Count on Cody Harris to see off German wannabe

Sky Sports Arena & Mix, 7pm Thursday

Martin Schindler is known as The Wall which is a tad unfortunate given the ease with which he gets knocked down these days.

The 22-year-old, one of a crop of talented young German wannabes, does look a decent player but his form in front of the cameras is utterly forgettable.

He’s a favourite to see off New Zealand’s Cody Harris on night one of the William Hill World Championship but that doesn’t look particularly good value.

Harris took a punt on Q-School last winter, blew it, but stuck around to chance his arm on the Challenge Tour and has had a fruitful campaign at that level, finishing third in the rankings.

He has won a game at Alexandra Palace – he beat Willard Bruguier in round one 12 months ago – and the reigning New Zealand Master is probably worth a dabble.

Jeffrey de Zwaan, a threat on any night, plays Indian qualifier Nitin Kumar in round one. It would be folly to sit here and say De Zwaan is nailed on given how scarce the info is on his opponent. The winner takes on champ Rob Cross in the final game of the night.

Pick of the night’s matches see Jan Dekker take on four-time BDO women’s champ Lisa Ashton.

Dekker, a former Lakeside semi-finalist himself, is rightly favourite although this could be a seriously tricky encounter.

Nerves may get to Ashton but she is no stranger to playing in front of crowds and her throw is so rat-tat-tat repetitive that she certainly won’t struggle to get into a rhythm. She has beaten blokes before and if the Ally Pally crowd, an unforgiving bunch when the booze is flowing, start to get on the Dutchman’s case then this could become seriously awkward.

Recommendation
C Harris
1pt 11-8 general

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