BBC SPORT | WORLD DARTS CHAMPIONSHIP 2002 | Slap and dash

In his latest column, Bobby George talks to BBC Sport Online about a remarkable turnaround and what lies in store as the weekend approaches.

What a night of darts!

I've been in the game a long time and I've never seen anything like it.

The first two sets were so easy for Ted Hankey. He murdered Wayne Jones, ripped his head off and I thought he was going to bury him.

Jones won only one leg and if I had been watching on TV I'd have gone out of the room and put the kettle on.

Wayne Jones
Jones has the fastest arm in the west

In fact, I'd have put my house on Ted winning at that stage, but it's a good job I didn't do all my money as I'd be looking for a B&B by now.

It's not so much that Wayne came back from the dead to win, but the way he did it - I've never seen anyone throw the darts so fast.

He changed his game, threw as fast as he could, was jumping around and almost running up the oche.

Flash - I think that's what he should be called from now on - was throwing his darts and waiting at the board for them to come.

And if you thought he looked frightening on the television, spare a thought for the camera men.

I also felt sorry for the referee and the chalkers because their nerves must have been all over the place.

But I enjoyed it because it was so unusual.

It wasn't the best game of the championships, but I'm glad I didn't go for that cup of tea backstage because it was the most interesting and entertaining match so far.

Jones was moving around so much he needed nailing down

Bobby George

The lesson from that is never give up until the fat man says "game shot" - darts is strange like that.

But the fun didn't stop there.

A few days ago I was saying there had been no shocks, but just take a look at the draw now.

John "Boy" Walton was joined by Ted, Marko Pusa and Co Stompe last night.

Tony David's win over Marko is a surprise, but I don't think it's as big as some people make out.

He's just not the same player he was last year.

Without wanting to sound too harsh, I didn't think he was a number three seed, especially when you look down the list and see someone like Raymond Barneveld at five.

Barney's one above Bob Taylor in that list and I've always questioned whether Bob has the ammo to finish the job.

I'd like to see the Bear win - at the ninth attempt - but I thought Co would come out on top.

Bob Taylor
Is that a bear or a cat? Taylor's got nine lives

Bob's been here eight times and never got through the first round, but after finally breaking that duck he played some really good, smooth darts.

Co played reasonably well but he didn't press the right buttons.

When the pressure mounted, he got nervous, started wandering and it was game over.

We could have had a full house of upsets as Steve Coote was all over Martin Adams in the first set - all over him like a bad rash.

But Martin's a serious player and he's serious about winning here - it's about time he did too.

He stayed steady, played tidy and it might be the confidence boost he needs ahead of the business end of the championships.

This is when the darts get big and it's double bubble now.

As the games get longer - don't forget we're up to nine sets now - the luck lessens.

It doesn't run out, but there will be fewer lucky things about from now on.

And with darts you just don't know - 'cause he's in it, he's got a chance to win it.

Lovely jubbly - I can't wait!


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