2018 BDO World Trophy

Posted: 30.05.18 in Tournament Analysis Blog category

Here is our preview of the BDO World Trophy!

It’s back! No matter how many times this tournament gets written off it keeps bouncing back! I have a personal attachment to this event having attended every one as part of the BDO social media team or as a manager of a player!

The first event was held in Blackpool, in the Ballroom, a stunning venue. In this inaugural event the gauntlet was laid down by some of the not so big names that this was winnable. James Wilson beat Ross “The Boss” in the final.Oh yes, there was a dancing horse there too!

All the BDO officials (and me) were all in a small hotel on Blackpool seafront. This was ideal as it gave me a chance to get to know everyone as I was the newbie. Little Richard, Huw Ware, Sue and Wayne and all the officials made me feel welcome and although I had worked on the Winmau and the Lakeside this was the event that made me feel part of the “BDO family”.

The following year Peter Sajwani had qualified, BDO Events had decided they were going to run their own social media so I went along solely to support Peter. Things didn’t go to plan and Peter lost 6:4 to Wesley Harms. We didn’t let this dampen our spirts and we had a memorable night out in Manchester afterwards and made it on to TV!

Geert-de-Vos won that one and then in 2016 it really did look like the World Trophy was doomed. But, Lakeside stepped in, Dave covered the event brilliantly on a free channel and I was back in the Social Media chair. The only issue I remember is that Lakeside was booked on the Friday night so the tournament was rammed in to 3 days. We finished late! But that didn’t bother The Dazzler as he triumphed over Peter Machin!

2017! Again, the tournament was being written off, then the TV coverage was being written off but it all came together. We went to Barry although ticket sales were low. Peter Machin went one better than the year before and beat Martin Phillips in the final.

Lots of memories from this one; the power cut and Peter Machin continued to practise under the lights of Charlie's mobile phone, David Gill and I blissfully unaware of the potential evacuation of the building going on a few floors below the press room and of course, that night club!

The 2018 event was announced quite early this year so the debate of will it or wont it didn't really get going. TV coverage, free to view, with Freesports TV has also been secured and another new venue has been sourced, in Preston.

The Ladies event has also been a big part of the World Trophy and the winners , as opposed to the Men’s, names you would expect to hear: Anastasia, Lisa Ashton x 2 and Aileen de Graaf!

So, what about this year?

In the Men’s Glen Durrant is the hot favourite at Even money. McGeeney 6/1, Scotty Dog, who has hit a good run of form 8/1. Two times finalist and reigning World Trophy Champion Peter Machin can be backed at 20/1.

Another outsider worth considering is Jim Williams at 25/1. Jim won both the tournaments in Bruges last weekend.

In the Ladies Lisa Ashton is 5/4 favourite, Deta 5/1, Aileen de Graaf 6/1 and Anastasia 7/1.

The action starts at 7pm tonight (Wednesday 30th May) and the matches are as follows:

19.00     Ross Montgomery 8/15 v Daniel Day 17/10

19.30     Deta Hedman 1/5 v Roz Bulmer 4/1

20.00     Gary Robson 7/13 v Ryan Hogarth 28/19

20.30     Sharon Prims 10/11 v Tricia Wright 10/11

21.00     Kyle McKinstry 4/11 v Jon Worsley 9/4

21.30     Scott Mitchell 1/12 v Pengiran Mohamed 8/1

22.00     Aileen de Graaf 1/3 v Maria O’Brien 13/5

22.30     James Hurrell 13/10 v Peter Machin 11/17

The first match of the night should be a great start to the event. Daniel Day was very impressive at The Lakeside and should give The Boss a run for his money.  

I will be missing my first BDO tournament for years due to other darting commitments but will be following the action closely! Enjoy!

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