Nikkiboy's Blog

Coffee – Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance?

nikkiboy — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:47:37 +0000

As consumers we have a choice in most things and one of the regular items we buy is coffee, when we get to the grocers we can buy one of three types:

Fairtrade – Identified by the logo on the left which will be on the packaging

Rainforest Alliance – Identified by the frog logo which will be on the packaging

Or we can buy a jar of coffee with no logo which means it subscribes to no fair policy and there are no guarantees as to how much any third world farmer would have been paid for his product.

So what is the difference?

Something that baffles most people is that they really do not think that there is a difference between Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance, you could not be further from the truth:

So how do they measure up?

The biggest difference is in the price paid for the coffee. The Fairtrade Foundation guarantees farmers a minimum price of $1.21 (65p) per pound of green coffee beans. This is much higher than the market price, which has averaged 80 cents this year, after recovering from an all-time low in October 2001, when it tumbled to 45 cents. The foundation also pays an extra five cents as a social premium to invest in community projects. This premium is paid even if the market price rises above $1.21.

The Rainforest Alliance offers no minimum or guaranteed price.

Kraft’s corporate affairs manager, Jonathan Horrell, says it pays a premium of up to 20% for the coffee beans it uses in its Kenco Sustainable Development brand. At the current market price of 80 cents, this equates to about 96 cents per pound – still 21% less than the Fairtrade price.

The main difference for me is that in order for a product to be labelled Fair Trade 100% of the contents must be certified Fair Trade, for the Rainforest Alliance only 30% has to be from their certified beans.

So what is the attraction to food companies of the alliance’s scheme? Cynics will point to the price. Not only is Rainforest Alliance-certified coffee cheaper than the Fairtrade alternative, there is also no licensing fee to use the alliance’s logo. The Fairtrade Foundation, on the other hand, charges a 2% fee, based on the wholesale coffee price – another significant cost. This all makes the Rainforest Alliance a cheaper way for the large coffee brands to tap into the ethical market. Coffee roasters that sell coffee containing a minimum of 30% certified coffee beans can then boost their ethical credentials by using the Rainforest Alliance logo on packaging.

So the question you have to ask is when a product displays the Rainforest Alliance logo instead of the Fair Trade logo, has this been done because of the ethical policies of the manufacturer or merely because it is considerably cheaper to go Rainforest Alliance rather than Fair trade and consumers do not know the difference – yet.

People should be made aware of the difference and not duped into believing they are purchasing a 100% ethical product when clearly they are not, if you want to buy the smart price non ethical product then I have no issue, that is your choice but I do feel that there is a deliberate intention to mislead the public based around the lack of information available on the label.

(based upon several sources, for more reading please look at the following: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2004/nov/24/foodanddrink.shopping1 and http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/coffee/ )

Pro Tour Card

nikkiboy — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:31:04 +0000

How will it work?

PDC World Champion Phil Taylor

In 2011 the PDC are due to introduce their Pro Tour Card system for their players. This represents a major change in the way that professional darts are run, the main tour will now only be contested by 128 players.

What difference does that make?

Well the major difference from now will be that if you do not earn your tour card then you will no longer be able to take part in the PDC Pro Tour weekend events.

Why have they done this?

The reasoning behind this is to create a more professional and more orgainsed dart tour. They want to distance themselves from the “cattle market” style open tournaments of the BDO system where over 500 people could turn up, pay the entry and play. With the increase in money in the game since Barry Hearn has taken over the PDC has resulted in more and more people chancing their arm in the PDC and they are concerned that the larger field will dilute the quality and effect the running of their tournaments.

How will it work?

The truth is that details are still to be finalised at the moment, originally the top 96 in the PDC order of merit would earn a pro tour card automatically, this has now been reduced to the top 88 with the announcement that the last 4 Lakeside (BDO) world finalists will be offered a card along with the finalists of the new Ladies and Youth PDC world championships. The remaining 32 places will be filled with players from a qualifying school event, venue and format yet to be decided as of this date. These 128 players will be the only ones able to register for the Pro Tour events. Should any of these be unable to attend then there is talk of having a qualifying competition on the Friday evening befor the weekend where players can turn up and play for any vacant positions that weekend.

Bad news for the BDO?

The initial thoughts of most people were that at the start of this year a whole troop of top BDO players would be switching over to the PDC in an attempt to secure their tour card, this has not happened. Does this mean that the PDC over anticipated how many would switch? I think they did, in fact most people did. This does however represent an opportunity for the BDO to counter the massive strides the PDC have made.

What can/will the BDO do?

If history is anything to go by then nothing, although in the animal kingdom creatures are most dangerous when wounded and faced with death. The BDO have a massive playing base, excellent players and officials and some really decent events, but, and it is a big but, do they have the knowhow to put together an alternative professional tour along the lines of the Pro Tour? There is no doubting that in order to do so they will have to bring in a team of professional marketing and management personnel in order to take it forward.

Will they do this?

The BDO World Championship Sponsor

Probably not. The IDPA have put forward initiatives and ideas that have to be implimented if their organisation is to be dragged out of the 1970’s but in my view the BDO lack the drive to move it forward, I hope I am wrong.

Grand Slam Of Darts

nikkiboy — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:37:33 +0000

PDC Grand Slam of Darts

Why change a winning formula?

There has been talk lately that the PDC may remove some of the qualifying places for the GSOD from BDO players, I for one hope that it is just that, talk.
The whole concept of the GSOD is the best of both codes are pitted against each other, this is what makes the whole thing stand out from the rest of the TV tournaments.

Ok so the current BDO world champion Martin Adams will not be there which is a shame but everyone else will be. For those people wondering why Adams will not play it is a combination of a few things, a few years ago Adams played in PDC tournaments quite happily until the PDC insisted that he should sign a contract, he refused and was then banned by the PDC from their subsequent tournaments. A few years later when the PDC started the GSOD they invited Adams and he turned the invite down because the Winmau World Masters was on at the same time, the following year he was invited again and he turned the invite down once more resulting in the PDC stating that they would no longer invite him. Sounds a little like playground stuff doesn’t it?

Martin Adams has won the two main BDO qualifying tournaments, the 2009 Masters and the 2010 World Championship so the PDC have removed the qualifying place from the masters, petty? well maybe a little but from their point of view why should they offer a place only to have it thrown back at them.

The Grand Slam was based around a couple of Dutch tournaments, the International Darts League and The World Darts Trophy which became muti organisational in 2006 and 2007, however the PDC pulled their players out of the tournament after in 2007 both events were won by BDO players and then lo and behold the Grand Slam was soon born, similar format and the same idea. The IDL and WDT could not continue without the PDC involved and these were lost to the world of darts.

Where the GSOD wins over the WDT and IDL is because they have invited the ladies champions, about bloody time! The PDC should be commended for this very popular initiative and with their announcement that their ladies and youth world championship finalists will get places then it should make the GSOD more interesting.

British Darts Organisation

The Grand Slam is in my opinion the best event of the calendar and should stay in its current format, it would be great if someone could mediate between Adams and the PDC and get the BDO’s best player involved but alas that looks like it will never happen to the loss of all darts fans.

The big question for this year’s tournament is who will lose to Phil Taylor in the final?

Cods beat the Red Lion

nikkiboy — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:16:56 +0000

RESULT:

CODS 6-3 Red Lion

Another win for CODS!

Game Review

The Red Lion in Cassington was the venue for this game which is a good few miles away, arrived there in good time and it is wuite a nice place, some friendly people and a decent pub.

First on for the CODS was yours truly and everyone knows how much I love playing first – not. Still a decent game and a 2-0 win.

Second on was Graham Woodward, played well and at 1-1 it was anyones game, a few missed doubles and the game swang the was of the Red Lion man 2-1

Third singles on for the CODS was the much improved Chris Kibbey, should really have won 2-0 but messed around on the double in the second leg but he made up for it in the last leg hitting some great scores and finishing well.

Fourth on for the CODS was the dirty Hoare himself, played well and cruised to a 2-0 victory.

Fifth was Clintos The Greek, again his run of good form continued and he won 2-0

Last singles player was The Swaying Mantis and back from his loss last week he swayed his way to an easy 2-0 win.

Singles over and the CODS lead 5-1

First pair on was me and Jabber, won the first leg easily, missed the double in the second so we were in for a deciding leg, what a pair of plonkers as we had about 30 darts each at a double and finally lost 2-1

Second on was the two form players of the night, The Hoare and The Kangaroo Man, good performance and a cracking 2-0 win

Last Pair was the Greek and the Mantis, again a game where we should have won easily but we lost it on doubles.

End Result a 6-3 win for the cods but it could/should have been more, still a win is a win!

The food brought out by the Red Lion was Chili and baked potato and it was fantastic, good on them. On the whole asolid performance and a decent result. Thanks to Clare for the support and a special thanks to Colin who sat out of the pairs.

Cods Win Again!

nikkiboy — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:22:59 +0000

Match Report

18th February 2010

Cotswold Arms v Charlbury Social Club

Venue: Charlbury Social Club

RESULT:

CODS 6-3 Charlbury

Another win for CODS!

Game Review

Twas on a dark and dismal night in a week that had seen rain, when all road lead to Charlbury with a league match once again, well not all, after a mix up your beloved captain (me) was left sitting on his own in the Cotswold Arms drinking beer with a pair of drunken Welshmen whilst his team mates were enjoying the spills of high society in Charlbury, a mix up in who was going where and who was taking who happened but was quickly sorted with Andy mounting his white horse (red fiesta) and galloping through the snow to bring me to the venue!

OK back to the game, first on for the CODS was The Greek, and with his form now back he completed a cool 2-0 victory.

Second on was The Swaying Mantis, I think it would be fair to say the there seemed to be a little more swagger in his step tonight, he swaggered to the bar then swaggered to the oche and the swaggered to a 2-0 nil loss, his first of the season. Sorry I think I meant staggered.

Third man for the CODS was the Kangaroo man himself and in an inspired and controlled performance he won 2-1 (should have been 2-0)

Fourth man on was the world famous Jabber, withthe accuracy of a scud missile he pushed both legs all the way, finally losing 2-0 on doubles, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

Fifth man on was the dirty Hoare, cracking game and although the Charlbury guy pinched a leg it was a very solid performance from Andy and a good 2-1 win

Last on was yours truly, played ok and hit my doubles well for a 2-0 win

CODS now 4-2 up after the singles

First pair on was The Greek and he was joined by Colin “All the gear – No Idea” Bird, both players were playing well and a cracking 2-0 win for the boys, well done Colin and Clint

Second Pair on were the animal lovers (although in Kibbeys case he just got off with a warning but is still not allowed with 10 feet of badger). It is fair to say that Jabber was really up for this game and with the pendulum swinging back and forth in a close game it was the Charlbury duo who pinched it with the final double, unlucky to both Chris’ as they played well, Kibbey with all the scoring and Jabber with “that” double 13!

Last pair on was myself and the Dirty Hoare, straight in and straight out, sticky first leg but a nice 2-0 win in the end

CODS WIN!!!!

Once again thanks to the Charlbury social club for a cracking evening, no soft porn on the TV but the chili and the welcome from their guys more than made up for it, great bunch of guys and a fun evening. Also big thanksto Clare for driving four drunken darters home and having to endure, amongst other things, our renditions of the Wurzels “I’ve got a brand new combine harvester”, Keith Harris and Orville’s “I wish i could fly” and of course Anita Dobson’s “anyone can fall in love” – Now please BURN that CD

A New era for darts?

nikkiboy — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 11:22:13 +0000

BDO

A lot has been said lately about the attempted takeover of the BDO by the PDC, although it seems that this is now dead in the water it seems to me that there are so many questions that were left unanswered.

Why when the counties voted for more details did the PDC not forward their intentions, instead they sat back and waited for the BDO to request more information, by the same token why did the BDO not send this letter until 21st January just 10 days prior to the all crucial vote.

What did the counties actually vote on? as there were absolutely no proposals apart from the £1m to buy the BDO

The fact remains that the PDC wanted to buy but the BDO did not want to sell so surely it was down to the PDC to do all of the running on this

So it all leaves darts still divided, still not reaching the potential to which it can achieve and still with two camps who cringe at the mere mention of the other’s name

Good work BDO and PDC, once more you have attracted the negative publicity that this sport does not need

PDC Ladbrokes.com Order of Play Announced:

nikkiboy — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:31:50 +0000

Schedule of Play
First Round (Preliminary Round games denoted by (P))
Friday December 18
7.10pm Wayne Mardle v Jyhan Artut
8.15pm Per Laursen v Christan Perez (P)
8.45pm Dennis Priestley v Kevin McDine
9.50pm Phil Taylor v Colin Monk
10.55pm Robert Thornton v Laursen/Perez

Saturday December 19
12.40pm Jarkko Komula v Roman Konchikov (P)
1.10pm Roland Scholten v Steve Hine
2.15pm Co Stompe v Steve Maish
3.20pm Kirk Shepherd v Scott Burnett
4.25pm Wes Newton v Komula/Konchikov

7.10pm Mervyn King v Matt Clark
8.15pm Aodhagen O’Neill v Les Francis (P)
8.45pm Jelle Klaasen v Barrie Bates
9.50pm Adrian Lewis v O’Neill/Francis
10.55pm Peter Manley v Andy Jenkins

Sunday December 20
12.40pm Ken MacNeil v Norman Madhoo (P)
1.10pm Tony Eccles v Brendan Dolan
2.15pm Mark Dudbridge v Andree Welge
3.20pm Mark Walsh v Mark Webster
4.25pm Alan Tabern v MacNeil/Madhoo

7.10pm Kevin Painter v Mensur Suljovic
8.15pm Phillip Hazel v Osmann Kijamet (P)
8.45pm Jamie Caven v Gary Anderson
9.50pm Raymond van Barneveld v Warren Parry
10.55pm Andy Hamilton v Hazel/Kijamet

Monday December 21
7.10pm Vincent van der Voort v Dylan Duo
8.15pm Haruki Muramatsu v Krzysztof Kciuk (P)
8.45pm John Part v Toon Greebe
9.50pm Terry Jenkins v Paul Nicholson
10.55pm Ronnie Baxter v Muramatsu/Kciuk

Tuesday December 22
7.10pm Andy Smith v Darin Young
8.15pm Tomas Seyler v Shi Yongsheng (P)
8.45pm Steve Beaton v Carlos Rodriguez
9.50pm Colin Osborne v Simon Whitlock
10.55pm Denis Ovens v Seyler/Yongsheng

Wednesday December 23
7.10pm Wayne Jones v Alex Roy
8.15pm Magnus Caris (P) v Francisco Ruiz
8.45pm Michael van Gerwen v Peter Wright
9.50pm James Wade v Steve Brown
10.55pm Colin Lloyd v Caris/Ruiz

Second Round
Sunday December 27
1.10pm King/Clark v Stompe/Maish
2.25pm Priestley/McDine v Klaasen/Bates
3.45pm Lewis/O’Neill/Francis v Newton/Komula/Konchikov

7.10pm Tabern/MacNeil/Madhoo v Dudbridge/Welge
8.25pm Taylor/Monk v Scholten/Hine
9.45pm Thornton/Laursen/Perez v Mardle/Artut

Monday December 28
1.10pm Lloyd/Caris/Ruiz v Ovens/Seyler/Yongsheng
2.25pm Part/Greebe v Shepherd/Burnett
3.45pm Painter/Suljovic v van der Voort/Duo

7.10pm Walsh/Webster v Manley/A Jenkins
8.25pm van Barneveld/Parry v Eccles/Dolan
9.45pm Baxter/Muramatsu/Kciuk v Caven/Anderson

Tuesday December 29
1.10pm Hamilton/Hazel/Kijamet v Beaton/Rodriguez
2.25pm T Jenkins/Nicholson v Smith/Young
3.45pm Osborne/Whitlock v Jones/Roy

7.10pm Wade/Brown v van Gerwen/Wright
Third Round
8.25pm Taylor/Monk/Scholten/Hine v Thornton/Laursen/Perez/Mardle/Artut
9.45pm Lewis/O’Neill/Francis/Newton/Komula/Konchikov v Priestley/McDine/Klaasen/Bates

Wednesday December 30
1.10pm Part/Greebe/Shepherd/Burnett v Walsh/Webster/Manley/A Jenkins
2.25pm T Jenkins/Nicholson/Smith/Young v Osborne/Whitlock/Jones/Roy
3.45pm King/Clark/Stompe/Maish v Tabern/MacNeil/Madhoo/Dudbridge/Welge

7.10pm Baxter/Muramatsu/Kciuk/Caven/Anderson v Lloyd/Caris/Ruiz/Ovens/Seyler/Yongsheng
8.25pm Wade/Brown/van Gerwen/Wright v Hamilton/Hazel/Kijamet/Beaton/Rodriguez
9.45pm van Barneveld/Parry/Eccles/Dolan v Painter/Suljovic/van der Voort/Duo

Friday January 1
Quarter-Finals
1.10pm King/Clark/Stompe/Maish/Tabern/MacNeil/Madhoo/Dudbridge/Welge v Part/Greebe/Shepherd/Burnett/Walsh/Webster/Manley/A Jenkins
3.00pm T Jenkins/Nicholson/Smith/Young/Osborne/Whitlock/Jones/Roy v Wade/Brown/van Gerwen/Wright/Hamilton/Hazel/Kijamet/Beaton/Rodriguez

7.10pm van Barneveld/Parry/Eccles/Dolan/Painter/Suljovic/van der Voort/Duo v Baxter/Muramatsu/Kciuk/Caven/Anderson/Lloyd/Caris/Ruiz/Ovens/Seyler/Yongsheng
9.00pm Taylor/Monk/Scholten/Hine/Thornton/Laursen/Perez/Mardle/Artut v Lewis/O’Neill/Francis/Newton/Komula/Konchikov/Priestley/McDine/Klaasen/Bates

Saturday January 2
Semi-Finals
7.10pm
9.00pm

Sunday January 3
Third-Fourth Place Play-Off
7.10pm

Final
8.10pm

PDC Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship Draw

nikkiboy — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:02:15 +0000

(1) Phil Taylor –v- Colin Monk
(32) Roland Scholten –v- Steve Hine
(16) Robert Thornton –v- Per Laursen/Christian Perez
(17) Wayne Mardle –v- Jyhan Artut
(8) Adrian Lewis –v- Aodhagan O’Neill/Les Francis
(25) Wes Newton–v- Jarkko Komula/Roman Konchikov
(9) Dennis Priestley –v- Kevin McDine
(24) Jelle Klaasen –v- Barrie Bates
(5) Mervyn King –v- Matt Clark
(28) Co Stompe –v- Steve Maish
(12) Alan Tabern –v- Ken MacNeil/Norman Madhoo
(21) Mark Dudbridge –v- Andree Welge
(4) John Part –v- Toon Greebe
(29) Kirk Shepherd –v- Scott Burnett
(13) Mark Walsh –v- Mark Webster
(20) Peter Manley –v- Andy Jenkins
———————————————-
(2) Raymond van Barneveld –v- Warren Parry
(31) Tony Eccles –v- Brendan Dolan
(15) Kevin Painter –v- Mensur Suljovic
(18) Vincent van der Voort –v- Dylan Duo
(7) Ronnie Baxter –v- Haruki Muramatsu/Krzysztof Kciuk
(26) Jamie Caven –v- Gary Anderson
(10) Colin Lloyd –v- Magnus Caris/Francisco Ruiz
(23) Denis Ovens –v- Tomas Seyler/Shi Yongsheng
(6) Terry Jenkins –v- Paul Nicholson
(27) Andy Smith –v- Darin Young
(11) Colin Osborne –v- Simon Whitlock
(22) Wayne Jones –v- Alex Roy
(3) James Wade –v- Steve Brown
(30) Michael van Gerwen –v- Peter Wright
(14) Andy Hamilton –v- Phillip Hazel/Osmann Kijamet
(19) Steve Beaton –v- Carlos Rodriguez

Lakeside Darts Order of Play

nikkiboy — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:59:49 +0000

The draw and playing times for the first round at January`s Lakeside World Porfessional can be found below.

MEN’S DRAW:

Sat.Jan 2 IAN WHITE, ENG (16)
2.40PM STEPHEN BUNTING, ENG

Sat.Jan 2 TONY O’SHEA, ENG (1)
I.00PM ROBBIE GREEN, ENG

Sat.Jan 2 JOEY TEN BERGE, NETH(9)
1.50PM BRIAN WOODS, ENG

Sat.Jan 2 ALAN NORRIS, SWE(8)
6.50PM ROBERT WAGNER, NOR

Sat.Jan 2 JOHN WALTON, ENG (12)
3.30PM WILLY VAN DE WIEL, NETH

Sat.Jan.2 TED HANKEY, ENG(5)
6.00PM GARY ROBSON, ENG

Sun.Jan 3 MARK BARILLI, SCOT(13)
1.50PM TONY WEST, ENG

Sun.Jan 3 DARRYL FITTON, ENG(4)
5.30PM DAVE CHISNALL, ENG

Sun Jan 3 JOHN HENDERSON, SCOT (15)
2.40PM MARENO MICHELS, NETH

Sun Jan 3 SCOTT WAITES, ENG(2)
1.00PM PAUL HANVIDGE, SCOT

Sun Jan 3 MARTIN ATKINS, ENG(10)
3.30PM PAUL CARTER, ENG

Sun Jan 3 DAVE PRINS, ENG(7)
6.20PM MARTIN PHILLIPS.WAL

Mon Jan 4 STEVE WEST, ENG(11)
8.40PM MARTIN McCLOSKEY, Rep of Ire

Mon Jan 4 ROSS MONTGOMERY, SCOT(6)
5.45PM GARRY THOMPSON, ENG

Mon Jan 4 SCOTT MITCHELL, ENG(14)
7.50PM DARYL GURNEY, N.Ire

Mon Jan 4 MARTIN ADAMS, ENG(3)
7.00PM ANTHONY FLEET, AUS

Playing Format:
First Round x 5 Sets
Second Round x 7 Sets
Quarter-Finals x 9 sets
Semi-Finals x 11 Sets
Final x 13 sets
Each Set Best of 5 Legs: 501 Up, straight start finish on double.

WOMEN’S DRAW:

Sat Jan 2 KAREN LAWMAN, ENG(4)
7.40PM LINDA ITHURRALDE, ENG

Sat Jan 2 JULIE GORE, WALES(1)
8.15PM RHIAN EDWARDS, WALES

Sun Jan 3 IRINA ARMSTRONG, RUSSIA(3)
7.10PM DETA HEDMAN, ENG

Sun Jan 3 TRINA GULLIVER, ENG(2)
7.45PM FRANCIS HOENSELAAR, NETH

Playing Format:
All matches Best of 3 Sets
Each Set Best of 5 Legs, 501 Up, straight start, finish on double.

• Times are subject to change and the BDO reserve the right to alter the schedule and playing format

Prize Money For Ladies Darts

nikkiboy — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:13:40 +0000

Lakeside Country Club

So the prize money for the Lakeside BDO World Darts Championship has been announced and it reads as follows:

2010 PRIZE MONEY

MEN:
CHAMPION: £100,000
Runner-up £30,000
Semi-Finalists £11,000 x 2
Q/Finalists £6,000 x 4
2nd Round £4,250 x 8
1st Round £3,000 x 16

TOTAL: £258,000

Highest Checkout: Men & Women: £3,000
9-Dart 501 Men & Women: £52,000

WOMEN:
CHAMPION: £6,000
Runner-Up £2,000
Joint 3rd £1,000 x 2
Joint 5th: £500 x 4

TOTAL: £12,000

TOTAL AVAILABLE PRIZE FUND: £325,000

BDO

The first thing that hits us it that the total prize fund for the women is £12,000 as opposed to £258,000 for the mens event. How any promoter can justify giving the womens players 4.65% of what the men will get in this day and age is beyond belief. The ladies world champion will earn £6000 which is not even enough to pay her bills to compete on the tour for next year, remember the ladies have to travel and play in tournaments all over the world in order to accrue ranking points to get into this tournament in the first place. I cannot believe that in all conscience either the BDO board or Bob Potter MBE from the Lakeside who are the main sponsor believe that this is fair.

They are not alone though, the Winmau World Masters was recently televised on the BBC and have a guess how much television time the BBC though it fit to give the ladies game?

You guessed it – NONE. Just what kind of message is this sending out to the current lady players or more importantly to the girls who may be just getting interested in darts, the answer is simple, you are second class in this game and always will be as long as the game is run by old men who are permanently stuck in the 50’s

BDO you should be ashamed of yourselves for making such a distinction between the two genders. Mr Potter of the Lakeside must also share the blame, if he feels that there is such a difference between the men and the women then presumably when a lady goes to his Lakeside and orders a meal she does not pay the £15 full price but just her percentage of it, give me a burger and chips please, here is my 70 pence.

BBC

Worst of all in this debacle which we call ladies darts under the BDO is the BBC who for all of their posturing, political correctness and sexual discrimination reports and guidelines they are blatantly treating ladies darts with contempt. We look forward to how much airtime the BBC will allow the ladies in this world championship.

The line up and draw for the ladies world championship is as follows:

WOMEN’S DRAW	(seeds)
Saturday 2nd January
Karen Lawman	England	(4)	v	Linda Ithurralde	England
Julie Gore	Wales	(1)	v	Rhian Edwards	Wales

Sunday 3rd January
Irina Armstrong	Russia	(3)	v	Deta Hedman	England
Trina Gulliver	England	(2)	v	Fran Hoenselaar	Netherlands