Darts / David Croft / 11 July 2008 /

David Croft predicts a triumph of youth over experience at Blackpool

Of all the good ideas the PDC have had, and there have been a few since the split in 1993, holding a tournament in the middle of summer ranks as one of the very best.

In 1994 Darts was a sport that really wasn't played in the summer. The players were off on holiday, the county season had ended for another year and fans were left waiting for the action to resume in the autumn. So to fill a blank Sky Sports schedule the World Matchplay was resurrected and after a suggestion from the wife of a PDC board member the Winter Gardens in Blackpool was chosen as the venue.

To say it was an instant success would be an understatement with queues on the first day snaking back around the block. It has been a sell-out ever since and every fan I've spoken to ranks it alongside the Lakeside as the best venue to watch the arrows.

For James Wade it will always hold special memories as this time 12 months ago this was the venue for his first TV title in the PDC and the greatest title of his career so far. It had been coming, after all Wade was first picked for his county at the age of 16 and by then time he'd turned 20 he was turning out for the England team, the talent was evident for all to see from a very early age. The secret to his 18-7 win over Terry Jenkins was his start. Leading 6 legs to 1 after the first 7 legs he'd bashed The Bull up, never giving his opponent a chance to settle. Once you have a lead like this in matchplay darts it's rare that you let it slip.

For that reason I'm not looking past Wade or Phil Taylor for the 2008 Matchplay title and I wouldn't bet against the final on Saturday 26th July being between the two players. Wade has learned quickly in the PDC and after defeat to Taylor in the final of the Premier League, along with the recent Las Vegas Desert Classic, he will be desperate to make it third time lucky.

I wouldn't use that defeat in Vegas as any form for this tournament. Wade's semi final win over Peter Manley finished a mere half an hour before the final started and it was clear it took a lot out of him. Taylor was the fresher of the two players and it showed. In Blackpool he won't have that luxury and whilst he is playing some stunning darts at present The Power knows full well that James is the one player who can hurt him out there and one of the few players that won't fear him either.

I still maintain that whilst Phil is one of the greatest players the game has ever known, plenty of his victories have come as a result of his opponent worrying more about Phil's scorers than their own, not a problem James Wade has ever suffered from.

Looking at the current prices it's clear Betfair backers are looking no further than Phil Taylor for the title, the number one seed is currently [1.81] and although he is in peek form that's far too short a price to take at this stage. Wade offers far better value at [6.6] and at that price I would take him. Looking at the draw many would pick out number four seed John Part as worth a look. His price of [42.0] is certainly attractive but his preparation for the tournament - John is currently in Vegas taking part in the world series of poker - indicates to me that he's not taking his darts as seriously as he should at the moment. Terry Jenkins at [42.0] and Ray Van Barneveld at [10.5] will have plenty of support but for me next week in Blackpool two players will tower above the rest, Taylor and Wade, and once again I'm going for youth to triumph over experience.

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

:

:

:

?

: