Cash Converters Player Championships Night 1; A Krispy Preview

Well the next TV darts is nearly upon us – and while I’m going to be up in Doncaster for most of it (as long as the trains are still running in all this wind and possible snow!), I will take a laptop, so no panicking, the results will be posted up here.

Round 1 is spread over the first two days, starting Thursday, with the top 32 players from the floor in 2011 taking part (which does NOT include world champ Adrian Lewis!).  It’s quite a short format, and all packed into 4 days, so there’s a ton of darts to watch, and remember to turn on to ITV4 not Sky Sports for this one!  Try and look out for me Friday night, as I should be giving Justin Pipe his last good luck during his walk-on.  I might even get a cheeky look in for other games, who knows

Remember if you fancy a bet, you can get over to William Hill and get up to a £25 free matched bet if you use my link here.

Obviously a certain Paul Nicholson will be looking to do well this year, after he failed to qualify last year (something which had him in tears at the last tour event of 2010).

“It’s obviously a format I like because I won it.  I’ve got an unbeaten record in this competition because I won it at the start of last year and didn’t qualify for the other two events.  At first, I didn’t like the events which are condensed into three or four days and found it difficult, but I warmed to it pretty quickly.  Obviously I won at Purfleet, I did well in the UK Open this year and reached the quarter-finals of the European Championship, so I’m warming to these shorter events. I’m growing better at the longer ones as well and I’m still learning about how to play these different types of tournaments. It was a hard lesson for me not to qualify back in February but probably one that I had to learn, and it’s been a good thing for my career because of how I’ve responded since.” – Paul Nicholson

My mate, Jamie ‘Jabba’ Caven takes on the dangerous Scott Rand in the very first game of the tournament.  While Jabba is more well known to TV audiences, Scott has been improving all year and has had some good performances on TV too.  Jabba has just started to find some form after what has been a disappointing year for him (I’m sure he’d admit that too).  So tough to call… I won’t advise you to be either way in this one!

In fact when you look at the first night, there are not many games I’d like to call as dead certs, up to recently, I’d have said Mark Hylton would have the measure of Mark Walsh on TV, but Mark had a great Grand Slam, putting him right back in the frame!  If he can keep that form, I think he could sneak it.  I’m sure Mark will be solid whatever, so it’s more about what Walsh turns up for me.

Peter Wright should edge the game against Denis Ovens, but I’m sure the man with the best shirt collection since Mardle will have some people cheering him on.   In this short format I have feeling that Wayne Jones may beat John Part – but I won’t put any serious money on it!

Wes Newton against Richie Burnett could be really tasty if Richie comes with his A-game.  Burnett has been showing flashes of his best, and he’s got a ton of experience behind him, and now quite a bit of confidence regained.  Wes Newton has been a player on fire in 2011, so should take this game.  I’m sure his manager, the one and only One Dart will be cheering him on.

One of the big questions is;  What Barney will turn up in Doncaster?   He’s previous indicated that he doesn’t like the fact the player champs moved to just before the worlds, and he feels it is spoiling the players preparation for the more important tournament.  Also Barney had a terrible Grand Slam (for him), losing all three games in the short format first round.   So will Barney go home early again?  I think the fast throwing Ronnie Baxter may well send him off packing!

One of the games which should be easier to predict is James Wade to beat Andy Smith… so I’ll probably be eating that prediction on Friday!  Wade has been on cracking form again, and he’ll be hungry to try and win another tournament.  Again based on recent form and performances,  Paul Nicholson should have the measure of Steve Brown, but if Paul doesn’t concentrate, the Bomber will be happy to blow him out of the tournament!

Thursday December 8 (7pm-11pm)
First Round

7.05pm Jamie Caven (8/11) v Scott Rand (Evens)
7.35pm Mark Walsh (8/13) v Mark Hylton (6/5)
8.05pm Peter Wright (4/5) v Denis Ovens (10/11)
8.35pm John Part (8/11) v Wayne Jones (Evens)
9.05pm Wes Newton (2/5) v Richie Burnett (7/4)
9.35pm Ronnie Baxter (6/4) v Raymond van Barneveld (1/2)
10.05pm James Wade (1/3) v Andy Smith (9/4)
10.35pm Paul Nicholson (1/3) v Steve Brown (9/4)

Friday December 9 (7pm-11pm)
First Round

7.05pm Dave Chisnall (4/9) v Alan Tabern (13/8)
7.35pm Colin Osborne (10/11) v Kevin Painter (4/5)
8.05pm Vincent van der Voort (4/5) v Co Stompe (10/11)
8.35pm Mervyn King (4/7) v Colin Lloyd (5/4)
9.05pm Justin Pipe (4/7) v John Henderson (5/4)
9.35pm Phil Taylor (1/9) v Terry Jenkins (5/1)
10.05pm Mark Webster (8/15) v Steve Beaton (11/8)
10.35pm Gary Anderson (1/4) v Michael van Gerwen (11/4)

Tickets are still available all sessions of the Cash Converters Players Championship, either in person from the Doncaster Dome Box Office or by calling 01302 370 777, with a buy one, get one free offer available for tickets for the opening night on Thursday December 8.

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