Re: 2019 PDC World Championship- Alexandra Palace, London-13th December 2018- 1st January 2019

[thelad1985]

ashton prved how easy it is to master the ally pally stage in the first set - no pressure bigger trebles - never seen her play like that at lakey - but thats the most unsurprising news going at the end of the day - last game was okay - but its to easy to master the pdc stage and board -

robson

[mik252]

An excellent last match last night. I think I was one of the people who may have underestimated Cross before the start of the tournament. Even though I thought he would beat de Zwaan, the bottle he showed hitting crucial scores and taking out those clutch finishes (particularly the 96 and 121 which were game changers) was certainly a mark of a world champion. As others have said the draw is looking good for him now and I think he has an excellent chance of coming through the bottom half and making the final.

I do feel for de Zwaan, I’m sure he would have bitten your hand off for a 106 average before the match. He couldn’t quite live with the spot on timing from Cross. I hope he carries this form into 2019 and if he does, with no money to defend next year, he’ll surely be a shoe in for the top 32 (and beyond).

[Ginge]

As first nights go it wasnt too bad at all once the first match was done, looks a bit horrific on paper today though.

[ssjsa]

Live Darts interview with Rob Cross.

[ssjsa]

[ssjsa]

[Paddy McGinty]

Says the bullying, thuggish, mannerless Welshman...........

[Ginge]

ashton prved how easy it is to master the ally pally stage in the first set - no pressure bigger trebles - never seen her play like that at lakey - but thats the most unsurprising news going at the end of the day - last game was okay - but its to easy to master the pdc stage and board -

robson

[Paddy McGinty]

Barney and Klaasen discussing in the studio. Ashton should lose cause she can only throw a 85 88 average max. Hmmmmm

Pretentious dickheads.......

[Ginge]

Was right about the average, mind.

[Paddy McGinty]

Was right about the average, mind.

No they weren't she has thrown higher than that in the past.....

[Dannyboy]

If Ashton went full time and really knuckled down there is no reason she could up that average by 5 points consistently. She has been doing high 80s on the stage for a while now so she’s really not far away from making an impact. That said, the standard keeps going up and up across the board.

[Ginge]

Was right about the average, mind.

No they weren't she has thrown higher than that in the past.....

Indeed, had a "poor" year on TV in terms of averages mind. Hasnt been over 90 in the past 2.5 years, assuming Darts Database is accurate.

[Zapp Brannigan]

If Ashton went full time and really knuckled down there is no reason she could up that average by 5 points consistently. She has been doing high 80s on the stage for a while now so she’s really not far away from making an impact. That said, the standard keeps going up and up across the board.

She would do fine, her problem was the break it completely took her off her game and it probably made her think it of 3 different games. Its something that BDO players said they struggling with in the last 16 of the grand slam, having a good 5 legs and then having to walk off for 5 minutes.

107 average in the first set, 84 in the 2nd.

I see Pauls already talking bollocks on facebook that it was becasuse of tactics.

[Ginge]

The whole "break" thing is a load of balls. Lakeside has had breaks in it for two years now, so she should be used to it. Have to live with them of part of a longer game, such is life.

[Deleted User]

Fantastic darts. I was one the few I imagine to not only back here to win this but also to beat King. She got a good draw and is an excellent player much better than any other women.

Any luck?

[Ginge]

If Ashton went full time and really knuckled down there is no reason she could up that average by 5 points consistently. She has been doing high 80s on the stage for a while now so she’s really not far away from making an impact. That said, the standard keeps going up and up across the board.

She would do fine, her problem was the break it completely took her off her game and it probably made her think it of 3 different games. Its something that BDO players said they struggling with in the last 16 of the grand slam, having a good 5 legs and then having to walk off for 5 minutes.

107 average in the first set, 84 in the 2nd.

I see Pauls already talking bollocks on facebook that it was becasuse of tactics.

What, the tactic of a player lowering the standard of their own game?

[Mensur Suljovic Fan]

The whole "break" thing is a load of balls. Lakeside has had breaks in it for two years now, so she should be used to it. Have to live with them of part of a longer game, such is life.

Still, it's not like she has to deal with it every game. Besides, she might drop off due to the breaks against the women, but it wouldn't matter because she'd still be winning legs. I hope they do continue to do something (not necessarily an automatic WC place) to encourage the women to get involved, no reason they can't be competitive with the men

[Ginge]

The bigger issue over that side is the lack of opportunity (especially for the women) to play games over any considerable distance, which is probably the reason why her game tailed off like it did.

[Mensur Suljovic Fan]

The bigger issue over that side is the lack of opportunity (especially for the women) to play games over any considerable distance, which is probably the reason why her game tailed off like it did.

Fair point, would be good if Lakeside lengthened the ladies' matches in the latter stages