2009 League Of Legends Night 1
Posted on October 3rd, 2009
Keith Deller signalled his intention to go one better than last year in the 2009 Betfred.com League of Legends by winning the opening night of action in Leicester.
The 1983 world champion, runner-up to Bob Anderson when the event was staged for the first time in 2008, hit seven maximum scores of 180 in a high-quality start to the new series.
This year’s League of Legends has a different format, with the first two nights taking the form of separate knockout competitions which also contribute towards a league table that determines the order of play for finals night.
Deller ensured he put himself on top of the initial table by winning the Leicester final 5-4 against Anderson, achieving a highly respectable three-dart average of 86.70, the best of the night, in doing so.
“I feel as though I’m playing better now than when I left the PDC,” said the 49-year-old from Suffolk. “I’ve been practising really hard and I haven’t been missing much.
“Bob has been my bogey player for 25 years and he usually plays brilliantly against me but this time it was my turn. I was 3-0 down in the final but I told myself I could come back and I deserved to win in the end.”
The night began with Anderson winning 5-1 against Peter Evison while Deller, in his quarter-final, edged out John Lowe in the ninth and deciding leg after hitting four 180s during the match.
Dave Whitcombe won 5-2 against Bobby George and there was a popular victory for Eric Bristow as the five-time former world champion took out Cliff Lazarenko, again in a decider.
Bristow was no match for Deller in the semi-finals as the Bury St Edmunds man prevailed 5-2, while Anderson accounted for Whitcombe with a 5-3 scoreline to set up a repeat of last year’s final.
“I think it’s good for the League of Legends that I won the final at Leicester,” added Deller. “It showed the event will be competitive this year and that it won’t be a walk in the park for Bob.”
Posted by the webmaster
‘Cowboy’ keen to round up rivals again!
Bob Anderson has predicted an even more exciting Betfred.com League of Legends series this year as he prepares to defend his title against seven more of the most famous names in darts history.
‘The Limestone Cowboy’ won the live-televised inaugural League of Legends in 2008, beating fellow former world champion Keith Deller in the final at the Circus Tavern in Essex.
The line-up has remained unchanged for this year although the format is different, with the competition being played out over three nights in October, each of which contributes to the final standings although there will also be a winner of each individual show.
Last year’s event proved extremely close with the semi-final places only being confirmed on the seventh and final night of league action, and Anderson believes the players who did not do themselves justice last time will be keen to make amends.
“I think it will be even more competitive this year as the other seven players will be determined to do better and to beat me,” said the 61-year-old from Clevedon. “But I’m determined to do just as well too.
“I know John Lowe in particular has been practising hard. I’ve played him quite a few times this year and I think he’s sure to improve on last year’s performance.
“The new format doesn’t make any difference to me – I will approach every match in the same fashion as last year, and the potential to play three times in one night will suit me as I like to build up a rhythm.”
2009 BETFRED.COM LEAGUE OF LEGENDS FACTFILE
Who
Bob Anderson
Keith Deller
Cliff Lazarenko
Peter Evison
Eric Bristow
Bobby George
John Lowe
Dave Whitcombe
Where and when
Friday, October 2: Athena, Queen’s Street, Leicester LE1 1QD (ring 0844 847 2474 for tickets or visit www.ticketmaster.co.uk)
Friday, October 30: Marton Country Club, Stokesley Road, Marton, Middlesbrough TS7 8DS (ring 01642 317141 for tickets)
Saturday, October 31: Rainton Meadows Arena, Mercantile Road, Houghton-le-Spring, Durham DH4 5PH (ring 0191 584 8630 for tickets)
Competition format and schedule (all matches best of nine legs)
Night 1
Quarter-finals
1: Bob Anderson v Peter Evison
2: Bobby George v Dave Whitcombe
3: Eric Bristow v Cliff Lazarenko
4: Keith Deller v John Lowe
Semi-finals
5: Winner of 1 v Winner of 2
6: Winner of 3 v Winner of 4
Final
7: Winner of 5 v Winner of 6
Night 2
Quarter-finals
1: Cliff Lazarenko v John Lowe
2: Eric Bristow v Keith Deller
3: Bob Anderson v Peter Evison
4: Bobby George v Dave Whitcombe
Semi-finals
5: Winner of 1 v Winner of 2
6: Winner of 3 v Winner of 4
Final
7: Winner of 5 v Winner of 6
Results on these two nights will formulate a league table which will determine the schedule of play on Night 3. Points will be awarded on the following basis:
Quarter-final defeat: 1 point
Semi-final defeat: 2 points
Runner-up: 3 points
Winner: 4 points
Any ties for league positions after Night 2 will be resolved by the following criteria in order: leg difference; legs won; head-to-head record between tied players; head-to-head record with highest-ranked player where both tied players have faced that opponent the same number of times; one-leg play-off.
Finals night
Quarter-finals
1: 1st in league v 8th in league
2: 4th in league v 5th in league
3: 2nd in league v 7th in league
4: 3rd in league v 6th in league
Semi-finals
5: Winner of 1 v Winner of 2
6: Winner of 3 v Winner of 4
Final
7: Winner of 5 v Winner of 6
Prizemoney
Nights 1 and 2
Quarter-finalists: £625
Semi-finalists: £1,000
Runner-up: £2,000
Winner: £3,500
Finals night
Quarter-finalists: £750
Semi-finalists: £1,250
Runner-up: £2,250
Winner: £4,250
Bonuses
Highest checkout in series: £1,500
Most 180s in series: £1,500
Tags: Draw, League of Legends, Results, Review
Filed under General, League of Legends |
