Beyond The Score

If you had turned on your Tv just past ten o’clock on Saturday night you would have been rightfully forgiven for thinking that the action had ended early and a darts gold episode had began from the 2010’s. The reality of course was that in the 2024 World Championship, two former heavyweights of the sport teed off a solid night’s action with a second round clash. It was a clash between the world number twenty one (try name twenty better than Gary Anderson) and forty-three, as bizarre as that may seem. Yet it was hardly a contest. Gary Anderson inputted an average of 98 in comparison to the 88 of Simon Whitlock and also won the 180 count with 5 compared to the Aussies three.

Anderson wasted no time opening the affair with five perfect darts and an eleven darter and was averaging well into the late 100’s. Simon Whitlock who literally said “I’m going to get my arse kicked” in a defiant pre-match interview started with 27. Anderson rather surprisingly stuck to the left of the board when it came to the doubles. Famed for his prolific double tops finishing he moved he chose to go the route of double 16 more often. Considering his double ten hit rate is less than impressive the only surprising element of this decision is that he waited till 2023 to do so.

It won’t go down as one of the classic’s, but Anderson won’t be complaining. He hasn’t reached his peak performance for around five years now. 2018 was a success which saw him lift the World Matchplay, the UK Open, World Cup runner up, the Champions League of Darts and Grand Slam of Darts runner up. Yet, with his talent he doesn’t need to reach his A game. Averages of 102 can win tournaments nowadays and 98 can be competitive.

Reflecting on a comfortable opening round and the magnitude of the world championships he said “I’ve played with Simon for over two decades, that wasn’t Simon Whitlock up there. I’m expecting 180’s and 140’s. He is notorious for 170 checkouts. I struggled to beat him at the end there as he was starting to come on a game so I’m glad to get over the line. This is the Worlds this is what everyone dreams of, every dart player, boys that have been playing for then years plus, you want to have a shot on that stage.”

Asked if 2023 has saw a return to his best darts he responded “No, because I’d be winning a lot more! I’m getting there I’m enjoying my darts. In the last three years I could’ve stuck the darts up. Last year after the worlds I started playing with Ryan (Searle). I’ve said it many times, the first couple of months was a drag but I started to enjoy it the months after that. So yeah, I am enjoying it again and I’m smiling. It makes your life easier.”