World Darts Championship

[MACCA]

Wow, what a game. One of the best games every, surely.

What a nice bloke Rob Cross is. The fairy tale is written whoever wins the final, just hope it's a great final and we can watch it after a point or 3 for the Clarets!

[FactualFrank]

MVG - Taylor final would be the worst for me, as I can't say I like either. It needs something different like Cross to be in it.

My wish is my command!

This makes it more exciting. I'll be supporting Rob Cross! Comes across as a far more down to earth lad.

[taio]

Great game. Cross is a likeable chap but want Taylor to win.

[claretdj]

My wish is my command!

This makes it more exciting. I'll be supporting Rob Cross! Comes across as a far more down to earth lad.

C'mon Frank, as good as Cross was surely we all want the greatest player of all time to go out to retirement with his 17th world championship crown! #teamtaylor

[FactualFrank]

C'mon Frank, as good as Cross was surely we all want the greatest player of all time to go out to retirement with his 17th world championship crown! #teamtaylor

Nah, darts needs something different to happen. It's become too predictable I think. Rob Cross beating Taylor in the final is something I'd like to see. Something a bit different.

[gandhisflipflop]

It's written for Taylor to bow out world champion

[claret wizard]

LordBob, don't get me wrong, I clearly love the darts - but I've been to see the Premier League in Leeds and at the MEN in Manchester and for those who haven't been, stick to your tv. Unless you're on the tables, you're watching the darts on tv anyway and spend 20 minutes for every pint.

The atmosphere can be good, but that's not guaranteed, so if you like the darts spend your money on a Sky Sports subs instead.

Frank has summed it up perfectly here. I've been going to the darts for years.

Went to the Premier League in the first year, 2005 in Taunton. Maybe 300 people there. Chatted to Roland Scholten in the car park pre event. Went to a couple in Blackburn at King George's which turned into a Burnley v Bastards slag fest and kicked off. Since then the event has grown and grown. Now the auditoriums are that big that the people who were sat at the back in Taunton were as close as the people on the front tables now. The atmosphere can be amazing though, and as said the large TV's mean you get the same view as at home. I'd say most people go for the beer, atmosphere and a day out in fancy dress with their one mate who actually likes the darts.

If you really want the same authentic darts tournament then get to The World Matchplay in Blackpool. I'll do a session or two most years and that hasn't changed much in the last 20 years. Everywhere in the house is a good view and quick to get beers. More intense that set play as well as every leg counts.

[happyclaret17]

The pdc darts has just turned into a massive stag/hen do where beer is king....many dont even watch the darts....the bdo crowds are the best in terms of order for the darters....all this booing and whistling and chanting when they are on a double is crap....I think mvg suffered more than cross with that last night.....with margins in games so tight its can be more a case of who handles the crowd the best...sad but true..

[happyclaret17]

Well its the final tomorrow and wont be watching live....damn....got a date....there will be a few loo breaks to check my betfair state of play.
betting for the match on betfair 1.95 Taylor....2.06 Cross
I really think these odds are wrong AGAIN ....surprised Cross isnt around 1.8 to be honest.
their games so far
Taylor
96 average against dobey who threw 92
99 average v pipe....pipe 92.....not a bad average for taylor considering pipes slow play and the booing from the crowd.
96 average against brown....brown 87.....brown was garbage
102 average against anderson....anderson 99....not sure how much his back was affecting anderson but like mvg he struggled this week by usual standards
100 average against jamie lewis....lewis 97....the occasion proved too much for lewis who missed a dart to go 2-0 up and struggled thereafter.

Cross
104 average against asada....asada 93
103 average against michael smith....smith 103....usual massive hitting from smith with no bottle on his doubles.
100 average against henderson....henderson 93
97 average against van den bergh....van den bergh 99....cross went to sleep after early domination
101 average against mvg...mvg 102...mvg not at his best but played well in patches...excellent bottle to come through a huge game for Cross.

you could argue that Cross could have a bad reaction to beating his nemisis but I think the 2 day break will help him re focus for this...
cross has been well and truely tested this week and I think Taylors set of fixtures have been pretty kind in all honesty....he just isnt getting
the consistency he once did and the 108 and 110 averages are a thing of the past....I have had a decent bet on cross but as usual will try to protect my stake in running by setting up some lays before going out.....if its on in the pub I will make sure I am facing the right way....I think the odds could reverse before a dart is thrown....that 2.06 well worth taking in my view....utc.

[paulus the woodgnome]

To beat MvG on TV for the 1st time in the biggest semi final there is shows Cross (probably) won't be overawed tomorrow. I hope he wins.

[happyclaret17]

To beat MvG on TV for the 1st time in the biggest semi final there is shows Cross (probably) won't be overawed tomorrow. I hope he wins.

.....
precisely what I think as well....his composure is as good as any of them...almost tayloresque....that toe rag will be trying plenty of mind games but dont think cross will have any of it.

[FactualFrank]

One thing I've noticed about MVG - he's a bit like Big Fat Sam in football.. never accepts that the player who won was better than him. It's always because he didn't play well enough. Always about how he let himself down. How he didn't take his chances and that's why Cross won.

He needs to show more respect to the opposition and admit that Cross won fair and square and was the better player.

[happyclaret17]

he does do that Frank but most of them do....I think it is such a pressure game they never want to mentally accept they werent good enough....look at barney and how frail mentally he can be....I do think they lack manners though....Cross seems to be an exception....I think he is pretty cute by not making enemies on the oche.....every time mvg plays anderson he gives it the big un after big finishes.....you can see anderson raise his game....big mistake....this Cross is a bit of a shrewdie.

[conyoviejo]

Happy,any idea What odds were available on Cross before the tournament started ?

[FactualFrank]

Happy,any idea What odds were available on Cross before the tournament started ?

I remember them being 40-1 but can't remember at what stage. They were at least that.

[conyoviejo]

I remember them being 40-1 but can't remember at what stage. They were at least that.

Wont be that price to beat Taylor tomorrow.

[paulus the woodgnome]

Hi conyoviejo. He was 14/1 with William Hill and 16/1 with skybet prior to the tournament.

[FactualFrank]

Hi conyoviejo. He was 14/1 with William Hill and 16/1 with skybet prior to the tournament.

I definitely 100% saw 40/1, but I guess it must have been a deal if you signed up with the bookie online.

[conyoviejo]

Hi conyoviejo. He was 14/1 with William Hill and 16/1 with skybet prior to the tournament.

Cheers Paulus , Well that's a big difference to 40/1 ..

[conyoviejo]

I definitely 100% saw 40/1, but I guess it must have been a deal if you signed up with the bookie online.

[FactualFrank]

14/1 odds were dreadful anyway, so you haven't lost out on much.

[happyclaret17]

the betfair price was 18 so probably 14/1 with the bookies...and like frank says you wouldnt have been tripping over yourself for that price without knowing that mvg and anderson were going to bring only their b games.

[bfc1984]

Don’t think van gerwen played his b game last night personally they where both brilliant,maybe against price he was

[happyclaret17]

102 av for mvg is his b game....never seen him miss so many doubles....I didnt think the crowd helped....his scoring was great in patches but without his usual consistency....he is still just about unbeatable when at his best....his averages last year were consistently better and he never really looked threatened so for me he wasnt at his best this week.....not sure if the pressure of being fav is having its toll but he looked human for once.

[FactualFrank]

Who will be watching the final tonight?

[claretdj]

Oh yes, on it franky boy! #teampowertaylor