Let the singing and tungsten wielding begin... The PDC World Darts Championship is back!
Tonight marks the beginning of the 2012 PDC World Darts Championship as 2011 champion Adrian “Jackpot” Lewis begins the defence of his title.
The champion beginning his defence on the opening night has become a tradition and in Nigel Heydon Lewis is expected to have a simple route to the second round. Lewis didn’t compete in the Players Championship event in Doncaster last week and it is yet to be seen whether this time off has a positive or detrimental effect on his performance. While a lot of his rivals for the crown got some much needed competitive darts on TV under their belts Lewis did not. However the same can be said for Leamington Spa’s Nigel Heydon who isn’t expected to put up much of a challenge against Lewis. Heydon is a little known name to PDC darts fans but this isn’t the first time he has been seen on our television screens. He surprisingly reached the last 16 of the UK Open in 2010 defeating the likes of Mark Dudbridge before eventually going out to Wes Newton. Nicknamed “The Undertaker” due to his other profession Heydon also appeared in the Grand Slam of Darts earlier this year where he made something of an impact beating Gary Anderson in the group stage, unfortunately for Nigel despite that victory he failed to progress from group C. Heydon’s other notable appearance came in last year’s World Championship crashing out to Robert Thornton in round one. Tonight Lewis is priced at 1/7 with the bookmakers whilst Nigel Heydon is 6/1. In this best of five sets first round match Lewis is 11/4 to win 3-0 while Heydon to win with a +2.5 set handicap is 4/5. If you’re really expecting a shock then Heydon to win 3-0 is available at 20/1 with 3-1 9/1!
Elsewhere this evening Jamie Caven faces veteran Roland “Tripod” Scholten. It is generally agreed Scholten’s best darts are behind him. The Dutchman’s impressive history includes two Las Vegas Desert Classic semi-final appearances, a Premier League of Darts final appearance, a UK Open title and two World Championship quarter final appearances. His opponent tonight is 18th rank Jamie Caven, Caven carries a unique story with him as he is actually blind in one eye due to a bee sting when he was young, he’s also a diabetic and requires up to four injections per day, this doesn’t stop Caven, nicknamed Jabba though as the 35-year old looks to make a career for himself in this highly competitive sport. Caven is the bookies favourite at 8/13 with Scholten best priced 11/8. The correct score market sees Caven 10/3 to win 3-0, Scholten 13/2 to win 3-0 and under 5.5 180’s to be hit an interesting 4/5.
Mark Webster faces Richie Burnett in what could be the match of the night. The welsh duo have been tipped to represent Wales in the upcoming PDC World Cup of Darts and I feel this one could be a tight contest. Earlier this week Webster reached the final of the Players Championship where he lost to Kevin “The Artist” Painter. It’ll be interesting to see if Webster takes confidence from his performance in Doncaster or if after being made the favourite to win the final his confidence has taken a hit after his defeat. Burnett has become something of a rejuvenated figure as of late reaching both the World Grand Prix semi-final and the Last 16 of the UK Open this year. Burnett also appeared at the Players Championship event earlier this month losing a tricky first round match to Wes Newton. Without discrediting the Players Championship too much I don’t feel this was the main priority of any of the players on show as the withdrawal of Lewis and the Second Round departure of Phil Taylor highlighted. Mark Webster is a 3/10 favourite for this one with Burnett 11/4. Personally I think this could be a closer match than odds would suggest but if you disagree and can see this being a rout Webster 3-0 is available at 7/2. Burnett with a +1.5 set handicap is 6/5 and I wouldn’t discourage anybody from backing that outcome.
Finally we will see Wayne Jones up against either Paul Barham or Scott MacKenzie. Barham is a PDC Youth Tour Qualifier. MacKenzie has a Scottish father and was born in Brazil but now represents Hong Kong, the country he moved to as a teenager, he is an International Qualifier. The bookmakers have this one as 11/13 Barham and evens MacKenzie but with literally no knowledge of these players I couldn’t pass a recommendation! Whichever way it goes Wolverhampton’s Wayne Jones is waiting and in the 46-year old number fifteen in the world a tough challenge awaits. Jones reached the 2006 World Darts Championship semi-final before losing to Peter Manley and will no doubt be hungry to replicate that success this year.
Schedule:
19:15: Jamie Caven vs Roland Scholten
20:15: Paul Barham vs Scott MacKenzie
21:00: Mark Webster vs Richie Burnett
22:00: Adrian Lewis vs Nigel Heydon
23:00: Wayne Jones vs Paul Barham/Scott MacKenzie
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