World Darts

Kirk Shepherd is a lad who looks like a boy bander, all gel and cool-dude attitude. He bounds around the stage after a good shot like Jocky Wilson and Alan Evans used to do. He is pure darting box office....but can he spoil Canadian John's Party?

Can Young Shep beat Darth Maple and be
come the youngest ever world champ?

It is possible but the young Ramsgate player is taking on one of the game's greatest closers. I have been looking back on Part's demolition of the field at the 1994 Embassy and it reads great. John dropped only one set in becoming champ and blitzed Bobby George in the final.

John only averaged 87 then and is now on a tourney average of 95....so I have to fancy him to become world champ by a 7-3 score.

Now Sid's cover shot....if Young Shep plays out of his skin and Part has a bad night, the match might go all the way.

Shep has the shots and the adrenalin surge to win, but Part has the experience and is the best counter since Brissy.


COURAGE QUICKIES
* Dave Lanning says he's working on a line about Shepherd washing his own laundry that will go like this ' While shepherd washed his socks by night...' Wasted brains or what?

* We had England cricketer Alistair Cook in the comm box the other night and he was rooting for Wayne Mardle . It reminded me of other star sportsmen who have turned up at the darts over the years: Ricky Hatton, Billy Beaumont and Razor Ruddock.

*Bursting pub of finals night will be Shep's local, the Australian Arms in Ramsgate. His nan, Jean will be in the front row watching Sky with a sweet stout. She could be on champers by ten o'clock!!!