World Darts

I reckon that Wayne Mardle will beat John Part by 7 sets to 5 in a classic!

I knew that Wayne was not dead and buried when he was three sets down against Taylor in their epic quarter-final. Taylor was competent but patchy and I thought Wayne’s ‘Muck or Nettles’ tactics were perfect. He stormed back with the crowd cheering him on and I knew ‘The Power’ would only surge spasmodically – there would be no late half-a-dozen legs on the trot this time.

After Wayne’s win, it was marvellous to hear Taylor say: “Wayne you’ve got a great chance now – you just go and do it.”

It produced tears of genuine emotion on stage by the big Essex star.

WHITHER TAYLOR?

I think the great man’s dip in form – especially on 60 stacking – and efficient first time doubles, is that he is stale. There has been almost desperation in the way he has flogged himself in manic six hour practice sessions, diet changes and exercise regimes.

He has pushed himself into a cul-de-sac.

What will get him out is an appetite for more glory but I’m not sure if it is still in his bones. Like Barney, he is a very rich man and might well be thinking of gentler pastures than the tough life of the red hot oche.

I will remind you all that on several websites, I said a month ago that I didn’t think either Barney or Taylor would make the final stages…..Strike One for Sidney!

COURAGE QUICKIES

• There ain’t no justice in the commentating business….poor old Stuart Pyke did over four hours solid commentary on quarter-final day – from one till well past five o’clock – and staggered like a shipwrecked sailor back to his bedroom at the hotel. Sidney was having a swift swally with the Frome Loonies, dedicated daft fans from Somerset….and as he made for bed in the early hours, the fire alarm started to screech and poor old Stu came bleary-eyed down the stairs cursing and cursing! Cue utter hysterics by Sidney!
• The daftest outfit of the whole tournament was a reindeer clutching two pints of Courage Best….when asked, he swore the beer was for Santa! You can tell that to the Laplanders!
• You couldn’t make this one up! I went to the make-up room to get my layers on and got a hot reception….Sky Sports make-up lady Lisa uses hot lights as tools of her trade and flames started spitting out! Cue panic before she managed to put the fire out before half of the London Fire Brigade descended on the Ally Pally! I was not happy going on Sky Sports News without my war paint!