A Question of Weight
As the tournament started on Friday already at 1 pm I couldn't do another trip into Manchester, But after breakfast - a full English one - I had
some time which I used to take a short walk as it was a great morning, blue sky, sunny and warm.
I was quite astonished to find out the hotel was more or less at the edge of the village, only two roads further I found myself in the open
country following a small path through hilly and very green farmland. Though of course Reebok Stadium never was far away,,,
After a short detour in the supermarket it was back to the pressroom for me, were I really managed to update my site before the fourth round of the tournament started. Of course I once again had a look at the Walk-on and then grouped with some other spectators at board three where it was not really crowded. I first watched a very concentrated Denis Ovens win over Mark Walsh without any problems and then John Part lose to Robert Thornton. I can't tell you why he lost though I had the feeling something was not really right with John Part. Perhaps he was only tired but he definitely was not as convincing as the day before and though he made a great comeback his doubles let him down in the deciding leg what is something very rare with him.
The last four matches I watched from upstairs - from the press room one has perfect sight on the main stage.
In the break between round four and five one again the building team was at work - only two boards and some more tables were the result. I had anticipated I would get more crowded but had no problems to find a good position at the small stage where I could watch the action.
When standing in the middle of all those spectators you often catch remarks of other people. So a woman said to her male friend: "He's quite
a good player this Denis Ovens" to which the man answer: "Yes he didn't kill anybody".
A short time late I witnessed a discussion over the topic whether Andy Smith was bigger then John Part. The female voice was sure Andy Smith
almost looked slim compared to John Part. Well, I to be sure don't know though it's definitely true John put on weight over the last few months.
But he now plays better darts again...
The match of the evening to be sure was the match between Phil Taylor and Paul Nicholson. Interesting was that the atmosphere in the crowd changed very much during the match.
At the beginning Phil Taylor was cheered and Nicholson got the boos and a lot of whistles but he played himself right
into the heart of the crowd and when he hit the winning double the delight of the crowd was boundless, the hole venue was at it's feet. The tension
was such enormous the break in the match between Dave Chisnall and John Bowles was prolonged thus far till the match on the main stage was over.
Nobody not even the players themselves or the board official were interested in the own match any longer.
The last match of the evening between Raymond van Barneveld and Wes Newton was some kind of anti climax after that, especially when it was obvious van Barneveld had no chance against Newton, who is unbelievable sure on his doubles.
The tournament was over comparatively early that evening and all in all far less hectic as the first too days. Only the rebuilding crew had more then enough to do. When I left the venue they were at work again - on the final day there is only the main stage. Who'll get the trophy this year I really can't predict. The tournament really is open though I tend to believe the Champion might be from the quarterfinal between Nicholson and James Wade.
Outside the venue it was very windy and rather cold. Once again I was glad that I could make me a cup of tea in my hotel room...
