Mark Webster comes home to play world champion

WELSH darts star Mark Webster will arrive in Cardiff on Thursday evening aiming to complete a Premier League double over reigning world champion Adrian Lewis.

And Webster is determined to banish the memory of his one previous visit to the Motorpoint Arena, where he lost to Jelle Klaasen in a challenge match two years ago.

In an exclusive interview with The Cardiffian, the 2008 BDO world champion revealed his thoughts about his maiden Premier League campaign, being booed by the English fans and the current popularity boom in the sport.

After beginning the season in sensational style with an 8-3 thrashing of multiple major winner James Wade, the world number 12 has seen his form slump and now sits second bottom of the table.

This follows a run of five defeats in six outings, with his only victory coming against Lewis.

But on that evening three weeks ago, Webster turned in the finest performance of his career, hitting the highest average of any of the eight players this season.

But his inconsistency is proving a source of frustration to Webster.

He said: "I'm still young and I'm still learning. It's a long road for me but I'm working hard. I still get nervous and occasionally nerves get the better of me like they did last week. I was awful then. Hopefully it will be better on Thursday."

And while the results have not gone as he would have liked, Webster believes playing week-in and week-out against the best players in the world can only benefit him.

"I've enjoyed it, although I have found it hard. It's been a great experience and it's been good for me.

"I don't think the travel has affected me on Premier League nights [the players tour the country for 14 weeks before finals night at Wembley], but it probably has affected my form on the weekend tour events. To play in front of the crowds means you're always up for it in the league."

The likes of Prince Harry, Stephen Fry, Andrew Flintoff and Robbie Savage have all been seen at PDC events recently and more than 4,000 fans are expected at the Motorpoint Arena on Thursday evening.

And Webster is looking forward to a different reception than he has become accustomed to in the first half of the league.

"The English fans love to boo me because I'm the only Welshman in the field so it will be nice to get back home!"

And it will be the first time Webster has played in his homeland since he and Barrie Bates finished as runners-up in last year's World Cup.

"It was an incredible few days. Me and Barrie were huge underdogs throughout and we almost pulled it off. Barrie's coming along on Thursday so that will be a boost for me."

But Webster hopes the fans will be on their best behaviour after Lewis was pelted with beer and coins when playing Scottish hero Gary Anderson in Glasgow two weeks ago.

"I think that was a one-off. It was a small minority and had never happened before and I don't think it will ever happen again."

Looking forward beyond Thursday, Webster is highly ambitious.

"I should have another 25 or 30 years left in the game and a couple more world titles is definitely the target."