Darts Betting: Legends turn on the style

Darts / David Croft / 15 August 2008 / Leave a Comment

Darts pioneers entertain packed crowds at the League of Legends, writes David Croft.

So after 24 matches around the country we're down to the penultimate night of the League of Legends Darts. Eight players from the golden age of the sport have turned back the clock to give us just a few more golden nights. From time to time the quality on display hasn't been of the highest standard but it matters not. This was never going to be a tournament about high averages and tons of 180's. This was about giving the pioneers of the sport another chance to entertain packed crowds and turn on the style, which they've done, but not as consistently as they used to.

That said, the level of competitiveness has certainly not diminished over the years and as a result we go into the final night of group matches with only Bob Anderson definitely through to finals night. Behind him Dave Whitcombe, Cliff Lazarenko and Peter Evison are separated by only leg difference and Keith Dellar in 5th place is just a point behind. To say there's everything to play for is something of an understatement.

And just to make the action in Stoke a little tastier Peter Evison and Cliff Lazarenko play each other whilst Dave Whitcombe and Keith Dellar also square off in what has now become a winner takes all match.

For me Whitcombe's second place in the table is no fluke, he may not be a former world champion nor may he have reached the heights during his career but as recently as two years ago he made it through to the finals of the PDC World Championships and that recent experience of playing competitive darts has stood Dave in good stead. Meanwhile Dellar, the 1983 world champion, has talked up his chances from the outset but the way he lost his head and allowed Bobby George to comeback and claim a 6-6 draw in Bridlington last time out suggests a weakness that Whitcombe may exploit.

Keith should have beaten Bobby but after missing doubles for the match he let it affect his play. Whitcombe himself may not have been on his 'A' game in the last two matches but in a close Betfair market I take Dave to win through at [1.8]

Like Dave Whitcombe, Peter Evison has emerged as an underdog to take seriously in the League of Legends and like Dave the Fenn Tiger has also used his experience of recent competitive darts to good effect. Evison still takes part in some of the Open tournament in the BDO system and goes into his final group match against Cliff Lazarenko with only one defeat so far. Last time out he should have beaten Dave Whitcombe comfortably but from 4-1 and 5-4 up he could only manage a draw. He needs to be a little more focused against Cliff Lazarenko or could find himself out of it very quickly. Cliff was in awesome form against John Lowe in Bridlington rattling off the first four legs in double quick time. Betfair's market has Cliff as the slight outsider at [1.91] with Evison at [1.72], I fancy Big Cliff in Stoke but it could be a close match.

Bobby George admitted to me that he hadn't been playing his best darts over the last few weeks and was more than a little upset with himself. He can from time to time look like a world-beater and with Bob Anderson safely through I think the [3.45] on offer for Bobby is too good a price to turn down.

Which brings us onto the final match of the night, a repeat of the 1981, 1985 and 1987 Embassy finals - Eric won the first two, John the last. Sadly Eric's problems with Dartitus since his glory years still look like they're affecting him today and he has rarely hit the heights during this tournament. John too has struggled but at [1.52] looks a good bet to take this, as long as he puts some ear plugs in. One thing that hasn't waned over the years is Eric's ability to talk himself into a win. Ask Bobby George who was on the receiving end at the Circus Tavern.

Next week it's off to the Tavern once more for finals night. I expect Dave Whitcombe, Cliff Lazaernko and Peter Evison to join Bob Anderson in the last four and from there on in it's the player who holds his nerve on the night that will take the trophy. That gives Anderson a big advantage, as his darts have been faultless throughout. He hasn't lost yet and is the only player to record an average of over 90 for three darts. But at [1.11] is unbackable for the title especially when you can take Cliff and Peter at [7.2] or Dave at [4.4]. Of the three I fancy Whitcombe to come out on top for the simple reason that he's run Anderson the closest so far. One big win over Dellar should give him the confidence he needs.