When it comes to Strictly Come Darting (or perhaps Darting with the Stars for our North American readers) in Blackpool, few players have tangoed with tungsten in the Empress Ballroom as often as two-time World Champion Adrian Lewis.
The Matchplay trophy, though, is one prize 'Jackpot' never quite managed to waltz away with – but he certainly danced around the periphery more than once. At the moment, the decorated Stoke native is loving life on the exhibition and corporate circuit. After all – who wouldn’t be thrilled to chat darts with one of the game’s legends? Especially about his days chucking beside the seaside.
With over half of his trips to the Winter Gardens ending in at least a quarter-final, Lewis has been embroiled in some absolute belters. Yet it’s the 2013 final where he came closest to picking up the trophy eventually named after the man who beat him:
“I’m gutted I never won it. Matchplay was always my favourite tournament. I had some great performances there and came up just short. I averaged 107 in the final one year – and still lost to Mr Taylor. Usually, you’d think that’s enough to win it!”
TAYLOR WINS 14th WORLD MATCHPLAY: Taylor vs Lewis 2014
Fair point, Ade. And perhaps against a mere mortal, that may well be the case. But Phil Taylor wasn’t created biologically – he was manufactured out of tungsten, then sent to various venues to torment opponents and win trophies.
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Looking ahead to this year’s World Matchplay, Adrian initially seemed quite comfortable sitting on the fence when I originally asked him to pick a winner:
“I’ll be watching for sure – I think it’s going to be intriguing. You can’t look past the two Lukes and Gezzy – they’ve won the last few tournaments between them.”
However, when I nudged Ade a little closer to the edge of said fence, he threw out a few more names who could go all the way – think of them, if you will, as the darkest of all horses in the race.
“Ando’s a shout. The only thing is the age – in those longer formats, like first to 16, it can catch up with you. But he’s playing very well, so who knows?”
For those unsure of Adrian’s over-familiarisation – he’s referring, of course, to Gary Anderson. Scottish fella. Couple of World Championships to his name. Pedigree like a champion greyhound - you know the one.
BEST WORLD MATCHPLAY SEMI FINAL EVER: Lewis vs MVG 2013
Finally, I asked which games tickled his tungsten taste buds – and he threw out a few:
“Luke Humphries v Gian van Veen looks like a great match – obviously MVG and Barney. Then you look at Josh Rock – confidence high after his World Cup win – against Ross Smith, who is also coming into form.”
We could have chatted darts – and in particular, this World Matchplay and those gone by – with 'Jackpot' for hours but its almost time to see the real thing begin...
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