Once again the main part of my darting year came to a close with a visit to the Lakeside.
Sadly, I did not get to strut my stuff on the storied stage as my WDF year was rather disappointing. A final blow was having the Lakeside qualifier played before the completion of the regular points bearing events. This changed the event with players already certain or almost certain playing as an insurance policy.
So I was there purely to support my tour friends and colleagues and check out the action.
There seem to have been some improvements this year and despite the fact that the coverage did not showcase it there was a great atmosphere on both of the first weekend evening sessions.
The ticket sale process may well have been better and there were certainly no spare seats on Saturday or Sunday as far as I could tell. It is a little awkward with the competitions running over the number of days they do and with sessions happening whilst many are at work. This can certainly affect the women’s event.
I couldn’t help being impressed with Jimmy Van Schie who had visited to familiarise himself with the environment. He popped into the practice area, hit 180, 140, put them down and walked away, he returned later and did almost the same again with someone else’s darts! To be fair he did also say he would be back the next day to practice properly.
On a personal note it was sad to see my friend and partner in crime Kirsty lose out, even if it was to Deta, after winning her first match. It can be a tough business up there and once it turns against you it can be even tougher to reverse it.
The ladies event has been a mixed bag overall with some names not getting as far as one may have thought. I also think that the seeding/rankings might need to be relooked at with quirks of the new rankings process needing adjustment.
I shall be off to the Birmingham festival and hope to go a little further than my previous semi and finals efforts. It is a remarkable independent event that gives decent prize money, attracts great fields and is very popular with players. Much as it pains me to admit it Stephen Passetti aka ‘Spag’ deserves full credit for a fine effort.
My very best Christmas wishes to you all and see you in 2025!
—–ENDS—–
Natalie Gilbert is a PDC Women’s Series Winner who also play the WDF Women’s Tour. Natalie is sponsored by Red Dragon Darts
