Imagine the tension of a high-stakes darts match, players poised, crowd on the edge of their seats, and then... darkness. Yes, you read that right—the Bahrain Darts Masters was abruptly halted by a power outage! But here's where it gets even more intriguing: this unexpected interruption didn't just pause the game; it became a talking point that left fans and commentators alike scratching their heads. Let's dive into the details and uncover what happened next—and trust me, it’s not what you’d expect.
The drama unfolded during the fifth leg of the match between Danny Noppert and Gian van Veen. Just as Noppert was preparing to throw, the lights inside Exhibition World Bahrain flickered and went out. The crowd, ever so cheeky, responded with an ironic cheer, and some even whipped out their phone flashlights to light up the arena. Meanwhile, ITV’s coverage quickly pivoted to a tournament montage, leaving viewers wondering what would happen next. At that point, Van Veen—fresh off his impressive run to the World Darts Championship final just weeks prior—was leading 3-1. He had already scored 100 with his first three darts in the fifth leg, setting the stage for what could have been a decisive moment.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Should the players have been allowed to resume the game after such a disruption? Former WDF world champion Mark Webster, commenting on ITV, noted that this was uncharted territory. 'It’s out of everyone’s hands,' he said. 'They are two chilled guys. They came off stage, threw backstage, and will get on with it.' But is that fair? Does a 10-minute power outage—the time it took to restore the lights—affect a player’s rhythm or focus? It’s a question that sparks debate among fans and professionals alike.
Despite the delay, Van Veen didn’t miss a beat. He stormed back to win the next three legs, securing a commanding 6-1 victory over his fellow countryman. This win earned him a spot in the semi-finals against Nathan Aspinall, whom he defeated 7-4 to reach the final. However, the ultimate prize eluded him once again, as Michael van Gerwen claimed the title with an 8-6 win in the final.
And this is the part most people miss: Van Gerwen’s victory wasn’t just about the £30,000 prize; it marked his first World Series triumph in Bahrain and ended his drought since winning the Dutch Darts Masters in January 2024. His path to the final included a 7-2 semi-final win over Gerwyn Price and a 6-4 quarter-final victory over defending champion Stephen Bunting. Price, who had knocked out world champion Luke Littler in the quarter-finals with a 6-2 win, undoubtedly left Bahrain with mixed feelings.
Looking ahead, the players have little time to rest, as the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters kicks off on January 19. While the £30,000 prize for winning is enticing, the real excitement lies in the potential for a nine-darter. Here’s the kicker: If a player wins a leg with nine darts, they’ll pocket $100,000 (£74,500). But wait—it gets even crazier. If they hit the bullseye with the tenth dart, that amount doubles! Now, that’s a game-changer.
So, what do you think? Was the resumption of the match after the power outage fair? And could we see a nine-darter in Saudi Arabia that changes a player’s life? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one conversation you won’t want to miss!
