Friday 27 May 2016
Darts Weekly WORLD TROPHY
THE DARKHORSE
THE HOLDER THE FAVOURITE
YOUR 4-PAGE GUIDE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BDO NO.1 AND TOURNAMENT FAVOURITE, GLEN DURRANT LITTLE RICHARD ASHDOWN’S GUIDE TO THE TOP MEN AND LADIES PLAYERS WE LOOK AT HOW IMPORTANT THIS WEEKEND IS FOR THE BDO AND ITS FUTURE ON TV
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Friday 27 May 2016 Darts Weekly
Sports Direct announced as sponsor of a World Trophy which has a lot riding on it Alex Moss CHIEF DARTS WRITER So after months of speculation and a late venue change, the third staging of the BDO World Trophy gets underway tomorrow. It is hard not to underestimate just how important the next three days are going to be for the BDO. With free to air broadcaster Dave showing 30 hours of live coverage from the Lakeside over the Bank Holiday weekend, the BDO will be putting its product out to a whole new audience. The preparation for the event has been far from ideal. Switching the venue from Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse to the Lakeside Country Club just four weeks before its start date was always going to be a gamble. As a result of the late venue change, tickets have only been on sale for the last three and a half weeks, and the sales have reflected this with even a reduced capacity at the Lakeside struggling to sell even half of the tickets. Darts Weekly understands darts fans without tickets will be able to purchase admission on the day they visit, but for a venue which is usually sold out at double the capacity for nine days during the World Championship, it begs the question why have ticket sales for this weekend been so low. The lateness of the venue change will of course be a factor, as will the scheduling of the event, with it being on a Bank Holiday weekend and many people will have already made plans. Promoting tickets is something the BDO will need to address. It has really been left to the players and fans to try and help boost ticket sales with posts on social media, while the BDO has rarely promoted ticket sales on its social media platforms. For an organisation which is
being shown on a new television channel, a sold out Lakeside for the three days would have made a big difference in terms of how the event comes across to the broadcaster and the viewers. The future of the BDO on free to air television in the UK could rest on how this weekend pans out. If Dave are pleased with the product they are getting and the viewing figures are to their satisfaction, then it opens the door for more BDO tournaments to be shown on the channel, including the World Championship, which as it stands is still without television coverage for 2017. In the final years of the BDO’s partnership with the BBC, it’s fair to say the coverage diminished, with ESPN and BT Sport taking on a big share of the sessions. For this tournament at least the BDO are going to be getting full coverage. Although one 10-hour session each day is far too long, Dave are not going into this new partnership half-heartedly. Every dart of the men’s and ladies draw will be shown live, offering many of the players in action coverage they seldom see during the year. The £150,000 prize fund on offer this weekend is second only on the BDO circuit to the World Championship, but a contentious issue in the lead up to the event has been: where is the money coming from? Sports Direct were announced as an event sponsor late last night, but it is hard to believe they will be stumping up the prize fund this late in the day. It is a big weekend for the BDO, and after all the months of turmoil behind the scenes, they must see this as an opportunity to start to turn the corner. Will the World Trophy be a success? For the BDO’s sake you have to hope this can be the spark of a real ‘New Era’.
LITTLE GLEN DURRANT England Rank: 1 Age: 45
RICHAR
The man who will go in as the favourite for the World Trophy is of course Glen Durrant. He has a great game to start the tournament with Andy Fordham. I’m looking forward to that and introducing Andy onto the Lakeside stage. If Glen gets past Andy, which will be tricky for him, he’s going to be the man nailed on to win. He had a recent win in Denmark so he’s playing well, but he’s never gone all the way and lifted the trophy at Lakeside, which he will be desperate to do this weekend. DANNY NOPPERT Netherlands Rank: 2 Age: 25 The name I’ve been mentioning a lot is Danny Noppert. He was runner-up of the Dutch Open earlier this year and he has since gone on and picked up a couple of big wins in the Scottish and German Opens. I just think he’s the bright, young
Hedman ready to banish her heartache at the Lakeside Deta Hedman is determined to get rid of her so-called fear of the Lakeside stage when she competes in the World Trophy this weekend. The Dark Destroyer returns to the Frimley Green venue in a rich vein of form having won five BDO ranking titles on the spin in the ladies circuit. Hedman’s current hot streak has seen her reclaim number one spot in the rankings and now she is
Darts Weekly Friday 27 May 2016
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RICHARD ASHDOWN’S SIX PLAYERS TO WATCH another one to watch that people might not have seen before. CRAIG CALDWELL New Zealand Rank: 38 Age: 43
thing at the moment in the BDO. He’s been playing a lot in Holland and was top of their national rankings and this year he’s taken it onto the circuit. The way he played against Martin Adams in the Dutch Open final was brilliant. I really think he’s going to push on, but now I’ve said that he’ll probably go out in the first round! RYAN JOYCE England Rank: 31 Barry Lynn will be the qualifier in people’s minds because of what he done in the UK Open, but there’s another qualifier called Ryan Joyce who has gone under the radar. I was there in the Isle of Man and Denmark when he got to the final of both and he was brilliant. He’s aiming to dispel any demons she may have on the Lakeside stage by winning the World Trophy. “I love to win any title but winning the World Trophy would be a great boost for me,” the Jamaican-born thrower said. “It would be great to win a singles final at Lakeside. People say I have a fear of playing there but they are forgetting I have got to three finals there. “It would be amazing to walk off that famous stage on Monday night with the trophy, but I think 15 other ladies will have something to say about that.” Hedman is currently enjoying one of her best runs in the BDO since coming out of retirement in
There are nine WDF regional qualifiers in the men’s draw and out of all those I have to say I was really impressed by Craig Caldwell at Lakeside. He just lost out to Scott Mitchell
in the first round but he played very well. I think he’s someone if I had to pick one out of that lot maybe he can be a spoiler.
form she’s in at the moment. Deta’s won the last five ranking events that she’s played in, two in Denmark, the Welsh Open and two in Poland last weekend. She’s back to number one in the world. If there’s any stumbling block it’s that she’s never triumphed at Lakeside. Maybe this could be a breakthrough for Deta. CORRINE HAMMOND Australia Rank: 9 Corrine has qualified by right through her ranking after travelling around the world to play in Australia and across Europe. She’s a class act and I’m waiting for a breakthrough win to come for her. I think if she gets to the latter stages then she’ll be very tough to beat.
DETA HEDMAN England Rank: 1 Age: 56 I have to go with Deta Hedman in the ladies draw, just because of the 2009, with victories in the Winmau Poland Open and Masters at the weekend following on from success in Wales and Denmark. “I always do well this time of year in February to May and this is one
“People say I have a fear of playing there but they forget I’ve been in three finals” of my best runs in the BDO,” she said. “I’m especially proud of the double header win in Denmark. “Lisa (Ashton), Anastasia (Dobromyslova), Aileen (de Graaf), Lorraine (Winstanley) and Fallon (Sherrock) were all there. I
love competing so much and I enjoy every season. I’m very fortunate in that my partner Paul (James) books everything for me and arranges my diary. All I have to do is throw darts.” Hedman begins her quest for a sixth title in a row on Sunday, when she faces Denmark’s AnnLouise Peters in the last 16. “Ann-Louise brings a fun element to the game,” Hedman said. “She is fiercely determined but she enjoys herself. “I first played her when she was 17 and known as Ann-Louise Andersen at the time. “She beat me in the final of the Norway Open. She will be a difficult opponent to beat.”
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Friday 27 May 2016 Darts Weekly
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
“It’s been a frustrating few months, but hopefully this is the turning point and we’re moving forward”
Glen Durrant chats with Alex Moss ahead of the BDO’s return to Lakeside for the World Trophy
len Durrant admits he could not have picked a better opponent to take on in the first game of this year’s World Trophy. The BDO number one and pretournament favourite takes on 2004 world champion Andy Fordham tomorrow lunchtime, with Durrant excited at the prospect of facing the Viking on the Lakeside stage. “I’m playing an absolute legend in the first round in Andy and I’m so excited about that,” he said. “Even to be playing on the stage with him is a bit surreal, but I guess as the number one seed I’ve got to be a bit more ruthless now. “I couldn’t have picked a better draw. I’m huge fan of Andy’s and have a lot of humility whenever I see him. “I respect him very much for what he’s been through, but he’s back playing very good darts. “I’m not taking him lightly. I’m practising like it’s my toughest game. I just need to get over that obstacle on the stage and the disappointments I’ve had up there.” Durrant’s last two appearances at Lakeside have ended in heartbreak, with a 6-5 defeat to Martin Adams in the semi-finals of the 2015 World Championship followed by a 5-4 reverse to Scott Waites back in
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January this year. With the World Trophy having switched venues from Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse to the Lakeside Country Club, Duzza has been presented with an opportunity to quickly erase those painful memories this weekend. “I think I’ve done away with predictions now when I go on the Lakeside stage because it’s broken my heart twice,” the 45-year-old said. “The losses to Scott Waites and Martin Adams at crucial times were hard to take. “I know I’m the number one seed and I’ve been practising really hard. The will to succeed is really strong for me. “I always have a quiet period after Lakeside, so I’ve only done Scotland, Isle of Man, Denmark and Wales so far this season. “I feel really fresh and it’s probably the best feeling I’ve got.” Durrant’s results have steadily progressed during the 2016 season, with a run to the last 16 of the Scottish Open followed up with five quarter-final appearances in a row. The Teesside thrower got to the last eight of the Isle of Man Classic before reaching the semi-finals of both the Isle of Man Open and Denmark Open. Duzza’s
Darts Weekly Friday 27 May 2016
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first win of 2016 came earlier this month when he triumphed in the Denmark Masters, while a deciding leg defeat to Scott Mitchell denied him the Red Dragon Welsh Open crown and back-to-back titles. For many darts fans it will be the first time they will see Durrant since his quarter-final exit at the World Championship, with this weekend’s World Trophy to be screened live on Dave. “I think it’s really important we’re on TV,” he said. “When I’m going out negotiating sponsor deals for myself it’s important that you’re being seen. “Now Dave is involved and hopefully it’s going to be a success. They’ve been involved in the boxing and it’s just great that this is on TV as well. “It’s just what the BDO need at the moment, because it’s been a tough year.” Durrant eludes to the troubles which have plagued the BDO so far in 2016. The loss of the BBC’s
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television deal to rival code the PDC was a big blow, as was the cancellations of two events, the Players Championship and the Festival of Darts. The fate of the World Trophy raised concerns when the Victoria Warehouse pulled out of hosting the event due to the BDO breaching the contract they had with the venue. A switch to the Lakeside was
Top seed: Glen Durrant kicks off the World Trophy against Andy Fordham tomorrow PICTURES: DAVID GILL
“I had 18 people going to Manchester who all lost money on hotel fees” announced last month for the World Trophy, and Duzza hopes this weekend can be the beginning of a fresh start for the BDO. “It’s been a very difficult few months,” he said. “I was made promises that weren’t fulfilled. “I’m a BDO man and it didn’t take me much persuasion to stay, but it’s been a very frustrating few
months and very disappointing, hopefully this is the turning point and we’re moving forward. “But we’ve got to have a long, hard look at ourselves and make sure this World Trophy does work. “I had 18 people going to Manchester who all lost money on hotel fees. You can understand why people are afraid to buy tickets. “As the number one player I’ve got to be out there promoting the organisation I’m in and I just hope the Lakeside is going to be a big success, because it’s just what the players and the organisation need at this moment. “It’s a really important competition for many reasons and it’s going to be a pivotal moment for the BDO. We need it to be a success and we need the fans to get behind the competition too.”
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Friday 27 May 2016 Darts Weekly
Van Gerwen begins Dubai title defence with win over Wright Michael van Gerwen began his bid for a fourth Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters title in a row with a hardfought 10-7 win over Peter Wright in the quarter-finals yesterday. The Dutchman has won all three stagings of the event, which is part of the recently-introduced World Series of Darts, and kicked off this year’s tournament with a high quality clash against Wright. Van Gerwen fired in 10 180s and finished with a 107.65 average, which he needed in order to overcome an impressive Snakebite, who himself averaged 106.55 and at one point had been 7-6 in front. MVG would find an extra gear though, reeling off four legs in a row to come from behind and win 10-7 and book himself a semi-final meeting with Dave Chisnall later today. “Peter put me massively under pressure and I’m delighted to have produced a performance like this, because I really had to,” van Gerwen said. “Peter was in great form and played really well. I’m glad I played that little bit better in the end and it gives me fantastic confidence for tomorrow (today). “Dave’s a fantastic player and he did really well tonight (yesterday) and he’s capable of doing really good things. “I’ve got to enjoy this moment and make sure I do it again. I feel good and I feel confident and I really want to win this title again.” Chisnall had got the opening night of the tournament off to a flyer, with finishes of 130, 110 and 105 to beat
Adrian Lewis 10-1. Chizzy checked out 10 doubles from 18 attempts and impressed as he comfortably dispatched the two-time world champion on the Dubai stage. “I’m happy with that,” Chisnall said. “My finishing took me through - I wish I could finish like that when I’m playing indoors! “Adrian will be disappointed but I took my chances a little bit better than him. “My form has been great since I came out of the Premier League and even if it was indoors tonight I probably would have played quite well.” In the other half of the draw, reigning world champion Gary Anderson set up a rematch of last week’s Betway Premier League semi-finals, as he edged past Raymond van Barneveld 10-8 to book a clash with Phil Taylor today. The Scot was in good form,
On track: van Gerwen (above) began in style, while Chisnall also won (below) PICTURES: DUBAI DUTY FREE hitting 24 scores of 140 or better as well as two 180s. Anderson elected to use heavier darts to combat any air movement on the open-air stage, and it was a five leg streak in the middle of the game which put him on his way to victory, coming from 3-2 down to go 7-3 in front. “Even at 3-2 down I was enjoying it,” Anderson said. “I came with a heavier set of darts and I’m happy with the way they were going although a few of them curved off that double 13 near the end. “I thought I’d try a heavier set - I play with 23 gram darts and these were 25 gram and they were alright, I was happy with them. “My 180s weren’t there but there were lots of 140s and I’m happy.” Taylor took out finishes of 170 and 110 in successive legs to see off James Wade 10-2, as last year’s beaten finalist made it through. “Getting the win was the important thing and I’ve done that,” Taylor said. “I was solid and I can improve on that.”
Darts Weekly Friday 27 May 2016
Wright pulls out of selection for Scotland’s team in World Cup Peter Wright has become the second high-profile player to omit himself from being selected for this year’s Betway World Cup of Darts. The world number five partnered Gary Anderson last year, reaching the final before narrowly losing out to England, however the pair will not be joining forces for this year’s event, which starts next Thursday. The teams for all 32 nations competing in Frankfurt next week were confirmed by the PDC on Monday, with Anderson and Robert Thornton listed as the two players representing Scotland. A press release on the PDC website read: ‘Scotland’s Peter Wright and Netherlands’ Jelle Klaasen made themselves Not in action: Peter Wright will not be playing a part in this year’s World Cup unavailable for selection.’ Klaasen announced last week that he was unavailable for the tournament due to ‘personal commitments’, thus preventing him from partnering world number one Michael van Gerwen in the Netherlands team. The Dutch duo’s fractured relationship is likely to have played a significant part in the selection of their nation’s team, while Wright’s omission comes after a recent controversial incident on social media, where accusations of match-fixing were thrown against Anderson in his Betway Premier League match with Adrian Lewis. Anderson and Thornton team up on the opening night of the fourday event on Thursday when they take on New Zealand, while top seeds Phil Taylor and Lewis get England’s title defence started against Spain on Friday night. The Netherlands open their bid for a third World Cup crown against Russia on Thursday.
7 Database PDC AUSTRIAN DARTS OPEN UK QUALIFIER (Ricoh Arena, Coventry) Final round - S West 6-1 S Willard, M King 6-1 L Woodhouse, J Pipe 6-2 S Brown, B Dolan 6-4 M McGowan, C Dobey 6-4 J Walker, W Jones 6-5 J Young, J Payne 6-1 R Harrington, S Beaton 6-5 A Boulton, J Richardson 6-4 J Murnan, J Clayton 6-3 J Lewis, K Anderson 6-4 D Johnson, J Caven 6-5 N Aspinall, N Heydon 6-2 N Derry, S McNally 6-1 P Hudson, D Brown 6-3 J Henderson, M Frost 6-3 A Gilding, W Newton 6-3 T Temple, S Stevenson 6-3 D Petersen, J Wilson 6-4 S Hine, R Smith 6-3 A Hamilton. PDC EUROPEAN DARTS OPEN UK QUALIFIER (Ricoh Arena, Coventry) Final round - A Norris 6-3 N Aspinall, G Price 6-0 S Willard, D Gurney 6-5 K Brown, S Griffiths 6-3 M Todd, J Richardson 6-2 A Monk, A Jenkins 6-4 D Smith, M Frost 6-4 M Webster, H Ward 6-4 C Hammond, J Clayton 6-2 J Payne, R Edhouse 6-4 R Williams, T Newell 6-5 J Murnan, S West 6-2 A Smith, K Anderson 6-2 M Barilli, J Caven 6-1 J Bowles, R Green 6-4 R Harrington, A Boulton 6-3 D Webster, J Henderson 6-0 J Wilson, W Newton 6-3 S Kellett, A Hamilton 6-5 R Evans, D Petersen 6-4 M Mansell. PDC PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP (Ricoh Arena, Coventry) Event Eight last 32 - C Reyes 6-4 J Dekker, G Price 6-1 M King, S West 6-3 W Jones, M Suljovic 6-3 R Green, D Webster 6-2 R Evans, J Clayton 6-4 M De Decker, R Baxter 6-5 A Tabern, S Whitlock 6-3 J Cullen, A Jenkins 6-3 M Smith, J Pipe 6-1 M Walsh, J Caven 6-1 M Dennant, S Dale 6-5 Y Meeuwisse, K Anderson 6-1 I White, M Webster 6-4 R Thornton, D Chisnall 6-1 S Kellett, J Bowles 6-4 B van Peer. Last 16 - G Price 6-2 C Reyes, M Suljovic 6-5 S West, J Clayton 6-3 D Webster, R Baxter 6-3 S Whitlock, A Jenkins 6-2 J Pipe, J Caven 6-0 S Dale, M Webster 6-2 K Anderson, D Chisnall 6-1 J Bowles. Quarter finals - G Price 6-5 M Suljovic, R Baxter 6-5 J Clayton, J Caven 6-0 A Jenkins, D Chisnall 6-2 M Webster. Semi finals - G Price 6-4 R Baxter, J Caven 6-4 D Chisnall. Final - G Price 6-1 J Caven. Event Nine last 32 - P Wright 6-0 M Todd, M King 6-1 D Gurney, S Beaton 6-1 J Klaasen, M Suljovic 6-3 J Payne, D Chisnall 6-1 M Hopp, J Caven 6-3 G Price, A Gilding 6-4 S West, J Cullen 6-2 A Alcinas, C Dobey 6-1 K Dowling, J Pipe 6-3 S Bunting, B van de Pas 6-0 N Aspinall, Jas Wilson 6-5 M Webster, D Webster 6-5 J de Zwaan, M Walsh 6-2 J Robinson, K Huybrechts 6-4 J Murnan, A Norris 6-3 J Richardson. Last 16 - P Wright 6-4 M King, S Beaton 6-2 M Suljovic, D Chisnall 6-2 J Caven, J Cullen 6-4 A Gilding, J Pipe 6-4 C Dobey, B
van de Pas 6-1 Jas Wilson, D Webster 6-1 M Walsh, A Norris 6-5 K Huybrechts. Quarter finals - S Beaton 6-3 P Wright, J Cullen 6-4 D Chisnall, B van de Pas 6-3 J Pipe, D Webster 6-5 A Norris. Semi finals - J Cullen 6-5 S Beaton, B van de Pas 6-1 D Webster. Final - B van de Pas 6-0 J Cullen. PDC DUBAI DUTY FREE DARTS MASTERS (Dubai Tennis Centre) Quarter finals - A Lewis (79.46) 1-10 D Chisnall (90.18), P Taylor (93.11) 10-2 J Wade (87.07), G Anderson (98.36) 10-8 R van Barneveld (94.25), M van Gerwen (107.65) 10-7 P Wright (106.55). BDO WINMAU POLISH OPEN (Dobosz Hotel, Police) Men’s Open quarter finals - D Clifford 4-3 S Waites, M Blandford 4-3 F Roosenbrand, R Allenstein 4-0 A Batens, K Smeets 4-1 D Labanauskas. Semi finals D Clifford 5-1 M Blandford, K Smeets 5-4 R Allenstein. Final - D Clifford 6-1 K Smeets. Ladies Open quarter finals - D Hedman 4-3 R Slowikowska, R Brooks 4-1 A Wilkomm, V Ihasz 4-2 S Zwitkowitsch, A de Graaf 4-0 M Markowska. Semi finals D Hedman 4-3 R Brooks, A de Graaf 4-2 V Ihasz. Final - D Hedman 5-4 A de Graaf. Men’s Masters quarter finals - J Sparidaans 4-0 P Morelissen, K Smeets 4-1 F Roosenbrand, K Burness 4-3 G de Vos, J Hurrell 4-2 D Labanauskas. Semi finals J Sparidaans 5-4 K Smeets, J Hurrell 5-4 K Burness. Final - J Hurrell 6-2 J Sparidaans. Ladies Masters quarter finals - D Hedman 4-1 S Zwitkowitsch, J Kanovska 4-2 G Banke, R Brooks 4-2 M Liiri, A de Graaf 4-1 V Kasz. Semi finals - D Hedman 4-0 J Kanovska, A de Graaf 4-1 R Brooks. Final - D Hedman 5-4 A de Graaf. Darts Weekly Quiz 4 1 Who won the first staging of the BDO World Trophy in 2014? 2 Which player was given a wildcard for the 2014 event to take the place of Stephen Bunting, who had left to join the PDC? 3 Who did Geert de Vos beat in the final to win the World Trophy last year? 4 Which lady recorded an 88.71 average in her first round win over Paula Jacklin in the World Trophy in 2015? Last week’s answers - 1. The Gladiator; 2. Colin Monk (3-2); 3. Three times (2009, 2012 and 2013); 4. The Masters in 2014.
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Friday 27 May 2016 Darts Weekly
SEAN McCORMICK TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE DART
An insight into the life of a darts referee Darts as a brand is ever-growing. Players’ performance levels are rising, high checkouts and nine daters are becoming all the more frequent, and while the players are commended for the euphoria they create on the stage, it arguably would not be possible but for one man. The referee. The darts referee is the lynchpin behind a good game, ensuring everything runs smoothly and scores are counted efficiently without error. And while their role in the functioning of the game is mightily important, their role in terms of the entertainment of the game is just as vital. The way a darts referee calls certain shots becomes a trademark of not only themselves but of the game as a whole. Every 180 is amplified to the crowd of its importance by the referee, every outshot called to prompt the crowd into celebration, and as commentators make the memorable moments special, the referee’s voice also adds that extra dimension to the entertainment. It obviously takes somebody unique, whose tone of voice can encapsulate the drama, but how do you become a darts referee? BDO referee Antony Dundas has refereed in three Lakeside finals, but he - like PDC referee Russ Bray - actually never intended to become a referee, and started off completely by chance. “I started refereeing completely by accident really,” Dundas said. “I helped out at county matches and found out I was a decent counter. “I attended an exhibition where
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the MC took ill and the mic was handed to me and the rest is history. I caught the calling bug after that.” Dundas has since become one of the most recognisable voices in the game having refereed at the last four BDO World Championships. Yet despite the experience he has gained at the highest level, he admits he still gets an incredible buzz every time he steps foot on
‘The referee’s voice also adds that extra dimension to the entertainment’ the Frimley Green stage, and still can’t quite believe how quickly his career has progressed. “I still get chills every time I walk into the Lakeside venue. It’s a room like no other in darts,” Dundas said. “Refereeing on stage is the greatest buzz I’ve ever experienced. “If I’m honest, I’ve been totally stunned by the way things have gone in the past five years. If stage where I’ve played some of my best darts.
Top ref: Antony Dundas has refereed in three world finals PICTURE: DAILY RECORD someone had told me back then I’d have refereed three Lakeside finals by now I’d have laughed at them. “It was a totally unexpected rise but I’ve enjoyed every second of it and I’m looking forward to the future.” Nonetheless, it is a high pressure occupancy. Thousands of pounds are at stake between players, and human error can often play a damning role in these high pressure encounters. “Mistakes happen, but the late, great Martin Fitzmaurice once taught me that the easiest thing to do as a darts referee is to make a mistake. The most difficult thing to do is recover from it. “I like to think I thrive under the pressure that comes with refereeing on the big stage. “I’m very lucky to class a lot of the players as friends. I travelled the circuit as a player for a few years before refereeing and made a lot of great friends, and that helps.”