PDC World Darts Championship: Wade and Wright match delayed due to draft on stage
THE start of play was delayed at the William Hill World Darts Championship this afternoon after a draft on the stage.
The start of play between Peter Wright and James Wade was delayed due to a draft on stage
Both Peter Wright and James Wade had just completed their walk-ons for the first quarter-final when they left the oche.
Within five minutes the players were back on to start what fast became a fantastic match.
Wright in action against Wade at the PDC World Darts Championship
A PDC spokesman said: "A fire alarm was activated within another area of the Alexandra Palace and as a consequence all the air vents opened, including those in the main arena.
"This is what caused the draft and forced the start of the first match to be delayed by five minutes. It was a false alarm and play soon resumed without any incident."
The slightest draft can effect the movement of the dart when thrown from the oche.
It revived memories of the 2012 semi-final between Wade and Adrian Lewis that had to be delayed for 20 minutes after the match had started because of a breeze on stage.