Many of the WDF’s finest headed out to what is referred to as The Rock over the weekend to compete in the Gibraltar Open & Classic events.
Naturally, as is customary for these darting festivals, there was also Youth and Doubles silverware a plenty up for grabs.
Opening the weekend’s entertainment was the Pairs event, and that title went the way of Jenson Walker and Lewis Gurney – two stars for the future. It’s been quite the run of late for youngster Walker.
Not only has he picked up a MODUS Champions Week title and a good four major WDF events, most recently the Romanian Classic earlier in the year, but his beloved Coventry City are heading back to the Premier League and Jenson has finally adopted a more suitable hairstyle. That said, I am hardly one to judge poor barnets.
It was the Gibraltar Classic up first. Claiming the prize in the Open event was Matt Clark, who edged the aforementioned Jenson Walker in the final. Now 58, the Dartford man has been on the darting scene for decades. In the deciding leg of the final, the arrow-smith nicknamed Superman proved to be The Interceptor’s kryptonite, nicking it right on the line.
Over in the Women’s tournament, Paula Jacklin prevailed, defeating Irina Armstrong 5-2 to triumph. When the English thrower – nicknamed Kickass – isn’t busy chasing Welsh blokes down for trophies, she makes a fine fist of hunting them up herself. A solid performance in the final proved too much for her German opponent.
Then, as for the Classic Youth, no real prizes for guessing who won that one. Yep, that’s right. Mitchell Lawrie, courtesy of a trademark ton-plus display, romped to a dominant 5-1 victory over Mason Teese. These days, Wee Sox’s management team probably book extra luggage for the journey home in anticipation of silverware returning to Scotland with the teenager.
Sunday saw the Gibraltar Open take centre stage. And it was double joy for Jacklin, adding another trophy to her weekend haul courtesy of an emphatic 5-1 scoreline to overcome Spain’s Lisa Vandekerchove in the final. With another winner’s cheque safely pocketed, that should keep the Lincolnshire lady in hairspray for at least a month. Ideally, with enough left over to fund her fella Des’s black Just For Men beard dye. Just saying.
Onto the Men’s tournament (I am loath to say Open – and not just because it would then read Gibraltar Open Open), and it was that kid again, Mitchell Lawrie, once again justifying that extra baggage allowance for the return flight.
Yep – another title for Wee Sox, who seemingly can’t stop winning. On this occasion, it was German opposition in the showdown but the same outcome, with the young Scot defeating Marcus Maier 5-2.
To wrap things up, simply because I am going chronologically, and this was the last match of the festival, the Youth Open witnessed the crowning of Ryan Branley, once again subjecting Mason Teese to heartbreak in the final.
There was no Mitchell Lawrie in this one, with the Renfrewshire teenager opting instead to put all his eggs in the Open basket. All that said, the talent was still incredibly high, and the Geordie was thoroughly deserving of his win.
Then, before I sign off, a quick mention for a comeback kid. The tournament saw the long-awaited return to action of eight-feet-tall Bristolian Dom Taylor, for whom leg room on an aeroplane is as crucial as ants are to an anteater.
Disappointingly, but given his several-month absence from major competition, The Tower was suffering from a little ring rust. However, this is someone I know as both a person and a player. Therefore, there’s no doubt in my mind Taylor will be back to his brilliant best very soon. He just needs a bit of proper game time under his belt, of which this trip to Gib will serve as the perfect starter.
That’s all from The Rock. Congratulations to all the victors, and well played to everyone.
Vegas for The Masters next for many, where champions will be crowned – and the other competitors probably declared bankrupt.
