Practice sessions with Gary have got Ryan flyin’
Searle ready to rock Scots ace Willie
HEAVY METAL fan Ryan Searle believes being tuned up by Scottish hero Gary Anderson can help him rock high-flying Willie Borland.
And the Englishman has added motivation to triumph as he wants to win the William Hill World Championship for his late grandad Graham, having attended the funeral on his way to the Ally Pally.
Super Scot Borland is back on the big stage for the first time this afternoon since his nine-dart heroics lit up the Championship.
The East Calder kid faces Searle who is fast becoming a major name in the game after 12 months of hard graft and practice with Anderson which have lifted his displays to the next level.
Anderson has tipped him to be a big title challenger and
Searle explained: “It was at the Worlds last year when we just got chatting.
“Gary asked how far away I lived from him and I said it was only about 45 minutes.
“So he said that, ‘As soon as the restrictions are over, we’ll get together and practise’. That’s how it started.
“When you practise with someone like Gary, that prepares you for the Tour because there are not many players who hit what he does. He is ridiculous.
“If anything, it makes things easier in tournaments because rarely do people hit what he hits against you.
“Gary smashes in all sorts and, if you can keep up with him, you are doing well and most of our sessions are really close. Being close to someone like him shows I am moving in the right direction.
“It means a lot what he thinks of me. He was my favourite player before I started, so for me to be practising with him now and for him to say such nice things about me is unreal, really.
“I haven’t really looked if I can meet him. It might be later in the tournament. Loser gets the strimmer out!”
Searle has been in sparkling form highlighted by a run to the final of the Players’ Championship before he lost the big TV showdown 11-10 to Peter Wright.
It was the last event his grandad got to watch properly before passing away and Searle said: “I had my grandad’s funeral before going to London.
“He passed away just after Minehead, so he was able to watch my final a little bit.
“He just went downhill after that which was a bit sad, but he was 83 and had a decent innings.”
Borland stands in his way and Searle was impressed with the Scot’s magic in the previous round as he completed his victory over Bradley Brooks with an amazing nine-darter.
He said: “I really enjoyed watching it and it was great. Willie played really well but this game is early in the afternoon and it’s nothing like playing at night. I play well at Ally Pally.”