IN the few weeks since the release of our last printed issue, we’ve seen the climax of the Premier League, a fairytale World Cup, and three World Matchplays!
Sometimes battle-hardened experience and a passion for the tungsten fight are vital ingredients. Simon Whitlock and Adrian Lewis have reminded us that their generation of players is not done yet and will not calmly move aside.
The Amateur game has seen the acceleration of the Amateur Darts Circuit’s activity, the completion of the UKDA’s inaugural season and the WDF regaining its global position. The international game also returned to the spotlight.
Sadness has once more intruded upon us with the untimely death of ‘9-Dart’ Shaun Greatbatch and the departure of one of darts’ defining voices, and most-loved people, John Gwynne.
John’s final commentary appearance was at the inaugural World Seniors championship in February and WSDT’s mix of competition and recognition was on show again at their first World Matchplay in Hull. Another John, Lowe, bowed out of playing action and becomes an ambassador for the tour. The later stages were seriously competitive and of a very strong standard with Robert Thornton squeezing past The Power to claim his second senior major.
The first-ever fully televised PDC Women’s major had already had a very big effect away from the prying eyes of the TV cameras. The Women’s Series events that sealed the qualifying places were entirely different in character from those that had gone before, being likened to the final weekend of the pro tour, or the PDPA World Championship qualifier, in intensity.
Fallon Sherrock’s triumph may have been on script, but Aileen de Graff ensured all was not as predictable as some had feared. A historic inaugural moment!
The Dutch Open’s return was a final benchmark in the return of the biggest, best, and most historic darts events. The huge event was staged at an unfamiliar time of year but still managed to retain its reputation for organisation and enjoyment.
MVG ensured that the Dutch did not end this period in defeat, Mighty Mike’s fairytale return from surgery, to claim a third World Matchplay crown, puts his fellow elite professionals on notice once more.
Speaking of organisation, a new level of professionalism has been brought to the non-pro game via the ADC’s Championship Tour. Our contributors reported that the Winmau-backed series was almost PDC-level of organisation for amateur-level players.
—–ENDS—–
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