Mark Webster & Phil Taylor are double tops

(Posted: 2 Dec 2009)

Darts legend Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor teamed up with Welsh wonder Mark Webster to wow a cheering crowd of 250 darts enthusiasts at the opening of the new Darts Zone at our Wellington Street branch.

Rileys – the UK’s largest pool and snooker operator - are introducing Darts Zones at the majority of their 128 clubs nationwide.

Taylor and Webster were at the Rileys club on Wellington Street, Cardiff, to launch the new eight-lane playing area, which is fitted with championship-quality boards, hi-tech electronic scoring and focussed lighting.

Both Taylor and Webster were impressed by the facilities on hand, with Webster commenting, “It is important for aspiring darts players to have somewhere to play. With six or eight boards to choose from at Rileys clubs, they need never sit and wait for ages to get some practice time.”

Taylor played matches against:

Super League player David Randall, 51, from Cardiff. He said: “It’s about time someone did something about the state of darts facilities in Wales. I particularly like the space around the boards.”

Project manager Linda Ware, from Barry. She said: “I’m much happier for my son to come and play darts here rather than in a pub.”

Marks and Spencer employee Naz Madrick (corr) plays in the Whitchurch Cardiff League. He said: “This is now my favourite play for a night out. Whether you like pool, snooker, darts, or just a drink, Rileys has it.”

Barman Danny Dyer, 26, from Cardiff, wants to join the Professional Darts Corporation. He said: “Now I’ve somewhere great to practice. Hopefully, you’ll see me on TV next year!”

The players who took on Webster included:

Support worker Jessica Williams, from Cardiff. She said: “These Darts Zones are really something. Much better than the pub. Much more room.”

Samantha Jones, 27, from Cardiff. She said: “Rileys is a great place to come and socialise, and branching out into darts is a great idea.”

Student Ross Robson, 18, from Beddau. He said: “I like the electronic scoreboards. They are easy to use, and save me doing all the maths!”

Rileys League player Claire Rook, from Hereford. She said: “I now have somewhere decent to practice. Hopefully I’ll get as good as Mark!”

Rileys Chief Executive Maurice Kelly said: “Our facilities, from bar to dart board, offer a very high quality alternative to the local pub. We hope all the darts players in the Cardiff area will come and have a look.

“In a recession-hit year, with pubs all over the country closing daily, we are dedicated to providing fantastic venues for darts players to meet and play.

“The rise of darts has been phenomenal. The game has seen a massive increase in people not only following, but participating as well. Our facilities reflect the new and improved world of darts.”