First Round: Day 2 Darts: World Championships

Good afternoon. The beginning of January is starting the lady. Fancy

dress and fancy titles and Opera grabs and as the reach a climax at

the leg, we're getting started. We love the darts. Yesterday was a

typically unpredictable Lakeside session.

Here we go, Lakeside 2016 under way with one of the real favourites

here, one of the fixtures, Tony O'Shea. Match point again. Another

treble 24 double ten for the match. This is a match dart for Jim

Williams, the 12th seed. What a way to do it. Jim Williams! It is

England against England in the first match of the women's World

Championship 2016. Double 16 for Lisa Ashton and a place in the

quarterfinals. Did you really dated. -- doubt it? Whoever wins the leg

wins the match? It does not happen often at Lakeside, as sudden death

leg. Who will hold their nerve? Dennis Harbour has a marriage dart.

leg. Who will hold their nerve? It is a good marker. He has to go

across to the other side of the board. Double six. What that Russell

Weir have seen. Darryl Fitton will feel he has thrown that one away.

Well, well. 33 Ms doubles. This is for the match. There goes another

one. And another one. Can you believe what you are seeing? There

it is. Welcome to Lakeside, Anca Zijlstra. OK non-elephants fans,

you're about to see what the fuss is about, assuming he brings his a game

onto the stage, you will see why Glenn Durrant is seeded number one

and such a heavy favourite for the title. See what I mean. Tops, you

only get the one dart at it. It is over. Young Dean Reynolds, the

Welshman, is accounted for in straight sets. That was yesterday,

this is today, and another afternoon spent in the company of a legend who

has been around for so long. His first BBC contract was carved in

stone, Bobby George. Yesterday was the

Little did I know, probably the last 12 months would never have happened

had I been runner-up. It may have been a good thing going into the

game thinking it did not matter whether I won or lost. I am holding

the BDO Trophy for every pub, club, darts player throughout, Europe, the

world, wherever. You are holding it for them. It is the one that brought

home I was a world champion. That was the sports personality, two goal

to Belfast. As a British world champion, that was amazing. Humming

back as world champion, you have got to enjoy it. You cannot let it be a

rope around your neck. Otherwise you will be going home on the first

weekend. I am trying to make it an enjoyable experience because how

often will you come back as a world champion? I am trying to make sure

it is not a noose around mine and more an extra Christmas present. The

mental side of the game, as most players will tell you, is one of the

hardest things to get right. Probably stepping on to that stage,

I will feel like I am the world champion, but no matter what happens

when you get up there, you have got to get your head into a position

where you're one of the players making up the tournament, you get

your head down and leave the banner behind. Scott mentions the defending

champion. He would have looked at the bottom corner of the draw. This

is the Lakeside. Along comes a guy who has never played here before.

Craig Caldwell, he rocked the stage. His average was over 90. He threw

his starts with authority. He looked like he had played here before.

Scotty has got to be very careful. This guy can play darts. He did not

seem to get nervous. That is the main thing. After that journey,

stats are stats. He had a 50% check out percentage, but more

importantly, he had bottle. He had the bottle, I would say.

It is interesting, Craig got his big victory yesterday and he has got to

play again as a qualified in the first round. He has had the big

journey. This is another step up. He is not playing another hopeful, he

is playing the world champion. He played yesterday, and that could

help him. He is having to Michael bites at the cherry. This time it is

the world champion he has got to play. Scotty played last year, he

finished lovely, the timing was right, everything. This year, not so

good on the openers, what he is the thereabouts. He will play well but

he cannot give this chance. He has picked up a couple of titles since

he was last year, a few semifinals, last 16. By his high standards, he

probably needs to step up? Yes, when your world champion, you

do not spend time on the board, you go and meet people and shake and is,

you be a pop star. You're got to play darts to defend it.

That is what he has got to do today. You have been doing that for

decades, Bobby, swarming around shaking people's cans. Let's go to

Richard Ashdown, the master of ceremonies. -- swanning around.

Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the British Darts Organisation,

welcome to the 2016 Lakeside World Championships. It is day two, he

that the womb of world darts, the Lakeside. -- home. We now introduce

a winner of 13 world ranking titles, years the reigning England masters

and Jersey open champion, the reigning Lakeside world champion,

Scotty Dog, Scott Mitchell. MUSIC: COUNTDOWN FROM THE

"Thunderbirds" THEME. MUSIC: "Who Let the Dogs Out?" By

Baha Men. We now welcome back to the stage

after his preliminary round victory, our New Zealand regional qualifier,

all the way from Wellington, it is CC, Craig Caldwell.

The champion, the household name from just on the road, against the

Lakeside newcomer from the other side of the planet. Nothing can go

wrong, can it? Craig Caldwell waited 42 years to

make his World Championship debut. Now he walks onto the stage for the

second time in 24 hours. The New Zealander, he's sort of Scotland's

Alan Soutar in the preliminary round. His reward is a first-round

proper match against the defending champion, Scott Mitchell.

Scott returns to the scene of his greatest triumph having thoroughly

enjoyed his 12 months as world champion. He is seeded sixth this

year, having had a mixed 12 months on the circuit, with all the added

exhibition stuff. Mitchell sometimes find it hard to switch to match

mode. Back to business today. Standing between Mitchell and the

place in Rome two is the New Zealand number one, who was mightily

impressive on his debut on Saturday afternoon. It is England against New

Zealand for a place in round two. is the best of five sets. It is

Craig to throw first. Game on. Craig Caldwell, the 9-4 outsider in this

match. 12 months ago, Scott Mitchell had a real tussle and his

first-round encounter, it went to sudden death against Tony O'Shea. He

is a one favourite to win this, Scott, but having watched cold will

play yesterday, and is Vassos alluded to, Scott Davie short of

match practice. Caldwell might give him problems. He looked, as he grew

into the magister de, that he was very much at home. -- match

yesterday. He seemed to enjoy himself, and that is not something

you say about every Lakeside debutant. Sometimes you rise to the

occasion. Caldwell is definitely one of those players who rose to it.

Scott was telling me that he did something like between 60-70

exhibition is, many something like between 60-70

charity. He says one of the something like between 60-70

is not only lining his own pocket, he has been able to put so much

money towards worthwhile causes, which says a lot about him as a man.

Not least his dad's tractor. When he got back to Dorset, he bought his

old man tractor with ?100,000 prize money. He will be hoping for a

repeat check this time around. Just about managing to maintain

advantage with that good visit. 108 is a very makeable finish. That is

loose. Double 16 for the opening leg of the

match. He was very good yesterday and he has carried on where you left

off. Scott will have to get on his game and get on it quickly. Scott

Mitchell first came to the Lakeside in 2010. He lost in round one, he

repeated the trick in 2011, and in 2012. He finally got the victory in

2013 it and got to round two. The same in 2014, but last year it was a

completely different Scott Mitchell. Mentally he was more prepared to

show what he can do on the stage. He was not going to get overawed. That

is likely Scott we know. 180! He announces his presence in this match

with that. It was a good final. Against Martin Adams. He beat 7-6. A

big check out on the way as well, 158. It was an outstanding game,

maybe not quite to match the brilliance of the match between

Adams and Glenn Durrant, which was a Lakeside classic, Scott produced his

a game big-time 12 months ago. Craig Caldwell has the advantage of

bringing the momentum of a very recent match on the Lakeside stage

into this first round. Scott has not played in a World Championship for

12 months. He has changed is darts as well. The last time he threw

those darts was the winning double last year. They are now in his safe

at home. I think he knew that he was going to have to grow in to this

tournament. He said, I am not quite sure, I am used to playing people

like Martin Clunes rather than coming in four matches like this.

This is handy. Just the wrong side of the wire. He will get another

chance. He will want to put some pressure

on. Interesting array of headgear and outfits as ever as Mitchell

lines up. I saw one lass below the commentary

position who looked like she had come in in her pyjamas. She probably

had. First to three sets, a reminder.

First to three legs takes the set, except in a decider, which has to go

to a margin of two clear. If it goes to five all, it goes to sudden

death. Long time to go before that. Caldwell will be hoping he can do it

in QuickTime. That is his first maximum of the day, of the game.

Caldwell has the advantage of throwing first in this leg. Darts

players do like to hold their throw, a bit like tennis when you hold your

serve. That 180 will have helped to that end, but either side of it, 60

and 43. Great time of year for this sport. So much attention with the

two championships being concentrated. Bobby George, looking

like I have never seen him before! I thought that was quite a good

likeness! King of bling. The lads have worked at that. There is a

whole team of them! Caldwell closing in. Good first

start. Might just here. Could be going for 18s possibly. Good dart.

Lovely dart, leaving him on double top for the leg.

Wants to leave himself a finish. Once to make sure there is least

some pressure on the 40 and that is a good last dart. It was. Caldwell

on tops. Look at that! Good finishing records.

Scott must hold to extend the set. Steady start. Doesn't he look

focused? How about that! Second maximum. He has not made the 12,000

plus mile journey for nothing. Giving a very good account of

himself so far. It is a good response.

Back in the treble numeric 20, Caldwell. And again. Five out of

five! And it is six! Just a reminder, the perfect leg of darts

is a nine-darter and it has not been seen at Lakeside since 1890.

Pantomime booze for that. He was on one yesterday and he missed with the

seven dart of that. There has not been a perfect check out since 1990.

If anybody does it this time around, there is a ?52,000 bonus. What

Caldwell will want to do here is make sure he wins the leg and the

set. He is 82 points away. 17 for tops. He has not missed a double

yet. This for the set. Mitchell needs this to hold onto his throat.

118 is a big ask. He can still do it. He can't now because he needed

the treble 4 double numeric 19. He has to leave something. Caldwell

will be fancying his chances. That is hurting the local, Mitchell and

the outsider takes the first set. Scott Mitchell credits his sport

hypnotherapist with his remarkable turnaround in Lakeside form. He did

used to freeze on the stage and he said it was the best ?150 he ever

spent. It said it was the best ?150 he ever

wonder if that would help my putting on the golf course? Nothing helps

that! Caldwell is averaging over 94. Good throwing.

He needed that, the treble with the last dart, Scott Mitchell. Under

pressure on his own throw again at the start of the second set, having

lost the first. Caldwell gets on a finish, 161. That would be the

biggest throw of the championship so far if he can take that out. Good

nevertheless for Mitchell, two dart checkout.

16, double 16, for Scott Mitchell. He has gone for tops. This is for a

15 dart leg. Sigh of relief. Under pressure with Caldwell 96. He creeps

in with that crucial double 10. Just for the moment, you get the feeling

that the World Champion is hanging on in this match.

He had an opportunity there. 140 would have put Caldwell under the

cosh. The crowd here is not quite at its

full and rockers best. It will be revved up a bit as the afternoon

progresses. Not a spare seat in the house at Lakeside.

Young Sam and Katie, Scott Mitchell's kits, watching dad. --

kids. Not on a finish though. If Scott can

somehow make this leg, the complexion of the match changes. He

will move 2-0 up in the second set and look favourite to square the

match at one set piece. and look favourite to square the

first to three Mitchell is on a finish, 142 and

Caldwell nicely placed on 100. Can't do it now. That was a great dart. It

has left him on his feet. All sorts of pressure on this 104 Caldwell, to

hold his throat. -- on this 100 for Caldwell, to hold his throw. Good

dart! Confident. Straight in there, no messing. Now he has this second

set maybe in his grasp. Looking to serve it out to square the match.

Chatting to Scott backstage, a few minutes before the match, he had his

headphones half in and half out, listening to music in one ear and I

meant to ask him what it was and I forgot. Music in one ear and you in

the other? I would go for the music as well! We had what looked like

members of Case in here yesterday. That is a great 180! Brilliant hit

from Mitchell, second maximum. There have been some commendable

beards around as well. Like ZZ Top. What a good leg of darts this is

from Scott Mitchell. 11 or 12 darter here. Treble 19 for

him. He has got time. He will come back with tops to make it 3-0 and

one apiece. First of three wins the first round match, remember. Three

out of five so far. 1-1. Game on! Two sets with the darts so far but

is the momentum shifting towards the defending champion?

Plenty of refreshment around the auditorium. This might be too early

for you, but not Kvyat Lakeside. Sunday lunch, it is allowed, isn't

it? Always. That is a let off. He could do with

a nice easy leg to settle the nerves, Craig Caldwell. He could

recover his poise. He showed it in the first set. He was on the

receiving end in the second set. Scott Mitchell really up the ante,

and look at this, more of the same, that is his second maximum. 180 X

commission marked he does not let you off the leash for long, Scott

Mitchell. 118 is makeable, but if Mitchell got 100 plus year, he would

be under pressure. That is not bad. Starting with the treble 20. No. A

couple of times he has strayed low and right. He pulled every single

one. It was a good last dart. Mitchell, 97 to take on against the

throw. Not to be. You feel maybe that is one that has got away. This

is where we find out how did the New Zealand nerves are. Both of them

four out of six on their checkouts, impressive from both men.

There they are, not scoring badly either. Mitchell is slightly out

heating Caldwell at the moment. You can see, not a lot between them when

it comes to 180 and 140s. Mitchell just with the edge on the averages

right now. Come on, he said to himself after

the first two. He gees himself up and then it goes for a treble. Nice

response. Four ranking titles in 2015, Caldwell. He had a very good

year down under. So, 101 required. This is to hold

his throw. Caldwell is poised. Treble 19 he needs for double 12. It

cannot be done now. Really big. Bull's-eye to break the throw for

Caldwell. Our rueful shake of the head as Mitchell returns for his

favourite double 16. It is going well. That is what wins you matches,

five out of eight now for the big fellow. Former Scott. -- Farmer

Scott. The fourth maximum for Caldwell. He does like starting legs

with the maximum. The third time he has done it in one and a half

matches. When he did it earlier and yesterday, he followed it with

another maximum. Not this time. He got a bit excited with that opening

dart. Not too shabby. He is not letting that missed pills

I affect him, Caldwell. -- bull's-eye. He cannot get an nine

darter, but he could get ten. This is great darts, Vassos. Scott's

wife, watching on. Sharon. Nine, double 16, or 14 tons.

Analysing dart leg. -- an 11 dart leg. He is a good player, this

fellow. Just when you thought the momentum was with Mitchell, having

breezed through the second set, back comes Caldwell. It is nip and tuck.

You could see this going the whole way. Here he goes again. He is going

through a purple patch, following on from that deliver in darter and a

great first visit. -- that 11 darter. And the great response under

pressure from Mitchell. It is a heavyweight exchange.

He gees himself up with a little talking to and put himself on a

finish, Scott Mitchell, the defending champion. He needs a

treble. He does not find it, so he has six darts, Scott, from 161. Will

he go has six darts, Scott, from 161. Will

likewise make he will, a showman. How much did he love that? I think

he was rather pleased with that. He gave it a little strut around the

stage and low-paid to his supporters. Caldwell, the gentleman,

stage and low-paid to his shakes his hand. The highest

checkout of the tournament, 161. 180! This match is suddenly caught

fire. Another maximum from Caldwell to start the deciding leg of the

set. Both of them averaging over 94, a good standard. That is

set. Both of them averaging over 94, four. Five, six. Six out of six, he

has done it before. 180! It is on. To did the? Scott Mitchell is

stifling a smile. He has had two attempts at this. Both have faltered

on this dart, and again. Good going, though. -- good throwing. Six

maximums now to his name, Caldwell. And they are back-to-back. So, for

another 11 dart leg. Double eight, to take the set. That was a shame

after the brilliance leading up to that. Mitchell is way back. 180.

Just putting a little bit of pressure on that 16. 140 would help,

but it is not beer. Now check two fours for the set. You does not want

to keep missing, but he will be back, AP does. Beads of perspiration

on Caldwell's phase. It is hot on the stage. Mitchell could have put

himself on a finish there. It was a mistake. Back to the double eight,

which he has missed three times already. Not four. The third set,

for Craig Caldwell. He is one away from knocking out the defending

champion. He produced a really good side. Mitchell had blasted it in set

two, what Caldwell dug in and started peppering the treble 20.

Twice he had back-to-back 180s. The nine darter was on. The crowd really

enjoying his contribution. Scott Mitchell shaking his head after that

her first visit. His throw is under massive pressure now. Already. This

is awful that he has to dig himself out of, or he is heading out of

Lakeside. -- this is a hole. I am not encouraging people to wager, but

we did say before we started that Caldwell at 9-4 looked good odds.

You would not get 9- for now, I would tell you. You would be lucky

to get 4-9. Caldwell has taken the throw. He has taken away the

advantage of Mitchell having the darts. Remember, Mitchell has got to

win this. Sharon watching on, trying to encourage Scott. He wants one 40s

era, minimum. It will not leave a finish. -- 140 here. 144 Caldwell

would leave Mitchell in dire straits. He needs to slide on over

the top. He elected to switch to treble 18. That was a clever last

darts. -- dart. It was a champion's response, but is it too little, too

late. This can be done in two darts. Oh dear. He made a bit of a mess of

that. Mitchell on 80. Well done. He had to dig deep. That is a

champion's response. Caldwell sees it as a chance that got away. Well,

our 140, and then the perfect dart to take out the 80. He will not go

away, Caldwell. Scott refused to watch. He refused to watch Craig's

match in the preliminary round, beating Alan Soutar from Scotland

and looking impressive as he did it. He told me he watched a James Bond

film well that was going on. Caldwell continues to thunder in the

big numbers. I tell you what, whoever wins this

match will have earned their place in the second round.

Mitchell, this was a chance, because Caldwell, no checkout. The average

is reflecting that this is a good standard match, probably the best we

have seen so far at Lakeside. The best in this Championship. Good

checkout stats as well, particularly from Mitchell. Andy Goode leg from

Mitchell. Three ton 40s. 81, two strike against the throw. This would

hurt Caldwell. Brilliance check out again from

Mitchell! Caldwell blows out his cheeks and gives a little smile of

recognition for some quality throwing. This is to take us into a

deciding set. Really good darts from Scott Mitchell, the defending

champion, in the last leg. Good match. No question. Mitchell, eight

doubles out of 11. 73% checkout rate. They always say anything over

40% is pretty handy. Caldwell is 43%. Mitchell has brilliant

finishing and his best checkout, the best of Lakeside 2015.

Then he goes again! Number seven. Brian, Scott's brother, watching on,

himself the darts player. Decent. You wouldn't want to draw them in

the pub knockout. Oh, yes, good last dart.

Oh, what a good standard of darts visitors.

though. It is on. He finds the double. Wow! What a finish!

Astonishing from Scott Mitchell. We are into a deciding set and

everybody at Lakeside is delighted by that. They want more of this. All

Caldwell could do was raised his eyebrows. I don't think he has been

hit by finishing like this very often. 75%, Scott Mitchell's

checkout statistics. Indicative of how well Caldwell is claiming that

he is actually living with that, and it is still all square in sets, 2-2.

Caldwell has been hammering the big numbers. Seven times 180 already.

This is like a running race where the pace just gets faster and

faster. We hope they are on a flat-out sprint because the averages

are going up, the doubles are being found. They are trading mighty

blows. 161 checkout, 11 dart leg, great stuff. The best that Scott has

ever done, in average terms. Statistics don't tell the best story

that he has done 96 before and he is close to that. Caldwell is a new,

but a name to remember, isn't he? Averaging 95 in this match,

Caldwell. I am so impressed that he is not fazed by being up in front of

a boisterous crowd. The Heat of the lights, the television cameras. New

experience but he is throwing very well. And against a popular

opponent. He has got the majority of the crowd, if not against him, then

certainly with his opponent. And he is on a finish. Albeit a big one.

certainly with his opponent. And he on as he would have wished. 160.

What can Caldwell BVO? on as he would have wished. 160.

through against Alan Soutar in the preliminary round to set up this

match and he looked good. What can Scott do? He will not take out 160

at this stage. In this set, if it reaches two legalled, then either

player has to win by two clear legs until you get to five all when it

goes to sudden death. -- if it reaches two legs each.

To break the throw. Tops for Mitchell? The only one he has

missed. His finishing has been quite brilliant so what a moment to let

him down. Caldwell seven. Looking at the bottom of the board for three.

Double two. That is not lying to well. It was blocking the route in.

Good leg and what an important one. What a good moment this is.

Yes! When we come to the end of the match that may well be a moment you

look back at and say that was where Scott Mitchell showed a real

champion's resolve. Be just paused, just collected himself, just

remembered what he did to win the title a year ago and remembered what

a good player he was and produced the dart to back that up. He has not

built on it and Caldwell can jump all over this and make an immediate

riposte. But he hasn't. Let off for Mitchell.

We have not seen two shabby visits in a row for him often in this

match. And there you go. Good darts. Needs a treble. Just about hanging

on in. Edging towards a finish, Scott

Mitchell. Caldwell could do with another treble 20. Wild one.

Mitchell trying to tighten his grip on this decisive set. That is a good

dart. Really big one. And another. Is he sensing victory?

So he has six darts from 78 to move within a leg of the match.

I know quite a lot of farmers, and they are not given to hurry on.

There is a measured look about Scott Mitchell, isn't there? He doesn't

exactly rush up there. He takes his time. Very measured. Now this double

20 would put him 2-0 up. Well played, Scott Mitchell. His

finishing has been the principal difference between him and Craig

Caldwell. They have both had 17 darts hit the double. Scott has hit

11 and Craig just six. Right there, that is the difference. One leg away

from round two. And he knows that he will have been in a battle. Caldwell

has other ideas. He will not lie down.

What a time it would be for another 180. Kind of needs it. Kind of get

fit! No check out this time but Mitchell

is adrift. Double 18 for the leg and to keep him alive when he returns.

You get the impression that Scott is just steeling himself for the next

leg. He will study himself, psych himself up, concentrate, take his

time and this is the moment that Mitchell can close out the match.

Maybe. Could do with a treble. A glimmer of an opportunity for

Caldwell? What has he got left? Another magic leg left in him to

take us to sudden death? Not a good moment to do that. Tension in both

men. Bit unlucky, off the barrel. Well,

well, well. Nobody wants it! Perhaps they wanted

too much and a bit of tension is coming into the darts. Just lying a

bit low in the bed, that first treble 20. He manages to squeeze

another one in beside. He inches closer. Here comes the response from

Caldwell! Another maximum! It has been a high

standard match, this one. Twists and turns all the way. Scott Mitchell is

poised for victory now. Caldwell cannot find a finish. So 20 and tops

for Scott Mitchell and a place in round two, but not this time. He

will be back. He came close. Caldwell have to leave himself on a

decent finish and hope that Mitchell somehow makes a mess of it. Three

from nine on tops. See what he can do now. Takes aim at the top of the

board. Two 10s for the match and there it is! What a game for Scott

Mitchell. My, he was tested. Well played, Craig Caldwell. Very well

played. Scott Mitchell is through to round two.

Ladies and gentlemen, a brilliant match. Let's take the two players

off the stage together. New Zealand's Cray Caldwell and the

defending champion, still defending, Scotty Dog Scott Mitchell!

Under the cost, but that is what champions do. He checked out more

quickly than Usain Bolt in a celebrity edition of Supermarket Is

sweet. Craig Caldwell on his debut, please come