At the outset here, you, our readers, deserve an explanation. Firstly, though, a word of thanks for making our almost daily coverage of the PDC World Darts Championship so well received. On that very point though, I must apologise for the lack of a post on quarter final day. One was otherwise occupied with a family gathering as we tentatively pick our way through a first Christmas without our dear mother.
There was never any fear of the semi finals being missed. Not only due to their importance in an overall sense, also as this observer’s two favourite exponents of the craft – Ryan Searle and Gary Anderson – were both in action. The former has always been one of my favourites.
Owing to the type of heavier darts he appears to use, the languid yet deceptively quick style with which he throws. Mind you, even if none of the above were in play, the man known as Heavy Metal has always been admired greatly since it became known that he actually operates at the highest level of his chosen area of expertise while dealing with a fairly serious visual impairment.
Yes, it very obviously does impinge on his ability to throw the tungsten sometimes but that, to me, only increases genuine levels of admiration for the man. Putting the factors which inhibit his ability to be at his absolute best sometimes to one side and more than proving himself worthy of numbering among the top rank in the sport.
Never more so than when defenestrating the doughty and highly affable Jonny Clayton on a 5-2 score line. Which is exactly what Anderson did to the story of the Championships in many ways, Justin Hood, on the exact same tally.
All of which meant Searle taking on Luke Littler in one last four encounter with Ando squaring up against the real dark horse of darts in 2025/’26, Gian Van Veen. Now, anybody taking on Littler, from the time he burst into the scene a few years back, automatically finds themselves the underdog and under pressure straight off the bat.
Add Heavy Metal’s additional challenges to that and his appearance at that stage of such a minefield of competition becomes ever more remarkable. Without even mentioning that he was bloody brilliant in the first set against The Nuke and tucked it under his belt.
I can’t speak for Ryan obviously but, from my own experience, one aspect of living life via the circuitous route can render discharging repetitive tasks over an elongated period of time can be exhausting to the point of the fuel gauge hitting empty.
Which, in the case at hand here, manifested as Searle’s normal quota of wide shots (meant in the best terms possible) being summarily punished each and every time the opportunity arose for Littler to do so.
Rest assured, Gian Van Veen will not need reminding that the diminutive Manchester United fan is, at present, the dart equivalent of Lionel Messi. That said, is Van Veen the Ronaldo? If he’s not there yet he’s well on the way to being. Thus, the collision of the two thriving throwers is not an unexpected final pairing. Buckle up and enjoy!
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