At the Darts Performance Centre we advocate players setting goals and striving to hit their targets. Colin Lloyd took this concept too literally
last night and actually punched his target in a fit of frustration. His resulting injury was displayed on TV after Dave sensed blood. "It`s all
part and parcel of a darts match" Lloyd offered by way of an explanation.
Exactly one month ago we discussed the need for match referees to have their role defined. This was after the incident in the King-Henderson
match when the official in charge seemed reluctant or powerless to intervene in the altercation over whether Henderson had is foot over the oche.
It was a similar scenario last tonight, the ref didn`t know what had hit him (fortunately it wasn`t Jaws) after the temper tantrum from Lloyd or
what he could actually do about it.
The cry for Lloyds to be disqualified is an overreaction and the punishment would not fit the crime, not in this modern era of sport anyway.
The nearest comparison to this type of behaviour that is officially recognised as outside of the "laws of the game" is racket abuse in tennis.
Umpires have the power to deduct points for this offence during a game and the governing body also can fine players post-match. The deduction of
points is a powerful weapon for the match referee to have in his armoury and would at least give him the chance to land a metaphoric body blow
to any player guilty of "dartboard abuse".
What are the facts of the matter?
Adrian Lewis was criticised last night (fairly in the opinion of the commentator dishing out the criticism) because of his carelessness with his
third dart. Lewis then sent a wayward second dart towards the board and closed with another treble 20 with his third!
The problem we have with this type of analysis is that it is very subjective. Where is the evidence that proves Lewis is is a consistently poor
exponent of the third dart throw? There is no evidence if you look at his 9 dart average, Lewis has the second highest (104) from all of the
first round games played so far (consistent power scoring), a doubles percentage of over 42% and wiped out a player 3:0 who scored eight- 180`s
and twelve-140`s. You cannot achieve that with two darts.
Darts Miscellany
Thanks to Matt Bozeat, the author of the Darts Miscellany for permission to display one of the trivia lists from his new book. We have reviewed the
book and have a competition to win a copy. Please email us your darts related trivia list to be entered for the draw.
Before they were famous
Phil Taylor | Maker of Toilet Chain Handles |
James Wade | Car Engineer |
Kevin Painter | Ground Worker |
Gary Anderson | Grate Builder |
Andy Smith | Tree Surgeon |
Wayne Mardle | Accountant |
Michael Van Gerwen | School Boy |