Due to a minor disagreement with the chicken who plays tic-tac-toe at the
Tropicana and then a major disagreement with casino security this is probably
the first column ever about the sport of darts which was conceived, at least
partially, while in handcuffs.
Due to an appointment that I think it would be wise to make on time in the
morning and also thanks to a pretty fair portion of aiming fluid, this column
will been brief.For the record
though, let’s be clear about one thing: the chicken’s a little bastard and
he CHEATS!
I don’t remember how my hands around it’s neck.
Anyway, although I may never be able to return, I’m still here in the City of
Entertainment at the Professional Darts Corporation’s (PDC) first ever Desert
Classic darts tournament.Earlier
today I witnessed some of the finest darts action I have ever seen.
Quarter-final play began early and saw three men -- Liverpool’s young Lee
Palfreyman, Holland’s Roland “the Flying Dutchman” Scholten and
England’s ten-times world champion, Phil “the Power” Taylor -- all advance
to the evening’s semi-final semi-play.In
essentially workman-like efforts each looked strong in two-sets-to-nil wins over
their opponents.
Despite being taken to a third set by Canada’s John “Darth Maple” Part
(who forced the tie-breaking set with back-to-back spectacular closes of 152 and
146), England’s Ronnie “the Rocket” Baxter managed to round out the group
that would head into the evening’s semi-final match-ups.
The draw to determine the semi-final pairings was held and fans dispersed to
contemplate the possibilities.
Could the tournament’s Cinderella lad shock the darting world and unplug the
Power?
Could the fast-shooting Rocket intercept the sharp-shooting Flying Dutchman?
And, for the ladies, which American (Stacy Bromberg or Carolyn Mars) would
advance to play which Brit (Deta Hedman or Crissy Howat) in the anticipated
international face-off on Sunday?
Well folks, the shoot-out started at 7:00 p.m. and some fireworks boomed at 9:15
p.m. but the first real battle of the tournament did not begin until 11:00 p.m.By this hour all but which of the American ladies would head to war was
already determined.
Baxter methodically dispatched Scholten.
Youthful enthusiasm and brilliant darts were not nearly enough for Palfreyman.
Talyor allowed him but a couple legs before dispatching him to tip beers with
the mass of darters already vanquished. Near
it’s conclusion, this match was briefly disrupted when what sounded to be a
bomb and then gunshots were heard throughout the hall.Relieved to learn that the noise was only fireworks, much of the hall
piled into the street behind the MGM to watch the display before the ladies
semis got underway.
Hedman threw fine darts to get by Crissy Howat.
But the match of the day -- the battle of the tournament, so far -- saw Mars and
Bromberg trade blows in a crowd-thrilling see-saw showdown highlighted, in part,
by a twelve-dart effort by Mars.PDC
referee, Fred Williams, described this thriller as the “best ladies match”
he’d ever seen.Without a doubt,
America is sending it’s best into the final tomorrow.Yep, Carolyn Mars seems more than ready to give Deta Hedman the match of
her life.
So that’s the line up darts fan: Baxter vs. Taylor and Hedman vs. Mars.It’s gonna be great.
The stage lights up at noon… about the same time I have to do some explaining
about a chicken.
