Darts is a hugely confrontational sport – eyeball to eyeball combat between two players – and some intense darts rivalries have developed on the oche over the years. Winning legs can be celebrated in ferocious fashion as beaten opponents watch on from close quarters.
Darts Rivalries: Greatest Ever Oche Duels
Most of the arrowsmiths on the professional circuit get on well, but inevitable tensions can arise when contrasting characters lock horns in high-pressure competition. Here we look at the five biggest rivalries which have gripped darts spectators over the decades.
Darts Rivalries: Eric Bristow v John Lowe
The popularity of darts rose sharply in the early 1980s due to the fascinating rivalry between Eric Bristow and John Lowe. Bristow was a brash, flamboyant Londoner, nicknamed the Crafty Cockney, while Lowe was a disciplined, calm Derbyshire man, nicknamed Old Stoneface.
The clash of personalities was seen to full effect in three BDO World Championship finals. Bristow beat Lowe 5-3 in the 1981 final, then 6-2 in the 1985 showpiece. Lowe took his revenge in 1987, defeating Bristow by a 6-4 margin. Bristow ended up with five world titles, while Lowe won the ultimate prize three times.
Darts Rivalries: Phil Taylor v Raymond van Barneveld
Phil Taylor took over from Bristow and Lowe as the dominant force in darts. Taylor’s early rivals were Dennis Priestley, Peter Manley and John Part, but none of that trio could consistently give Taylor a serious challenge. It was not until Raymond van Barneveld made the switch from the BDO circuit to the PDC that Taylor had a peer who worried him.
Van Barneveld won four BDO World Championship titles before joining the PDC, then made the PDC final for the first time in 2007, defeating Taylor 7-6 in an epic at the Circus Tavern. Taylor got his revenge with a 7-1 success in the 2009 final.
Darts Rivalries: Phil Taylor v Michael van Gerwen
As Van Barneveld’s ability waned, a younger Dutchman took over as the main threat to the imperious Taylor. The Power, as Taylor was known, won a record-breaking 16 World titles, but his time at the top was tempered by the emergence of Michael van Gerwen.
Taylor and Van Gerwen met in one World Championship final and two World Matchplay finals. Taylor attempted to rattle his opponent by always referring to him disrespectfully as “Gerwen”. The Englishman beat Van Gerwen 7-4 in the 2013 World final, then 18-9 in the 2014 Matchplay final, before Mighty Mike won 18-10 in 2016 Matchplay.
Darts Rivalries: Michael van Gerwen v Peter Wright
Taylor’s last World title came in 2013. Van Gerwen won three Worlds after that, with his first coming in 2014 in a feisty final against Peter Wright. Van Gerwen and Wright have never liked each other, adding spice to the two World finals they contested at Alexandra Palace.
Wright won their second meeting 7-3 in 2020 and seven of the last 12 World finals have included either Van Gerwen or Wright or both.
Darts Rivalries: Luke Humphries v Luke Littler
There has been only one World final between Luke Humphries and Luke Littler – the last one – but the super-talented Lukes have been threatening to dominate the sport. Humphries won 7-4 at Alexandra Palace in January and they will be the favourites for the forthcoming edition.
They get on well, so there is none of the nastiness associated with other rivalries yet, but the Englishmen look set to duel for the biggest titles for many years to come.
Please note that the information provided in this Darts Rivalries article is for entertainment purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. Any action you take upon the information on this article is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any losses and damages in connection with the use of our article. We do not encourage gambling and remind you to gamble responsibly.
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