 6-2 J Robinson, B van de Pas 6-2 P Wright, A Norris 6-3 M Smith.

Semi finals - M van Gerwen 6-1 R Green, B van de Pas 6-3 A Norris. Final - M van Gerwen 6-3 B van de Pas. Event Four last 32 - M van Gerwen 6-2 M Dennant, S Whitlock 6-4 A Jenkins, J Klaasen 6-3 R Evans, K Anderson 6-2 A

Hamilton, D Chisnall 6-1 K Brown, J Richardson 6-4 J de Graaf, J Clayton 6-4 R Green, G Anderson 6-1 S Griffiths, R-J Rodriguez 6-2 R Smith, A Norris 6-0 C Reyes, C Dobey 6-5 S Beaton, B van de Pas 6-4 M Webster, J Cullen 6-5 A Smith, G Price 6-3 T Jenkins, M Hopp 6-5 R Huybrechts, M Suljovic 6-5 M De Decker.

Last 16 - M van Gerwen 6-2 S Whitlock, J Klaasen 6-2 K Anderson, D Chisnall 6-5 J Richardson, G Anderson 6-3 J Clayton, A Norris 6-1 R-J Rodriguez, B van de Pas 6-0 C Dobey, G Price 6-2 J Cullen. M Hopp 6-2 M Suljovic. Quarter finals - M van Gerwen 6-2 J Klaasen, G Anderson 6-3 D Chisnall, B van de Pas 6-1 A Norris, G Price 6-2 M Hopp. Semi finals - M van Gerwen 6-4 G Anderson, B van de Pas 6-2 G Price. Final B van de Pas 6-5 M van Gerwen.

Event Five last 32 - M van Gerwen 6-3 K Painter, D Gurney 6-5 A Gilding, C Dobey 6-1 B van Peer, K Brown 6-3 N Aspinall, J Lewis 6-3 R Meikle, R Huybrechts 6-4 M Zuydwijk, S Whitlock 6-4 J de Zwaan, P Wright 6-1 D Brown, R Green 6-5 B Dolan, R Meulenkamp 6-3 R-J Rodriguez, C Reyes 6-5 J Artut, I White 6-4 S Dale, J Wattimena 6-5 D Petersen, J Payne 6-4 J Henderson, G Price 6-4 A Norris. Last 16 - M van Gerwen 6-0 D Gurney, K Brown 6-5 C Dobey, D Chisnall 6-4 J Lewis, S Whitlock 6-4 R Huybrechts, R Green 6-5 P Wright, C Reyes 6-4 R Meulenkamp, I White 6-4 J Wattimena, J Payne 6-1 G Price. Quarter finals - M van Gerwen 6-3 K Brown, D Chisnall 6-3 S Whitlock, R Green 6-5 C Reyes, I White 6-3 J Payne. Semi finals M van Gerwen 6-1 D Chisnall, I White 6-4 R Green. Final - I White 6-0 M van Gerwen.

PDC BETWAY PREMIER LEAGUE (legs) (SSE Arena Belfast, Belfast) Week 11 - R Thornton (105.63) 7-2 P Wright (92.48), R van Barneveld (96.14) 5-7 P Taylor (100.36), J Wade (95.95) 5-7 A Lewis (103.54), M van Gerwen (110.55) 6-6 G Anderson (108.24), R van Barneveld (92.53) 7-4 R Thornton (88.16).

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Friday 15 April 2016 Darts Weekly

Couchman in fine form as he claims Winmau Classic win Mark Couchman was in fine form in the WDDA Winmau Classic at the weekend, as he took home the Wheelchair Classified trophy and lost just one game along the way.

The Weoley Castle Working Men’s Club in Birmingham welcomed a field of more than 30 entries for this year’s event, which is a clear sign of how both the WDDA (World Disability Darts Association) and the BDDA (British Disability Darts Association) are growing.

The event acted as part of the ‘Road to the Winmau Tour’ which is run by the BDDA, and offers ranking points for players looking to qualify for the Winmau World Masters later this year.

The Wheelchair Classified tournament began with two preliminary round games, which saw Dean Wingate edge past Claire Dangolitis 2-1 and Couchman beat Darren Brook 3-0.

The quarter-finals got underway with Michelle Gabica seeing off Lee Murray 3-2, before Darren Agar whitewashed preliminary round winner Wingate 3-0.

Kevin Stringer also booked his place in the semi-finals with a 3-0 win over Nick Yates, while Couchman continued the trend with a whitewash success against Judith Stone.

In the semi-finals, Agar squeezed past Gabica 3-2 and Couchman defeated Stringer 3-0, with Couchman then beating Agar 3-1

Mich

in the final to clinch the trophy.

Elsewhere on the day, Ricky Chilton beat Darren Mawer to win the Open competition, with Matt Doe and Mike Cook both enjoying good runs to the semi-finals.

Si Thyer was victorious in the Standing Classification event after beating Open winner Chilton in the final, while Graham Mitchell and Paul Hampton both reached the last four.

Top trio: Open champion Ricky Chilton (left) along with Wheelchair Classified winner Mark Couchman (centre) and Standing Classified victor Si Thyer (right).

PICTURE: JACKIE GILL

World Trophy conference is called off a day before due date

take place. Darts Weekly understands the press conference was set to be held at The Landmark Hotel in London at 1pm yesterday, however on Wednesday afternoon it was called off due to ‘unforeseen circumstances.’

Last week the BDO put up a press release on their website stating that ‘major free to air TV coverage’ had been secured for next month’s World Trophy event.

The organisation also announced

there would be a press conference in London this week to reveal the details of their partnership with a new promoter and broadcaster.

Chairman of the BDO, Sue Williams, said last week: “The other developments that we will be announcing next week (this week) are set to change the face of the BDO and our loyal players, members and fans will be delighted with the news we have for them.”

The BDO’s television deal is clouded in deep uncertainty after the organisation postponed its planned press conference, less than 24 hours before it was due to

BDO star Pip Blackwell helped out by marking games on the day, and Sarah Smale’s hard work ensured the day ran smoothly.