Worst ever attempts to retain a darts title

Post by **Rogg** » Tue Apr 20, 2021 2:23 pm

Duzza is Premier League champion but running a little cold the next time around with simply endless defeats. He seems unlikely to retain his title.

What else should get a mention in this category? Reigning champions who made a huge mess of it.

Post by **Rogg** » Tue Apr 20, 2021 2:31 pm

Part was world champion when this happened on opening night in 2009.

Post by **DeepFriedRat** » Tue Apr 20, 2021 2:34 pm

- John Part at the 2009 Worlds- out first round to Bill Davis

- Gando at the 2012 PL- Finished 8th out of 8 in the table, behind Painter in 7th

- RVB at the 2013 Grand Slam- eliminated in the groups stage, finished 3rd behind Merv and Toplad

Post by **DeepFriedRat** » Tue Apr 20, 2021 2:38 pm

- Klaasen and Kist- both disposed early doors the years after their Lakeshite wins

- Cross at last year's Matchplay- out first round to Clemens

Post by **DeepFriedRat** » Tue Apr 20, 2021 2:41 pm

- Van Gerwen has never defended the World title

- Wright at the last Worlds- lost in his second game vs Clemens

Post by **Rogg** » Tue Apr 20, 2021 2:43 pm

DeepFriedRat wrote: ↑Tue Apr 20, 2021 2:38 pm - Cross at last year's Matchplay- out first round to Clemens

Ooh. While you're on a roll Rat, what's the fewest legs won at a Matchplay by a defending champ? Or just any Round 1 exits, if there have indeed been more instances.

Post by **DeepFriedRat** » Tue Apr 20, 2021 2:51 pm

Matchplay First Round exits by defending champions

2006- Colin Lloyd 6-10 Steve Maish
2020- Rob Cross 8-10 Gabriel Clemens

So only two ever

Post by **Rogg** » Tue Apr 20, 2021 3:00 pm

DeepFriedRat wrote: ↑Tue Apr 20, 2021 2:51 pm Matchplay First Round exits by defending champions

2006- Colin Lloyd 6-10 Steve Maish
2020- Rob Cross 8-10 Gabriel Clemens

So only two ever

Nice one.

Post by **DeepFriedRat** » Tue Apr 20, 2021 3:02 pm

Went down through the Grand Prix and there've been more flops there from defending champions...

2001- Phil Taylor 1-2 Kevin Painter
2002- Alan Warriner 1-2 Ritchie Buckle (who ??)
2009- James Wade 1-2 Tony Paedo Eccles
2016- Robert Thornton 1-2 Stephen Bunting
2017- Michael van Gerwen 1-2 John Henderson

Five episodes in the WGP. Warriner's was shocking given how well he performed the year before and the calibre of player he lost to in his defence.

The MVG game I remember well, he was way off the pace but Hendo was excellent on tops getting in. That game was a red flag in hindsight that MVG was slowly dropping, his tournament wins after this were nowhere near as dominant as his epic 2016 season.

Post by **Rogg** » Tue Apr 20, 2021 3:06 pm

I was just looking up one of those. This one's for Randy. MVG with an unbelievably complete demolition of the 2016 Grand Prix... then this shock in 2017.

Post by **Rogg** » Tue Apr 20, 2021 3:10 pm

DeepFriedRat wrote: ↑Tue Apr 20, 2021 3:02 pm Went down through the Grand Prix and there've been more flops there from defending champions...

2002- Alan Warriner 1-2 Ritchie Buckle (who ??)

Warriner's was shocking given how well he performed the year before and the calibre of player he lost to in his defence.

Sorry for butchering your post but here was Ritchie Buckle. I don't have the averages but this one could make Glenda feel a bit better.

Post by **DeepFriedRat** » Tue Apr 20, 2021 3:12 pm

Rogg wrote: ↑Tue Apr 20, 2021 3:10 pm
DeepFriedRat wrote: ↑Tue Apr 20, 2021 3:02 pm Went down through the Grand Prix and there've been more flops there from defending champions...

2002- Alan Warriner 1-2 Ritchie Buckle (who ??)

Warriner's was shocking given how well he performed the year before and the calibre of player he lost to in his defence.

Sorry for butchering your post but here was Ritchie Buckle. I don't have the averages but this one could make Glenda feel a bit better.

Never heard of him

qualified for the Worlds one year at Circus Tavern apparently, didn't do much

Post by **Rogg** » Tue Apr 20, 2021 3:17 pm

DeepFriedRat wrote: ↑Tue Apr 20, 2021 3:12 pm Never heard of him qualified for the Worlds one year at Circus Tavern apparently, didn't do much

Yes here he is playing Jan van der Rassel at the Worlds... for some reason. He won that game too. I seem to remember them likening him to Uncle Fester from The Spineless Family.

This stage setup being upsettingly familiar as the backdrop to the Painter head in hands photo after Satan nicks the title in sudden death.

Post by **Rogg** » Tue Apr 20, 2021 3:22 pm

DeepFriedRat wrote: ↑Tue Apr 20, 2021 3:02 pm Went down through the Grand Prix and there've been more flops there from defending champions...

2001- Phil Taylor 1-2 Kevin Painter
2002- Alan Warriner 1-2 Ritchie Buckle (who ??)
2009- James Wade 1-2 Tony Paedo Eccles
2016- Robert Thornton 1-2 Stephen Bunting
2017- Michael van Gerwen 1-2 John Henderson

We're missing Taylor in 2004 when he got humped by Callaby. Seemingly the only occasion at the Grand Prix where the reigning champ failed even to win a set the following year.

Post by **SuperSwede** » Tue Apr 20, 2021 4:06 pm

Not sure about the worst but Smith's defence of Shanghai Masters has been incredible and he doesn't look like relinquishing it anytime soon.

Post by **cannibal** » Tue Apr 20, 2021 4:08 pm

Rogg wrote: ↑Tue Apr 20, 2021 2:31 pm Part was world champion when this happened on opening night in 2009.

I was just thinking of this topic and this is the one I always think of first. Mainly because bill davis is an acquaintance of mine. I remember watching this and was disappointed Bill drew John. But OTOH it probably was a good draw for both as they knew exactly what to expect as they played each other on the north american circuit many times.

Post by **viced92** » Tue Apr 20, 2021 7:53 pm

Huge Wade fan, but 2019 comes to mind. First round losses to Clayton at both the Euros and WS Finals

Post by **Gidra** » Tue Apr 20, 2021 9:27 pm

It must be Wayne Warren, lost it to unknown police officer

Post by **The Thorn** » Tue Apr 20, 2021 9:28 pm

Gidra wrote: ↑Tue Apr 20, 2021 9:27 pm It must be Wayne Warren, lost it to unknown police officer

Post by **Rogg** » Tue Apr 20, 2021 9:29 pm

Gidra wins the thread.

Worst ever attempts to retain a darts title

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