PARC Y SCARLETS HOSTS SELL-OUT INTERNATIONAL DARTS EVENT THIS SATURDAY

Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli – home of Scarlets Rugby – will host its first-ever International Darts Masters competition with top name darts stars arriving in West Wales for the big event on Saturday night (21st Jan).

The inaugural Darts Masters is a sell-out with more than 2,000 enthusiasts travelling from far and wide to watch a star-studded international darts line up, including multi-million pound prize-winning players Phil “The Power” Taylor, James Wade, Simon Whitlock and Mark Webster as they compete for the Worthington’s Scarlets Masters Cup.

While Scarlets Rugby will be facing French Giants Castres in the final pool stage of the Heineken Cup at Stade Pierre Antoine, at home their stadium will be buzzing with another international-class sporting fixture.

And the ability to bring some arrows-wielding legends to Carmarthenshire for a sell-out event at Parc y Scarlets’ indoor stadium training complex, is another example of the Scarlets broadening their business and sporting interests at their world-class facility.

Fifteen times world darts master Phil “The Power” Taylor, the world’s number one ranking player has pulled in the crowds along with other darts stars including James Wade and Simon Whitlock and Wales’ own Mark Webster and Barry Bates on the bill in the Delme Thomas Centre.

Since 1990 Taylor has notched up the World Championship, the World Masters, World Darts Trophy, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Desert Classic and many more — and he is no stranger to the nine-dart finish, so expect some speedy play.

Last year’s World Championship saw Wales unite in support of Webster — the country’s highest ranked world professional — as he was crowned Welsh World Cup runner-up.

Scarlets Head of Events, Rupert Moon said: “The Scarlets Darts Masters has been a big hit and it shows the ambition we have as a business to bring the best sporting and entertainment to our home in West Wales; with our world-class stadium and indoor arena facilities we have the capability of showcasing a wide range of events.

“This is a real boost for the town and the county as it is bringing new people to this part of Carmarthenshire travelling from across the country and is a feather in the cap of Llanelli and Carmarthenshire that we are hosting another international-class sporting fixture – with darts now enjoying a big renaissance with a growing fan base.

“Local support for this big event has been huge and we have put the event together with the help of our sponsors Worthington’s, Llanelli Town Council and the Stradey Park Hotel (hosts to competitors and guests) who have all played a massive part in bringing the dream to reality.

“It shows that the best can be brought to the West in any sporting context and demonstrates the versatility of our venue, following on from hosting international level football, rugby andas home to the Swans Reserves fixtures this season.

“We have an amazing facility in Parc y Scarlets, including our indoor training facility and Supporters Village and to see heart and soul rugby country host World Champions in any sport under our roof is a source of great pride to us all.”

Moon added that the drive was to make the assets at Parc y Scarlets “work hard” and attract year round events revenue for the Scarlets business – providing the community of Carmarthenshire with a variety of exciting events to look forward to.

“This is what expanding and developing our venue and events business is all about. One day we are the biggest clubhouse in world rugby full of 2,000 fantastic rugby supporters, the following week we have a training venue with 3G technology grass used by local youth teams as well as professional international Scarlets. Then its transformed through the night into a place for World Champions to through the arrows and make West Wales smile.”

The 12-player tournament begins at 7pm on Saturday night with a knockout format being held in front of a passionate heart and soul crowd.

The event will be refereed by the world-renowned George Noble and PDC commentator John Gwynne performing the MC duties with all the glamour, excitement and atmosphere that comes with the international darts circuit.

Scarlets Darts Masters Line Up includes:

• Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor

• James Wade

• Mark Webster

• Barry Bates

• Simon Whitlock

• Paul Nicholson

• Vincent van der Voort

• Co Stompe

• Robert Thornton

• John Henderson

Doors open at 5pm and to add to the colour of the occasion guests are being invited to turn-up in fancy dress costumes with prizes for the best-dressed. The event is sold out – no tickets will be sold on the evening. Entry with official Scarlets Darts Masters ticket only.