Black Country and the worlds for darts duo
Black Country darters Wayne Jones and Jamie Hughes have lent each other a helping hand as they prepare for their respective World Championships.
The two throwers have taken to the practice board at Wolverhampton's Cleveland Arms on Stowheath Lane to get sharp for show-time
Jones is up first in the PDC's top competition tomorrow afternoon, taking on Dean Winstanley in the first round at the Alexandra Palace in London, live on Sky Sports Darts.
Tipton's Hughes is hoping for a happy New Year when he makes his debut in the BDO's flagship event on January 5, in front of the BBC cameras.
Jones has been there and done that before jumping ship, although he campaigned for years to reach Lakeside before finally making the cut.
'The Wanderer' only made the second round on his 2001 bow but reached the quarter-finals a year later, although a 1999 World Masters final remains his best BDO achievement.
The 49-year-old, from Wednesfield, did reach the last four of the PDC worlds at the Circus Tavern in 2006, but he has never been past the third round since the move to Ally Pally.
That said, he knows what it takes on the big stage and hopes to buck recent trends against Winstanley, who he admits he would rather be playing than Hughes!
Jones said: "I think Jamie has got a good chance, he's beaten most of the top BDO lads already so I wonder who is going to be able to stop him.
"If he can get through the first couple of rounds, there could be no stopping him if he builds up momentum. I am glad I haven't got him first game!
"He's a confident kid, I don't think Lakeside will faze him in the slightest. He's been throwing nice darts every time we have played together.
"It's been more fun than furious but I have tried to wind him up, too, so I could up the pace before I go off to London tomorrow!"
Jones' go at BDO glory was ended by tough draws against world champions Andy Fordham and Martin Adams, respectively, back in those days.
He recalls: "Lakeside were my first television tournaments, which is always good experience.
"That set me up for the PDC down the line, which most of the younger players coming through are aspiring to now."
Jones can count on a couple of armchair supporters whatever happens at the oche tomorrow, with Hughes cutting short his daughter's birthday party!
Little Lacey turns six but she likes the darts, so her and Daddy will be thick as thieves when they settle down to watch the match on television.
Hughes said: "Let's hope Wayne can do the business as a birthday present for her! From what I have seen him, I think he will perform.
"Him and Dean know each other well, so there will be no surprises, which will help. He's such a high scorer, if he can land his doubles the game is there for him."
Hughes signed off from work for December with the family business, Molineux Boiler Services, where he works alongside fellow Wolves-mad old brothers Shane and Lee.
The 28-year-old has enlisted the help of Jones, former Lakeside finalist Chris Mason and two-time BDO world champion Ted Hankey for darts 'sparring' over the festive period.
'Yozza' will meet the winner of the preliminary round clash between Canadian David Cameron or Dutchman Michel van der Horst, who pipped Hankey to the post by one ranking point.
Hughes said: "I have taken a month off work to prepare for this and I will spend my Christmas playing in as many competitions as I can find.
"I want to be nice and loose by the time I get to Lakeside, so I need to be spending as much time on the board as I can. This will really help.
"I am practicing with Wayne, Ted Hankey and Chris Mason, who have all played at a BDO World Championship and it's good training.
"It's more helpful than tournaments, because it feels like a proper game. Most events are 301, double start and finish, so it's a shorter format."
