1978 BDO World Darts Championship
Encyclopedia
The 1978 Embassy World Darts Championship was the first World Darts Championships. The tournament was organised by the British Darts Organisation
who had already set up the WDF World Cup
and Winmau World Masters
in its five years since formation. This was the only year that the tournament was played in a matchplay format of legs, rather than sets
which came into operation from 1979 onwards. BBC Television
covered the event and began a long broadcasting partnership with the BDO. Sid Waddell was the lead commentator on the tournament which he would cover for the BBC until 1994.
The championships became possible when Mike Watterson
, a snooker promoter came up with the idea whilst sat in a barber's chair in 1977. Imperial Tobacco
, who already sponsored the World Snooker Championship with their Embassy
brand were also interested and with Watterson promoting the event Imperial also signed up to the darts version, which they were to sponsor for 25 years. The relationship only ended when the UK government decided to end tobacco companies right to sponsor sporting events.
The tournament was held between 6 February and 10 February. The tournament was held, for
the only time, at the Heart of the Midlands Club
in Nottingham
. The BDO decided to move the event to Jollees Cabaret Club in Stoke-on-Trent
for the following year.
The third night of the tournament was when tournament began to be lit up when Leighton Rees
checked out in ten darts in front of the TV cameras. Eric Bristow
was the number one seed for the championship, but suffered a surprise first round defeat to Conrad Daniels
of the United States.
The number three seed, Leighton Rees of Wales beat number two seed, England's John Lowe
11-7 in the final. He began to pull ahead when a 180 and a 13-dart leg extended his lead from 8-7 to 9-7 and then he took the next two as well for the £3,000 top prize and the title as first ever World Darts Champion.
TOURNAMENT REVIEW
Day One - Monday 6 February
The first days play at the inaugural Embassy World Darts Championships saw 4 first round matches, played over the best of 11 legs. In the opening match, number 1 seed Eric Bristow, a man who would later go on to dominate this event by reaching 10 finals over the 1980s and early 1990s bowed out 6-3 to American Conrad Daniels. Then in an all North American battle, Nicky Virachkul knocked out Hillyard Rossiter 6-0, the first ever World Championship whitewash.
The third game saw number 5 seed Alan Evans come through a trick match against England's Alan Glazier by 6 legs to 4. There would be a Welsh Semi-Finalist guaranteed after 3rd seed and fellow Welshman Leighton Rees set up a quarter-final on Wednesday after beating Australian Barry Atkinson 6-0.
Day Two - Tuesday 7 February
The first round would be completed today, in the opening match, 4th seeded Scot Rab Smith would smoothly book a second round spot with a 6-0 win over Irishman Patrick Clifford. He would be up against a Swede before the match would be finished. Stefan Lord, seeded 6 won 6-3 against Kenth Ohlsson. Then the second surprise of the tournament came in defeat for 8th seed Tony Brown of England, 6-3 to Australian namesake Tim Brown. The final match would see John Lowe, the highest seed remaining in the Embassy draw begin with a 6-1 win over Bobby Semple of Scotland.
Day Three - Wednesday 8 February
All 4 Quarter-Finals were played today, the matches still over the best of 11 legs.
A change in the broadcasting style - and this change was here to stay. After many complaints the BBC decided to split the screen enabling viewer to see the player's reactions and styles of throw. The first quarter-final saw Conrad Daniels leave the tournament after a great first round win over Eric Bristow, Nick Virachkul going into the semi-finals a 6-4 win.
Then came arguably one of the best games of the tournament, Evans vs. Rees. Evans took the first leg in 13 darts, having opened up with a 180. Then with Rees 3-2, he took the 6th leg with scores of 137, 180, 180 & double 2 first dart, the first 10 darter on national television. Rees would go on to take the match and a place against Virachkul by 6 legs to 3.
The bottom half of the draw saw Stefan Lord knock out Rab Smith in a surprising 6-3 win, whilst John Lowe continued his progress in the tournament, a 6-1 win over Tim Brown, a second 6-1 win for Lowe in the tournament so far.
Day Four - Thursday 9 February
The Semi-Finals and the third place play-off would be held today. Matches in the Semi-Finals being extended to the best of 15 legs, whilst the play-off would be the best of nine legs. Wales would have a finalist in the first ever World Championships, after Rees snuck home in the only match to go all the way, Rees winning 8-7 to end American hopes.
In the Second semi-final, John Lowe put out Stefan Lord 8-4 in a comfortable victory, consolation for Virachkul came in victory in the play-off, the American taking home £1000 for his week with Lord taking £800 after the play-off, which Virachkul won 5-4.
THE FINAL - Day Five - Friday 10 February
Rees vs. Lowe in a match for £3000, the loser would take £1700. Rees would become champion, winning the final by 11 legs to seven.
United States Nicky Virachkul
5-4 Stefan Lord
Sweden
British Darts Organisation
The British Darts Organisation, or the BDO for short, is a darts organisation founded on 7 January 1973 by Olly Croft, OBE. The BDO is a founder member of the World Darts Federation which was formed in 1976....
who had already set up the WDF World Cup
WDF World Cup darts
The WDF World Cup is a darts tournament held biennially since 1977. The tournament consists of a team championship, a pairs championship and a singles championship. All events have a men's competition, a women's competition and a youth competition . The next World Cup will be held in 2013, in St...
and Winmau World Masters
Winmau World Masters
The Winmau World Masters is one of the longest running and most prestigious professional darts tournaments, which began in 1974 - even before the current World Professional Championship...
in its five years since formation. This was the only year that the tournament was played in a matchplay format of legs, rather than sets
Set (darts)
A set in darts consists of a sequence of legs played, ending when the count of legs won meets certain criteria. Throwing first is considered an advantage in a leg, so players alternate who throws first in each leg during the set....
which came into operation from 1979 onwards. BBC Television
BBC Television
BBC Television is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation. The corporation, which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927, has produced television programmes from its own studios since 1932, although the start of its regular service of television...
covered the event and began a long broadcasting partnership with the BDO. Sid Waddell was the lead commentator on the tournament which he would cover for the BBC until 1994.
The championships became possible when Mike Watterson
Mike Watterson
Mike Watterson is a former English professional snooker player, businessman, entrepreneur and commentator...
, a snooker promoter came up with the idea whilst sat in a barber's chair in 1977. Imperial Tobacco
Imperial Tobacco
Imperial Tobacco is a global tobacco company headquartered in Bristol, United Kingdom. It is the world’s fourth-largest cigarette company measured by market share , and the world's largest producer of cigars, fine-cut tobacco and tobacco papers...
, who already sponsored the World Snooker Championship with their Embassy
Embassy (cigarette)
Embassy is a brand of cigarettes from Imperial Tobacco. First sold in 1914 and relaunched as a coupon brand in 1962, in 1976 they were invited to sponsor the World Snooker Championships, which they did from then until 2005 at which time they had to pull out due to the UK government's ban on tobacco...
brand were also interested and with Watterson promoting the event Imperial also signed up to the darts version, which they were to sponsor for 25 years. The relationship only ended when the UK government decided to end tobacco companies right to sponsor sporting events.
The tournament was held between 6 February and 10 February. The tournament was held, for
the only time, at the Heart of the Midlands Club
Rock City (club)
Rock City is a club in the city of Nottingham, England that focuses on live music.-Overview:Rock City, based in Nottingham City Centre, has a capacity of 2451, and is known for its intimate atmosphere. It has been described by NME as "sweaty, but truly indie". Rock City is divided into two rooms:...
in Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
. The BDO decided to move the event to Jollees Cabaret Club in Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent , also called The Potteries is a city in Staffordshire, England, which forms a linear conurbation almost 12 miles long, with an area of . Together with the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme Stoke forms The Potteries Urban Area...
for the following year.
The third night of the tournament was when tournament began to be lit up when Leighton Rees
Leighton Rees
Leighton Thomas Rees was the first ever World Professional Darts Champion.-Early life:Rees was born in the village of Ynysybwl, where he was to spend most of his life...
checked out in ten darts in front of the TV cameras. Eric Bristow
Eric Bristow
Eric Bristow MBE is a British darts player, whose skill at the game in the 1980s helped turn it into a worldwide spectator sport.- Early career :...
was the number one seed for the championship, but suffered a surprise first round defeat to Conrad Daniels
Conrad Daniels
Conrad Daniels is an American darts player who has competed since the 1970s.He appeared at the first three World Professional Darts Championships - but only managed to win one match. However, that match was notable as he beat highly fancied 21 year-old Eric Bristow, who was top seed for the event...
of the United States.
The number three seed, Leighton Rees of Wales beat number two seed, England's John Lowe
John Lowe
John Lowe is an English darts player who was one of the best-known men in darts during the 1970s and 1980s, particularly in the United Kingdom. Lowe is one of only five players to have won the World Championship 3 times.-Biography:Lowe won the World Championship title in three different decades -...
11-7 in the final. He began to pull ahead when a 180 and a 13-dart leg extended his lead from 8-7 to 9-7 and then he took the next two as well for the £3,000 top prize and the title as first ever World Darts Champion.
Prize money
Total Prize fund was £10,500- Champion £3,000
- Runner-up £1,700
- Third Place £1,000
- Fourth Place £800
- Quarter finalists £500
- 1st round losers £250
TOURNAMENT REVIEW
Day One - Monday 6 February
The first days play at the inaugural Embassy World Darts Championships saw 4 first round matches, played over the best of 11 legs. In the opening match, number 1 seed Eric Bristow, a man who would later go on to dominate this event by reaching 10 finals over the 1980s and early 1990s bowed out 6-3 to American Conrad Daniels. Then in an all North American battle, Nicky Virachkul knocked out Hillyard Rossiter 6-0, the first ever World Championship whitewash.
The third game saw number 5 seed Alan Evans come through a trick match against England's Alan Glazier by 6 legs to 4. There would be a Welsh Semi-Finalist guaranteed after 3rd seed and fellow Welshman Leighton Rees set up a quarter-final on Wednesday after beating Australian Barry Atkinson 6-0.
Day Two - Tuesday 7 February
The first round would be completed today, in the opening match, 4th seeded Scot Rab Smith would smoothly book a second round spot with a 6-0 win over Irishman Patrick Clifford. He would be up against a Swede before the match would be finished. Stefan Lord, seeded 6 won 6-3 against Kenth Ohlsson. Then the second surprise of the tournament came in defeat for 8th seed Tony Brown of England, 6-3 to Australian namesake Tim Brown. The final match would see John Lowe, the highest seed remaining in the Embassy draw begin with a 6-1 win over Bobby Semple of Scotland.
Day Three - Wednesday 8 February
All 4 Quarter-Finals were played today, the matches still over the best of 11 legs.
A change in the broadcasting style - and this change was here to stay. After many complaints the BBC decided to split the screen enabling viewer to see the player's reactions and styles of throw. The first quarter-final saw Conrad Daniels leave the tournament after a great first round win over Eric Bristow, Nick Virachkul going into the semi-finals a 6-4 win.
Then came arguably one of the best games of the tournament, Evans vs. Rees. Evans took the first leg in 13 darts, having opened up with a 180. Then with Rees 3-2, he took the 6th leg with scores of 137, 180, 180 & double 2 first dart, the first 10 darter on national television. Rees would go on to take the match and a place against Virachkul by 6 legs to 3.
The bottom half of the draw saw Stefan Lord knock out Rab Smith in a surprising 6-3 win, whilst John Lowe continued his progress in the tournament, a 6-1 win over Tim Brown, a second 6-1 win for Lowe in the tournament so far.
Day Four - Thursday 9 February
The Semi-Finals and the third place play-off would be held today. Matches in the Semi-Finals being extended to the best of 15 legs, whilst the play-off would be the best of nine legs. Wales would have a finalist in the first ever World Championships, after Rees snuck home in the only match to go all the way, Rees winning 8-7 to end American hopes.
In the Second semi-final, John Lowe put out Stefan Lord 8-4 in a comfortable victory, consolation for Virachkul came in victory in the play-off, the American taking home £1000 for his week with Lord taking £800 after the play-off, which Virachkul won 5-4.
THE FINAL - Day Five - Friday 10 February
Rees vs. Lowe in a match for £3000, the loser would take £1700. Rees would become champion, winning the final by 11 legs to seven.
The Results
3rd place match Best of 9 legs United States Nicky VirachkulNicky Virachkul
Nicky Virachkul was a professional darts player who competed in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. He competed in the third WDF World Cup darts tournament in 1979 and won the singles title...
5-4 Stefan Lord
Stefan Lord
Stefan Lord is a retired Swedish professional darts player, who competed in British Darts Organisation events, and is one of the country's most successful players....
Sweden