Grand Slam of darts attracts big names (From Thurrock Gazette)

Darts heavyweights off to Germany

9:50pm Saturday 28th November 2009 in Sport

Steve Maish is heading to the German Darts Championship this weekend in high spirits following an upturn in form.

The Southend darts professional qualified as the wildcard entry for this year’s PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts.

And although Maish failed to make it past the group stages of the competition, he was pleased with his performance in Wolverhampton.

“I’m feeling confident because I have found a bit of form at the right time,” said Maish, who will be playing at Halle in Germany ahead of next month’s World Championships.

“I was not getting the breaks but things started looking up when I won the wildcard qualifying tournament.

“Dips in form happen and you need a little bit of luck but I’m looking forward to Germany and the World Championships.”

Maish is not too worried about who he is drawn to face in Germany or the World Championships, which start at London’s Alexandra Palace on December 18, but admitted he wanted to avoid current world champion Phil “The Power” Taylor.

The Stoke on Trent ace has already won 21 tournaments this year and his keen to reclaim the German title he lost to Co Stompe last year before beginning his world championship title defence.

Taylor’s most recent success was winning the Grand Slam of Darts, where Maish, 45, started his group campaign with a 5-1 win over Darryl Fitton.

Maish lost 5-4 to Mervyn King in his second match and then saw a 2-0 lead overturned as he lost 5-3 to Kirk Shepherd.

The Essex player missed a double 16 and saw Birmingham-based Shepherd checkout with 145 to make it 2-2, which Maish said was the turning point of the game.

“After the first game (against Fitton) I thought I was going to go through because I didn’t see Kirk winning his second game,” said Maish.

“But his 145 out in our match hurt me big time and let him back into the game.

“But I’m happy with my form and hope I can keep it up in Germany and then at the World Championships.”