RAZMA READY TO ‘KILL’ SOUTAR AT ALLY PALLY

By Phil Lanning

LATVIAN star Madars Razma reckons he’s out to kill Scots pal Alan Soutar.

The Baltic ace dismissed Scotsman Darren Beveridge in the second round and immediately set his sights on facing the Musselburgh man’s countryman.

Soutar and Razma are big pals on the circuit and even practised together on Sunday night in build-up to their respective matches.

The Angus firefighter has a clash against Gian Van Veen on Monday evening and the winner of that encounter will go in against Razma.

If that’s the case, the Latvia ace will have some revenge in mind having been teased and tormented by his buddy after losing a game against him in the warm-up routines.

Razma explained: “Gian, he’s an amazing player. But still I hope for Alan because we went to practise last night. I lost against him and I lost the bet and I had to say he held the best darts in the world and he has the most beautiful darts case in the world!

“Alan and Darius [Labanauskas] are both the best friends on tour for me. We are practising together, but on stage there’s no friends. On stage, I’m ready to kill him!

“We are fighting for money as well, but for title. I’m still in the race for the main title. I have experience here, and on Tour, on stage, I can win something big, I think.

“I would like to play against Alan because I lost and he knows I’m very good. Gian, as well, we always play quality games against each other. The next round should be so quality.”

Razma was able to extinguish the hopes of Beveridge during the opening game of the Monday lunchtime session.

He took control of the contest by racing into a two set lead and it was only at that stage that the East Lothian star began to find his range.

Beveridge stormed to the third set and looked poised to set up a decider when he fired into a 2-0 leg lead in the fourth.

However, he faltered at just the wrong time and opened the door for Razma to surge through and slam it straight back into his face.

It was a polished performance from the Latvian and he’s not going to stop working even through Santa’s visit due to the importance of this tournament.

Razma said: “I was practising at home and I will practise during Christmas as well because this is my chance, I believe myself. I know I didn’t practise darts a lot all this season, but the last few months I was practising more.

“Not like ever, but I was practising enough and I have time to practise during Christmas as well. I will be in good form the next game and I will be ready for the next round to reach my best achievement in the World Championships.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.