Whether in sport or any other facet of life, there will be people you will take to instantly and those you can take or leave at best. Seldom if ever, though, has this writer began a column with reference two two individuals as close to the bottom of popularity stakes with yours truly as tungsten tossers Joe Cullen and Gerwyn Price.
The only difference between the two antagonistic protagonists is that, in fairness to Price, for all his arrogant shithousery, at least the former rugby player has the darting CV to back it up.
Cullen has no such redeeming credentials. What he does have is a record of bottling it when in seemingly highly advantageous positions. And yes, the capitulation most recently against Mensur Suljovic is another for the inglorious list.
Perhaps the only difference from the other cases referred to above is that the big Austrian never gave the Bradford man a look in. Which makes it even more hideous and baffling that The Rockstar went off on such a waffling whinge against his immensely popular opponent.
As for Price, the only common thread there was between himself and Cullen on this occasion was that neither could have any complaints as both were resoundingly beaten.
Price by the hitherto unheralded Wesley Plaisier. With the latest Dutch darting giant – think Shrek without the green trim – for once outshining The Iceman in terms of not only maximum hitting but also heavy scoring before the finishing line throughout the match.
Elsewhere on Sunday’s afternoon shift, while the 3-0 scoreline might suggest Luke Woodhouse had it handy against Max Hopp. But such an appraisal would be grossly unfair to the German. Who not only competed with gusto throughout this contest but showed admirably obduracy to regain his PDC Tour Card and actually qualify for the action at the Ally Pally at all.
Then, to round off the first stanza of Super Sunday, Rob Cross underlined why I believe he has been let languish under the radar as a contender for outright honours on January 3rd when coming through a lively encounter with the tricky Ian White.
Apart from Price’s defenestration by the gargantuan Dutchman, Meath’s own Keane Barry must still be wondering how exactly How he lost to Martin Schlinder. Well, I say that, but he knows all too well the story.
The old darting adage – “Trebles for show, doubles for dough” came back to bite him in the arse. To close a sensational Sunday’s arrow slinging, Luke Littler beat David Davies of Wales 3-0 but it was nowhere near as clearcut as the scoreline suggests.
And finally, the oddball Australian Damon Heta just about negotiated his way past Stefan Bellmont of Switzerland. I cannot stand Heta’s moustache but if you can see past that (literally!) he’s a compelling watch on the oche and none of the other contenders will be queuing up to take him on.
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