So an enthralling Speedy Hire UK Open comes to an end, and few would have predicted the goings on that happened in the Premier Suite at the Reebok Stadium. It could well prove to be a massive tournament in the careers of many players involved, so I thought I’d have a look at what we’ve learnt from it in a sensational nine-dart finish.
Treble Twenty. The Power has well and truly lost his aura. If the World Championships and the Premier League weren’t evidence enough then Taylor’s failure to reach the quarter-finals here has got to be the final piece of the jigsaw. He’s still an incredible player and deserved world number one, but the air of invincibility that surrounded him for so long has disappeared and players will face him with a lot more confidence from now on.
Treble Twenty. Wes Newton is ready to compete with the best. The Warrior has been threatening to show what he can do on the big stage for some time now and has quietly got himself all the way up to number eight in the world. The job he did on Barney in Bolton was sensational and proved that he is up there with the best now, and expect him to be appearing in more finals this year.
Treble Twenty. The field is wide open. One tournament defeat for top players doesn’t mean they’ve lost it, but with nearly all the favourites out before the quarter-final stage it shows just how much talent there is around and there will be no resting on laurels from now on. There really isn’t much difference all the way down the top 32 and even some beyond, and easy games do not exist anymore.
Treble Twenty. There’s youth to be feared. The performance of Reece Robinson shows that there are youngsters who are capable of coming up against long-time pros and dispatching them with relative ease. He’s not the only one either, as Joe Cullen performed well as well, and Arron Monk was unlucky to fall foul of a tough draw.
Treble Twenty. Barney is in serious trouble. Things started to look good for the Dutchman in the Premier League, and it seemed both his quality and fight had come back. However his defeat to Anderson in the semis seemed to crush him and he looked a shell of his previous self in his defeat to Newton. The Warrior played very well, but as Rod Harrington said on commentary as soon as Barney is three or four legs down now he looks incapable of a return. It seems dramatic, but I seriously doubt his ability to win any championships in the future.
Treble Twenty. Wade is back to his best. After his well-documented health problems and obvious dip in form on the oche, James Wade is back where he belongs, on the winner’s podium. He might have avoided the very biggest names on route to the trophy, but his wins over Nicholson, Webster and Newton were all tough games. Also taking into account he came in at round one shows he’s got his Machine-like determination back, it’s good to see.
Treble Seventeen. Webster is not a beaten man. I, for one, feared for Webby after the punishment he took in the Premier League, and this competition was crucial for him, and he came through with flying colours. He showed brilliant fight to come from six down to beat Co Stompe, and then was impressive against Thornton, with his finishing impeccable. He was excellent again against Wade and was unlucky to lose, but will take great heart from his performances. Impressive.
Bullseye. You can’t beat the original majors. As much as the Premier League is a brilliant tournament and great entertainment, I really don’t think it is a patch on tournaments like the UK Open. Seeing all the rest of the quality that is on offer in the PDC is a real treat and the chance to see genuine upsets is very exciting. Also, the final day when we are blessed with the quarter-finals, the semis and the final is one of the best sporting days of the year, splendid stuff.
Double Top. No one knows what’s going to happen in Blackpool. Undoubtedly there will be the same favourites for the World Match Play as there were in Bolton, but there will be plenty of money spread around the field. Phil Taylor has won the last three and could well do it again, but there will probably be the longest odds on a win for The Power as there have been in recent memory. You can’t right anyone off anymore, I have no idea who’s going to win it, but I do know I’ll be watching.
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