Toeing the Oche'

Van Gough cut off his ear for love so when his girlfriend said, “I love you Vince” he could hear her. Back to de León. Throughout history, the search for this Fountain of Youth has been unending with many agreeing that it can be found in the state of Florida USA. Dennis Priestly, born July 16, 1950, may have discovered the Fountain of Youth but not in the state of Florida but in North America. He recently concluded the annual PDC tour of that continent by going through the opposition like “corn through a seagull.”

Canadian Players Championship

There is an old saying in horses racing about “horses for courses”. Might also be true for darts at least in the case of Dennis Priestly who walked away with the Canadian Players Championship for the second year in a row. This time the unlucky opponent was Wes Newton who went down 6-4 in a match that could have gone either way. It was also the kind of a match that was won by Priestly and not lost by Newton. Newton jumped ahead, against the darts, only to have Priestly take three of the next four and a 3-2 lead. Newton would level using pair of T40’s then regain the lead on the strength of a 180 with 81 checks out. Priestly took the opportunity to answer with 2 140’s and a 121 check against the throw to level once again. Priestly held throw for 5-4 saving the best for what would be the final leg. The best? Priestley is first 180 and a 154 check out. “Winner, winner chicken dinner, Title, trophy and £5,000 to Dennis Priestly. The next stop was Atlanta Georgia for the Players Championship and the PDC US Open.

Atlanta

Colin Lloyd would win the warm up Players Championship to the PDC US Open beating world number #2 James Wade 6-2 to collect £5,000. Priestly would exit in round one. The main event was the PDC US Open worth £12,000 to the winner where Priestly put on a virtuoso performance. During his run to the title, he would face six opponents limiting each to three legs won or less. Dennis “The Menice” never trailed in any match. In the final Priestly jumped off to a 2-0 lead winning 6-3. All hail Dennis Priestly. Get old Ponce de León on the horn to tell him the 59 years old Priestly has found his long lost Fountain of Youth. Cannot wait to see those infomercials on the tally. “Hi I’m Dennis Priestly. I found the Fountain of Youth in North America while defeating professional dart players still in diapers when I won my first title. Now that secret can be yours. No practice involved. I will share my secret with you. Just send £19.95 and the answer to darting success will be on its way to your home by return post. If you order today as a special bonus, we will include this vegetable cutter worth £9.95. As an added bonus, if you order within 30 minutes I will include the fruit juicer as a bonus. I’m Dennis Priestly and I approved this message.”

Champions League. Darts ? Yep.

One thing about the PDC they are not afraid to borrow from someone or something that is successful. Here comes Champions League Darts for the second year. What is it? Eight of the worlds top ten players will play over a three-week span, not consecutive, to crown a champion who will collect £10,000 in first place prize of a £200,000 fund. Like most things English the format, makes the Rubrics Cube seem like simple addition. First, there are 8 players playing round robin best of 11. The top of the group goes to the winners round. The bottom two in the group are out. Next play date three more players join the fun against round robin. Winner goes to winner group and bottom two players are out. Therefore, it goes for eight nights. On the 9^th night are the finals. There is also a bonus paid for each leg won with all matches being screened on the internet. If all matches were, 6-0 that would make 294 legs played each night on two boards. First nights play on Tuesday Wednesday September 15 is loaded with Phil Taylor, James Wade, John Part, Mervyn King, Ronnie Baxter, Adrian Lewis, Colin Lloyd and Alan Tabern. Last year’s winner? Phil Taylor. Bet you did not see that coming.