Friday, June 20, 2023
Column HR412
All Hail the Victors… WALES!
There is nothing in the world more aggravating than the jerk that says, “I told you so!” That person deserves “the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,” as Bill Shakespeare wrote. The Old Dart Coach is willing to accept his fate as he wrote at the start of the PDC World Cup: “Wales will win.” Na, na, na, na.
Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton fit together like hand and glove, ham and eggs and darts and beer. As good friends they complimented each other. If the World Cup had a MVP it would be Jonny Clayton. The win for Wales was a repeat of their 2022 win which was held behind closed doors.
France 8-4 over South Africa – to advance to the Quarter Finals.
Sweden 8-5 over “Oh, Canada” – Both teams played okay through the first 7 with brakes flowing. Tied at 3, both teams struggled to finish. They traded legs after the pause for the cause with both still playing okay although not brilliant. Sweden pulled ahead 7-5 when they used a match best 15 darts and a Dennis Nilsson 62-finish. On to the round of 8.
Australia 8-6 over Croatia – One of the questions entering this match was: “Will the real Damon Heta show up?” Though 7 answer was yes, despite Australia trailing 4-3. The spanner in the wheels of Australia was going 3/14 in closing. Then, it was 4 on the trot to 7-4. The motor stalled as Croatia got to 7-6. Simon Whitlock tossed T40 leaving 77 which Demon Heta took out.
#4 Scotland 8-5 over Philippines – In this match the question was whether Gary Anderson could carry Peter Wright? The answer was “YES.” Anderson took 6 of 8 closes including a T41 in the 13th leg allowing Wright close.
#2 Wales 8-3 over Denmark – Denmark was the guy fed to the wood chipper from the movie Fargo. The Wales duo averaged 99.97.
#1 England 8-4 over Latvia – England played professional. Michael Smith finished things with a T11 after missing the bull on a previous leg. 93.5 average.
Belgium 8-7 over Netherlands – The first 7 legs all went with the darts – with the Neutered Netherlands (Michael van Gerwen gone) going first, they led the Battling Belgium’s 4-3. Then, on the verge of leaving the stage Danny Noppert tossed T74 leaving 36 which Dirk van Duijvenbode closed – the first 15-dart leg of the day. But Van den Bergh came to the rescue with T77 leaving 94. Huybrechts got to 32 and Van den Bergh took it.
Germany 8-6 over Poland – Little did anyone know that the match was decided after the diddle for the middle. Both teams played well. With Poland unable to catch the break of throw, the match was tied at 6. In the 13th leg Poland was heading for a break when 9 darts yielded only 117 to Germany’s 292 leaving 116 which Gabriel Clemens took out. At 7-6 Clemens took d1 to move on.
Quarter Finals (best of 15)
Wales 8- 5 over Sweden – The beginning for Wales was like a Rolls Royce that wouldn‘t start (3-1). At 5-all Wales took three for the match. Clearly, they simply overpowered the Swedes. In losing, Oskar Lukasiak took all five closes for the Swedes. Wales averaged 92.34.
Belgium 8-7 over Australian – Belgium was up 4-1 when a pair of Simon Whitlock closes tightened things to 4-3. At 6-5 Belgium, the kangaroo’s missed 5 doubles to level at 6. In 16 and 12 darts the Cup champs drew a level at 7. The final leg saw Belgium looking at 16 as Australia sat on 80. Demon Heta had one dart at tops which wasn’t close. Kim Huybrechts closed with d8. The Aussies went out as the class act they are.
#4 Scotland 8-0 over France – Stating the obvious, 8-0 is a blowout of epic proportions. The French had 3 darts at 36 to take the opening leg – missed and never recovered.
Germany 8-3 over #1 England – Germany built a 5-2 lead as England missed 5 doubles. Gabriel Clemens was a giant in scoring along with his 92-close denying England the chance to get close at 4-3. England only closed 30%. In the decider Michael Smith warned d8 hitting 18 with his first dart. For England it was that kind of night. Gabriel Clemens took 18 in 1 after Martin Schindler left 92, missing the double.
Semi Finals
#2 Wales 8-7 over Belgium – This started as barnburner and was level after 4 legs darts. Wales blew it open with a pair of 13-dart beauties and three misses by Belgium’s to lead 5-2. A funny thing happened to Wales on their way to the finals. At 6-3 Jonny Clayton missed 2. Clayton’s misses put him under the cosh.(“a thick heavy stick or bar used as a weapon; a bludgeon”) as his terrific scoring disappeared. Belgium took the next two when Wales missed 5 doubles. Then, at 7-6 Belgium needed only 13 darts to level. The decider saw Jonny Clayton toss off the cosh taking out 100 in two, earning a trip to the finals.
#4 Scotland over 8-5 Germany – Germany opened an early 2-nil lead. At 5-3 Martin Schlinder closed 137 to make it 4-5. Scotland answered in 16 darts for 6-4. Germany clawed one back then missed 5 doubles as Scotland took the leg for 7-6. Peter Wright (according to John Part) threw 6 great darts – a 109-finish and then the winning match darts when he closed 66 (10, 16, d20) on a 15-darter.
Final (best of 19)
#2 Wales 10-2 over #4 Scotland – Jonny Clayton led the Welsh in scoring and closing (66 and 104) leading Wales to a quick 5-1 start. Scotland looked tired, which even the break couldn’t solve. Then, 5 of the next 6 gave Wales their second World Cup 10-2. Wales simply overpowered Scotland with timely scoring along with precision finishing at 58.8%.
When it was all over the Scot’s simply ran out of gas.
(The Belgium duo showed themselves throughout the playing of the Cup to the be the “north end of a horse heading south.”)
Gary Anderson and Peter Wright went out like gentlemen. In interviews afterwards Anderson, with a big smile, referred to Clayton as “that person” – possibly having other term in mind. He then added, “He won’t be getting a Christmas card from me this year. He can bugger off.”
Clearly this was Jonny Claytons World Cup. When he was part of the team that won 2022, Clayton went on a tear. Beware of the Ferret.
Stay thirsty my friends.
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