Beaton for early exit
STEVE BEATON crashed out at the first hurdle on his record 30th world championship appearance at a half-empty Alexandra Palace.
The Bronzed Adonis lost 3-0 against Brazilian Diogo Portela as PDC chairman Barry Hearn warned that playing behind closed doors will cost his Matchroom organisation “more than £4million”.
Beaton averaged just 84.14 in front of a subdued crowd – about 400 fans, way short of the permitted 1,000 – on the only night spectators will be admitted before Christmas.
Hearn is angry that the Government keep moving the goalposts for events indoors and said: “I call it Star Trek darts – it’s darts, but not as we know it. I am frustrated as we are getting slapped in
the face.”