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Hibernian and Hearts were both granted penalties for handball during the Edinburgh derby, however both missed from the spot!
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New law has Californians with criminal records 'quite hopeful' they'll finally find housing
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In 2021, four years after finishing her last jail term and living in transitional housing in Riverside County, Erica Smith was ready for a permanent home.
She’d saved enough to cover a security deposit and the first and last month’s rent for an apartment for her and her daughter. But after three months of searching, Smith ran out of money, having burned through $10,000 on stays in motel rooms. She’d never found a place to live.
Smith had a series of drug-related and theft convictions on her record. Numerous cities within Riverside had adopted laws called crime-free housing that aimed to prohibit landlords from renting to tenants with criminal histories.
“It’s just terrible,” said Smith, 54. “Why am I not able to provide a place for me and my daughter to live?”
Soon, Smith will have more opportunities for housing, courtesy of a new state law. Assembly Bill 1418, which takes effect Jan. 1, will ban local governments across California from enforcing crime-free housing policies. Not only do crime-free housing rules stop landlords from renting to those with prior convictions, but many also call for the eviction of tenants based on arrests or contact with law enforcement.
Dozens of cities and counties in California began implementing the laws during the wave of “tough on crime” measures in the 1990s, with local elected officials, police and prosecutors contending they helped keep neighborhoods safe.
But crime-free housing policies have come under increasing criticism as unfair, unforgiving and racially discriminatory. The blanket bans have prevented spouses and children of those convicted from accessing housing and forced evictions of domestic violence victims after police responded to their apartments.
Under AB 1418, local governments will no longer be able to mandate landlords evict and exclude tenants for alleged or prior criminal conduct. It does not prevent landlords from initiating nuisance-related evictions and screening prospective residents based on criminal histories of their own accord.
More than 100 cities passed crime-free housing policies between 1995 and 2020, covering potentially 4.5 million renters, according to a new report by Rand Corp., a Santa Monica-based nonpartisan research institution.
The study found that contrary to proponents’ claims, crime-free housing did not lower crime rates.
“Our overall finding is crime-free housing policies are completely ineffective,” said Max Griswold, an assistant policy researcher at Rand and the study’s lead author.
In contrast, the analysis determined that the rules increased eviction rates on average by about 20%, an effect Griswold called “unexpectedly large.” The study found that cities with crime-free housing policies have a larger percentage of Black residents than those without.
“They’re creating more segregation,” Griswold said of the rules. “At the end of the day, that seems to be their purpose.”
Momentum to curtail crime-free housing laws has grown in recent years.
A 2020 Times investigation found the policies had disproportionately affected Black and Latino renters in California. Last year, the city of Hesperia and San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department agreed to pay $1 million to settle a civil rights lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice alleging crime-free housing policies targeted Black and Latino residents for removal.
Citing The Times’ story and the Hesperia case, Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Hawthorne) introduced AB 1418 in February. Soon after, California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta issued formal guidance to local governments urging them to reconsider their programs on racial justice grounds.
“Doing that on the heels of the big Hesperia case put cities on notice that the walls were closing in on them,” said Anya Lawler, a lobbyist representing the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation and the National Housing Law Project, two nonprofits that are principal supporters of the bill.
Over the summer, California’s Reparations Task Force, in its recommendations for remedying the legacies of slavery and other more modern government-sanctioned policies that discriminated against Black residents, called for repealing crime-free housing laws.
AB 1418 attracted no formal opposition. It passed both houses of the Legislature without a dissenting vote in a committee or on the Assembly or Senate floors. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 1418 in October.
Among the new law’s backers is the California Apartment Assn., the state’s largest landlord organization, which contended that local governments shouldn’t require landlords to exclude or evict tenants.
As AB 1418 made its way through the Legislature, the two largest cities in the Inland Empire, Riverside and San Bernardino, agreed to repeal their crime-free housing laws. San Bernardino did so as part of a settlement challenging the policy in a case filed by legal aid groups, and joined by Bonta’s and Newsom’s offices, on behalf of low-income residents in the city.
At a hearing on the policy in August, Michael Griggs told San Bernardino City Council members that he’d faced hurdle after hurdle trying to find housing. Griggs served six years in prison for robbery and assault charges related to a crime he committed as a teenager and was released in 2015.
Michael Griggs, 34, is pursuing a master’s in social work at Cal State San Bernardino. Because of his criminal history, he struggled for six months to find housing in the Inland Empire before finding a place.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
While incarcerated, Griggs began taking college classes. He earned a scholarship to Pitzer College and now is pursuing a master’s degree in social work at Cal State San Bernardino.
After his acceptance into graduate school in 2022, Griggs said, he spent six months searching for apartments throughout the Inland Empire only to have landlords reject him because of his criminal history. He said he found a place in Highland, a city with a crime-free housing policy about 10 miles from campus, only because the landlord’s background check did not extend to convictions that occurred longer than seven years prior.
“People want to move forward with their life,” said Griggs, 34. “How can they move forward with their life without having the first fundamental thing, which is housing, a safe place to live?”
Griggs said he’s looking forward to AB 1418 erasing crime-free housing policies on a broader scale.
“It’s hard work to do this at the city level,” he said. “I’m happy that the state is stepping up.”
Local officials in Riverside and San Bernardino said they had already scaled back enforcement of crime-free housing programs. Ryan Railsback, a spokesperson for Riverside city police, said the department stopped dedicating an officer to overseeing crime-free housing rules in 2020 because of staffing shortages that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In San Bernardino, the discussions at the state and local levels about potential harms caused by crime-free housing rules led city leaders to reconsider them after three decades on the books, said Jeff Kraus, a city spokesperson.
“The nature of crime has changed,” Kraus said. “The laws have changed. People’s opinions have changed. It’s probably a good time to review them now.”
For Smith, who remains homeless and living in her car with her 12-year-old daughter, AB 1418 represents another chance. She’s protested crime-free housing policies alongside advocacy groups locally and at the state level, and recently obtained a federal Section 8 housing voucher that would subsidize her rent.
Smith has yet to find a landlord that will accept the voucher, but she is counting on that to change.
“I’m excited and quite hopeful that because I’ve been dutiful in opposing these crime-free rules that part of the reward will be that housing for us is coming very soon,” Smith said.
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Liam Dillon, Ben Poston
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Was Francis Ngannou knocking Tyson Fury down the biggest boxing upset in 2023?
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Andy Scott, Gary Logan and Jane Couch discuss whether Francis Ngannou knocking down Tyson Fury was the biggest shock in 2023.
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East Point becomes 13th Georgia city to decriminalize marijuana – Medical Marijuana Program Connection
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EAST POINT, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – East Point has now joined a small but growing list of Georgia cities that have voted to decriminalize marijuana possession of an ounce or less.
Of the 535 cities in the state, East Point is just the 13th to make the move.
Now, people arrested for possession of one ounce or less of marijuana will be given a $75 fine or community service, but will not be punished with jail time.
The ordinance, unanimously approved by the East Point City Council on Dec. 19, almost identically mirrors a similar ordinance down the road in Atlanta.
East Point is the second city to decriminalize this year, following Camilla.
“Georgia is very, very behind the times when it comes to (decriminalization),” said Scotty Smart, a marijuana policy advocate with the group New Georgia Project.
Smart notes that Georgia has the fourth highest rate of simple marijuana possession in the entire country, and Black and brown residents are three to four times more likely to be arrested on that charge.
“Enactment of an ordinance concerning the offense of simple marijuana possession is further intended to prevent young people from entering the criminal justice system and avoiding the enduring stigma associated therewith,” reads part of the ordinance language.
The ordinance also states that decriminalization will also help open up police resources and eliminate costs “by reducing the amount of time police officers spend in connection with the arrest, processing and…
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MMP News Author
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Don't let your Christmas tree become a fire hazard. Recycle it now. Here's how
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Now that St. Nick has delivered his Christmas gifts, it’s your job to toss the discarded wrapping paper, cardboard boxes and ribbons and vacuum up the tinsel scattered around the house.
As for the wilting yuletide pine that has been shedding needles for days, you have several options for disposing of it.
Fire officials warn that dry Christmas trees can pose a fire hazard so don’t put off your disposal chore for too long.
Within the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Sanitation and Environment is offering curbside collection for Christmas tree recycling through the end of January, according to the city’s website.
Several options are available for scheduling a pickup, such as creating a ticket on the MYLA311 website, submitting a ticket request on the L.A. Sanitation and Environment homepage, or calling the 24-hour customer service line at (800) 773-2489.
Before your tree can be hauled away, the sanitation department requires the removal of all decorations, tinsel and stands. Additionally, you need to cut the trees into pieces, place them in the green bin and set them out for regular collection on trash day.
Residents of multifamily buildings can place trees on the curb for regularly scheduled collection days.
The city will not accept artificial trees and trees layered in fake snow for recycling. If your tree is covered in fake snow, you should put it in the black trash can designated for landfill disposal.
The city’s sanitation department uses recycled Christmas trees to produce compost and mulch, which residents can obtain for free.
If you want to drop off your tree for mulching, the city offers two locations.
The Gaffey Street SAFE Center at 1400 N. Gaffey St. in San Pedro will accept trees from Jan. 2 to Jan. 31, Monday through Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Lopez Canyon Environmental Education Center in Lake View Terrace will accept trees on the same dates and hours.
The Los Angeles Fire Department urges people to immediately remove and recycle natural trees. The department warns that dry Christmas needles can turn a small fire into an inferno in less than 7 seconds.
In addition to the mulching facilities, you can also drop your trees off at 13 Los Angeles city fire department stations until Jan. 12. Participating stations include:
108 N. Fremont Ave., 90012 — Civic Center / Bunker Hill
1192 E. 51st St., 90011 — South Los Angeles
11641 Corbin Ave., 91326 — Porter Ranch
4029 Wilshire Blvd., 90010 — Hancock Park
1005 N. Gaffey St., 90731 — North San Pedro
1410 Cypress Ave., 90065 — Cypress Park
10811 S. Main St., 90061 — South Los Angeles
1801 E. Century Blvd., 90002 — Watts
9224 Sunland Blvd., 91352 — Sun Valley
14355 Arminta St., 91402 — Panorama City
5101 N. Sepulveda Blvd., 91403 — Sherman Oaks
4470 Coliseum St., 90016 — South Los Angeles
23004 Roscoe Blvd., 91304 — West Hills
Several L.A. recreation centers and parks will also offer a one-day drop-off event on Jan. 7, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The locations include: the Los Angeles Zoo parking lot; the Rancho Cienega Recreation Center in Baldwin Hills; the Balboa Sports Center in Encino; the Cheviot Hills Recreation Center in Rancho Park; Sunland Park near Sun Valley; and the Westchester Municipal Building near the Los Angeles International Airport.
Long Beach
The Long Beach Public Works Department is offering its annual “Treecycling” disposal program for residents until Jan. 12. The city has a dozen free drop-off locations available Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on the weekends from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
If you are unable to drop off your old tree, the city will pick up it for one day only on Jan. 13. Long Beach residents must place their trees on the curb by 7 a.m.
Don’t forget to remove all decorations and stands and cut any tree over 12 feet in half. Flocked trees will be accepted.
Santa Monica
Santa Monica’s holiday tree collection will run until Jan. 31. The city advises residents to place bare trees on the curbside or alleys ready for pickup and to avoid placing trees in parking lots or parks. Calling 311 is not necessary for tree pickup.
Pasadena
Pasadena offers curbside pickup for bare trees to all solid waste customers on their regularly scheduled trash days from Jan. 2 to Jan. 16.
If you prefer to drop off your Christmas trees, locations are open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Eaton Blanche Park and Robinson Park until Jan. 2.
Newport Beach
Residents of Newport Beach have until Jan. 15 to place their cut-up trees in the green recycling bins. The local sanitation company, CR&R Environmental Services, requests that all ornaments, tinsel, lights and tree stands be removed.
Artificial trees and those with fake snow should be placed in black trash bins in Newport Beach, as they will not be recycled.
Laguna Beach
In Laguna Beach, Waste Management will for the next three weeks collect and recycle holiday trees. Trees taller than 6 feet must be cut in half and placed on the curb during a regular collection day.
Waste Management transports the trees to Tierra Verde Industries in Irvine for composting.
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Anthony De Leon
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Motherwell 0-2 Rangers | Scottish Premiership Highlights
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Highlights from the Scottish Premiership match between Motherwell and Rangers.
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In roguelite city builder Against the Storm, failure is part of the process
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I love city-building sims during every step of play — from laying down the foundations to planning a city grid, upgrading the complexity of buildings, and handling the bureaucratic elements of the late game. I’ve spent late nights playing Frostpunk and Timberborn, sucked into the fine balance of evading total town collapse. That said, if you had told me a week ago, “You’re going to spend about an hour making a settlement — and then you’re going to start over, again and again,” I’d have balked. But Against the Storm, the roguelite city builder that just came out of early access on Dec. 8, proves this formula is not only sensible, it’s fantastic.
To be clear, there are other games with this unconventional genre pairing. In Cult of the Lamb, there’s a home base that functions like a sim game where cultists work, worship, and obviously make live sacrifices. You can leave this base in order to partake in roguelike dungeon crawls. But Against the Storm doesn’t have that separation of mechanics. They’re perfectly married in a way that keeps things fresh while also empowering you to add complexity in each subsequent run. Fifteen hours in, I can hardly peel myself away.
In Against the Storm, you’re the queen’s viceroy in a land with cataclysmic weather events — you’ve been tasked with building settlements out from the capital, Smoldering City, toward a series of mysterious seals. You begin each “run” by selecting a tile on the game’s broody overworld map. You then pick your starting population out of a delightful fantasy lineup of lizards, beavers, humans, harpies, and more. Finally, you gather some basic supplies — stone, some edible mushrooms perhaps — before heading into the settlement site. Then it’s off to the races: At the site, you build shelters and basic structures, like a woodcutter to cut down trees, or sometimes even giant orchids. There’s a dark fantasy flavor to it all. Each site is full of hidden glades; reveal them and you might just find a poisonous flower that makes your food rot, or a cemetery that strikes fear in the hearts of your villagers.
Image: Eremite Games/Hooded Horse
From there the game turns into a resource puzzle. Each scenario gives you different choices for a series of “orders” to fulfill. You might need to deliver bags of crops, or enter a certain number of “dangerous glades” in a set amount of time. Completing these awards you with Reputation points. You typically need 14 points to win a scenario. All the while, you’re battling a capricious queen. The “Queen’s Impatience” meter only fills over time, and if it maxes out before reputation does, then you’ve lost the settlement.
This is the challenge and joy of the game: Creating a successful strategy as you go, before knowing what tools you’ll even have. Think of it like Hades, where Zagreus is presented with various boons from the gods — while all the options are fun, some can create awesome and unexpected synergies when fighting enemies. But in Against the Storm, you get options for building types, global perks, glades to discover, and orders to fulfill. You constantly have to finesse resource allocation: Your wood will be used for keeping the hearth warm, building new key buildings, and fulfilling a barrel order. And oh, by the way, don’t forget to make some food for your villagers. It’s so easy to screw yourself over at any step in Against the Storm.
Suffice it to say this is just the tip of the iceberg. There’s worker “resolve” and “hostility” — each citizen excels at different work and simply must have certain luxuries. These are delightfully silly: Lizards love to eat jerky and work in cookhouses (they’re coldblooded and love warmth); beavers enjoy biscuits and are very good at cutting wood. There’s also a weather cycle that dictates the timing of the harvest and how angry all the workers get. It’s called Against the Storm, so I’ll let you guess how much these dudes like rain. (Spoiler: They hate it.)
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Image: Eremite Games/Hooded Horse
It sounds complicated, but it’s actually very digestible. The game effectively drip feeds its complexities, which helps curb the overwhelming feeling that can come with these sorts of management sims that have a dozen menus and mechanics at play. There’s a perk tree you can unlock over the course of the game, which introduces new gameplay mechanics — win or lose, you’ll be able to buy some of these upgrades. You don’t really need to worry about trading early on, for example, but as you unlock more perks, it becomes a major force.
Against the Storm always has a new trick up its sleeve, and like any great roguelite, it’s encouraged me to make unusual, gutsy plays that I would never try in a more typical city builder. Knowing each run has a finite end means I can always start over if things don’t work out. And when they do — it’s even sweeter.
Against the Storm was released on Dec. 8 on Windows PC. Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. You can find additional information about Polygon’s ethics policy here.
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Nicole Clark
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Navy awards $6-million contract for cleanup of World War II hangar in Tustin that burned
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Navy officials announced this week that a $6-million contract has been awarded to an environmental cleanup firm to remove the debris that were released when an historic 17-story hangar in the city of Tustin caught fire.
There is no start date yet for the work awarded to ECC Environmental LCC.
The fire at one of two blimp hangars built in 1942 started Nov. 7 and burned for 24 days. The south hangar was not damaged. The two structures were part of a Marine Corps. air station that closed in 1997. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to city officals.
The Navy has agreed to pay Tustin $11 million toward the cleaning and repairs from the damage caused when fumes and debris from the fire drifted through the city. Tustin officials reported that the cost associated with the recovery may exceed $100 million. As the fire burned, residents feared that ash and debris from the World War II-era hangar contained asbestos.
Orange County’s top public health officer said Dec. 15 that there “is no concern regarding airborne asbestos” from the fire.
Residents have been instructed to report debris via a website where they can find regular updates on the hangar cleanup efforts.
According to a Dec. 20 city update, “certified asbestos consultants and asbestos mitigation teams” had completed 12 residential inspections and mitigations and 12 inspections. A total of 1,144 reports of debris have been filed with the city, with 1,143 inspected and 975 “mitigated and cleared,” according to the report.
City officials and the Navy said they are bringing down the remaining pieces of the hangar in a joint effort to avoid hazardous materials from further contaminating the city.
The deconstruction process of the hangar began Dec. 5, according to city officials.
Certified asbestos consultants and mitigation teams completed inspections of all public right of ways in Tustin as of Dec. 11. All public parks are open, according to a city report.
The city reported that all 29 Tustin Unified School District schools have been inspected for hazardous debris, including asbestos, and are open. Legacy Magnet Academy, one of the schools closest to the hangars, was the last to reopen, on Wednesday.
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Roberto Reyes
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World Darts Championship: Raymond van Barneveld rolls back the years as Dimitri Van den Bergh suffers shock defeat
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Raymond van Barneveld makes winning start but Dimitri Van den Bergh loses a thriller; the World Darts Championship runs all the way until the final on January 3, 2024 – we’re back on Saturday at 12.30pm, live on Sky Sports Darts
By Raz Mirza at Alexandra Palace, London
Last Updated: 22/12/23 11:49pm
Raymond van Barneveld rolled back the years as he struck a remarkable 19 140s and came close to a near 100 average on his way to a 3-1 victory over Radek Szaganski on Friday night at the World Darts Championship.
The five-time world champion – who last lifted the title in 2007 – produced the fourth highest average of the tournament with a stellar 99.81 to set up a meeting with Jim Williams in the last 32 after Christmas.
World Darts Championship: Friday Evening Results
Dimitri Van den Bergh 2-3 Florian Hempel (R2) Martin Schindler 3-1 Jermaine Wattimena (R2) Raymond van Barneveld 3-1 Radek Szaganski (R2) Chris Dobey 3-2 William O’Connor (R2) Debutant Szaganski silenced the large contingent of Dutch fans by winning the opening leg but only for Van Barneveld to reel off three in a row to wrap up the set with a 98.6 average and 3/4 on the doubles.
Watch the moment Raymond van Barneveld entered Ally Pally to his iconic ‘Eye of the Tiger’ song Watch the moment Raymond van Barneveld entered Ally Pally to his iconic ‘Eye of the Tiger’ song
The 56-year-old, playing in his 31st World Championship, continued the relentless finishing spree with an 86 and 104 checkouts at the start of the next before wrapping up the second set on double 5 with his last dart in hand.
The Dutch legend nailed this 113 checkout during his win The Dutch legend nailed this 113 checkout during his win
Polish-Irish star Szaganski managed a neat hold of throw to stop the rot at the start of the next with a neat 118 finish, but Van Barneveld answered back with a fine 113 and clutch 60 to move within touching distance of victory.
However, the Cork thrower fired in a timely 13-darter on double 14 to edge the third set.
Barney was taken to a deciding leg by a gritty Szaganski in the fourth but a 19th 140 allowed the Dutchman to set up 80 which he took out thanks to a slick two-dart combination.
Van Barneveld admitted Radek Szaganski gave him a hard game, but he did enough to come through and win Van Barneveld admitted Radek Szaganski gave him a hard game, but he did enough to come through and win
“There are no easy games. It gives you more pressure. (Peter) Wright has gone, (James) Wade has gone. But hey there’s a guy called Luke Littler, he’s fantastic,” said Van Barneveld.
Florian Hempel battled back from two sets down to defeat Dimitri Van den Bergh in a classic Florian Hempel battled back from two sets down to defeat Dimitri Van den Bergh in a classic
The boy from Cologne Florian Hempel sensationally recovered from 2-0 down to stun 15th seed Dimitri van den Bergh 3-2, surviving three match darts and saving his PDC Tour Card in the process.
The German won the last six legs on the spin, hitting back-back-back 10-dart legs en route, landing a skin-saving 151 checkout, whilst averaging 106.09 after surviving match darts in an Ally Pally classic.
“I’m the man for the comebacks, I think,” Hempel told Sky Sports. “I started so bad, but the back-to-back 10 darters helped and the 151 kept me in the game.”
Hempel took out this incredible 151 checkout to keep himself in the match against Van den Bergh Hempel took out this incredible 151 checkout to keep himself in the match against Van den Bergh
There were a total of 17 180s in 20 legs as Chris Dobey won a barnstorming tussle against William O’Connor with a 103.09 average.
The Masters champion, nicknamed ‘Hollywood’, won a deciding set shoot-out to progress to a clash with former European champion Ross Smith up next.
Chris Dobey was ‘delighted’ to get past William O’Connor Chris Dobey was ‘delighted’ to get past William O’Connor
German No 2 Martin Schindler joined his fellow countryman Hempel in the next round after defeating Jermaine Wattimena 3-1.
‘The Wall’ secured a meeting with Scott Williams with a 97 average and 52 per cent on the doubles, despite the quick-fire Dutchman reeling in the fourth 170 finish of the tournament.
Jermaine Wattimena fired in this 170 checkout in his defeat to Martin Schindler Jermaine Wattimena fired in this 170 checkout in his defeat to Martin Schindler
World Darts Championship: Friday Afternoon Results
Brendan Dolan 3-2 Mickey Mansell (R2) Jose de Sousa 1-3 Jeffrey de Graaf (R2) Krzysztof Ratajski 3-1 Jamie Hughes (R2) Dirk van Duijvenbode 1-3 Boris Krcmar (R2) The afternoon session of day eight started with an absolute cracker between Northern Irishmen and best friends Brendan Dolan and Mickey Mansell.
Brendan Dolan said he found it difficult playing his best friend on tour Mickey Mansell and expects to be more lethal with Gerwyn Price Brendan Dolan said he found it difficult playing his best friend on tour Mickey Mansell and expects to be more lethal with Gerwyn Price
There was nothing separating the two and the match went all the way to a tie-break with Dolan edging the win in the deciding leg to set up a meeting with Gerwyn Price.
Dutchman Jeffrey de Graaf wrapped up an impressive 3-1 victory over the ‘Special One’ Jose de Sousa to cause an upset.
Jeffrey de Graaf apologised to the Ally Pally crowd who were eager to see a nine-dart leg, but got it done in 10 against Jose de Sousa Jeffrey de Graaf apologised to the Ally Pally crowd who were eager to see a nine-dart leg, but got it done in 10 against Jose de Sousa
Krzysztof Ratajski’s campaign continues after a 3-1 victory over Jamie Hughes.
Hughes battled back from two legs down to take the first set but from there, Ratajski showed his experience to grind out the win and secure his spot in round three.
Boris Krcmar defeated Dirk van Duijvenbode in style with a 102 checkout Boris Krcmar defeated Dirk van Duijvenbode in style with a 102 checkout
The final match of the afternoon saw Dirk van Duijvenbode outplayed by big Croatian Boris Krcmar as he made it into the third round for the first time in his career.
He will now face ‘The Flying Scotsman’ Gary Anderson in the next round.
Van Duijvenbode showed his agility as he attempted to avoid the infamous Ally Pally wasp! Van Duijvenbode showed his agility as he attempted to avoid the infamous Ally Pally wasp!
Back home for Christmas thanks to everyone for messages i don’t think i can get round to say thanks to everyone there’s that many but I’ll try tomorrow 🫣 10 thousand new followers last few days 20 thousand new instagram followers 👀 Wishing u all a Merry Christmas ☢️ 🚀 💣 💥 pic.twitter.com/7zWrc5X0CK
— Luke Littler (@LukeTheNuke180) December 22, 2023
What’s happening on Saturday at the World Darts Championship?
Former World Youth champion Josh Rock returns to Alexandra Palace
Jonny Clayton, ‘The Bronzed Adonis’ Steve Beaton, youngster Josh Rock and World Matchplay champion Nathan Aspinall all headline the action at Alexandra Palace on the final day before the Christmas break.
World Darts Championship: Saturday Afternoon Fixtures
Kim Huybrechts vs Richard Veenstra (R2) Callan Rydz vs Ricardo Pietreczko (R2) Jonny Clayton vs Steve Lennon (R2) Daryl Gurney vs Steve Beaton (R2) Elsewhere, Kim Huybrechts, ‘Heavy Metal’ Ryan Searle and former semi-finalist Stephen Bunting will be among the high-profile names taking to the stage.
World Darts Championship: Saturday Evening Fixtures
Ryan Searle vs Tomoya Goto (R2) Josh Rock vs Berry van Peer (R2) Stephen Bunting vs Ryan Joyce (R2) Nathan Aspinall vs Ricky Evans (R2) The sport’s biggest event sees 96 players compete for the Sid Waddell Trophy and £2.5m in prize money at Alexandra Palace. You can watch all the action live on our dedicated Sky Sports Darts channel.
Watch the World Darts Championship all the way until the final on January 3, 2024 – live on Sky Sports Darts. NOW Sports Month Membership: £21 a month for 6 months
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Luke Littler on ‘breaking records like Michael van Gerwen’ after World Darts Championship win over Andrew Gilding
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One of the biggest stories from the Alexandra Palace so far has been 16-year-old Luke Littler; the World Darts Championship runs all the way until the final on January 3 – we’re back on Friday at 12.30pm, live on Sky Sports Darts
By Nigel Chiu and Raz Mirza
Last Updated: 22/12/23 7:01am
Luke Littler was flattered to hear people are comparing him to Michael van Gerwen after he booked a place in the third round of the World Darts Championship.
Littler held off a mid-match charge from the experienced Andrew Gilding to knock out the 20th seed with a 3-1 win on Thursday night.
The 16-year-old won his first match at the Alexandra Palace on Wednesday and his natural throwing style has got the darting world talking.
Ahead of the World Championship, he became the first two-time Junior Darts Corporation world champion and is already being compared to the sport’s greatest ever players including Phil Taylor and Van Gerwen.
Sky Sports Darts‘ Wayne Mardle says Littler is “probably the most naturally gifted player I have ever seen in my life”.
Littler plans to celebrate his sensational win over Andrew Gilding with another kebab! Littler plans to celebrate his sensational win over Andrew Gilding with another kebab!
“People do compare me to Michael and see what he’s done and I’ve done. We’ve both done a lot at 16 years of age,” said Littler.
“I’m breaking records and it’s good to know people are talking about me and comparing me to my idols.”
Littler averaged 106.12 on his World Championship debut as he beat Christian Kist 3-0 and will play Matt Campbell in the next round after the Canadian stunned James Wade.
Littler was born in Runcorn, Cheshire, on January 21, 2007 and began playing darts aged nine.
He won the England Youth Grand Prix in 2019 and began to rack up tournament wins.
He became England Youth Open champion in 2021 and won his first senior title at the Irish Open later that year.
In 2022 he won the Welsh Open and this year notched further senior titles at the Isle of Man Classic, Gibraltar Open, British Open and British Classic.
The 16-year-old is a back-to-back JDC World Champion and reigning World Youth Champion. He doesn’t turn 17 until January 21.
The winner of that match could play Raymond van Barneveld, who gets his campaign under way on Friday night live on Sky Sports Darts, in the last 16.
“I’m glad I’m coming back after Christmas. As soon as he beat Wade, my eyes lit up but I knew I had to get past Christian then Andrew and I’m coming back to face Matt. I’ll take it game by game and just play who’s up against me.
“Matt beat Wade, a multiple major winner, and what he’s done so far is good for Canadian darts but it’s me or him now.”
Littler on ‘unbelievable’ crowd chanting
Littler first picked up a set of darts at 18 months old and had the Alexandra Palace crowd singing “you’re going to school in the morning” during both of his wins.
They also sang “there’s only one Luke Littler”, a chant which Phil Taylor was associated with during his career.
Littler celebrated wildly after taking a two-set lead against Andrew Gilding in the World Darts Championship Littler celebrated wildly after taking a two-set lead against Andrew Gilding in the World Darts Championship
“It was unbelievable, especially when you are going for a double. Throughout the game they were chanting for me and chanting over different chants. You’ve just got to somehow get in the zone when they are all chanting,” said Littler.
He added: “I follow my own Instagram and have gone from 4,000 to 11,000 followers. I’ve had loads of rugby lads, local ones and other teams, follow me and footballers from Ipswich and United U20s. It’s just unbelievable that so many people know about me.”
Part: Littler can handle different situations
Three-time world champion John Part on Littler’s performance against Gilding:
“We learnt he can handle different sorts of situations. I think he did well.
“Andrew was the better average early going, but somehow he managed to steal set one, set two of course.
“Set four saw Luke behind at times but Andrew couldn’t get the darts needed to force a tie breaker.”
Watch the World Darts Championship all the way until the final on January 3, 2024 – live on Sky Sports Darts. NOW Sports Month Membership: £21 a month for 6 months
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Anthony Joshua in no mood for talking with bizarre interview
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Anthony Joshua kept his interview as short as possible as he is fully focused making his arrival in Riyadh, ahead of facing Otto Wallin
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I did it to be famous! | Tottenham mascot Ralph explains pre-match antics
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Young Tottenham mascot Ralph explains his lively pre-match warm-up against Newcastle which went viral.
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Birmingham 2-3 Leicester | Championship highlights
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Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham and Leicester.
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World Darts Championship: Fallon Sherrock suffers opening round defeat as Luke Humphries cruises through
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Fallon Sherrock makes costly error in defeat as Luke Humphries surges through in style; the World Darts Championship runs all the way until the final on January 3, 2024 – we’re back on Monday at 7pm, live on Sky Sports Darts
By Raz Mirza at Alexandra Palace, London
Last Updated: 18/12/23 12:06am
Fallon Sherrock suffered a gut-wrenching opening round defeat at the World Darts Championship as red-hot Luke Humphries looked cool as a cucumber as he progressed in style on the Alexandra Palace stage.
Sherrock’s opponent Jermaine Wattimena won nine out of the last 12 legs to send ‘The Queen of the Palace’ crashing out in the first round.
Humphries, who has been on an incredible run of form which has seen him win three televised titles in two months at the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and Players Championship Finals, defeated Lee Evans in straight sets.
World Darts Championship: Sunday Evening Results
Dylan Slevin 1-3 Florian Hempel (R1) Niels Zonneveld 3-1 Darren Webster (R1) Jermaine Wattimena 3-1 Fallon Sherrock (R1) Luke Humphries 3-0 Lee Evans (R2) 
Sherrock was delighted after winning the first set against Wattimena Sherrock was delighted after winning the first set against Wattimena
Sherrock made a dream start by edging the opening set in a deciding leg with a cool 50 finish in two darts having levelled up the set at 2-2 with an 80 checkout on tops.
The Dutchman recovered well to seal the second set 3-1 and restore parity much to the annoyance of Sherrock, who missed two darts at tops which would have sent it into a deciding leg.
It was agony for Sherrock who made a costly error at a crucial moment of her clash against Wattimena It was agony for Sherrock who made a costly error at a crucial moment of her clash against Wattimena
Wattimena soon silenced the rowdy Ally Pally crowd when he blasted his way through the third set without reply to move ahead.
Sherrock’s hopes were ended when she bust when aiming for double 8 with Wattimena sinking a magnificent 110 checkout to level the fourth set at 2-2. He sank double 5 in the deciding leg to claim victory.
“Obviously, I’m gutted with the result,” said Sherrock. “I had spells when I played well tonight but I missed chances at key moments and they cost me.
“Full credit to Jermaine, he was the better player on the night and he punished me when I missed chances.
“The Ally Pally stage is a special place for me and I will be back to hopefully make more positive memories here in the future.”
Wattimena ended Sherrock’s hopes when he nailed double 5 to claim a fine win Wattimena ended Sherrock’s hopes when he nailed double 5 to claim a fine win
Three-time quarter-finalist Humphries bossed the opening set of his match against Lee Evans, who hit back with the first 170 checkout of the tournament to narrow the gap in set two before the tournament favourite won the deciding leg to stretch his advantage.
Evans pinned a whopping 116 finish to take a 2-0 lead in the third set but he was punished for a total of 19 missed doubles with ‘Cool Hand Luke’ making it through thanks to a neat 70 checkout on double 16.
Humphries admitted he wasn’t at his best during his win over Evans Humphries admitted he wasn’t at his best during his win over Evans
“I was not at my best today, the most important thing for me is it felt good,” said the 28-year-old Newbury thrower. “I said in my previous interviews, just get through the first game, it’s always the toughest.
“There will be nothing in that game where I look back and say I’m disappointed in myself because I won the game 3-0 and that’s what I wanted.
“The next game will be tough but I feel I will be a lot lot better than that.
“It’s hard not to get frustrated but this is darts. You can’t always be fantastic and that’s the way it is.”
Evans reeled in ‘The Big Fish’ during his second round match against Humphries Evans reeled in ‘The Big Fish’ during his second round match against Humphries
Dutchman Niels Zonneveld halted ‘The Demolition man’ Darren Webster’s revival to land his very first victory on the World Championship stage.
After easing through the opening two sets, Norfolk ace Webster bounced back by edging the third set in a decider to keep his hopes alive despite 16 missed darts at doubles and an 84 average.
Niels Zonneveld eventually got over the line against Darren Webster, despite EIGHT missed match darts Niels Zonneveld eventually got over the line against Darren Webster, despite EIGHT missed match darts
However, ‘Triple Z’, who reached the quarter-finals of the 2021 World Series of Darts, booked his spot in the second round against former European Champion Ross Smith thanks to his ninth match dart.
In the opening match of the night, Florian Hempel recovered from a set down to defeat Ireland’s Dylan Slevin 3-1 with five 180s along the way.
Young Irishman Slevin piled in a 167 but former handball star Hempel showed all his experience to make a winning start to his campaign.
Dylan Slevin hit this sensational 167 checkout during his first round defeat at the Worlds Dylan Slevin hit this sensational 167 checkout during his first round defeat at the Worlds
The German will now renew his rivalry with Dimitri Van den Bergh in a fascinating second round tie on Friday, two years after shocking the Belgian.
World Darts Championship: Sunday Afternoon Results
Ricky Evans 3-0 Simon Adams (R1) Jim Williams 3-0 Norman Madhoo (R1) Matt Campbell 3-2 Lourence Ilagan (R1) Joe Cullen 3-0 Darren Penhall (R2) ‘The Rockstar’ lays down marker in afternoon session
Joe Cullen was happy with his victory over Darren Penhall Joe Cullen was happy with his victory over Darren Penhall
Joe Cullen raced into the third round after easing to a straight-sets victory over Darren Penhall on Sunday afternoon.
Cullen smashed in this 160 checkout against Penhall Cullen smashed in this 160 checkout against Penhall
Cullen fired a 93.41 average and posted six maximums during a comfortable 3-0 win over Penhall, with a 160 checkout also helping set up a last-32 meeting with Ryan Searle, Ian White or Tomoya Goto.
‘Rapid’ Ricky Evans summons the spirit of Christmas for his walk-on against Simon Adams ‘Rapid’ Ricky Evans summons the spirit of Christmas for his walk-on against Simon Adams
Ricky Evans brushed aside Simon Adams in straight sets earlier in the session to book a second-round clash with Nathan Aspinall, while Wales’ Jim Williams didn’t drop a leg on his way to defeating qualifier Norman Madhoo by the same scoreline.
The contest of the session came when ‘Ginja Ninja’ Matt Campbell battled back from squandering five match darts in the third set and a two-set lead to defeat Lourence Ilagan in a final-set decider.
Matt Campbell missed the chance to finish the match before Lourence Ilagan hits tops-tops to win the set Matt Campbell missed the chance to finish the match before Lourence Ilagan hits tops-tops to win the set
Live World Darts Championship
December 18, 2023, 7:00pm
Live on
What’s happening on Monday at the World Darts Championship?
Gerwyn Price will be aiming to land a second World title at Ally Pally
Welshman Gerwyn Price begins his bid to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy for a second time on Monday.
The night will also see World Youth Championship finalist Gian van Veen make his World Championship debut.
World Darts Championship: Monday Fixtures
Mario Vandenbogaerde vs Thibault Tricole (R1) Gian van Veen vs Man Lok Leung (R1) Martin Lukeman vs Haupai Puha (R1) Gerwyn Price vs Connor Scutt (R2) The sport’s biggest event sees 96 players compete for the Sid Waddell Trophy and £2.5m in prize money at Alexandra Palace. You can watch all the action live on our dedicated Sky Sports Darts channel.
Watch the World Darts Championship all the way until the final on January 3, 2024 – live on Sky Sports Darts. NOW Sports Month Membership: £21 a month for 6 months
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Trent Alexander-Arnold fires low effort just wide
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Trent Alexander-Arnold fires a low effort just wide as Liverpool push for an opening goal against Manchester United.
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World Darts Championship: Gary Anderson begins quest for third title with win over Simon Whitlock
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Gary Anderson sinks 112 and 116 checkouts as ‘The Flying Scotsman’ demolishes Simon Whitlock for opening win; the World Darts Championship runs all the way until the final on January 3, 2024 – we’re back on Sunday afternoon at 12.30pm, live on Sky Sports Darts
By Raz Mirza at Alexandra Palace, London
Last Updated: 17/12/23 1:31am
Gary Anderson was back on the Alexandra Palace stage and in relentless form as the 52-year-old crushed Simon Whitlock to cruise through at the World Darts Championship on Saturday.
The two-time World Champion may currently be ranked 21 in the world but he has statistically played better than anyone on the PDC circuit this year.
World Darts Championship: Saturday Evening Results
Jamie Hughes 3-1 David Cameron (R1) Keane Barry 3-1 Reynaldo Rivera (R1) Scott Williams 3-1 Haruki Muramatsu (R1) Gary Anderson 3-0 Simon Whitlock (R2) The legendary Scot, who turns 53 on December 22, will enjoy his Christmas at home after racing through the opening set in 11, 14 and 18 darts with an average close to 105.
Anderson, watched on by tennis star Jamie Murray, then defied a 106 checkout from the Aussie to clinch set two 3-1 and double his lead with three 180s to his name.
Anderson defeated Whitlock in the second round with this spectacular 116 checkout Anderson defeated Whitlock in the second round with this spectacular 116 checkout
He soon wrapped up a 3-0 with a classy 116 finish to end the contest with a neat 98.3 average and five 180s.
“The more I play, the more I get used to it, so fingers crossed. But I still want to be 35 again,” Anderson told Sky Sports.
The flashy Scott Williams left his form on the Tour behind him as he rolled his way past Japan’s former World Cup of Darts semi-finalist Haruki Muramatsu to reach the next round.
Williams attempted a no-look 180, then followed it up with a 120 checkout in his first leg Williams attempted a no-look 180, then followed it up with a 120 checkout in his first leg
‘Shaggy’ opening the match with a 120 checkout and even attempted a blind 180 on his way to claiming an edgy set but he swept his way through the second without reply.
Muramatsu claimed the third set to halve the deficit, but Williams sealed the deal when he nailed a show-stopping 127 on the bullseye to set up a clash against Danny Noppert on Thursday.
Williams rounded off his win over Muramatsu this sensational 127 on the bull Williams rounded off his win over Muramatsu this sensational 127 on the bull
Jamie Hughes finally tasted success at Ally Pally at the fifth time of asking to reach the second round with a 3-1 victory against David Cameron.
The Tipton ace known as ‘Yozza’ sealed the victory on double eight before showing plenty of emotion on the big stage as he set up a meeting with Krzysztof Ratajski of Poland.
Jamie Hughes let out all his emotions after his first ever victory on the Ally Pally stage Jamie Hughes let out all his emotions after his first ever victory on the Ally Pally stage
Keane Barry missed a total of 26 darts at a double, while his Filipino opponent Reynaldo Rivera failed with 22 attempts, but it was the Irishman who pinned a Shanghai 120 checkout on his way to a slow-burner of a win and a clash against three-time champion Michael van Gerwen on Tuesday evening.
Chizzy makes winning start on Saturday afternoon
Dave Chisnall has struggled for form on the televised stage in 2023, but has picked up three European Tour titles as well as winning two Players Championship events
World Darts Championship: Saturday Afternoon Results
Lee Evans 3-0 Sandro Eric Sosing (R1) Connor Scutt 3-0 Krzysztof Kciuk (R1) Jules van Dongen 1-3 Darren Penhall (R1) Dave Chisnall 3-1 Cameron Menzies (R2) Dave Chisnall broke the heart of an emotional Cameron Menzies, who missed five darts to force a deciding set with the St Helens thrower eventually coming through a tricky second-round tie 3-1.
Former Lakeside Championship semi-finalist Menzies spent Friday morning plumbing before taking to the biggest stage in world darts to defeat Rusty-Jake Rodriguez in the opening round.
Cameron Menzies couldn’t hide his emotion after losing to Dave Chisnall and exiting the World Darts Championship in the second round Cameron Menzies couldn’t hide his emotion after losing to Dave Chisnall and exiting the World Darts Championship in the second round
And he made a good start but ‘Chizzy’ recovered from a set down to reel off three in a row and complete a fine victory over the Scot with six 180s along the way.
Earlier, Connor Scutt was the pick of the players involved in the first-round matches, returning a 95.97 average on his way to a 3-0 whitewash victory over Krzysztof Kciuk of Poland.
Darren Penhall breezes the first two legs of the third set, taking out a 108 and 120 against Jules van Dongen Darren Penhall breezes the first two legs of the third set, taking out a 108 and 120 against Jules van Dongen
Darren Penhall provided some extravagant moments during his 3-1 victory over Jules van Dongen, taking out three ton-plus finishes, while Lee Evans overcame Sandro Eric Sosing 3-0 to book a second-round meeting with the in-form Luke Humphries.
Came out of retirement to play on the DPA circuit
Won 11 events to qualify for Ally Pally
English-born Australian is nicknamed ‘Smooth Operator’
Wins on his World Championship debut
What’s happening on Sunday at the World Darts Championship?
Fallon Sherrock makes her highly-anticipated return to Ally Pally. Can the ‘Queen of the Palace’ cause another seismic tungsten shock?
Luke Humphries – who has won three of the sport’s last four TV ranking titles – will headline the action when he takes on Lee Evans.
World Darts Championship: Sunday Afternoon Fixtures
Ricky Evans vs Simon Adams (R1) Jim Williams vs Norman Madhoo (R1) Matt Campbell vs Lourence Ilagan (R1) Joe Cullen vs Darren Penhall (R2) Former Masters champion Joe Cullen will also feature, while Fallon Sherrock goes head-to-head with quick-fire Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena on her Alexandra Palace return.
World Darts Championship: Sunday Evening Fixtures
Dylan Slevin vs Florian Hempel (R1) Niels Zonneveld vs Darren Webster (R1) Jermaine Wattimena vs Fallon Sherrock (R1) Luke Humphries vs Lee Evans (R2) The sport’s biggest event sees 96 players compete for the Sid Waddell Trophy and £2.5m in prize money at Alexandra Palace. You can watch all the action live on our dedicated Sky Sports Darts channel.
Watch the World Darts Championship all the way until the final on January 3, 2024 – live on Sky Sports Darts. NOW Sports Month Membership: £21 a month for 6 months
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2023 is already San Francisco's deadliest year for drug overdoses
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The year isn’t over, but San Francisco has already hit a grim milestone: 2023 is the deadliest on record for fatal drug overdoses.
More than 750 people died in accidental drug overdoses during the first 11 months of 2023, according to a report released this week from the city and county office of the chief medical examiner. That surpassed the 726 seen during the last recorded high, in 2020 — which was a horrific rise from the year before.
“We have seen record numbers of deaths due to overdose in San Francisco in 2023, or are likely to,” Hillary Kunins, director of behavioral and mental health at the San Francisco Department of Public Health, said at a press conference Thursday.
More than 80% of the overdose deaths in 2023 involved fentanyl, the data show. Black San Franciscans continued to make up a disproportionate share of the victims.
Even as state and local leaders have shifted their response to the growing drug crisis, focusing in recent months on increased law enforcement crackdowns, health officials remain dedicated to a multifaceted approach to saving lives.
This week, city officials announced a partnership with the National Institute of Drug Abuse that will test wastewater for certain drugs, including fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine, as well as naloxone, the opioid reversal medication most commonly known by its brand name, Narcan.
“In an era when fentanyl is claiming lives at an unprecedented rate, we need all information available to us to give us a more complete picture and guide our response,” said Jeffrey Hom, director of population behavior health for the Public Health Department. He is hopeful the data will provide “a more complete picture of the trends in drug use … allowing us to act faster when emerging substances, like xylazine, are increasing in the local drug supply.”
Xylazine, commonly known as “tranq,” has become a new concern for health officials and will be tested in wastewater under the program. The flesh-rotting drug has been linked to fatal overdoses in San Francisco and Los Angeles, and has sparked concerns that it could worsen the overdose crisis.
San Francisco officials reported that 30 of the overdose deaths so far in 2023 involved xylazine.
But fentanyl, the synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin, continues to drive overdose deaths in San Francisco, a trend mirrored in Los Angeles and across the nation, in big cities and smaller metro areas.
In San Francisco, Black people and those experiencing homelessness died at the highest rates from drug overdoses, the report found. Almost a third of the people who died of overdose this year were Black, although Black people make up only about 7% of the city’s population.
Similarly, almost 30% of those who died of overdose in San Francisco did not have a fixed address, the report found. Of those who did have an address, the highest percentage — 21% — lived in the Tenderloin, the neighborhood that has become ground zero for the city’s exploding homelessness crisis.
The 2023 spike comes after drug overdoses in San Francisco fell slightly in the previous two years. Analysis from the San Francisco Chronicle, which tracks the city’s overdoses, found that if current trends continue, another 68 deaths could be added to the count by the end of the year.
Public health officials say they plan to continue working to expand treatment options for people with substance-use disorders, including medication-assisted treatment, increased awareness and supplies of naloxone and exploration of innovative solutions, such as contingency management programs, to help people get — and stay — off deadly drugs.
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Grace Toohey
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The OG ‘RHONY’ Ladies Are Back and We Couldn’t Be Happier. Plus ‘Potomac,’ ‘Salt Lake City,’ and ‘Beverly Hills.’
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Rachel Lindsay and Callie Curry begin today’s Morally Corrupt by sharing their reactions to the new Vanderpump Rules Season 11 trailer (1:40), before discussing the brand-new Ultimate Girls Trip season, which features lots of familiar faces (8:55). Then, Rachel and Callie chat about The Real Housewives of Potomac Season 8, Episode 6 (36:38). Rachel is later joined by Chelsea Stark-Jones, who’s recaps The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 4, Episode 14 (53:11) and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 13, Episode 8 (1:13:44).
Host: Rachel Lindsay
Guests: Callie Curry and Chelsea Stark-Jones
Producers: Devon Baroldi
Theme Song: Devon RenaldoSubscribe: Spotify
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Rachel Lindsay
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World Darts Championship: Michael Smith, Simon Whitlock and Cameron Menzies all win on opening night
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Michael Smith survives opening-round scare to make it through at Ally Pally; the World Darts Championship runs all the way until the final on January 3, 2024 – we’re back on Saturday afternoon at 12.30pm, live on Sky Sports Darts
By Raz Mirza at Alexandra Palace, London
Last Updated: 16/12/23 2:24am
Reigning champion Michael Smith began his World Darts Championship title defence with victory but only after surviving a huge scare to defeat Dutch debutant Kevin Doets on opening night at Alexandra Palace.
Smith created global headlines with his sensational triumph in January, producing an incredible nine-darter in a leg dubbed ‘the greatest of all-time’ on his way to a 7-4 success against Michael van Gerwen.
The world No 1 was facing the prospect of becoming the first defending champion to lose their opening match in the sport’s showpiece event since 2009, before he fought back magnificently to keep his hopes alive.
World Darts Championship: Friday’s Results
Kevin Doets 3-0 Stowe Buntz (R1) Cameron Menzies 3-0 Rusty-Jake Rodriguez (R1) Simon Whitlock 3-2 Paolo Nebrida (R1) Michael Smith 3-2 Kevin Doets (R2) 
Michael Smith dug out this huge 142 in the final set to leave his opponent Kevin Doets shaking his head in disbelief Michael Smith dug out this huge 142 in the final set to leave his opponent Kevin Doets shaking his head in disbelief
Doets, who reached the fifth round of this year’s UK Open after winning his PDC Tour Card for the first time in January 2022, dumped out Grand Slam of Darts quarter-finalist Stowe Buntz in the opening match of the tournament.
The world No 66 came into the meeting with St Helens star Smith on a high, but it was the reigning champion who made a strong start by sealing the opening set 3-1 with 60 per cent on the doubles.
The talented Dutchman responded by claiming the second set in a deciding leg against the darts for parity with a 100.3 average after Smith failed to hit tops to move clear of his opponent.
Smith pinned this superb 150 during his 3-2 victory over the Dutchman Smith pinned this superb 150 during his 3-2 victory over the Dutchman
Doets, nicknamed ‘Hawk Eye’, continued to find the target and he despite a huge 150 checkout from Smith, he produced winning legs in 12, 14 and 13 darts to move within a set of causing a almighty upset.
However, Smith wrapped up set four 3-1, including a whopping 121 checkout to send the match all the way.
Smith landed a majestic 142 checkout under immense pressure to regain the lead in the decider and despite missing five darts at a double, he eventually claimed victory with a neat 67 finish on tops.
Wayne Mardle heaped praise on Smith after his close opening win at Ally Pally Wayne Mardle heaped praise on Smith after his close opening win at Ally Pally
“It’s one of them, I managed to fall over the line, no nerves, no pressure, I’ll have a good Christmas now,” Smith told Sky Sports.
Simon Whitlock, the 2010 runner-up, missed five darts before winning a slow-burner of a contest against former PDC Asian Championship finalist Paolo Nebrida to set up a showdown with two-time champion Gary Anderson on Saturday evening.
Paolo Nebrida found checkouts of 116 and 121 but eventually lost out to Simon Whitlock in a nervy contest Paolo Nebrida found checkouts of 116 and 121 but eventually lost out to Simon Whitlock in a nervy contest
‘The Wizard’ was forced to dig deep to battle past Nebrida, using all of his experience to avoid a shock exit.
“I’ve just been messing around with my darts too much. I’ve been like Peter Wright,” Whitlock admitted.
And on facing Anderson next, he replied: “I’m a big 180 hitter and they weren’t there today, but tomorrow is a different day. Maybe they will turn, maybe I will turn up and me and Gary will have a great game.”
Whitlock credited his experience for getting him through a razor-thin opening-round contest Whitlock credited his experience for getting him through a razor-thin opening-round contest
Cameron Menzies came through a fiery encounter against Rusty-Jake Rodriguez to reach the second round.
The Scot, who is the partner of Fallon Sherrock, closed out a 3-0 success over Austria’s Rodriguez with four 180s and 50 per cent on the doubles to move through.
“I was so nervous today, because I knew that game meant a lot,” revealed Menzies, who prepared for his opening round clash with a plumbing shift this morning.
“Winning that game meant the world to me, and I think going to work today helped me relax, because it made me realise that darts is a hobby for me.
“Obviously I would like to be in a situation in the future where I can give up work, because I know in spells I can score as well as the best, but it’s still my finishing that separates the top ten from a player like me.”
Rusty-Jake Rodriguez threw his darts off the table after going down two sets to Cameron Menzies Rusty-Jake Rodriguez threw his darts off the table after going down two sets to Cameron Menzies
Live World Darts Championship
December 16, 2023, 12:30pm
Live on
Live World Darts Championship
December 16, 2023, 7:00pm
Live on
What’s happening on Saturday at the World Darts Championship?
Dave ‘Chizzy’ Chisnall headlines he action on Saturday afternoon at Alexandra Palace
The first double session at this year’s tournament will take place, as two-time world champion Gary Anderson opens his title challenge with a clash against Simon Whitlock.
World Darts Championship: Saturday Afternoon Fixtures
Lee Evans vs Sandro Eric Sosing (R1) Connor Scutt vs Krzysztof Kciuk (R1) Jules van Dongen vs Darren Penhall (R1) Dave Chisnall vs Cameron Menzies (R2) World Darts Championship: Saturday Evening Fixtures
Jamie Hughes vs David Cameron (R1) Keane Barry vs Reynaldo Rivera (R1) Scott Williams vs Haruki Muramatsu (R1) Gary Anderson vs Simon Whitlock (R2) Dave Chisnall, a 2021 semi-finalist, takes centre stage in the afternoon when he faces Cameron Menzies, while American No 1 Jules van Dongen makes his debut against DPA qualifier Darren Penhall.
The sport’s biggest event sees 96 players compete for the Sid Waddell Trophy and £2.5m in prize money at Alexandra Palace. You can watch all the action live on our dedicated Sky Sports Darts channel.
Watch the World Darts Championship all the way until the final on January 3, 2024 – live on Sky Sports Darts. NOW Sports Month Membership: £21 a month for 6 months
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Gary Neville: Tottenham’s Dejan Kulusevski could be £80m-100m player
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Gary Neville says if Dejan Kulusevski continues starring in the number 10 role for Tottenham Hotspur, he could end up being worth between £80 million and £100 million.
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