World Series of Darts Episode Recap - Episode 1


World Series of Darts - Episode #1
Broadcast July 18, 2006 on ESPN 7pm EDT

So far no American has won a match but next up will be America's Bill Davis facing off against world number 9 Denis "The Heat" Ovens. As we return from break we find Davis had played in 2 qualifiers before booking his spot in stage during the Midnight Madness.

The match opens with a quick montage to catch-up on the action thus far. Davis hits a 180 only to be answered right back by Ovens. We now join the action in the 9th game with Ovens leading by a score of 5-3. Davis takes advantage of Ovens missed doubles and hits double top to draw one game closer. But again it’s not to be as Ovens cleans up the match with a double five in the next game to seal the victory. The score line, 6-4. While its clear Davis fought the good fight its another disappointing loss for the Americans.

So far the Americans have been dropping like flies and the pace only picks up. Next we see very quick clips of Tom Curtin losing to Andy Jenkins, Roger Carter going down to Roland Scholten, and "Bazooka Joe" Efter dispatched by Dennis Priestly all by the score of 6-1. No actual darts were shown of these matches and there was no footage of the qualifiers.

Up next one of America's top players Ray "Razor" Carver faces off against darts bad boy Peter "One Dart" Manley. We get a nice introduction to Carver and learn he has recently beaten some of the best players in the world include the number 3 ranked player just a few months prior. His opponent looks every part the villain in Manley. Clips show him talking smack during matches and refusing to shake hands in defeat. A clash of good -vs- evil seems to be shaping up.

Next we see Manley walking to the stage accompanied by an attractive woman. She looks a bit uneasy to be in the presence of he villain and appears uncomfortable. As Carver makes his entrance he too has an attractive woman with him. This time the lady appears much more at ease with the American.

As we join the match, we find Manley with a 3-0 lead over Carver. The averages show Carver playing well with just a touch below 90average but Manley is storming the board at almost a 100 average. In the fourth leg, Carver seems to find his niche and clicks in double 4 to break the ice and draw within two games at 3-1. Continuing his win streak Carver captures the next leg to close the distance to just one leg at 3-2.

As we return from break we find Manley has taken the 6th leg to push his lead back to 2 games at 4-2. Carver takes advantage every opportunity in the 7th game and draws the match back to 4-3. But that’s where it ends for the American hopes this episode at Manley wins the next 2 games and the match by a score line of 6-3.

A recap of the day's events shows while some Americans came close none were able to pull off an upset in this episode. But the dream is still alive, as long as Johnny Kuczynski is around. I wonder who that is but apparently we will meet him next episode along with some guy named the man, the myth, the power, Phil Taylor.

Tune in next week to ESPN at 7EDT to see the rest of the first round action. I have a hunch there is going to be some excitement in store!