Wigan Players Championship, Saturday 8th May

I travelled to Wigan with Darren Johnson and Dennis Priestley and was stopping over at the Britannia Hotel in Wigan.

The journey was only about 2 hours from start to finish and normally I would not bother stopping over but I wanted to prepare the best way possible for Sundays UK Open Qualifier as it was my last chance of qualification!

I had drawn the winner of a prelim between Jimmy Dunlop and William O’Connor. I marked this game and was impressed by William who had hit 4 legs in 15 darts and under during this game.

I lost the bull and lost the opening leg but bounced back to take the 2nd leg in 13 darts. Unfortunately I missed 4 darts at a double to lead the game 2-1 and missed. This proved very important as he just got stronger and stronger and won the game 6-1. I was happy with my game apart from the missed doubles in the 3rd leg. I had been left on 36,65 and 76 after 12 darts and not been given an opportunity. Well played mate.

There was no great run for us lads on this day but a good individual performance for Darren Johnson in beating Roland Scholton.

I had planned to go out for a meal with Dave Holland and a night out possibly with some of the lads. This however was cut short as I ended up stuck in my room with a migrane headache which eventually made me sick! I used to suffer with these years ago and have not had one for over 18 months – dam the timing!!!

UK Open Qualifier, Wigan Sunday 9th May

I had been unlucky enough to have been drawn in a preliminary match against Aaron Monk with the winner taking on Peter Manley for the £200 I needed to qualify for the UK Open finals.

In the match between myself and Aaron I missed a double in the first leg, won the second and never got back into the game as he ran out a 6-1 winner. His finishing was nothing short of awesome, I did not win, I did not qualify and 1 did feel as bad as I possibly ever had done!!Gutted is only a small part of a large explanation of my feeling……………..

Darren Johnson had our best run of the day beating Peter Wright and Mick Magowan on the way to the last 16 before running into the great sight of James Wade in top form!!

Next up for me

I felt that bad on Sunday and mad etc that I never slept a wink but during this time I had made the decision on a number of things I need to do to move on from this disappointment. One thing for sure is that I do not want to feel like this again and I don’t plan on putting myself in this position ever again!

I will say that "Victory is always possible for those who REFUSE to stop fighting" and this is ME all over!!!! Watch this space guys……

One last point

On a sad note it was very bad to hear of the death of Maggie MaGowan. My thoughts are with John and the family at this sad time.

Thanks for reading.

Dave Ladley