DARTS WORLD’s close up look at the four quarters of the remaining Ally Pally draw rolls on to the third section – a quarter dripping in pedigree, pace and peril, headlined by the man who only recently wore the twin crowns of World Champion and world number one … right up until his teenage compatriot came along and pinched them both.
Welcome to the Luke Humphries quadrant. And he wants both those accolades back. Comfortable? Don’t get used to it.
SECTION THREE
(2) Luke Humphries v Gabriel Clemens
(15) Nathan Aspinall v Kevin Doets
Ricky Evans v Charlie Manby (Q)
(10) Gian van Veen v Madars Razma
At the top sits the aforementioned Humphries, and while Gabriel Clemens has enjoyed something resembling a renaissance here – winning his first two televised matches in nearly a year – this feels like where the revival tour ends.
Cool Hand Luke has been operating at a different altitude for most of the season, and over a race to four sets, it’s hard to see the German keeping pace. Capable? Absolutely. Likely? Not based on the evidence.
Still, Humphries will know better than anyone that Ally Pally has a habit of biting those who get complacent. A similar narrative follows for Nathan Aspinall, who faces Kevin Doets. The Dutchman – Sweden-based and quietly consistent – probably arrives with marginally better recent form than Clemens, but The Asp has more gears that his opponent. Expect this to be tighter, noisier, and scrappier – but if Aspinall finds his range, Hawkeye won’t be gazing at the bright side for long.
Then comes the wild card clash – and it’s a cracker. Ricky Evans was electric against James Wade, rediscovering his rhythm and swagger at exactly the right time. Across from him stands Charlie Manby, a qualifier who’s played like anything but a debutant – showing maturity, calm and tungsten control way beyond his years.
Rapid’s matches have gone the distance so far, and there’s no reason to expect anything different here. Strap in. This one has decider written all over it.
At the bottom, the man despite the batch containing Luke Humphries, someone many expect to emerge from this section – Gian van Veen.
The reigning European Champion has been tipped by some to go the whole way, and it’s easy to see why. There are obstacles ahead, sure – but Madars Razma probably isn’t one of them. The Latvian is capable and resilient, but this feels like a step too far. GVV should navigate this without too much turbulence.
The betting boards point towards a Humphries v van Veen showdown for a semi-final place – a clash worthy of the billing. But darts, as ever, isn’t obliged to follow the script. With Aspinall prowling and others proving they belong on this stage, nothing here is guaranteed.
—–Emds—–
Images: PDC
