Ricky Evans grabbed the two green balls from the audience. Then he entered the stage – and joined the ranks. The cheerleaders on stage, who accompany every player’s entry into the Darts World Cup with their dance routines, had grown. Evans, who was actually responsible for throwing darts, swung the pompoms into the air. The Englishman rotated his hips and even did a turn with some elegance.
“It’s too good. He’s got the moves,” said commentator Laura Turner on English TV. “I want to borrow them. Can we do that again with the pompoms?” asked three-time world champion John Part. It was once again a great show from the bird of paradise. Before Christmas he warmed up the Ally Pally with Christmas carols. So now Madonna (“Like a prayer”) instead of “Merry Christmas”. This insert also worked.
In terms of sport, a hot dance followed in the third round game against youngster Charlie Manby. Both played at a similar, expandable level in the first four sets, averaging just over 88 points. The game was therefore evenly balanced and the score was 2:2 as a logical consequence.
The game was by no means as boring as the child in the audience who had fallen asleep and was temporarily captured by the TV cameras suggested. Especially because Evans continued to be expressive as his game slipped five more points in average.
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In the meantime, he tried to mark his target, the triple-20, with his arm outstretched before his throws, because the height for this field was sometimes completely missing. At his table he shook his head several times. When an arrow bounced out of his board, he probably wanted to eat it. Before throwing his third dart, he quickly went to the target and pointed his finger at the triple-20. The arrow was actually in there, that was his obvious message.
His 20-year-old opponent used all of Evans’ frustration to achieve his own success – the greatest of his young career. He, too, had noticed how Evan’s emotional world had changed from joy to frustration on stage. “He’s a funny guy, I like Ricky. But you could see the change in him as soon as I took the lead,” Manby said on Sky Sports after reaching the round of 16.
A similar show to that of Evans cannot be expected from Manby in the upcoming youngster duel with the Dutchman Gian van Veen. “My nickname and walk-on go well together. I don’t see myself picking up the pompoms and dancing,” he said at the press conference. If he wins the game against van Veen, he will have his status as a professional secured – without having to go through the Q-School qualification route.
The Dutchman Kevin Doets is surprisingly also in the round of 16. He beat favorite Nathan Aspinall 4-3 in a thrilling duel.
Darts World Cup 2026, results 3rd round
Justin Hood (ENG) – Ryan Meikle (ENG) 4:1
Ricky Evans (ENG) – Charlie Manby (ENG) 2:4
Nathan Aspinall (ENG/15) – NITY (NED) 3:4
from 8:15 p.m., 3rd round and round of 16:
Josh Rock (NIR/11) – Callan Rydz (ENG) (3rd Round)
James Hurrell (ENG) – Ryan Searle (ENG/20) (Round of 16)
Luke Littler (ENG) – Rob Cross (ENG) (Round of 16)
Luca Wiecek is sports editor for WELT. He will be reporting from Alexandra Palace in London until New Year’s Eve.
