Disillusioned with Modern Sport? Try Darts

There is something refreshing about two fat blokes slugging it out in a game of Darts. It is simple, pure, old fashioned and in a time where modern professional sport seems to be going to the dogs I find myself gravitating to the Premier League Darts coverage like a long lost mate.

There is not a lot of sleep being had in the Dodson household at the moment, my 11 month old son Jack is a fan of the 11pm, 3am and 5.30am wake up. I’m walking around like Frank Bruno after a fight with Mike Tyson. The only advantage of being up at such uncivil hours is that you can watch the darts live. It’s been my saviour.

Why Darts? It is simple, I can relate. At Christmas I had the challenge of hosting parents and in-laws and sensed I needed a distraction, a quick trip to the local Rebel sport and $50 later I had a Dart Board. Sure I needed the Wife to put it up ( I am a rebellious and unskilled son of a carpenter) but once I got over the shame of that we were in business. Let me tell you there is no sporting pressure like having to hit a double 10 to ice a game against your mother in law, I missed, she nailed a double 6 and I’ve been in therapy ever since. I know the pressure of Darts.

Find a Dartboard and have 10 throws at triple 20. If you get 2/10 you are doing well. It is bloody hard.

You really have to watch a game to experience it. The Poms put on such a show and while there is a healthy element of piss take in the coverage it does suck you in if you embrace it and value it for what it is. sculling for a 180 seems compulsory for the crowd and the chants remind me of a premier league game without the spite. It is a fun atmosphere and the players embrace it.

Darts is a game of nerves, there are no team meetings or essays required of players, the word structure or process is not in the vocabulary and the odd Pint may very well improve your performance. It might not take athletic ability or a good V02 Max but it does require skill. You run hot or cold, there is little in between.

No story about Darts can be complete without Phil ‘the Power’ Taylor – a man who once was cautioned for excessive flatulence during a game by an opponent. He is the Walter Lindrum of Darts. Phil has won 16 world championships. His skin folds are crap, he waddles like a duck and most likely has arthritis but if I needed someone to hit a double 16 for my life he is the man.

Modern professional sport over the last month has been dominated by talk of anything but the contest. I’m starting to lose touch and interest. I’d much rather have a few quiet ones with Phil Taylor than a Red Bull with James Magnussen.

Two blokes, a board and a couple of sharp pins.. simple.

 

About craig dodson

Born in the sporting mecca that is Wagga Wagga and now reside in Melbourne with my lovelly wife Sophie and son's Jack and Harry. Passionate Swans supporter and formally played cricket at a decent level and Aussie Rules at a not so decent level! Spend my days now perfecting my slice on the golf course and the owner of the worlds worst second serve on the tennis course.

Comments

  1. mickey randall says

    nice piece craig. agree that darts on tv can be totally compelling as it has tension, competition and skill provided by unlikely types. the participants are “everyman”.

  2. CD, you have just been installed favourite of the 2013 Almanac Darts Championship. 2/10 triple 20s will have you well and truly in the tomato sauce.

  3. craig dodson says

    Jth, am guessing there are a few crafty knackers in the ranks who dominated the 80s pub dart scene.

  4. Pamela Sherpa says

    I had to laugh Craig – being beaten by your mother in law on Christmas day must have been tough. When I was a kid nearly every household had a hookey board and a darts board out in the back room/veranda. Always fun for the kids and adults.

  5. craig dodson says

    Only after the fact did I find out my mother in law grew up with a dartboard pamela. Love the everyman description Mickey

  6. CD

    70s

  7. Favourite dart board: public bar, RE Hotel, Toowong. Open door to the corridor to the gents across the flight path of the tungstens.

  8. Daryl Sharpen says

    My sentiments entirely. Too much press on anything but the game of late for my liking. Everyman, pints, and massive skin folds; that’s what I like about the caper. Hard to resist. What we want is a contest and above all, some entertainment. And of course ‘The Power’ and don’t forget Jackpot and The Wiz’. But spare a thought for Jocky Wilson. Lovely darts CD…….. One hundred and eighteeeeeeee.

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