WDF World Cup 2013

Thorn's 2013 World Cup, Part 7
I slept hard and well that night, filled up on fried fish, gravy drowned chips, and a healthy amount of Molson from the Hanlon family kitchen party the night before. Troy and his kin were up early the next day to head back to the tournament-where day two play was about to begin. I had no idea what memorable moments and thrills lie ahead, but I was up and ready to return to the PowerPlex venue too, coffee in hand.

After a quick drive across St. John's, I was back in the heart of the action, already under way, the hall filled with team colors from around the world.

The morning went as expected. I floated around taking pics of the play, players and fans. I sat with various teams kibitzing, especially Team USA. Although I was an honorary guest of Team Canada, the host nation, I didn't want my own national players to think I was going expat on them. Plus, I was excited to get to know Steve, Robbie, Larry, Gordon and Tom better, not to mention Cali and my close friend Brenda!

Speaking of the ladies, if you know me, you know I love the lady darts. When I wasn't floating or watching snippets of action between all the countries, I was hovering around Brenda and Cali, entrenched in their doubles matches, and watching the other amazing lady players too. The men, meanwhile, were powering into round two of team play.

Lunchtime arrived, and I found myself alone. I stepped out to the tournament lunch hall in a separate building, and got in the short line. Something amazing was about to happen to me, but first, a little background.

Two years ago, attending my first WDF World Cup in Ireland, I was sitting with team USA between play in the tournament hall. Suddenly, Trina Gulliver, the Golden Girl herself, sauntered over in her high heels asking "Does anyone have any sandpaper I could borrow?" I did, and I quickly slipped it out of my dart case and gave her the small square of twenty grit. She smiled and went back to Team England's table, used it on some darts, and brought it back. I smiled, and said, "Trina, would you mind autographing the back?". She smiled again, and did. For two years I've been showing that autograph to people, especially the newbies and lady darters in my home town.

Fast forward to yesterday, in St. John's, when I went for lunch, queueing up in line for food. Who happened to be behind me? Trina, and she was oddly alone, with no other teammates around. So, I asked her if I could sit with her. Her thin smile returned, barely recognizing me, and she said, "Sure." We both got food and found a table, just us two. I tried not to talk much, not bother her. After all, I'm a nobody in her world. But proudly, I asked her if she remembered the sandpaper story, showing her the autographed scrap, telling her how I show it off to people all the time and speak highly of her. She smiled and said, "Of course I remember." Yesterday's lunch wasn't much more than that, just quietly eating together without much chit chat. But, it was awesome to me.

Then came today. I stepped in line again, and amazingly, Trina was there, again in line alone. I said, "Hey, wanna eat together again?" This time, with a bigger more comfortable smile, she said "Sure!" The conversation and small talk was easier, and we ate and chatted. I asked a question or two, something about her proudest achievements, and then she told a story that turned my lunch with her into one of the coolest moments of my darts-loving life.

Trina began her answer with a proud but subtle smile. "Well, I was just awarded the M.B.E, the Member of the British Empire, by the Queen of England. It means more to me than all of my darts titles combined, and I'm only the second dart player ever to earn the award, along with Eric Bristow."

I was floored. What a cool story it was. But, the amazing part came next.

"In fact," Trina continued, thinking about today's date with a slight chuckle, "I was supposed to be in Windsor Castle today to receive the award, but," again with a snicker, "I had to tell Queen Elizabeth I needed to reschedule so I could represent England here at the World Cup!" We both had a laugh at that. But, then it dawned on me.

So, Trina should be meeting with Queen Elizabeth right now.but.instead.she's sitting here in Newfoundland having lunch with me?!? How cool is that?!? It made me feel like a king, in my own mind of personal darting memories. It's now one of my favorite moments: Trina Gulliver with me instead of the Queen of England.

We took a picture together. "Now that's a keeper," I said excitedly.

We talked more about smaller things and finished our lunch. She smiled and said, "Thanks mate, for having lunch with me," and I said the same in my more American way. We both rose and dumped our paper plates. I wished her luck, bumped her knuckles, and she strode off in her high heeled gait, her game face quickly replacing the kind countenance she wore for me during lunch.

I was silly happy with that story, and proceeded to tell some friends in the smoking area and back in the dart hall. Everyone said the same thing, "That's cool Adam!" I sure thought so.

Anyway, it was afternoon darts time, and the competitions were heating up. All of the Americans were playing so I went to watch Brenda and Cali in doubles. Steve Brown, the US team manager was floating back and forth between the Mens Team and Ladies Doubles, taking stats and observations in his genius way. During his third or so pop-over to the ladies' side, he whispered giddily to me, "The men are up three nil versus England."
"What?!" I said, and we quickly spun around and over to the men's side, where the crowd was growing. Little did I know, I was about to witness World Cup history.

Over and double out.






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