Premier League Darts (Wk 8)

Wade v Anderson. Wade suffered a proper stuffing at the hands of the Power last week and is propping up the table. Anderson has lost his last 3, but in fairness, he was playing the 3 big guns. This was 8-3 to Anderson in the first encounter - think it'll be tighter this time around. 8-5 Anderson.

Whitlock v Jenkins. Commanding display from Whitlock last week over Webster, while the Bull got a share of the spoils against Lewis (tempting fate did the trick, but how do I make some dough out of it). I like Jenkins, as he reminds me of darts of yesteryear... a simpler time. This'll be a tight one but I expect the Aussie to edge it, 8-6.

Taylor v Barney. Don't get much better than this. The Power has 6 victories on the trot; Barney has won his last 3. The first outing between these two ended 8-3 to Taylor so he's got the psychological edge (although confidence has never been his problem). Think they'll give the darting aficionados what they want, and go down to the wire, 8-6 Taylor.

Lewis v Webster. Jackpot's still a bit too in and out, highlighted by that draw last week. Webster hasn't won in 3 and is sitting second from bottom. He's throwing on home turf and won the first meeting 8-3, but I fancy Jackpot to turn the tables on him this time. Lewis thrives on the stick he gets from a partisan crowd, a la Glasgow, so I think he'll take this 8-4.

A little bit of trivia

The nine-dart finish is the holy grail of the game and to produce it on the telly makes it even more special. In the modern era it is being achieved with more regularity, with Taylor doing it at times with what seems to be relative ease. However, there was a time when the darting world held its breath in anticipation of the first one.

13th of October, 1984. MFI World Matchplay - John Lowe v Keith Deller.
On that Saturday afternoon, something very special was achieved by one of the all time greats of the game - John Lowe. I remember watching the whole thing unfold on ITV, thinking, "no, surely he isn't going to pull it off." As the final dart went into double-18, there was what seemed to be a split second of disbelief, before the arena erupted like a volcano. For me, it's right up there with some of the best sporting moments I've ever seen.

He went on to win the tournament as well, but the victory was totally eclipsed by the nine-darter. The significance of what he had pulled off was highlighted by the cheque he picked up - 102,000 GBP. A staggering amout of money when you compare it with the winner's cheque which was about 15 grand.