MARDLE: DIMITRI IS NO “CHEAT”

DIMITRI Van den Bergh was not a “cheat” in slowing down the UK Open final, according to top pundit Wayne Mardle.

The Belgian has been slammed by fans on his delaying tactics in the latter stages of the final against world champ Luke Humphries in Minehead on Sunday night.

Van den Bergh took extra time on a drinks break when leading 10-8 causing the fans to boo and leaving opponent Humphries visibly fed up waiting for the game to continue.

‘The Dreammaker’ went on to win 11-10 but ex-player Mardle leapt to his defence.

He said: “This has been blown out of proportion. Sport is about finding a way to win within the rules.

“Player A throws slower than player B, so Player A more or less gets called a cheat. Naive. What’s the fuss. Why should he play at a pace to suit his opponent.

“Apparently he’s the slowest player on the planet. This comes a year after Andrew Gilding won the event…did he ‘cheat’ too?

“The delay was when he was throwing for the championship. He was nervous and needed time.

“Eric (Bristow) shouts in someone’s face, that’s typical Eric. (Peter) Manley talks to an opponent whilst they’re throwing, that’s funny. Phil (Taylor) walks off before a final leg, fine…it’s Phil. (Simon) Whitlock leaves the stage for a shat, when you’ve got go. Dimi stands back for 30 seconds, darts implodes.”

Van den Bergh later admitted he understood why the crowd became frustrated with his actions.

He said: “I understand that the crowd was turning on me. I was standing there, it was 10-8. And I knew one more leg and you’re going to be a major champion. I said to myself ‘do what your sports psychologist has teached you’. Keep your mind in a relaxed position.

“Especially this is pressure. But you are in the final. This is a reward, this is not a punishment. Because of that, I chilled.”