Once again, The Machine, James Wade finds himself in a World Matchplay semi-final – this time after an enthralling 16-13 victory over Dutch young gun Gian van Veen. That makes it ten semi-finals in twenty Winter Gardens appearances.
Half the time, he reaches the last four. Some record. Some player. Still – somehow – under-appreciated.
In the modern era, where fresh faces emerge weekly and the standard of PDC darts has never been higher, the idea of winning a major TV tournament two decades apart sounds absurd.
Yet the Aldershot Ace is now two matches away from doing just that.It wasn’t the dream start for the leftie – trailing 4-1 at the first break.
But after we all endured some adverts, The Machine rebooted, hit top gear, and rattled off eight consecutive legs to leave his young opponent staring at the exhaust fumes.
Van Veen dug deep and did make inroads from there, but breaking Wade proved harder than getting a mobile signal in the venue toilets. When he finally did manage it, he needed to repeat the feat two legs later – but double sixteen wasn’t feeling sociable.
The closest Gian got was 14-12 – which, after suffering eight straight against him, was a fairly noble salvage job.
But this is where experience counts, and Wade has it in bulk. He held firm – and his throw – to close it out and secure yet another semi-final under the Blackpool lights.
At the end of the press conference, I got my turn to ask a few questions – but thought I’d first offer some congratulations. Apparently, no one else had.
“Ah thanks. You’re the only one to say congratulations. What are you after? A sausage sandwich?”
Random reward, but no – I pressed on, keeping with the food theme, and asked about the rumoured £57 fish and chip scam.
“Wasn’t just that – I got rotten chips, over-fried fish, the kids didn’t eat half of it and we had a row. And the car park was £16. But that’s what families are like!”
Fair point. Though to be fair, most chippies do advertise their prices. Can’t help with the parking. Maybe walk next time?
Then came the big one: why is he so hard on himself? That’s when James said something he told me he’d never say again.
“I believe I am one of the greatest dart players to ever walk the planet.”
And frankly, looking at his longevity, his resume, and the sustained quality of his game – he’s right.
I told him that if he wins this, I doubt we’ll ever again see someone sitting in that press chair (I pointed, for clarity) with a major PDC trophy twenty years after winning it.
James pondered it briefly.
“Everyone has got more sense and walks away.”
And with that – he walked away. Literally.
—–Ends—-
Images: T Lanning / PDC
