Day 2 Darts: World Championships - Highlights

Good evening, what a day it has been. Finishing up on the hill and

just getting started down by the lake. It was the turn this afternoon

of the defending champion, Scott Mitchell, who would have looked at

his part of the draw and thought, I really fancy myself to defend the

title. But it is always the unknown qualifiers that call the shots. Glen

Durrant came into this with some good form and through some really

good starts. It is called well and Mitchell, and maybe not so

straightforward. -- Craig Caldwell. Of a split the first two sets, then

Mitchell took out the tournament high, 1-6-1, 2-2 at the end. Given

Caldwell's lack of tournament experience, not a bad answer. He

thought he would do it twice, and put himself into the pre- limb. And

he did. The newcomer just one set away from the championship.

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

faster. 50. Let's hope it ends on a flat-out sprint. The averages are

going up, the doubles are being found, and they are trading mighty

blows. A 1-6-1 check-out. I know that statistics don't really tell

the full story, but in average terms he has had a 96 here, and he is not

far off that. He is to remember, isn't he? Averaging 95 in this

match, Caldwell. I am so impressed by the fact that he is not wavering

with the heat of the lights on the television cameras and the

boisterous flag. A new experience but he is growing very well. And

against a popular opponent. He has the majority of the crowd if not

against him then certainly with his opponent. And he is on the finish,

Caldwell. Mitchell is not really putting the pressure on as he would

have wished. What can Caldwell do here? He came against Alan Soutar in

the first. He has taken out 161, he won't take out 160. Either player

has to win legs until you get to 5-5, then it

goes to the end. 77 with the treble. Brave darts. Tops for

Mitchell, it is the only one he has missed.

Mitchell, it is the only one he has brilliant, what a moment

Mitchell, it is the only one he has let him down! Looking at the bottom

of the board for three. That is not lying too well. It was blocking the

route in. What a good leg, and what an important leg! What an important

moment this is. Scott, you require 40.

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. Just paused and collected himself, just remembered

what he did to win the title here a year ago. And just remembered what a

good player he is and then produced the Dart to back that up. He hasn't

built on it. Caldwell, if he jumps all over this he might make the

immediate riposte. But he hasn't. A let off for Mitchell. We have not

seen two shabby visits from him often in this match. And there you

go. Good darts. He needs a treble. Just about hanging on.

Edging towards a finish, Scott Mitchell could do with another one,

and other treble 20. Mitchell trying to

and other treble 20. Mitchell trying set. That is a good darts. -- Dart.

He has starts from 78 to move to within a legs of a match. A double

20... I know quite a lot of farmers, and they are not given to hurrying,

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

doesn't exactly rush, he takes his time, it is all very measured. And

now this double 20 would put him 2-0 up. Well played Scott Mitchell! Is

finishing has been the principal difference between him and Craig

Caldwell. They both had 17 darts at a double, Scott has hit 11 of them,

and Craig just six. As you say, 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 won't

lie down. What the time it would be for

another 180. It kind of needs it. Caldwell has left... No check out

this time, but Mitchell is adrift. Double 18 for the leg to keep him

alive when he returns. You get the impression that he is

steeling himself for the next leg. He will steady himself and psych

himself up, concentrate, take his time, and this is the moment when

Mitchell can close out the match. A glimmer of an opportunity for

Caldwell. What has he got left? Has he got another magic leg left in him

to take us to sudden death? That is not a good moment to do that. Plenty

of tension in both men. A bit unlucky, that one. Off the

barrel. 41. Well well well. Nobody wants it! Or perhaps they

wanted that little bit too much, and a bit of tension coming into it.

That is better. Just lying a little bit low in the bed, that first. He

manages to squeeze another one in by the side, and inches close of. --

closer. And here comes the response from Caldwell, and a leg wasn't

quite there! Mitchell, two in, and that is it! It has been a high

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

Mitchell now is poised for victory. Caldwell can't find a finish, so 20

and tops for Scott Mitchell, and a place in round two. Not this time,

but he will be back. He came close. All Caldwell can do is try to leave

himself on a decent finish, and hope that Mitchell somehow makes a

massive mistake. Let's see what he can do now. Takes aim at the top of

the board. There it is! What a match! What a win for Scott

Mitchell! Well played, Caldwell, but very well played Scott Mitchell.

Scott, congratulations. How hard did he make you work for that? When you

come back as world champion it is hard enough anyway, but when someone

might Craig steps up like he did, you forget you are the World

champion, you think, I am really battling to stay in the tournament.

Were you surprised at how heavily he was scoring? Yesterday he played a

very similar game with a 90 average, but I didn't watch it. Everyone was

telling me he could score, but I did not expect nine 180s. Just when I

thought I was getting him, it was bang, 180, and I thought, give me a

break. He just kept going. You mentioned that 161, your double send

your finishing were what got you over the line. When your back is up

against the wall, you just have to do it. Today was my day, and Craig

and I will probably go and have a beer can at it and have a chat about

it. Has that settled you down? Do you feel like you will be less

nervous when you come out for the next round? No, no not at all. It

makes it worse, more than anything. You are still in it, and it was some

great finishing that got you over the line, so have a great day of

practice and we will see you soon. Elsewhere, it wasn't vintage Ted

Hankey, but he got it easily enough against Cameron. Sajwani has made it

back in against a young Sam Hewson. Another game going all the way was

Panteledis against Petoom. We will join this match, between

Asada and Labanauskas. Is manager has never stopped smiling. He has a

chance if he jumps all over this, a pretty poor first visit from

Labanauskas, and he'll say is doing that. Still pretty good, 121. Darts

like this will win the title. The pairs partner of

watching on, due to play Gary Robson. He has a cast on his hands.

It will be a good tussle. Good recovery, he needed that. Asada

gets a big hit, he will be sitting pretty. 140 would be handy, but

ethical to get a treble now. I thought he was going to change

their. Probable should done -- there.

Don't rush it, you have plenty of time. Can Asada get himself onto a

finish? It is a difficult one, because if he gets a time he still

cannot finish on a 162. That will do the trick. 122.

A solid response. Treble 18 would leave the bullseye. He is good with

his finishing as well. Here's a good player, are you. Averaging 93,

his finishing as well. Here's a good he has had some big hits and classic

finishes. Darius has a Shanghai shot to save him. It can't be done now,

immaterial. No matter what he gets, because 32, 16, it is all over.

Double 16 for a place in the first round. 88, steady the nervous,

44... No! He is not smiling now, his manager! He has got it! What a good

job that was, the first one wasn't very good. He was just able to slide

job that was, the first one wasn't in over the top. What a match this

is. It has been fantastic. A good game. Asada has got to throw. It

could be important. In theory, he would be the favourite to get

through to the finish. Let's take it all the way... Labanauskas, a real

tussle in his first round match. Went out against Robbie Greve, 2-0

down, then lost in the fourth set. What a time to do that! 103 left,

Darius with 320! Fighting away! For the match... Needs treble 17, he has

missed it... Still nothing Darius can do, just get down, leave the

comfortable finish and just hope. That is a great throw. Double 16,

two darts for it. One... Two... Going begging again!

Tops, to go 2-2 insets. He has missed it! Look at that! The manager

can barely stand watching! It is all in your hands. He has done it! It is

all over, I could have watched those darts right through the night!

Absolutely brilliant. A Japanese-style towel from Asada, who

has looked like a completely different player from 12 months ago,

performed really well, and he has won it by 3-1. Now, Scott Thwaites

against Mandigers. It has been a long day, but there is

still some energy inside this place. What a start from the Dutchman. And

he has come out flying. Scott Waites has been there, seen it, done it. He

is saying that for the first time in a long time that he is now throwing

without paying. Anyone who has had shoulder trouble will know that it

hurts. Since that operation, he reached the final of the Welsh open,

the Polish open, the British, the jersey classic, and one the British

classic. You could say he has had a decent run over the past four or

five months. What a first leg this has been from Mandigers. Waites is

back on 250, not for long. What a start to this one! This for a 13

dart leg. After starting so brilliantly it would hurt if he lost

the throat and Waites. Very doable for Scotty. Just the wrong side of

the wire! Maybe fours will bring a bit more joy, no! Two 4s for Waites

to take the opening. Despite the brilliant start, Mandigers loses the

first leg. A little smile on Waites's face, and not surprising.

Lucy, his girlfriend, will also be smiling. Mandigers is absolutely

roared out of the blocks, but couldn't finish. Remember when

Waites one in Wolverhampton in 2010, that was a great comeback. Scott

came through and won it and show that there is some enormous talent

in this side of the game. I don't think I'm talking to good out of

turn to say that he is pretty good celebrating, as well. We all went

out to an Irish bar afterwards. An early break for Scott Waites, the

champion here three years ago. Tony O'Shea beat him in that final.

Absolutely hammered him. 142. Scott Waites will be having a

nibble at this one. The new one might do now. Look at this, double

11! Yeah! What a checkout that was! Just as well I had the microphone in

my hands then. Sorry, I missed that.

That was vintage Scott Waites, wasn't it? I will have to watch it

back. A strong guy, Tony O'Shea. Scott

Waites, carrying on. 60. What a fabulous checkout that was

from Scott Waites. He is on another finish here. 170 to go 3-0.

from Scott Waites. He is on another another one. Just the wrong side of

the wire, otherwise he would be going for bull. Willem Mandigers is

way back. Scott Waites will return three darts at double 19 for the

opening set. Going to go double 16. He has already got it, he was on the

walk. A false start. Yeah! What a first set from Scott Waites! Well,

that was quality. Willem Mandigers, who started so well in the opening

leg, just swept away, blasted away... 60. Well, he had seven looks

at a double, opening leg. And he has not got close since. He has the one

ranking tournament win, Willem Mandigers, the Turkish Open. Nearly

a perfect cover shot. Just the wrong side of the wire in two treble

seven. -- into. 100. A joiner by profession, is

Scott Waites. He has had many offers to

Scott Waites. He has had many offers But he likes the day to day job, to

come here and perform like this. Who knows? He certainly has the talent

to He is seeing the treble at the

moment. -- He certainly has the double ten. Not this time. Reaching

to be converted. I am a Sheffield boy. -- Preaching. How can Scott

Waites finish it off? 55 to go a set and a leg. A one and a two now for

Scott Waites. Willem Mandigers has just got

Scott Waites. Willem Mandigers has afford to miss this. Good darts.

That was a break. 140. He has a nice the road, does Willem Mandigers, a

nice rhythm to get. -- throw. -- it. Scott Waites, a Huddersfield man.

Willem Mandigers has a whole posse of supporters. There they are

family, mainly, I think. -- are,. His mother, Tony, and father, Chris.

I hope I have at the right way round. -- that. There is Lucy, Scott

Waites' number one supporter. Looking a little bit tense at the

moment. The poor fellow is playing some good stuff at the moment.

moment. The poor fellow is playing all get a little bit grumpy when we

are losing, though. That is what makes a good winner. Hitting losing.

-- hating. 136. Surely, not again. 88! Brilliant! This is brilliant

from Scott Waites! Scott Waites is running hot! Cor, he is charged up!

142. 136. Were only in the second set! -- We are. The crowd is a

little bit thinner than it was earlier on. The clock is ticking on.

Those who have stayed, and those at home still with us, you are enjoying

some high-quality darts from Scott Waites! 97. Over 94. But it is those

two eye-catching checkouts, 142, and 136. Look at this. He is back for

more! Back in the auditorium. A good performance from him. I am not sure

he needs that coat on him, though, absolutely roasting! A great

performance, though, from him. Scott Waites will come back now with 64

required. Scott Waites requires 64. This is to go ahead in these set.

Double 16. -- this set. Oh, yeah, he really has his eye on those

finishes. It makes such a difference, psychologically, to

these guys. Flapping around on doubles but if you get them, it

gives that feel-good factor. And he is buzzing. She is hitting the

doubles and the troubles at the moment. -- He. -- trebles. If he

takes this leg he will add another set. He is giving himself every

chance. A fortunate last dart. Not been passed the second round since

he, Scott Waites, but the signs are good. -- round, has he. Switching

down with a superb cover shot. Yeah, it is relentless. Willem Mandigers

is way back. He is actually... He isn't playing so badly. But he is

getting just annihilated here. 145. Well, and you almost expected him to

get it after what we had seen before. So... 86 for the second set.

Treble 18, double 16, they shot. -- the. This would be double 16... No,

not this time for Scott Waites. Exhibition stuff, isn't it, that.

Scott Waites still has the darts to make it 2- zero. The first time

Willem Mandigers has held his growth. Yeah, you are right. He

isn't playing that badly, if he? -- throw. We have seen many worse than

that. -- is. Some significantly worse. Scott Waites, talented, it is

good. Oh, look at this again. 180! Another! It is high-class darts.

Late night at the Lakeside. No point in eulogising about this sort of

achievement. He has left himself on a finish, Scott Waites. 141. The

time on its way to finish the night. He will be looking for treble 20. --

honoured. The first one land. As does the second. -- lands. I don't

believe what I am seeing! Willem Mandigers has the darts. It gets to

you if you have that shoulder problem. It would have hurt him,

doing this. Just little things, and eight when you are going to sleep.

-- an ache. It is their with you constantly. -- there. He looks like

a man at ease this evening. And must ask to his surgeon is. -- I must ask

who. The average just under 97 for Scott Waites. Good stuff tonight.

Martin Atkins watching on. Another top 40. With the checkout story

slightly different. Many of the players are familiar faces who have

been coming here for you is. -- -- years. I had a chat with Brian

Dawson. A good darter himself back in the day. Scott Waites, finishing

against the darts. That leaves double 18 for a lovely little two

darter. He started where he left off. And this could be over in the

blink of an eye. A look to the watch before the match started, I thought,

this could be a late one. And then, goodness me, look at this! The has

got another one! -- He. He is in the sort of mood to do special things. A

shake of the head. Drifting below the bad. -- bed. Absolutely in

control of this leg. They aren't making any impact at all, those from

Willem Mandigers. He is annoyed at himself even though he has hit three

figures, isn't he? (LAUGHING). It can be done. He

needed two treble 19s for the bull. He missed by a little bit of a

distance. 121 is a nice finish. 91. Scott requires 121. Double 18. 103.

Requiring 150. So, Scott Waites, for a two legs to nil lead. This is

going on, I reckon. -- in. How did you know that was white my sources

told me. -- that? . Just under a 98 averaged. Not far off flawless

tonight. The sort of player who can easily reach a performance averaging

in the hundreds. Eight easily reach a performance averaging

darter on his game. -- a. It is lovely to see him on this form. I

have watched him in his struggle. Painful to watch and painful to

play. You know how good he is. I was getting a glimpse of that tonight.

Firmly in control, Scott Waites. Now, if he can take this one against

the throw it is goodbye Willem Mandigers. Eindhoven, he recounts.

He has had eight Devey season. -- here we come. -- a steady. That is

better. But if Scott Waites wins this leg it will be all done and

dusted within an hour. It could be... Willem Mandigers needs a big

score here. 100. This is for the match, 170. He has had 142, 136,

141... match, 170. He has had 142, 136,

disgusted. He wanted to do it in style. Will he be back's 16, four

double 16, to stay alive. -- back?. 60 four Scott Waites. For a

whitewashed. -- for. Two 60 four Scott Waites. For a

tops. -- whitewash. For the ninth seed. It has to be! What a

tops. -- whitewash. For the ninth performance! Scott Waites. He has

been first rate. Going through to round two. It was not

been first rate. Going through to flawless. What a performance.

Arguably, I think the performance of this championship so far. He was

very, very good. Scott, that was more like the performance that took

you to the world title a few years ago. Pretty good. Finishing was

good. What else can I ask for. 142, and that was a jot only high

checkout. I guess one of the most important questions is your shoulder

OK? -- that wasn't the only. It is OK. I can't complain. It is on its

way back. Do you feel as though people were being a little bit

disrespectful in not talking about you as a major contender coming into

this championship, or did this suit you, coming in under the radar? I

like it, being the underdog, under the radar. To win the Lakeside, I

want a decent size at the bookies as well. I have wondered before and I

feel like I have paid very well. -- won it. I love that cheeky grin. --

played. To use feel you played as good as you did when he won the

title? We will know come Sunday. -- Do you. Scott Waites is through. And

in the ladies because... -- ladies'. This meant the absolute world to

though. -- to her. The Golden Girl. It went to the wire. Tomorrow

afternoon, live on the BBC, the familiar face of John. And an old

Dutch affair. -- all-Dutch. In the evening, worth watching. I like the

look of Harry Butler. -- Larry. An up-and-down day at the Lakeside.

A little bit bizarre. That is all from the darts today. Live darts all

afternoon, Monday to Friday, this week. Tomorrow live coverage

continues. If you are working 9-to-5, don't forget to join us for

the semifinals and finals on Friday. Thank you very much fortune in an.

-- for tuning in. ELECTRONIC MUSIC PLAYS.