Polly James

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Polly: Tears to girl power and Iceman cheers

WOW, what a week!

Tears of the Rockstar, Premier League line-up announced, Women’s World Matchplay, PL starts as does the World Seniors.

There have not been as many emotional finals to match Joe Cullen dedicating the Ladbrokes Masters win to his mum Pam. And then his dad Frank getting up on stage to hold up the trophy. I was close to tears at home, I think everyone was.

I was also gutted for Dave Chisnall, he so deserves a major title as well.

But the Masters has once again proved it’s the breeding ground for the underdog. It worked for Jonny Clayton a year ago, now it’s elevated Joe into the Premier League. 

Surely he can’t repeat the feat of Jonny and win it?

This is modern day darts though. There are so many players in the top 15 or 20 who can win titles on their day. That sort of unpredictability is what makes the sport so absorbing. And we love it.

But we also love a bit of emotion. Nowadays some sports have just become so corporate, just about the millions of money earnt. Darts definitely isn’t like that.

To see Joe start to cry was so heartbreaking. Same as Wrighty and Michael Smith at the Worlds, it’s great to see sportsmen genuinely care.

It’s hard to pick a winner from the Premier League. The new format is awesome. I reckon that Gerwyn will be desperate to win after missing out last year, he’s my slight favourite because he’ll be fired-up more than anyone else.

The thing that will be interesting is that no player can relax ever. You can’t afford to have an off week. 

If that wasn’t enough this week, then came the first PDC Women’s TV tournament World Matchplay. That is just out of this world.

It is amazing how quickly women’s darts has taken the spotlight at the PDC after Fallon’s wins at the Worlds in 2019. Hats off to the PDC for sticking to their word and giving the women this golden opportunity. 

The great thing is that it gives more women more TV time on stage to show their ability. All eyes will be on Fallon yet again. But I’m sure Lisa Ashton, Mikuru Suzuki, Deta Hedman, Laura Turner will all want to make their point that Fallon’s not the only successful woman.

Lisa and Mikuru have been multiple world champions, they will want to show that experience is importance. But they’ve all got to qualify first, maybe there will be a few shocks. 

Lastly, at the other end of the scale, it’s the World Seniors. OMG. The GOAT Phil Taylor back on TV. It could be against Peter Manley on Friday. That will be so fascinating. No one has even considered that Phil might not win it, it’s just presumed he will.

But the likes of Lisa, Robert Thornton, Paul Lim and many others will be capable of causing an upset. They’ve all won titles before.

Big shout out to my Sky Sports buddy Keith Deller also featuring on the line who I know is so excited for this tournament and has been practicing very hard! Geaaan Del Boy! 

I don’t think I’ll be leaving the sofa for four days. Feet up; curry, pizzas, a few beers. Wall-to-wall darts. So lush!

Images by Taylor Lanning

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Polly James: Gezzy has the licence to thrill!

EVERYONE is talking about James Bond this week.

But forget about Daniel Craig, I’m not interested in double-oh-seven, I just can’t wait for the double-start BoyleSportsWorld Grand Prix!

I am totally buzzing because I am making my debut as a reporter for Sky Sports at the Morningside Arena in Leicester.

This really feels like the start of the darts season in some ways. It’s solid arrows now we are into the autumn and winter months. I love it.

That also means the players will be extra focused on making a statement of intent for the World Championship. 

Gerwyn Price is the man with a licence to thrill on the oche. He won the Grand Prix a year ago and went onto be World Champ of course. He will want to start the autumn in dominating form to show his rivals that he is the one to beat. 

Obviously it’s been quite a tough year for Gezzy, missing out on the Premier League because of a positive Covid test was a huge blow. He then saw Peter Wright in blistering form win the World Matchplay. 

But like a true fighter he will come back all guns blazing. He will be loving it that he won in Gibraltar last weekend, beating Michael van Gerwen on the way. Gezzy will want to keep getting those big results.

However he has been given a blockbuster draw with Michael Smith. What a belter that will be on Sunday night. 

What about the rest of the big guns? Wrighty has been in the best form probably all summer with the Matchplay win and, most recently, the World Cup.

But he has never won the Grand Prix and his best finish was runner-up in 2018. He’s also got a tricky opening draw taking on Rob Cross, who is due a big win at some stage.

MVG will be desperate to lay down a marker that he’s back in business. He will definitely be in the mix, only fools would rule out Mighty Mike.

For me, Jose de Sousa is always a dark horse because he’s so unflappable while Brendan Dolan has been in great form. 

Jonny Clayton is also going so great while I’m surprised James Wade has never won it either, just runner-up twice. He’s so lethal on double tops or double 10, The Machine has to be a contender if he’s in the mood.

Will we also get another shock like the aubergine king Dirk van Duijvenbode, who made it to the final last year.

Sometimes the double-start can be a great leveller. Robert Thornton was a surprise winner a few years back as well. Someone like Joe Cullen or Luke Humphries might fancy their chances. They definitely have the ability. 

Whatever happens it’s going to be a lush week. It starts on Sunday right through to the final on Saturday, October 9, every match live on Sky Sports.

I’d usually be at home with a curry or pizza with my feet up watching every dart go in. But instead I’ll be getting the inside info for TV.

Bring it on. Don’t miss it.