Ten classic quotes

Ten classic quotes

Some witticisms from the 'voice of darts'

Sid Waddell: The voice of darts (from skysports)

Sky Sports darts commentator Sid Waddell has died at the age of 72. Here are 10 of his most memorable quotes:

"When Alexander of Macedonia was 33, he cried salt tears because there were no more worlds to conquer... (Eric) Bristow's only 27."

"Big Cliff Lazarenko's idea of exercise is sitting in a room with the windows open taking the lid off something cool and fizzy."

"As Freud said to Jung in Vienna, you can psych up too much for a darts match."

"Bristow reasons; Bristow quickens; aaaaah Bristow!"

"Keith Deller's not just an underdog, he's an underpuppy!" - Deller would go on to win the 1983 World Championship final against Bristow with a 138 finish.

"The atmosphere is so tense, if Elvis walked in with a portion of chips, you could hear the vinegar sizzle on them."

"This lad has more checkouts than Tescos."

"If we'd had Phil Taylor at Hastings against the Normans, they'd have gone home."

"William Tell could take an apple off your head, Taylor could take out a processed pea."

 
"There's only one word for it - 'magic darts'."

Farewell to a legend

Farewell to a legend

Sky Sports mourns the loss of a legend

Sky Sports darts commentator Sid Waddell died peacefully on Saturday night following a long battle against illness (from skysports)

Waddell, 72, had been battling bowel cancer since last September and he died peacefully with all his family around him late last night.

Sky Sports Managing Director Barney Francis said: "We all remember Sid's wonderful words, his great sense of humour and his passion for the sport he loved.

"Sid was a friend to all of us at Sky Sports, at the heart of our darts coverage since the early 1990s. He was a wonderful man and we will miss him deeply. Our thoughts are with Irene and family at this very sad time."

Irreplaceable

Sky Sports' Jeff Stelling presented darts coverage with the 'Voice of Darts' and says the impact of the commentator for the game of darts cannot be overstated.

"It is shattering news," he said. "He was a wonderful commentator and bigger than the game in many respects. Certainly in the days when I was presenting darts for Sky Sports he was more famous and made more impact than any of the players did at that time. He was and is totally irreplaceable. There has never been a sports commentator who has made such an impact."

Eric Bristow, a five-time world darts champion, paid tribute to Waddell's unique style of commentary and his importance to darts.

"He is part of our history," Bristow said. "He has been there from the start since 1973. He will be sorely missed. Some of the things he came out with, the fun quotes, he was just crazy and people loved to listen to him. He was part of the game."

Sky Sports' Dave Clark added: "Everybody used to fight to get in the commentary box with him. People like Stephen Fry idolised him and there was a memorable day when Sid and Stephen were in the commentary box together at the final of the Premier League and Sid asked if Stephen Fry was enjoying himself and he turned to Sid and said, 'I am like a pig in chardonnay'. It was a lovely moment."

Passion

Two-time darts world champion Dennis Priestly offered an insight into the close relationship between Sid and the players.

"Many a time the sound proof box where they were commentating was not sound proof and we would hear him on stage yelling the scores out," Priestly said. "And we would change our finish just because Sid had called us. It was fun. He would be quite silent and serene with his commentary and then all of a sudden he would burst out really loud and everybody would jump back.

"It was very sad news and I am devastated. Sid was a lovely, colourful and jovial fella and it doesn't seem two minutes ago that he was here at my 50th birthday party.

"Everybody loved Sid. They knew how to take him. He used to be so colourful with his words and one liners, it was incredible where he made them up from. He was so intelligent and his choice of words was fantastic."

Meanwhile Barry Hearn, the Professional Darts Corporation chairman, said: "It's terribly sad news, we will all miss Sid tremendously and our thoughts are with Irene and his family. His unique commentary style was synonymous with the sport and he was a universally loved figure in darts.

 

"His passion and knowledge of darts was unrivalled and so many of his phrases are etched on our minds. We will mark Sid's memory appropriately to ensure he lives on in darts long in to the future."

Photos- World Darts Final(3)

World Darts Final

Lewis hit double 20 at the third time of asking to clinch a 7-3 victory

Hamilton collected his runners-up trophy from Barry Hearn

Lewis says Hamilton deserves a place in the Premier League after his efforts at Alexandra Palace

 

Lewis now believes he can go on and win the tournament 10 times in his career (from skysports)

Photos- World Darts Final(2)

World Darts Final

Hamilton looked dangerous, but struggled on his doubles throughout

Lewis was in control for most of the match

Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall watch on at a packed Alexandra Palace

 

Hamilton beat players from five different countries en route to the final (from skysports)

Photos - World Darts Final(1)

World Darts Final

Adrian Lewis claimed the World Championship for the second year in a row

After his late-night semi-final win over James Wade, Lewis faced Andy Hamilton in the final

Hamilton twice pegged back the defending champion in the openng four sets

 

Lewis went close to a nine-dart finish, hitting eight perfect darts and then missing double 12 (from skysports)

Photos-World Matchplay(5)

World Matchplay

James Wade ended the hopes of Michael van Gerwen in the last eight

Phil Taylor saw off the charge of Ronnie Baxter in the semis

James Wade reached the final by beating Terry Jenkins

But it was The Power who walked away with the trophy

Taylor enjoyed a superb 18-15 win over Wade (from skysports)

Photos-World Matchplay(4)

World Matchplay

Wes Newton became the second player to throw a nine-darter…

… but it wasn’t enough to beat Justin Pipe

Phil Taylor wasn’t at his supreme best as he beat Ian White

Ronnie Baxter was the first man into the last four after beating Justin Pipe

 

Phil Taylor was too strong in the quarter-finals, beating Andy Hamilton 16-11 (from skysports)

Photos-World Matchplay(3)

World Matchplay

Dean Winstanley surprised Gary Anderson with a big early win

Ronnie Baxter rolled back the years to beat Dave Chisnall

Michael van Gerwen produced a moment of magic with a nice-darter against Steve Beaton

Raymond van Barneveld was sent packing by Terry Jenkins in round two

 

Andy Smith felt the heat in his defeat to Adrian Lewis (from skysports)

Photos-World Matchplay(2)

World Matchplay

World Championship Finalist Andy Hamilton saw off Brendan Dolan in round one

Ian White beat Vincent van der Voort to reach round two

Phil Taylor had a tough test in the opening round…

… but The Power was able to overcome Mervyn King

 

James Hubbard faced Wes Newton on his birthday, but was beaten by the world number five (from skysports)

World Matchplay(1)

World Matchplay

Andy Smith was the first man through to the second round after beating Paul Nicholson

Terry Jenkins produced a stunning comeback win to defeat Kim Huybrechts

Adrian Lewis cruised into round two by beating Robert Thornton 10-0

James Wade claimed an early 10-5 win over Richie Burnett

Michael van Gerwen stunned Simon Whitlock 10-6 in the opening round

Taylor sees off Wade

Taylor sees off Wade

Fifth straight win and a £100,000 jackpot for 'The Power'

Phil Taylor: sealed victory on double 10 to cap a match-winning 13-dart leg (from skysports)

Phil Taylor lifted the Betfair World Matchplay title for a 13th time after clinching an 18-15 victory over James Wade in a high-quality final in Blackpool.

Wade hit back from 15-11 down as the contest looked set to go to the wire at 15-14, but the imperious Taylor won three of the next four legs to claim his fifth straight win and a £100,000 jackpot.

Taylor was unable to pull away from the left-hander over the first half of a tense contest, moving three legs clear for the first time at 10-7 only for Wade to break twice and level.

The 15-time world champion continued to back up heavy scoring with superb accuracy on double 16 as he won the next four legs before Wade stopped the rot.

Taylor restored his four leg advantage, but Wade responded with consecutive checkouts of 112 and 114 before hitting double six to trim the deficit to one.

But he then missed double 10 for a 140 checkout and Taylor held his nerve to hit double 16 to go 16-14 up.

 

Wade took out 76 in the next leg, but Taylor held his throw on double top before sealing victory on double 10 to cap a match-winning 13-dart leg.  

Newton out despite nine-darter

Newton out despite nine-darter

Hamilton, Pipe, Taylor and Baxter secure quarter-final places

Wes Newton: Recorded a nine-dart finish and still lost to Justin Pipe (from skysports)

Wes Newton recorded a nine-dart finish against Justin Pipe at the World Matchplay on Thursday night and still suffered a 13-10 defeat.

Fleetwood's Newton delighted a capacity crowd at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool with a nine-darter for the second successive night, following Michael van Gerwen in achieving a perfect leg.

With the scores tied at five-all, the world number five hit 180 and 177 to start the 11th leg of the game, and finished 144 on double 12 to land his first televised nine-dart finish.

Live on Sky Sports

Live Darts

2012 World Matchplay: Day Seven

July 27, 2012 1:00pm

Newton went on to move into a 10-8 lead, only for rising star Pipe to win five successive legs and win through to his first major quarter-final, where he will play Ronnie Baxter on Friday.

Taylor win

Phil Taylor was short of his best despite cruising into the quarter-finals with a 13-3 crushing of Ian White.

The defending champion, bidding for his 13th title in this event, needed only a three-dart average of 91.71 to see off his Stoke rival.

White had made a solid start and stayed in touch in the early stages, trailing 3-2 at the first break.

But Taylor overcame his inconsistent scoring to win 10 of the next 11 legs, although there were flashes of brilliance en route to booking a clash with Andy Hamilton.

Results:

A Hamilton 13-6 M Webster
J Pipe 13-10 W Newton
P Taylor 13-3 I White
R Baxter 13-8 D Winstanley

The world number one was on course for the third nine-dart leg in two days when he opened the ninth leg with 180 and 174 only to miss the treble 20 with his seventh dart.

He atoned with a superb 170 checkout in the 13th leg before sealing an emphatic victory on double top.

Hamilton, Baxter progress

Earlier, Stoke's Andy Hamilton won through to the quarter-finals for a second successive year in Blackpool with a 13-6 win over Mark Webster, winning the final seven legs without reply after breaking a six-all deadlock.

And in the final match of the last 16, Ronnie Baxter continued his recent good form with a 13-8 victory over Dean Winstanley, who failed to reproduce the darts that ousted Gary Anderson.

Winstanley landed nine 180s and nailed a 10-darter to win the 19th leg, but Baxter finished the evening off in style as he took out 116.

Van Gerwen hits nine-darter

Van Gerwen hits nine-darter

Perfect night for Dutch thrower as Beaton goes home a beaten man

Michael van Gerwen: followed two 180s with a 141 finish in ninth leg (from skysports)

Dutchman Michael van Gerwen landed a nine-dart finish on his way to a 13-9 victory over Steve Beaton in the second round of the Betfair World Matchplay in Blackpool.

The 23-year-old hit two 180s in the ninth leg and followed them up with a 141 finish to send the Winter Gardens crowd wild.

That gave Van Gerwen a 5-4 lead but the match was a close-fought affair in the early stages and it was deadlocked at 6-6 after 12 legs despite four further ton-plus finishes from the Dutchman.

But Van Gerwen then took command and reeled off four successive legs to open up a 10-6 advantage only for Beaton to keep his hopes alive by winning the next two legs.

However, the former world champion was unable to make any further inroads and Van Gerwen wrapped up the victory, finishing with an average of 104.36 - the highest of the tournament so far.

"It feels great," said Van Gerwen. "It means so much for me and I'm very happy - I exploded into the game after the nine-darter.

 

"It was a very good game and Steve played well too. To win the game with a 104 average and a nine-darter is brilliant."  

Winstanley stuns Anderson

Winstanley stuns Anderson

Scot dumped out despite taking 5-0 lead in first-round contest

Dean Winstanley: Came back from 5-0 down to beat Gary Anderson (from skysports)

Dean Winstanley fought back from a 5-0 deficit to claim a 13-11 win over Gary Anderson in the first round of the World Matchplay.

World number four Anderson, who has been battling an eye problem recently, looked to be sailing into the second round as Winstanley struggled on double top in the opening stages in Blackpool.

But the PDC rookie fought back in dramatic style and finally closed things out after an extra five legs were needed to determine a winner.

"I'll never give in, at 5-0 down I stopped on that stage and said, 'there's no way you're going out (like that). There's no way he's taking 10 off you like that, no chance'. I just dug in," Winstanley told Sky Sports after his comeback.

"I was mad with myself because my doubles let me down on two of the legs, but Gary was the better player in the first five.

"I don't know what feeling I've got, I just feel overwhelmed. I'm so happy it's unbelievable."

After his torrid start, Winstanley got off the mark with a 127 checkout that finished on the bull and also took the next leg before Anderson hit back with seven straight trebles to raise hopes of a nine-darter.

Lead

He could not complete the perfect finish but still stretched his lead out to four legs, but Winstanley then stunned the Scotsman by winning the next six legs.

An erratic Anderson eventually fought back by winning the next three, but was denied the win when Winstanley amazingly took out 96 on the bull despite hardly being able to see the bed.

The two then traded legs until Winstanley claimed the crucial break with a 13-darter to make it 12-11, and held his nerve to complete victory in the next leg.

Winstanley will face 1998 runner-up Ronnie Baxter in the second round after he secured a 10-7 victory over Dave Chisnall.

Chisnall hit a maximum 170 checkout in the fourth leg but was otherwise outscored by Baxter, who comfortably wrapped up the win by hitting double 11.

Earlier on Tuesday evening, Wes Newton spoiled the party for birthday boy James Hubbard as he claimed a 10-5 victory at the Winter Gardens.

 

Justin Pipe also progressed to the second round with a comfortable 10-4 victory over Joe Cullen.

Wade safely past Burnett

Wade safely past Burnett

'Machine' sets up second round date with Walsh

James Wade: Safely over first hurdle at Winter Gardens (from skysports)

James Wade made an impressive start to his quest for a second Betfair World Matchplay title with a 10-5 win over Richie Burnett at the Winter Gardens on Sunday night.

First round scores:

J Wade 10-6 R Burnett
M Walsh 10-8 C Osborne
K Painter 6-10 S Beaton
S Whitlock 6-10 M van Gerwen

The number three seed Wade, who won the 2007 World Matchplay in a run of reaching the final four times in the last six years, blew in-form Burnett away with a storming start which the Welshman never recovered from.

Wade won eight of the first nine legs before a late rally from Burnett at least added some respectability to the scoreline.

'The Machine' will face Mark Walsh in the second round on Wednesday after 'Walshy' battled back to defeat Colin Osborne 10-8 in the opening match of the night.

Osborne looked set to kick-start his bid to push back towards the world's top 16 when he took a 6-3 lead - only to see Walsh hit back to level at seven-all.

Although Osborne moved 8-7 up, he missed a crucial dart in the next and Walsh levelled before taking the next two to progress into the last 16.

Also on Sunday, Steve Beaton recovered from a slow start to defeat Kevin Painter 10-6 and move into the second round.

The former World Champion was punished for missed doubles early in the contest as Painter took an early 3-1 lead - only to win five successive legs to turn the game in his favour before completing the win.

 

Michael Van Gerwen rounded off the evening with a stunning 10-6 victory over Simon Whitlock.

Lewis whitewashes Thornton

Lewis whitewashes Thornton

Whitewash for world champ and thrilling comeback for the Bull

Adrian Lewis: Whitewash by the world champion (from skysports)

World champion Adrian Lewis made a flying start to the World Matchplay with a 10-0 whitewash of Robert Thornton, while Terry Jenkins made a miraculous comeback to stun Kim Huybrechts 11-9.

Lewis may be a two-time world champion but he is yet to reach the final in Blackpool, but he will be a hard man to beat at the Winter Gardens if he continues the form who showed in his opening match.

Scotsman Thornton has been in top form himself after taking the UK Open title last month, and he started well as he kicked off the game with a maximum 180.

However, that was as good as it got for the Scot as Lewis broke on double 12 in the first leg and then hit two 180s in a 12-darter to take leg two before finishing 81.

Lewis averaged over 100 and stuck in a 126 checkout with the game already won to show he was gunning for the eventual whitewash.

First round scores:

A Smith 10-6 P Nicholson
T Jenkins 11-9 K Huybrechts
A Lewis 10-0 R Thornton
R van Barneveld 10- M Smith

Tough draw

"I knew it was in a tough draw with Rob who's high in confidence after winning the UK Open but I hit him early and he just couldn't recover from that," said Lewis.

"As soon as I got to seven legs I knew I could win it 10-0, and I'm happy with it. I think i can improve on that and I'll try to do that against Andy Smith on Wednesday night."

Two-time Matchplay runner-up Terry Jenkins looked like making a third first-round exit in a row as he trailed Belgian star Kim Huybrechts 9-5 to sit on the verge of defeat.

However, Jenkins held his nerve when Huybrechts failed to convert his chances and the pressure seemed to really get to him.

Jenkins hit a Shanghai 120 checkout with Huybrechts waiting on a double to save himself, and then took the next two legs to move within one at 9-8.

The next leg was a nerve-jangler as both men missed doubles before Jenkins nailed his next chance to level at 9-9, and with Huybrechts still reeling he could not compose himself enough to get back into the contest and The Bull won a thriller 11-9.

Andy 'The Pie Man' Smith finally tasted Blackpool victory for the first time in seven attempts at the Winter Gardens following a 10-6 victory over Paul Nicholson.

The Asset was amongst the more fancied players for the title but he just could not find his top game when it was needed as he suffered a disappointing exit.

Raymond van Barneveld made ni mistake in his opening match of the tournament as he beat Michael Smith comfortably 10-4.

World Matchplay 2012Winner Tournament Winner: Adrian Lewis 6/1

Anderson hoping to compete

Anderson hoping to compete

World number four believes he will recover from injury in time

Gary Anderson: Hopeful of being fit for next week's World Matchplay (from skysports)

Gary Anderson remains hopeful of being fit to play in next week's World Matchplay tournament at Blackpool's Winter Gardens.

The Scot pulled out of the recent German Darts Championship after struggling to focus through his left eye, missing the subsequent Players Championships in Crawley and the European Darts Open in Dusseldorf.

The 41-year-old has been undergoing treatment and specialists hope he can recover without needing an operation on the tear duct in his eye.

"I'm still taking eye drops and will keep doing so until the problem clears up, and I'll hopefully be fine for the World Matchplay." --Gary Anderson

Recovery

"It's been a hard time but hopefully I'm on the road to recovery," said Anderson.

"My eyeball was drying up and every time I blinked it was like I was rubbing sandpaper over my eye.

"I'm still taking eye drops and will keep doing so until the problem clears up, and I'll hopefully be fine for the World Matchplay.

"I'd been struggling to focus with my left eye previously - and I block my right eye with my dart when I throw - but I'm getting back into my practice now and looking forward to getting to Blackpool."

Mentor

Anderson will have an added incentive at this year's World Matchplay following the qualification of Michael Smith, who the former Premier League Darts champion has managed for the past 18 months.

Smith, 21, has continued his emergence this year by winning a second Players Championship title in January, and will play Raymond van Barneveld in the first round at the Winter Gardens.

"Michael's done well this year and I'm pleased that he's qualified," added Anderson, who is also mentoring another youngster, Adam Hunt.

"He's still finding his feet on the big stage and learning how to play in front of the television cameras, but if he settles down early in his match he has a great chance.

"He'll certainly give Raymond a hard game - I know how well he can play, and if he can produce that form on stage it would be no surprise if he wins."

 

Gary AndersonSpecials Stage of Elimination: Quarter Final 11/2

Newton eyes 'favourite' event

Newton eyes 'favourite' event

World number five aiming to impress on home soil

Wes Newton: looking forward to competing in his 'favourite' event (from skysports)

Wes Newton is looking forward to competing in his 'favourite' event at next week's World Matchplay in Blackpool.

It is the home tournament for the 34-year-old as he lives eight miles up the Fylde coast from Winter Gardens.

Although the world's number five has not enjoyed great success in Blackpool, he loves the party atmosphere of the event.

Newton reached the quarter-finals last year after wins over Andy Smith and Justin Pipe only to lose to a red-hot Phil Taylor.

"I've always gone to watch it since I was a kid, and even though I've not had my best results there it is my favourite." ——Wes Newton

Favourite

"It is my favourite event, with it being my home tournament," said Newton. "I've always gone to watch it since I was a kid, and even though I've not had my best results there it is my favourite.

"It's a bit of a party atmosphere. There's a lot of holidaymakers in Blackpool in the summer as well as the darts fans, and they're all enjoying themselves.

"It's a very scenic arena. It's not very long but it's wide so the crowd are right on top of you, which adds to the atmosphere.

"The best feeling I've experienced was being called out the first time I qualified for the World Matchplay in 2006. You always wonder what it would be like and it was really good.

"I've got a lot of family and friends who come and support me - it's hard to get tickets for them all sometimes! I get a lot of support so it would be nice to have a good run this year."

Improvement

Newton raced into a three-leg lead against Taylor only to claim one of the next 16 legs, something that left the local favourite in shock.

Newton added on Taylor: "I was 4-1 up and he won nine legs in a row and 15 of the next 16 in total - I was shell-shocked!

"If we played again it would be in the semi-finals in Blackpool, which would be an improvement on last year.

"I'll just take each game as it comes because I've got a lot of hard work to do before I can think of the semi-finals or Phil."

 

Wes Newton v JamesHubbard Correct Score: 10-5 Wes Newton 6/1