Express & Star

Wayne Jones' new lease of life as a Grandad

Wolverhampton's Wayne Jones feels brand new as he heads to the PDC World Matchplay in Blackpool – after becoming a Grandad for the first time!

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Eldest daughter Emma, 25, recently gave birth to daughter Miya Sanchez, so it's been all go for the Jones clan ever since.

It's been a long time since the widowed father-of-three has had to change a nappy but he's mucked in with Emma, 20-year-old Katie and teenager Joanne, 17.

'The Wanderer' has still had the second biggest televised tournament on the PDC calendar to prepare for but he's devised a novel solution – have a chuck before anyone comes round!

The 49-year-old has a practice room at his home in Wednesfield and, with Emma having flown the nest, can still enjoy the odd moment of peace and quiet.

He said: "It's great to have a new addition to the family, yet another girl! I am officially old now, but it only seems like yesterday that my daughters were kids themselves.

"They have been here every day, so I tell them to come in the afternoon. I am not big on practicing, but I have been a fair bit lately. I am throwing quite nice."

Jones goes up against the formidable Andy 'The Hammer' Hamilton in the last match of tomorrow's afternoon session at the Winter Gardens, live on Sky Sports.

He's in the competition through the one-year rolling Order of Merit, making him the 14th best player outside of the top 16 after a strong start of the year.

He said: "For once, I have had a little bit of luck. There are three of four players above me who were in Blackpool two years ago who aren't in it this year. The Matchplay has been a bonus for me.

"I wasn't, so I am not defending anything. Whatever happens, I think I am back in the top 32. I should be a shoo-in for the World Championship, too."

"If I beat 'Hammer,' I have got Dave Chisnall or Dean Winstanley, which isn't too bad. The quarter-final would be Michael van Gerwen, if he's still in.

"If I get that far, I would have won two games and have a bit of confidence, whereas he's not exactly firing at the minute.

"If I want to progress money wise, I really need to do something in this tournament. It will be tough, 'Hammer' doesn't miss his doubles a lot but I score a lot higher. It could be close."

Jones is looking to get back to winning ways after his form dipped in the non-televised floor events, but that's where he feels luck has deserted him.

He said: "I have been in five 6-5 games this year and, in every game, there has been a 180 in the last leg. That's got to be some sort of record! I changed to win a couple of them, but it was close.

"You target the European Tour events, which is £1,000 guaranteed. There's been eight this year and I have qualified for three, which is not good enough.

"I have had shots to win all of those other games and lost them, it's purely my own fault but it's very frustrating."

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