Darting to the top
Jacob Seidel helps Victoria finish runner up in National darts event

20 January 2010

BY DEAN MILLARD

PORTLAND junior darts sensation Jacob Seidel has just returned from Brisbane having helped the Victorian under-18 side to second place at the Australian Junior Darts Championships last week.

Seidel threw consistently throughout the two day’s of the teams’ event, finishing with an average of 37 to be a key player for his side.

Victoria won its opening games against Queensland, the Northern Territory and South Australia before losing its final match of the opening day of the team’s event against Tasmania.

Victoria then lost its opening match of day two against New South Wales, meaning it had to overcome the undefeated Western Australia in its final match for a chance to finish in the top three.

Not only did Victoria win the match but the side made it its easiest victory of the week, seeing Seidel’s team finish tied for second with New South Wales and facing a playoff for outright second.

This time around Victoria improved on its mistakes from their first clash and picked up a resounding victory to finish second overall, the best result of any Victoria combination or player for the Championships.

Victoria left New South Wales on 357 in the playoff, reaching 1001 in 27 darts, an outstanding performance.

Seidel would also represent Victoria in singles and mixed doubles for the Championships, but failed to make it past the pool stages in both events.

Seidel, 15, said he was happy with how he had played for the week.

“My form was excellent, it was a huge experience and I threw pretty good under pressure,” Seidel said.

“I went downhill in the singles event, I think because of the pressure on me, but then I managed to pick myself back up the next day for the teams event.

Seidel said the standard of darts at the Championships had been very high and playing against players of such ability was very enjoyable.

There were a few pretty good players there, when you are playing the top players some times you feel like you are playing your best and they still flog you, so the standard was pretty high up there.

That is why it was such a good experience because playing the better players is what makes you a lot better.

“It was pretty big going up there.

“It was my first trip to Brisbane, so it was pretty exciting.”

Seidel said he had to thank Des Bowman for initially getting him involved in the sport and also Norm Humpage for being his first coach and giving him the skills he needed to go on and play at elite levels.

“Des got me started, he knocked on my front door because Dad used to play darts with Des and he wanted to put a side in the Portland competition, so that is how I got started, and Norm has coached me and he is legend, I wouldn’t be anywhere without him.”

It has been an impressive rise through the ranks by Seidel, who has only been playing competitively for three years, with the teenager saying a lot of it could simply be put down to lots of practice.

“I think my rise in the sport has a lot to do with my dad and just practicing on the board at home and playing in local competitions.”

He said he aimed to earn selection in the Victorian side again next year and from there hopefully make a case for himself to be selected for the World Cup.

“I was just very proud to represent my state and hopefully I can do better next year.”