Looking forward to the Matchplay tonight. Part on last against Webster, should be a cracker.

First class bottle job as usual by the Artist

See his post match interview? He was fuming, only himself to blame for the loss though, so many chances and he bottled everyone.

Missed John Part's 9 darter though, turned over for the boxing

With Colin Osborne going out gallantly last night to Paul Nicholson, looks like all I have left to cheer on is the Rocket tomorrow night.

Was in a pub in Blackpool after the Northern Rail Final on Sunday and 2 blokes and a woman were playing darts, thought one of them looked quite handy as he was peppering the treble 20 but did not pay much attention then realised it was Ronnie

Im told by a friend who knows a few players on the circuit that Baxter is a miserable ****.

You should have put Queen on the jukebox in the pub to see what he did !

To be honest was more bothered about watching the darts on Sky and willing Caven to win a leg.

Went last night and was very impressed by Hylton, Pipe and to a lesser extent Rand and the likes of Baxter, Jenkins, Caven, Osbourne, King etc will have to buck their ideas up if they want to avoid a Mardle/Manley type slide down the rankings.

Thought Hylton played well last night, at 9-5 I thought it was well in the bag for Taylor. Pipe played well too but King's been below par for a while now, he really needs to step his game up, I realise his Dad's death took a lot out of him but he did say a few months back he was getting his game back together and people best watch out.

Talking of Mardle, I'm glad to see him back on Sky regular as a guest. He's very knowledgable and experienced in the modern game rather than Bristow chuntering on about the 80's years all the time and Taylor.

Hoping Whitlock can get off to a good start tonight too.

Not watched it back off Sky yet but I do like Mardle as a commentator and his entusiasm is there in spades, hopefully he can get his act together in the way Beaton for example did but once you fall away it is very hard to get back as I think a number of "big" names are on their way to finding out.

He talks a lot of sense and with the money, competitions and lifestyle difference in darts now to early 90's it's nice to have someone on the team who has been involved in the modern era as a player. I'd rather he was playing too, Denis Ovens has done it recently too, playing really now probably the best he ever has. You're right he's so enthusiastic about the sport and his excitement is genuine.