The 1983 world champion was seeded second for finals night after he and Bob Anderson had dominated the league phase of the event and ‘Del Boy’ duly went one better than he had in 2008.

Deller and Anderson had fought out the final on both the first two nights of action in Leicester and Middlesbrough and the ‘Limestone Cowboy’ only gained the top seeding on leg difference.

However, Anderson was unable to produce his top form on finals night, having to come from 4-1 down to edge a 5-4 quarter-final win over Peter Ebdon, and he then came unstuck against George in the semis.

Deller took full advantage of the struggles of the man who had pipped him to the title last year, enjoying a comfortable success against Cliff Lazarenko before coming out on top in a decider against John Lowe.

He then recorded a highly respectable average of 88.32 in the final against George, who had whitewashed Dave Whitcombe with a 5-0 triumph in the opening match of the evening.

“I’m really pleased to be the 2009 Betfred.com League of Legends champion,” said the 49-year-old from Suffolk. “Bob was the best player last year but he was magnanimous enough to say I was the best this year.

“All the players are so competitive and I tried my absolute hardest to win. I knew I had a good shout and I think I deserved it. The best player in each year has won.

“Bob is such a true professional and it’s nice to take the title from a great champion and a really good bloke. It really means a lot to me because I didn’t want to be runner-up two years running.

“It’s been a fantastic two years in the League of Legends. Betfred have been absolutely brilliant for us and on behalf of all the players I’d like to thank them for putting us in the limelight again because we love that.”

Deller also collected the Sharon Henderson Memorial Trophy for achieving the most 180s during this year’s series, nine in total.

The trophy was awarded in remembrance of tournament director Lee Henderson’s wife Sharon, who tragically died in February 2009 at the age of 39, and presented to Deller by their son Joel.

John Lowe won the prize for the highest checkout during the series, a 160 against Cliff Lazarenko on night two in Middlesbrough.

Courtesy of the webmaster

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

The collapse of Setanta has meant losing television coverage but the nights will be filmed again and may make it to our screens if a suitable deal can be found in time. Internet coverage is also a possibility so keep your eyes on the news for developments.

The total prize fund is a healthy £35,000 and tickets for the nights go on sale on August 24th.

We will shortly have an exclusive competition with the chance to win tickets to all three nights so watch this space!

2nd October – Athena
Queens Street, Leicester, LE1 1QD – 0116 2626556
Tickets £10 standard and £20 VIP

Draw for Matchplay 1 (Drawn by Pete Manley and Colin Osbourne)

Bob Anderson v Peter Evison
Dave Whitcombe v Bobby George
Cliff Lazarenko v Eric Bristow
John Lowe v Keith Deller

Prize Fund

Qtr Final – £625
Semi Final – £1,000
Runner Up – £2,000
Winner – £3,500

30th October – Marton Country Club
Stokesley Road, Marton, Middlesbrough, TS7 8DS – 01642 317141
Tickets £10 standard and £20 VIP incl waitress service

Prize Fund

Qtr Final – £625
Semi Final – £1,000
Runner Up – £2,000
Winner – £3,500

31st October – Rainton Meadows Arena
Mercantile Road, Houghton le Spring, DH4 5PH – 0191 5848630
Tickets £10 standard and £25 VIP incl waitress service

Prize Fund

Qtr Final – £750
Semi Final – £1,250
Runner Up – £2,250
Winner – £4,250

Additional

£1,500 Highest Checkout of Series
£1,000 Most 180’s of Series

Organiser Lee Henderson says “The recession has taken it’s toll on many avenues, and yes we have had many discussions with broadcasters regarding the event, however due to the collapse of setanta it left us with little time to source deals. We were however offered air time by both ESPN and Eurosport but at cost, and in this current climate it is hard to find additional funds to cover broadcast costs. However, we will pursue for 2010. This year we will have numerous cameras and screens on each night to cover all the action including the crowds and walk on’s, I’ll never forget Eric and Bobby’s walk on last year, so the feel will be the same. All will be recorded so no doubt it will be made available at some point in the future.”

Last year’s runner up Keith Deller told us “First of all I am looking forward to the 3 nights and hoping to go one better. I am disappointed that we are not playing in front of the cameras as this was a great buzz for all of us last year. I know there are interest from T V networks and this is a shame that this could not happen for this year but hopefully next year we are back to the 8 nights with the Betfred League of Legends as I know the Great British Public would love to come to see us as there has been good support with Legends on the oche. The format of a matchplay should be better for the people coming and will give that extra edge to the Darts. I hope with the tickets going out a little bit late we get the great turn outs like we did last year.”

And John Lowe told us he feels very confident this year “I think Betfred are very gracious sponsors indeed, even though we lost Television due to the collapse of Setanta, they have remained committed to the League of Legends, that cannot be said for many sponsors in these troubled economic times. The shortened series of three nights, will provide great entertainment for the audience, the matchplay format will provide excitement, and will produce a winner at all three events, but even though the same player could win the first two events, it does not mean he will be the Betred Champion, that will still be down to the last night winner. If the series was starting right now, I would be knocking on Betfred’s door for a sizeable wager on John Lowe, we have just finished a 60 night Legends of the Oche tour, and my dart throwing is in top gear, now it’s time for a holiday, I will be taking my arrows though, so it should not be difficult to keep the momentum going.”

Reigning champion Bob Anderson is bullish about his chances of defending his title “I think this year will be more intense and competitive than last, but the outcome will be the same! John and Keith will be the big movers and shakers this time. They will be both be determined to do better than last year. I can’t wait for the fireworks to begin!”

The lineup will feature the full ‘Legends’ cast of Dennis Priestley, John Lowe, Bob Anderson, Bobby George, Dave Whitcombe, Keith Deller, Cliff Lazarenko and Peter Evison.

Tickets are priced at £10.

Dave Whitcombe and Bob Anderson maintained their unbeaten records in the Betfred.com League of Legends with a 6-6 draw on night four of the event.
The duo had arrived at Batley Frontier Club in the West Yorkshire town occupying first and second places in the table, but for Whitcombe the result meant the end of his 100% start to the competition.
Anderson, meanwhile, has now been involved in the only two draws to have occurred having also fought out a stalemate with Peter Evison in week one.

Whitcombe led 2-0 and 4-2, but the Limestone Cowboy battled back to win the next three legs even though his finishing was off-key.
However, it was then the turn of the Sittingbourne publican to turn the match in his favour and Whitcombe was on course to take two points when he held his throw to lead 6-5.
In the final leg though, Anderson scored heavier and ensured he remained undefeated as he hit double top at the second attempt.
The players had contrasting views of how the match had gone, Anderson saying: “I’m delighted to have got a draw because Dave performed better than I did.
“He didn’t miss anywhere near as many doubles as me. He scored better and was consistent whereas I was in and out. When I came good I came very good, but in between I was less than good.”
But Whitcombe, on hearing Anderson’s remarks, said: “I must have been playing a different game. I think it was pretty even as we both had good and bad legs and missed doubles. But it was a good game and hopefully we will be playing each other again on finals night.”

DELLER DYNAMIC AGAIN

Keith Deller repeated his victory over Eric Bristow in the 1983 World Championship final to make it three wins out of four – but this time the scoreline was much more convincing.
‘Del Boy’ prevailed 7-1 and is closing in on a place in the semi-finals, with the result doing his leg difference a power of good should qualification come down to that.
Again five-time former world champion Bristow failed to sparkle and he now faces an uphill battle to still be involved in the action at the Circus Tavern, Purfleet, on August 22 when the inaugural title will be decided.
“Without being disrespectful, it wasn’t hard for me to win tonight,” admitted Deller, 48, from Suffolk. “I wasn’t on my top game but it’s very hard when you know you will get chances and Eric was pulling a lot of darts.
“It could have been 7-0 but, saying that, Eric only just missed a 160 finish that would have made it 1-1. If that had gone in he could have come back and played good darts.
“But Eric is the greatest champion we have in the Betfred.com League of Legends and but for him the tournament probably wouldn’t even exist.”

LAZ LIGHTS UP THE FRONTIER

Cliff Lazarenko put himself back in contention for a semi-final place with a 7-3 triumph over Bobby George.
The Wellingborough man had been the outsider of the duo with Betfred before the match but repeated the form he had produced in his Blackburn success against Eric Bristow.
That was evident just before the interval when Lazarenko just missed a 160 checkout, shifting the wire of the double top bed, but he still importantly edged 3-2 ahead.
From then on it was almost all Lazarenko and he closed the match out on double five to open some daylight on himself and the bottom three in the table.
“I’m totally delighted. I’ve had a couple of weeks away and I’m really pleased to be back on form,” said ‘Big Cliff’.
“I knew Bobby wasn’t on song like he was last time out in Birmingham and there were some iffy legs, but that’s part and parcel of darts.”

TIGER BURNS BRIGHTLY IN BATLEY

Peter Evison boosted his chances of qualifying for finals night with an emphatic 7-1 victory over John Lowe.
Lowe had been playing superbly when he had made a personal appearance at a Betfred shop in Wakefield earlier in the day, but again failed to produce his form on the Legends stage.
The three-time former world champion has now lost all his four matches and needs a miracle to reach the last four.
After the first two legs were shared, Evison, nicknamed the ‘Fen Tiger’, pulled away to win his second match in four League of Legends outings.
He wrapped up his win with a 98 checkout on double 12, having extended his advantage to 5-1 just after the break with a terrific 14-dart leg.
“I was quite shocked at the way John played,” said Middlesex-based Evison. “I thought it would be a much harder game.
“John threw away the first leg but when he won the second I thought it was going to be a real contest.
“After that he didn’t play very well and that was a bit disappointing.
“But I’ll take any win because I’ve had some hard games so far.
“Now I’m looking forward to playing Eric Bristow on August 1 in Reading and hopefully getting through to finals night after that.”
Lowe admitted his prospects in the event are now bleak.
“It’s very hard when someone plays so well against you,” said the Chesterfield veteran. “I’m rock bottom of the table and things are looking dire for me.”
ends

Bobby dazzles in Birmingham
Bobby George produced a superb display to record his first Betfred.com League of Legends victory, 7-3 against Peter Evison.
The Essex showman had been disappointing in losing his first two matches but scored brilliantly to turn over the in-form ‘Fen Tiger’.
Evison got himself back into it when he won the two legs either side of the interval to draw level at 3-3, but any thoughts that he could get on top were quickly dispelled.
George was hitting 140s for fun and went 4-3 up after starting leg seven with 140, 180 and 125, and from then on there was no way back for his opponent.
When he went 6-3 up the 62-year-old punched the air in celebration and although his final checkout was unconventional – double one and double 19 when needing 40 – it clinched a much-needed win.
“I don’t know what has been the matter with me in the tournament so far and this time I just told myself to keep going,” said George.
“I kept hitting the treble 20 and that gives you so much confidence. I’m so pleased I won because I don’t like making myself look a fool.
“I know that if I can finish as well as I scored tonight the others will have to play really well to beat me.”

Deller enjoys Hilton delight
Keith Deller piled on the misery for John Lowe in the Betfred.com League of Legends by inflicting a third consecutive defeat on the three-time former world champion at the Hilton Metropole Hotel, Birmingham.
The Suffolk professional won 7-4 to take his own record to two victories in three matches and he is now in great shape to qualify for the semi-finals.
It was again a case of missed doubles for Lowe, whose failure to check out from a great position in leg four meant he slipped 3-1 behind.
An impressive Deller leg made it 4-2 as he went on a burst of three successive wins for a 6-2 advantage, culminating with his first 180 of the tournament.
Lowe made a brief recovery to pull back to 6-4, aided by a 165 that left a finish of 36, but a first dart at double five in leg 11 clinched success for the 1983 world champion.
“I’m back on track now,” said Deller. “My confidence was knocked a bit last week by losing to Peter Evison and my doubles weren’t as good as they could be against John.
“But I’m scoring pretty well and I’m pleased to have two wins out of three. I’ve not really got going yet but when I do, I think I can go on to win it.”

Whitcombe marches on – Dave Whitcombe’s 100% start to the Betfred.com League of Legends is still intact after the table-topper made it three out of three against Eric Bristow at the Hilton Metropole Hotel, Birmingham.
On his 54th birthday, the Sittingbourne publican celebrated with a 7-3 triumph that kept him on top of the standings by one point from Bob Anderson.
It was revenge for two World Championship final defeats in the 1980s against the ‘Crafty Cockney’, who now has only his opening-night win against Bobby George to his credit in this event.
A double 10 against the throw gave Whitcombe a 3-1 lead and in the next leg his first five darts found the treble 20, a double 16 putting him 4-1 ahead.
Another 180 helped to make it 5-1 and when Whitcombe also won the next, it looked like the birthday party would start early.
But Bristow thrilled the crowd by hitting double four – the same double at which Whitcombe had missed three darts – to make it 6-2 and a 180 helped the five-time former world champion reduce his deficit to three.
That was where the comeback ended, however, for Whitcombe landed double three to sustain his perfect beginning to the tournament.
“All the pressure was on me tonight because everyone was telling me I would win and I was very nervous up there,” said Whitcombe.
“That was probably because of our past records. He was always my nemesis and the pressure probably showed in a few of the legs.
“But I just told myself to get it done and dusted and I’m well over the moon to have beaten Eric and be three out of three.”

Tiger bares his teeth – Peter Evison proved he will be a major force in the Betfred.com League of Legends by gaining his first success, 7-5 against Keith Deller.
The ‘Fen Tiger’, who had drawn with Bob Anderson at the Circus Tavern, got the better of a match that featured some crisp finishing.
On paper there looked little to choose between the duo and that was the case in the first half of the contest as they divided equally the opening six legs.
But from that point on Evison was never behind and a 69 checkout put him 4-3 ahead and a 97 again gave him the advantage at 5-4.
It then became 6-4 but Deller responded with a superb 105 before Evison secured his triumph on double top.
“That was a great relief,” said the man from Middlesex. “I’ve had to play Bob Anderson and Keith Deller in the first two weeks of the event and they were my two hardest matches.
“There’s always a bit of bite between Keith and I so I’m delighted to have beaten him. It was a game of two halves, to coin a cliché, and you know you have to battle in every leg against Keith.
“The other guys have to watch out now because I’m nearly back to full fitness. I still have a few twinges in my shoulder and I can only get better from here.”

Cliff surges to victory – Cliff Lazarenko produced a second-half surge to open his Betfred.com League of Legends account with a 7-3 win against Eric Bristow.
‘Big Cliff’ had opened with a defeat to Keith Deller while Bristow had beaten Bobby George, but this time the roles were reversed.
It was nip and tuck in the early stages as the first six legs were shared equally, but then Lazarenko turned on the style.
After going 4-3 up, a 52 finish made it 5-3 and when the Wellingborough man put himself one leg from victory, it sparked a typically exuberant ‘Big Cliff’ celebration.
By this stage it was looking one-way traffic and despite a few jitters on the doubles in leg 10, Lazarenko closed it out on double two.
“It wasn’t the most fantastic game,” admitted Lazarenko. “The first half was a bit ugly and Eric commanded it a bit, but I’m chuffed to get the win.
“I didn’t want to go to Birmingham next week without a win on the board. But I know I have to buck my ideas up.
“I definitely want to be in the top four at the end of August and I’m looking forward to playing Bob Anderson next week.”

Whitcombe wins again – Dave Whitcombe made it two wins out of two in the Betfred.com League of Legends with a commanding 7-4 victory over Bobby George.
The Kent publican had opened the tournament when upsetting the odds on John Lowe and again showed he will be a real force to reckon with for the rest of the event.
The two-time former World Championship runner-up raced into a 3-0 lead thanks to some impressive scoring, including a 150 that set up a one-dart 32 finish in the opener and a 140 that left 95 in leg two.
Back-to-back tons boosted Whitcombe in leg three and although he lost the next despite hitting his first 180, he regained his cushion of three just before the interval.

A 61 finish made it 5-1 before a brief rally from ‘Bobby Dazzler’. But a second maximum from Whitcombe helped to make it 6-3 and a fluent 51 checkout in two darts wrapped up the win.
“It’s been a great start to the event for me,” said Whitcombe. “Now I’m looking forward to playing Eric on my birthday next Friday.
“But there’s a long way to go yet. Someone has to be top of the table and someone has to be bottom, so it can all change round in a couple of weeks.
“I think we are all thinking the same – we all want to qualify for the finals night but that’s a long way off yet.”

Eric Bristow turned back the clock to his 1980s heyday with a dramatic 7-5 win against Bobby George in the Betfred.com League of Legends at Purfleet’s Circus Tavern.

The five-time former world champion repeated his victory over George in the 1980 world final as he belied his status as a 5/1 underdog to turn over the sponsors’ pre-tournament second favourite.

The Crafty Cockney always appeared to hold the upper hand and when he hit double 15, having missed the bull on his previous visit to the oche, it put him one leg away from victory at 6-4.

In the next leg it was George whose shot at the bullseye just evaded its target when on a 161 finish but he checked out to make it 6-5.

Yet Bristow was full of determination against his old rival and after reaching his favourite double 16 in the final leg and finding the single with his first dart, he checked out on double eight to record another famous triumph.

“Bobby has been the leader of our pack on the exhibition circuit recently and I expected him to beat me tonight,” admitted Bristow.

“But I’ve won my first game and now I can go home, practise like anything and I’ll beat the lot of them!”

The Leek-based legend relished the fantastic atmosphere within the venue and added: “I enjoyed seeing people in the same seats as they were 15 years ago. There were people supporting me and John Lowe and some of them are happy and some of them are not.

“I’m bubbling now because I’ve got two points on the board – I’m going to go on and win this thing now!”

Whitcombe On A High Against Lowe

Dave Whitcombe confounded the bookmakers’ expectations by inflicting a 7-3 defeat on John Lowe in their opening Betfred.com League of Legends match.

The Kent publican was the 7/4 outsider with the sponsors but indicated he could be a dark horse for the title with a fluent victory.

“I actually thought it was quite an even game,” said Whitcombe, a two-time former World Championship runner-up.

“The difference was that I finished better than John. We were evenly matched but when we got down to the doubles I went out.

“I was very nervous because we all want to produce a great product, we all know we can play well and we want to do well for everyone we know.

“It was a fabulous atmosphere and completely different to what we are used to in some ways in that everyone in the crowd appreciates good darts.”

Lowe was phlegmatic about his loss and said: “I was playing really well in the practice room but it was totally different when I got on stage.

“But I’ll get over it – it’s only one setback.”

Cowboy Fights Back

Bob Anderson showed why he was the pre-tournament favourite for the Betfred.com League of Legends when he battled back to force a 6-6 draw with Peter Evison.

The 60-year-old from Clevedon looked set for a heavy defeat when he trailed 4-1 and 5-2 but dug in and showed the quality that earned him the 1988 world title.

A 68 finish reduced Anderson’s arrears to 6-5 and despite a few nerves in the final leg, he took out double eight to share the points with the Fen Tiger.

“It was a tremendous game,” said the Limestone Cowboy. “I thought when the draw came out that I had the toughest match on the opening night.

“I’m delighted to have played him and got a point because it means I won’t have to play him later in the event to try to reach the semi-finals.

“I’m looking forward to perhaps playing him on finals night (August 22).

“I enjoyed it out there – not so much when I was 4-1 down but especially so when I made it 6-6. I wasn’t prepared to lie down.

“It was a terrific atmosphere and I was very proud to be part of it. I can’t wait now for Blackburn on June 20.”

Evison admitted he thought he had done enough when he was on the brink of success. “That match showed how the Betfred.com League of Legends is going to be – no win is guaranteed,” said the 44-year-old from Middlesex.

“When I got to six legs I thought I had done my job but I hadn’t – I should have buried him. I let him off.

“Hopefully I will see Bob in the final and if I do I won’t let him off that time.”

Deller Makes History At The Tavern

Keith Deller made history when he won the first ever Betfred.com League of Legends match with a 7-5 victory against Cliff Lazarenko at Purfleet’s Circus Tavern.

The 1983 world champion was never behind after taking the opener with a 65 checkout and although Big Cliff hit back to draw level at 2-2, a run of three consecutive legs sent Deller clear.

However, Lazarenko, never one to give up, recovered to trail 6-5 and then notched the only 180 of the match to put himself in with a chance of a 6-6 draw.

But the Wellingborough heavyweight missed tops to earn a point and Deller took out double 10 to establish himself as the early leader in the table.

“That was the hardest match I will play in the Betfred.com League of Legends because Cliff is my best mate,” said Deller. “I was very nervous and I missed six or seven chances to get a 180, which annoyed me. I kept getting the first two darts in the treble 20, which raised the crowd’s expectations.

“I think the atmosphere was like a final. It was absolutely fantastic. Cliff and I drew the short straw because nobody wanted to go on first, but I’ve got the win and now I’m into the tournament.

“I want to win the Betfred.com League of Legends and I’m good enough to do it. I will get better and better and I’m as keyed up as I was at my peak.”

RESULTS AND STATISTICS

Keith Deller 7-5 Cliff Lazarenko
Bob Anderson 6-6 Peter Evison
Dave Whitcombe 7-3 John Lowe
Eric Bristow 7-5 Bobby George

The star duo fought out a classic final of the 1980 World Championship, won 5-3 by Bristow, in the first darts match that truly captured the public’s imagination.

Now they will do it all over again on May 30 at the Circus Tavern, Purfleet, Essex, where eight of the most famous darts players in history return to the big time as they relive their battles of yesteryear at venues around England during the summer.

“I can’t wait to get started – there isn’t long to go now,” said 62-year-old George, from Colchester, about the Betfred.com League of Legends, which will be televised live on Setanta Sports on eight Friday nights between May 30 and August 22.

“I see all the other seven players as big rivals in my quest to become the champion. But the only one I’m concerned with at the moment is Eric because I’m playing him first. I’ll sort him out and then look to the next player!”

But Bristow, a five-time world champion, is determined that ‘Bobby Dazzler’ will not gain revenge for that 1980 defeat in Stoke-on-Trent and wants to prove a point to those dismissing him as a title contender.

Rated the 16/1 outsider in the sponsors’ betting, the 51-year-old is not used to being an also-ran and is eager to show he still has the competitive edge despite being away from tournament action for the last few years.

“The first game will be important for me because it’s against Bobby George, who is playing very well, and if I beat him my odds will tumble,” said the ‘Crafty Cockney’.

“It will be a tough game because Bobby recently got to the final of a tournament in Holland. If I can take him out in that first game it will shut everyone up!”

Speaking about the past, Bobby refuses to admit that the class of 2008 are better than his generation.

“People say that today’s players are better than in our time, but what they don’t realise is the dartboard is bigger. The treble is bigger. Plus the throw is nearer, it used to be 8ft 4 in, but now it’s 7ft 9in. And don’t forget I started with brass darts!

“We were the personalities, we had character, and we produced the goods. People still come up to me and tell me how they remember where they were on the day of my match against Eric.”

In the other matches on the opening night of the Betfred.com League of Legends tournament favourite Bob Anderson, who quit the PDC circuit at the start of this year specifically to join the Betfred.com League of Legends, meets Peter Evison, while 1983 world champion Keith Deller takes on Cliff Lazarenko.

John Lowe, the only man to have been world champion in three different decades, is up against Dave Whitcombe, and has been preparing thoroughly for his return to the competitive arena.

“I’ve been relishing getting started for the last few months and now I only have another few days to go – that shows how much I’ve been looking forward to it,” said Lowe, 62, from Chesterfield.

“I’ve been getting ready in my own little way, which might be quite different to the other players. The main thing I’ve been doing is getting my mind right, making sure I’m mentally fit as well as having my game in good shape. I’m in this to compete – I’m not here to make the numbers up.”

The PDC is of the opinion that no player participating in the League of Legends may also participate in PDC tournaments:

What we cannot, and will not do, is allow any player to benefit from the PDC events whilst not following the rules that apply to all players, as that would create a precedent detrimental to both the PDC and the membership of the PDPA.

Whilst we obviously want every dart player to maximise his earnings from the sport, it is essential that opportunities for darts on television are managed and controlled in a professional and collective manner.

When the original members of the, now, PDC broke away from the BDO they did so because of their dissatisfaction with how darts was being promoted and the lack of commercial opportunities available to darts players.

This is certainly not the case now with the expanded PDC circuit set to hit 50 tournaments and £5 million prize money in 2009. Our success has been built on maximising the value of darts on TV and to sponsors by guaranteeing our players exclusively to PDC events and this is a level of control and ownership which we will not relinquish.

The PDC players contract prohibits individual players or groups of players appearing in any competitive televised darts event not under the control of the PDC.

This contract protects the business of the PDC and the membership of the PDPA and we will not grant any exception to this rule.

This is the unanimous view of both the Board of the PDC and the Board of the PDPA.

Of the announced players on the Legends Tour, only Bob Anderson has a current contract with the PDC. Notwithstanding the fact that he has signed a legally enforceable two year contract, we have agreed with Bob to tear up this contract and let him act as a free agent.

We wish all darts players every success at whatever level they participate, but we insist that the benefits of participating in PDC events mean that the PDC and the PDPA rules must be adhered to.