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John Henderson was in dreamland. Peter Wright was in awe. Scotland were crowned world champions for the second time, and the teamwork of their latest winners proved pivotal during a captivating campaign that was capped off with medals around their necks.
Former world champion Wright has achieved prosperity at almost every tournament in the professional game, though, emotions were running high for his teammate Henderson on the most memorable night of his deep-rooted darting career.
Henderson stood between practice boards backstage as Wright neared the finishing line in what proved to be Scotland’s title-winning rubber. His hands were covering his mouth and nose in disbelief, perhaps an element of surprise that he was about to become a major champion in his country’s colours.
Wright may have recovered Scotland when it mattered at the final hurdle against Austria’s Mensur Suljovic and Rowby-John Rodriguez, winning both of his singles matches, but Henderson’s requisite involvement was crucial throughout.
It was a nerveless Henderson who landed the winning double in every doubles decider leading up to the final, and the Aberdeen-born ace pinned double ten last dart in hand against Austria in that particular pairs tussle to move Scotland on the cusp of a glory.
Henderson was guided through only his second World Cup by one of the most experienced campaigners in ‘Snakebite’. And, the duo gelled superbly well, with their tactics and throwing order selections being the decisive factor during a somewhat unexpected road to victory.
The Scottish pairing had breezed past Poland and China to book their places in the quarter-finals. There, the tactical component of their game really came into play, with them opting to move world number two Wright to the second match in order to reduce the pressure on Henderson.
Scotland defeated the Dutch duo of Michael van Gerwen and Dirk van Duijvenbode in a doubles decider, with Wright saving their skin following a pivotal win over the latter. Henderson landed double tops third dart in hand to send Scotland through, before his esteemed teammate leaped into his arms with tears in his eyes.
An eventually successful strategy that was questioned pre-match, including by Sky Sports pundits Wayne Mardle and Mark Webster, booked Scotland’s places in the semi-finals, where the seemingly unbeatable defending champions Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton of Wales awaited.
Following the fashion of their monumental victory over the Netherlands on Sunday afternoon, Scotland opted for the same throwing order for their penultimate hurdle showdown with the Welsh. It was Henderson who locked horns with reigning world champion Price, and defied a 103.33 average from the world number one to run out victorious.
Premier League champion Clayton proceeded to keep Welsh hopes alive with a comfortable win over an out of sorts ‘Snakebite’. Nevertheless, Scotland prevailed via a doubles decider once more with a magnificent 14-darter in the final leg, despite Clayton and Price averaging marginally adrift of the 104 mark.
Many nations have attempted to utilise the ability to amend the throwing order, Krzysztof Ratajski’s Poland tried and failed against Scotland in the second round, but Scotland mastered it. Reduced pressure was being mounted on the shoulders of the less experienced Henderson and, despite more being placed on Wright, the former world champion was used to it, as he showed in the final.
The recent World Matchplay winner dug his country out of a hole against surprise packages Austria. Perhaps the Scots should been beaten, with Suljovic and Rodriguez spurning match darts by the truckload in the doubles contest. But when your names are on the trophy, your names on the trophy.
Wright suggested he was ‘carried through the tournament’ by Henderson, which obviously was certainly not the case, although it highlights the Scotsman’s respect and admiration of his newfound teammate’s role in their heartening triumph.
Henderson’s pinpoint doubling mixed with Wright’s incredible scoring power under pressure was the winning formula for Scotland. Having overcome two pairs containing the world number one and the world number three, they were certainly worthy champions.
