Thief throws darts ace
HARTLEPOOL ace Tony Eccles is facing a race against time to get into his rhythm for his next big tournament after having his darts stolen in
Eccles returned home last night from playing in the States, minus his arrows.
The player known as the Viper, had his work tools nicked while playing in a championship in
With the Blue Square UK Open getting under way at
"It takes me two to three weeks to break a new set of darts in," he admitted.
"That^s how long it has taken me before.
"It^s not like you can just pick up a set and the off you go, you need to get used to the darts.
"I enjoyed the experience of playing over there, but I^m gutted to have my darts pinched.
"I^d put them down and when I went back to pick them up they were gone.
"I must admit, I^m not a player who practices for loads of hours.
"But now I have new darts to break in I^m going to have to do a lot of hours in the board."
And the reigning Hartlepool Sports Personality of the Year admits he must practice hard after being drawn with PDC world championship semi-finalist Kevin Painter at the Blue Square UK open at the Reebok Stadium.
There was some good news from the
Eccles eventually lost out to Bill Davis in the tournament at the Mohegan Sun Casino, in
Phil Taylor, who else, claimed the overall title for a second successive year after dropping just one set during eight matches on the way to the £12,500 winner^s cheque, beating Colin Lloyd in the final.
Story By: Peterlee Mail.
http://www.peterleemail.co.uk/sport/Thief-throws-darts-ace.4103965.jp