Day 8 Darts: World Championships

My name is Richard George and I will be back to win the Embassy

Good afternoon. Welcome to the semi-finals here from the Lakeside.

The The BDO World Professional Darts Championships. A match which

pitch the hot favourite spot weights against Richie George. We

have seen every former winner of going out in the first round. It is

a tournament that just keeps throwing up surprises every step of

Robbie Green! The reign of Christian Kist is over.

Jimmy Hendriks calls the tune. The three-time world champion is out.

He has done it! Three weeks ago he was in a hospital bed and did not

think he would be able to take part. It was just a bonus to be here.

Darryl Fitton, can he find double 14 to beat the top seed? He has

done it! Double top for the quarter finals. Richie George is in the

quarter-finals! This is for it was sacked. -- for

He has been here before it so many times. His place in it the semi-

The Silverback has toppled Kong to move one step closer to the

Doubled 18. And it is! Yes! Richie George is into the semi-finals. The

place is bouncing. The fairy-tale continues.

I find myself in the unique position of introducing my co-

presenter Bobby George, also the father of the young lad who will

play in the semi-finals. One week ago you said you were just

delighted that he had qualified and that was enough. It is amazing. It

is unbelievable. He has always had this attitude, you tell him he

cannot do something and he will do it. That is what he used to say, me

can do. He went away and forged a successful career. How long as an

adult has he seriously been throwing darts? I would say the

last five months. You've got to the final in your debut here. How long

had you seriously been throwing darts? Three years. So it is

amazing. That story of how Scott Waites and Richie George made it to

the stage could not be any different. Scott Waites was the

bookies favourite. Young Richie George went all the way with David

to Prince. He blew hot and cold but eventually hot. In the second round

Geert de Vos body had a real chance. -- thought he. And Richie George

was facing the Dutchman Jimmy Hendrix was docked a match which

she eventually won. Scott Waites got the first four sets against

Paul Jennings, a strolling over the line eventually with a win. Richie

George played like a champion. Then add charm. Then it's a world beater.

This is the big unit against the little train that could. The game

is based around respect and we have to say that if Scott Waites was to

lift that trophy tomorrow we would be absolutely delighted for him.

the beginning of the week I made him the favourite. He has played

well. He has not been under that much pressure. He has played every

player in the world that is any good and beaten the Mall. He can

play. That is why on paper it looks like a done deal. Take a look at

the first line average and the overall averages. The overall

average, eight points. But Richie George actually has a slight edge

on the heavy scoring. His biggest complaint has been missing doubles

this week. But their debt level on that. The quarter-finals last night,

we had the three best set averages for both players and there's little

to choose from. What that tells us is that if Richie George can bring

his first game to the stage, David could slay Goliath. You boy has got

more bottle than United Dairies. You cannot buy that, it has got to

be in there. Scott Waites carries a great deal expectation because he

should have won this title before and he has not. Every year we say

he is going to do it. He never does it. It could beat this year. It is

the first semi-final for his cot as well. They got up a little extra up

earlier this morning. We took them I just needed that last set and

found it quite difficult to get over at the finish line. I just

lost my concentration. I will not let the same happen today.

I started off well and then I sort of fell asleep. I just thought keep

playing and I am bound to start scoring sooner or later. There is

still a long way to go. Then I started scoring a little bit better.

I turned my phone on this morning and had about 200 messages. I will

have to ask someone to go through them all. I just turned it off. I

will read My Masters tonight. is a lot of pressure on Richie

George especially with his father being here. He has got to prove

that he can get there so there's more pressure on him. If I can live

up to what he has done it will be a privilege for me. I have broken the

curse on the quarter-finals. I hope the tomorrow it will be my first

final as well. Scott Waites is a fantastic player. He has got great

ability. He has done a lot. I'm just going to play my darts.

The thoughts of both players. You always tell me that darts is played

more into the mind. So what must Scott Waites the thinking. He has

got to believe that he can do it. He has got the ability. He has to

believe in himself. He has got it all but I do not know what happens

to him. He just does not have the belief. But if he starts off well

he will show it. Interesting to see them both practising their on the

same dartboard. What must Richie George the thinking? He has got to

play proper darts. He cannot beat lazy any more. He will not get away

with it. If he makes a mistake he will get punished. He has got to

play proper starts now. They're almost ready to go. Scott Waites,

his father is up there and will be biting his fingernails. And just

below me Bobby George's much better have is sitting there with Richie

George was my girlfriend. It has been amazing, watching you

live every single arrow so far this week. We have so great Duke of the

scene, the Duke of the floor. Marie, how are you feeling now? Still

nervous but a bit more settled today. I think it is a bonus. He

did so well to get through yesterday. And just to be in the

semi-final is a bonus so I'm happy. Let us in on a family secret, who

has been more nervous this week? Bobby has been so nervous for as

little boy. He was always with him wanting to do everything that his

dad could do. He is a big softie! Kim, you're pregnant and Richie

George missed the spent yesterday. Everything OK? Everything is fine.

He was gutted about missing it. It was the first scan. Marie was with

me and I had her for support. Everything is absolutely fine. I'm

due on 14th July. Hopefully the darts will be over by then.

have had a conversation and it has been so dramatic this week and you

said he will not be allowed to play darts if he is a boy. I am not

having a darts player! I have gone through it with Richard, and will

not go through it with my own son or daughter, even. While the big

matches coming up soon. Fingers crossed. A Tony Watt, the

atmosphere is absolutely fantastic. There's no work in the world like

Lakeside on the semi-finals Saturday. Let us turned up a few

notches. They will be going through agony down there, the families. By

the end of the first leg this man will be sweating all over my shirt.

All the very best to both players as we push the button on the semi-

Let's play darts! Our first semi- final. Please welcome Richie

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George"! MUSIC: Lucenzo by Danza the Scott Waites.

MUSIC: Chelsea Dagger by The about the story than the price.

When that is the case it can inspire and thrilled beyond

expectations. Let us rolled the dice. Here is Tony Greener and

this with nothing to lose, but Scott Waites was odds-on to reach

the final before he had even thrown nothing right. And if you were

Richie, an expectation kind of comes with a surname. Forget calm,

this boy George has been a chameleon in a very much. -- forget

karma. His father had his debut here 33 years ago. Can George the

and when Richie George came to the -- sets. First to six, that is the

darts world for his heavy scoring. We have not really seen it so far

this week. His form has been in and out, but somehow, Tony, he has

found a way to throw that winning double. He had a very scrappy game,

really, against Jimmy Hendriks. came through that, I think that

given that little bit of confidence to continue.

156 he has left, he could finish. His dad would have hit a bad one. -

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first leg at will stop -- double- first two blocked it. Seven Mr

doubles for Richie George in this first leg. Both players feeling the

brochure, but Scott Waites founded late -- finally finding the double.

A nerve-racking first leg, that, A nerve-racking first leg, that,

his way to the finals. He beat Willy van de Wiel 3-0 when the

first round, but by a divorce 4-1 in the second, and Paul Jennings 5-

2 quite late last night. He went straight to bed afterwards. -- he

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barrel. We have seen that a lot dart. He is in the big time now,

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more must doubles. Can't Ritchie throwing rap first dart. -- that

first dart. Scott Waites has already missed the

eight darts at a double. P maybe leading 2-0, but he says he gets

really frustrated with himself when he does not play to his potential

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angle. Who does that remind you of, George, with the Lakeside affirms.

-- Richie George. Scott Waites playing in his first semi-final. He

six needed to put this to the final. throw first, game on.

court has one. Op -- the first one Thank you for listening. -- you

need to start now. It is not the Daks road. Up everything is great

at the moment for Scott Waites. won that first set at a canter. We

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have seen Richie play his best winning a leg, but harder it gets

Scott. There are some good at Yorkshire players, but he was one

of the best. Look at him standing, they're applauding. They just love

at. The does lovely, isn't it come to start a leg with a maximum?

Scott Waites, the third seed, and another one. Six out of six! Could

it be, Tony, could it be? It is immaterial what Richie throws here,

we're hoping for a magical nine dart finish. It has not been seen

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since 1990 on the Lakeside stage. had and nine dart finish.

Yorkshireman, Tony. He has been practising this morning with a

couple of his county team-mates, Martin Adams and James Wilson, who

both lost in the first round here. Scott has been beating them this

morning, but, he tells me, only because he had an early night last

night and they did not. To be honest, that is two good players to

years and is now back at the top. A much better leg from Richie

George. He needs to get himself on the scoreboard. If he is going to

win a leg, it should be this one. He is not on a finish, though, at

A lovely man, Derek. He comes every putter Michael stop or deer!

25 left and he has 125. four. He can afford to miss these

doubles. Surely now! Richie can best, but it is for Scotty! That is

the winning double. It gives him a match, Richie. 13 times he has had

a chance to win a leg and failed to take that chance. Scott will not be

pleased with his own double percentage, which is 27. But it is

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biggest fan. Even if he plays in a pub he calls to find out how he got

on. The other dad, our Bobby, will You can see why he is the favourite.

He is there again! 59 left after nine darts. Richie has yet to hit a

maximum. 11 dart finish. It is a lonely place when you have lost

eight darts in a row, the stage here. It is a learning procedure.

Just not happening for young Richie. Scott finds treble 20 again. And

again and again! They are up, they are down! Let's go for it again.

Another chance for a nine dart finish. I wonder if Paul is sitting

at home thinking, miss, miss! Double top for another leg and a

set. Dig deep, Richie. For a third set in a row. And a third

whitewash! It is all going the way of the man they call Scotty to

Hotty. Richie needs some help. Marie going through all kinds of

torment. Come on, Richie! Three again. Peppering the trebles. His

mum knows he is suffering. It could all change. He says he plays his

best darts when seemingly all hope is lost. Now is the time. He might

go for the bull here. Where has that gone? Double eight. It is

clinical, what is happening. Marie cannot understand it. But Scotty is

immaculate. But he has missed 20 darts at a double. Starting another

leg with three perfect darts. He has won ten legs in a row. This is

brilliant from Scott. Come on, Rich, you can do it. Everyone on their

feet to applaud him. 56 left. Trina Gulliver out there.

Richie cannot get a shot at a finish. This is some power. Really

packing a punch. His friends have texted all week telling Scott to

stop playing well. They cannot get decent odds on him! Twice he got

close to a nine dart leg. cannot win matches without the

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doubles. His dad says doubles for think. On the wire, but coming back.

And when he does it will be for a fourth set in a row. How must Marie

be feeling? Double four. One to go, Richie might have a chance here. He

has! Leaves tops for Richie George. Scott Waites is too good to be

given still more chances. Perhaps Richie will be back. No, he will

or give any muggers don't you have any chance -- and every cheat is

going to have any chance, he must win this sector. He is just not

getting the big scores and the finishing. He has not helping

himself, really. Even when he gets these 180 poor record 140s. Wesley

Harms feels a bit under the weather there. He will face Tony O'Shea in

the other semi-final later this evening. A repeat of their semi-

final last year. I hope the bug is as good. That is that angle of the

dark I was saying about. It comes across. -- angle of the dart. An

opening here for Richie. All well, with six. Thank you, but was a

wins his first leg at this semi- final. It is the fifth set of the

semi-final. You would have thought he won the match. Does the comeback

boat there. It is halt in you. And they're as haughty, up there. -- it

is hot in here. And the darts are red-hot tip from scolds. -- Red Hot

all week. Yes, the man who started treble 20 these treble 19 and the

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Bull's eye. Not this time, but he matters? Treble 20 would have

in this set. Us farmers set disco, Scott is 4-0

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books on Scott if he can carry this problem. -- in sets. It is all one-

way traffic, Scott Waites leads by 5-0. Waites was odds-on to reach

the final before he had even stood on stage and this is why the winner

receives a cheque of �100,000. Bobby's boy needs the mother and

father of all comebacks if Richie father of all comebacks if Richie

Rich is to get better. Bobby, you might have dished up his pocket

money. To a well stoppered for a month.

As might I will stop it. At the start we said it was he rose

story, like a Disney movie. Kidd runs away, picks up dance serious

flair -- darts seriously five months ago. But Scott almost

destroyed him. We will, it is Richie's fault, he

has not had since anything. He is hitting the big twenties, he is not

on his covering shops. Even when he has a chance to have a shot at a

double he is miles away. He is not performing at all. A Scot on the

other hand has been the majestic at times. He is hitting the big scores.

Not necessarily been great but a whole way round, but when he has

needed it he has done it. Look at this lot, you cannot take

it away from them. That is his story. Despite the fact when he is

playing at his best he can beat any player in the planet, he has proven

that, he is starting to fill his potential and the crowd have been

bolder. He can beat anyone, I have said guard before the match. But my

boy has not performed at all, but he has learned something. It will

hurt him really badly inside. He will think to himself, I am not

going down that road. You have to be on form in the World

Championship every day, not just four or five days, but every day.

In the a leak -- other rounds, there has been olive will be of

Muhammad Ali, roll puddle going on. This is not the case here, he is a

young lad, he is only 23 and he will be in Beth's at the moment

backstage, to be honest. Well, I have beaten him all his

life on the dartboard, so he is used to it. I have, for years, he

never won a leg until he was about 16. It is a bad performance, are

really bad performers. Let us look at the set to plummet,

because when Richie plays well he can take them. 69.8 average for at

Richie here, Scott did not have to do too much. Then Waites kicked in

with 110 average. Richie could be happy with the 91 averages, but in

those sets he was getting beaten so badly he did not get shots at

doubles. When you have a chance at a double, the gold palm goes heavy

and you think, I have good hit this now. He hasn't taken the chance.

Double 10 it looks like he will not get it. Against Jan Dekker he came

out a different player. He may do that again. P is not going to come

back and when this but he may get a respectability into the score

because he has the darts. Well, it can get any worse, cannot?

Scott probably didn't want to have a break. And I will buy the drinks

tonight, Bobby. It is about time! At that stick a look at the second

semi-final, a repeat of last year's game, and is there a bit of a

needle? Game, set and the match! Tony

O'Shea! Can I just put it away, put it

behind me. This year is a New Era. I will carry on with this one.

had a little break at 5-5, and I had a lot of bounce outs last year,

and Wesley asked during the break to change the dartboard, because

Tony is getting bounce outs, which I thought was so nice. He will not

be doing that again next might be if he is getting a lot of bounce

outs, and he asks to judge it, I will say yes.

Afford he was a true gentleman. As it, don't worry, you'll have lots

more to come. But did not realise it would be 12 years -- 12 months

today. Getting to the semi-final is a great chance.

Last year I was shouting out and everything. By and keeping calm now

because I know that you need the energy later on. The issue he has

learned a lot, not just on the dartboard, and now he is one of the

big names on a tournament, who do not want to play Wesley. He is

tough, because he is playing so well. He has played for several

years now, and if you look at his list, I have a long way to go, so I

I am going to have to stay on the soft drinks because I have to bring

you the highlights tonight. We concentrate on that game between

Wesley Harms and Tony O'Shea. If you want to hear the football

results as they come in or just keep up with everything going on on

the BBC website, you can do that through our new iPhone application.

Lots of people trying to soak up the atmosphere. One familiar face,

at the Viking. Andy Ford is world champion from

2004. And Richie George has got a mountain to climb. He has been

getting away with it a bit during the week. He has been missing a lot.

I think it is a lesson being learnt. Scott Waites is playing the best

start we have ever seen from him. He has been playing well for a good

few years now. Just giving him no leeway. What has Richie George got

to do when he comes back? Well he just has to go out and enjoy it. If

he can do that, all well and good. But it is not a bad effort to get

into the semi-finals in the first year. Thank you for your insight.

Well today could be a fairy-tale story in the making. But it has

turned into a nightmare instead for Richie George. Scott is one set

away from that dream final that has away from that dream final that has

for so many years eluded him. It is looking ominous for young

Richie George. But there is pressure on Scott Waites. The last

dart at double is by far the hardest. You are quite correct. I

am feeling for Richard and I'm sure that everyone is. Let's see if it

will change now in just one set. It does not seem like it. I do not

think Robin Hood could do any better. Stealing from that which

she! -- from the Richie. Anthony Dundas now the referee. Making his

debut here this year, like Richie. The way he is playing, you would

not put it past him. Richie way back once again. He has at least

bull now, though. Double ten. There is now clowns on this stage. But a

circus act with the darts of Scotty. Richie really under the weather.

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ahead. Just that slip there. Two big scores in between, a 40 and a

42. Richie will be first on a finish. He has left 98, hard to get

to treble 20 now. Back up and will he be back? For the second leg of

the set. Richie wants double ten. Yes! You would have thought from

the cheers that he had won the He has to think one leg at a time

and just keep going. With those scores, what can you do? A glimmer

of light, left the door ajar but slammed it shut with a maximum. In

1984 Bobby hurt his back and lost a match 6-0 in the final. Bobby only

won five legs. He has suffered with his back ever since. He has a lot

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of trouble. Only three Bobby this leg. Right in the centre.

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Keep it going. Yes! He did not have the wobbles there! Treble 18. This

for the match, this 161. It would be some way to finish a match he

has dominated from the opening. Richie with a chance. Two threes

for leg three. And here is a decider in this set. Punish him.

Yes! Marie, the first time she has been on her feet. But it is not

over yet. Good recovery from a Scott. This is what Richie can do.

Even with a bounce out. He wants 108 to take the set. He is going

for 20. It is the best double on the board, double 16. Hold your

breath. Yes, he has done it! that set. Well done. So we continue.

Advantage time for Scotty. Even he was applauding. He is that type of

person. They have never played each other before. This time last year

Richie George did not have a ranking to his name. He went around

the world playing officially sanctioned tournaments to get the

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ranking to qualify for entry to hit that finish. Double 10. Rushing

for Ritchie to add to the collection. Now Scott thanks the

double 10 he needed. And that was a leg against the darts. There was

just a suspicion that the man that they call Scotty 2 Hotty was

becoming little lukewarm in the last leg, but Richie didn't take

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the flights, he caught them and the She had to go back to Halifax all

week because she could not get time off for a job. She works in medical

insurance as a manager. But it was James Wilson, in fact, who drove

all the way up to bring her back down yesterday afternoon, through

the rush hour. She was here in time to see him win his quarter-final. I

am told that she hates the cameras and plans to hide behind Clive all

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afternoon. Don't take your shoes with the advantage. -- Richie

George. But he failed to find a treble there.

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Is this the closing leg? 164, a K M, shot, and the match. Scott

Waites! Scott Waits eases into his first

final, and the son of a legend has been given a Lakeside lesson.

Richie George, beaten 6-1 in the semi-finals. Scott Waites has been

semi-finals. Scott Waites has been coming here every year since 2008

to try and lift the total. Perhaps his weight is over, as he is in the

final. Ladies and gentlemen, Richie

George... And in the final, Scott Waites!

well, the happy ending is for Scott Waites, one of the best players in

the world who has not found his form at the Lakeside.

He has now, he is in his first Well, Bobby, as much as this

tournament needs stories like third of Richie George, he has been

getting so many column inches as your son, but it also needs top

players like Scott Waites to produce the goods. All he played

well, Richie, if he did not play, could beat him up. But Richie did

not perform at all, he put no pressure on him. When he did have a

chance to hit a few doubles, he could have maybe taken two set poor

Mike, he never took the chance. But he learnt from that. He got beaten

up, but you have to learn from it. Yes, Scott Waites has learned from

all his disappointment here at to make the final. Don't be tentative!

We're really grateful for you been here. How does it feel?

Absolutely fantastic to be up there. To be five sets up at the break was

of brilliant. As Bobby says, you have you believe your opponent.

did not come out of the box, so you had to play the darts that we know

you can, but when he got his average of over 90, you just stood

on him again. I was really happy with the way the

game went. I had my double as early on and it did a lot of pressure on

Richie and early on. I have won today, that is it, my job is done.

Let us hear from Richie. This guy has thrilled us the whole

week, but Richie it did not go for you this afternoon. Darts is darts.

I had my chances and did not take my doubles, but fair play to Scott.

He hit but the double. When you get in front you build confidence, but

in the last two sets by missed my chances. It was not meant for me,

that is all. Compare it took 12 months ago, you have made huge

progress to make this semi-final. What will you take from this

experience? I could not be happier, to be honest. The positives I take,

I was playing well, so I have to works on what I wasn't doing. I am

happy to be back next year, the depleted Scott, I hope he goes on

and does well. But you have lost with dignity, Colin, this fellow

will be back. Yes, you have one with dignity, as

well. When you think back to the first time you stepped on the

police might stage, it is a colossal challenge to keep your

nerve. Certainly, in front of all of these people. Richie is under a

lot of pressure because his dad is Bobby George, isn't he? His dad is

going to be proud as punch. He is, but tell me about this man. Before

a dart was thrown he was saying how thrilled he would be to see him

lift the trophy, and considering the other semi-finalists, what a

way -- what a day be have tomorrow. Go I never expected my boy to get

the SFA, to be honest. He did the business on, you beat him up good

and proper, he will have his day one day. It is your day now. Will

it be back to the working men's club for the rest of the day, back

down to earth from the adoring masses and throw a few practice

darts? No more darts today, my job is done. By will watch the next

game, see how it goes, and bring on tomorrow. Who do you fancy in the

final? I would love to see Tony in the final, I would love to play him,

but I don't think it is his here again. Why don't think he is

playing well enough. But we will see. We're so excited about it,

Scott, many congratulations. Richie George only decided to have a go at

darts as an adult about five months ago and made it all the way to the

final. If you fancy having a glut that, by a dartboard around July