THE WORLD COMES TO ESSEX

I managed to get through Shi Yongsheng and Tetsuya Wada without tying my tongue in a reef knot – and was amazed to learn through the Japanese lad’s interpreter that his favourite player was Cliff Lazarenko….the reason? “His name sounds Japanese”….. Priceless!

The top placard from the punters at the Circus was – “Darth Wada!”

I’ve had a pleasant chat with American Bill Davis and his lovely wife Jane, who have all my books about darts and were totally knocked out by Bill’s reception inside the arena.

THE MARDLE ENIGMA

I have had a fascinating discussion with Rod Harrington about the problems in Wayne Mardle’s world. Rod thinks that Wayne should cut down on the exhibitions, especially before the big tournaments. He reckons that Wayne should practice with fellow pros and he thinks that he also needs some serious attention on his eye to delivery coordination.

I reckon that this is the best reason that I have heard for Wayne’s fatal drift into the five, when the pressure is on.

BRISSY IN THE BOX!

Believe it or not…………..The Lip and The Ego (I am arrogant, irresponsible and a genius!)……..alias Sid and Eric have never, in 30 years of knowing each other, done a match commentary. I could not have been more nervous if I’d been told that John Malkovich was coming in to wax lyrical and effusive about the finer points of tungsten tickling!

My fears dissolved once a brilliant game between Kevin Painter and Ozzie Osborne hit the screen. What a temperament…….Osborne took the hyper-tense Painter, with the coolness that promises well for the future.

I’ve got to admit the best line from the commentary was Eric’s! (He always has to have the first and last word!) When Ozzie cut his knuckle getting his dart out of the board, Eric went into Olivier mode…… “Ooh, blood on his knuckle – DIDDUMS!!!!!!” I wish I’d said it.

CHRISTMAS CRUMPET

The Tarts for Darts from Kent, four lovely secretaries who do more travelling to the arrows than Marco Polo, have been upstaged by two sexy Santa ladies, who were dressed in not a lot! They certainly put some spice into the Christmas pudding that is the Circus Tavern!

Hope you get all your pressies and the bank don’t cancel your PIN number!

Have a good ‘un………..the diary returns on the 27th

Yule better believe it………love from Hissing Sidney