World Series of Darts Episode Recap - Episode 2


World Series of Darts - Episode #2
Broadcast July 25, 2006 on ESPN 7pm EDT

So yet another American falls short and next we cruise through Jim Watkins falling to Kevin Painter. Despite a nice 180 by American, Painter brushes through 6-3. No darts or games of this match are shown.

This brings us to our dart word of the day, "Madhouse". No its not an attraction at your local fair its a term to describe the double 1 segment. While double 20 is a preferred finish the next door double 1 is dreaded. Any miss inside ends your turn and it offers no breakdowns to further outs.

The next match we meet Wayne "Hawaii 501" Mardle the 6th player in the world and a flamboyant star of the PDC. His opponent is the soft spoken Dave DePriest a web designer hailing from Grand Rapids, Michigan. We learn that Dave qualified in Chicago and uses the focus he learned through martial arts at the oche.

A quick montage shows Mardle hitting 2 maximums and we join the action with the Englishman in a floral print leading 5-2. In the 6th leg Mardle kicks off with yet another 180 and the commentators advise DePriest to pray. With a sneer on his face DePriest prayers are answered as steady tons and efficient finishing draws the contest a leg closer in the span of 16darts.

Most noticeable in this match up is the contrast of styles. DePriest looks very serious and maintains an angry looking snarl while playing, while Mardle looks every bit the showman frequently dancing, raising his arms, and vocalizing during the games. Everything from attire to attitude these are polar opposites.

In the next leg we find Wayne opening the leg with yet another maximum, his fourth of the match. Upon retrieving his darts on the following turn, DePriest makes an awkward move walking to the left. Wayne is visibly upset but holds his nerve taking the final game for the match. In the post match interview, Wayne professes his big 180's were the difference and praises DePriest's consistent play (best average by an American in the first round).

A quick montage catches us up with other action. Both Joe Slivan and Joe Chaney drop their matches to Mark Dudbridge and Alan Warriner in whitewash score lines. While Brad Wethington does slightly better losing 6-1 at the hands of Ronnie Baxter. Again no darts or games are shown of these matches.

So far all 15 Americans to take the stage have fallen to their International counterparts. But there is still one left standing, and he is the number one American player. Continued....