Less than 2 weeks until showtime!

With only 12 days to go until the 2nd SDA event - The Southern Masters, numerous rumours have been coming out in the press over recent weeks.

Firstly, the SDA world number 1 has just returned from his honeymoon in Sicily, congratulations to 'The Gent' on being the first husband on the SDA tour, i've heard it was a beautiful ceremony.

Will a week in the sun have left 'The Gent' with sunstroke (believed to be one of the biggest causes of dartitis) or will his relaxed get away leave him fresh and re-energised ahead of his first host event?!

Along a similar sort of line, congratulations to 'The Con' on his engagement to his beloved. Although not playing at the Southern Masters (much to his disappointment, though his lawyers are still working hard to try and gain a last minute wildcard and a new role is also being negotiated for 'The Con' within the SDA), he says he will be ready for battle come the Grand Slam of Darts.

'Blind Jonny' has been in todays papers following his first 180 over the weekend. He has been quoted as saying "yeah it felt good, really good, i wouldn't mind a bit more of that. I've been working on my game these last few weeks and i'm seeing a definite improvement. I think i can probably do some damage, though, all i really actually play is round the clock so...". Blind Jonny has moved out of the utensil position with the bookies.

After another crushing exhibition defeat to 'Bigfoot', the Wolfman is still confident that he can pull some kind of form out of the bag on the day and push his competitors all the way. With 2 180's in the last week his scoring's been good however he's got major double trouble. 11 days practicing and they'l be good to go (out in the first round maybe).

Despite his demolition job on 'Wolfman', 'Bigfoot' is going through a stage of mental doubt within his own game. Quoted as saying "i'd be better if i played left handed" after a recent slump, on other occassions rumours of record number of 140's and a few 180's having been coming out of his camp. 'Bigfoot' will be hoping to lead the northern charge and bookies odds have just changed this week to make him the 2nd favourite.

A similar thing can not be said for 'The Robber' who has struggled to make many darting headlines recently. Rumours of power scoring and quality finishes have been few and far between in The Robber's camp. Other than an audacious 72 checkout against Wolfman in a recent exhibition match, 'The Robber' has not been seen at an oche since the Premier League. 'The Robber' could produce absolutely anything on the day and has BIG scores to settle, he's not to be overlooked!

Finally bringing us on to the 2 new players, making their SDA debuts at the Southern Masters - Gary 'The Chucker' Rogers and Tom 'The Gambler' Bailey . Having come into the event through regional qualifiers these 2 men will be ready for everything that's thrown at them.

'The Chucker' has been throwing some solid arrows in the last couple of months, even beating 'The Gent' on the odd occassion, however his practice facilities have gone into turmoil as he has lost his home practice facilities. Now relying on games with 'The Gent' and the odd game in the pub, 'The Chucker' will need to put a lot of faith in his own natural ability come tournament day.

'The Gambler' on the other hand has started off slow and is steadily improving. Having purchased a new board, new darts and with all that a new mindset, he is rumoured to be throwing solid arrows in practice. However word on the South-East London pub circuit is that he can't score under pressure. 'The Gambler' has rejected these claims and believes that he could be a darkhorse.

Here's just some of the latest bookmakers odds currently available:

Northern Winner: 7/2
Southern Winner: 1/3

'The Gent speciality Bets:
'The Gent' to be world number 1 after the southern masters: 1/50
'The Gent' to win without losing a leg: 9/1
'The Gent' to win without losing a match: 2/1

Blind Jonny speciality bets:
'Blind Jonny' to win the utensil prize for last place: 7/2
'Blind Jonny' to be sucking off a kitchen utensil at sundays presentation ceremony: 1/100
'Blind Jonny' to mention Jenson Button/Team braun all weekend: 1/1000

all southern Final: 10/3
all northern Final: 33/1
northern-southern Final: 3/2

'The Robber' to be in the worlds top 4 following the southern masters: 2/1

'Wolfman' to make it through the group stage: 1/2

'The Con' to turn up unannounced: 5/1

'Bigfoot' to present the presentation ceremony: 1/20

'The Gambler' to be seen making bets on his blackberry mid game: 1/3

'The Chucker' to break something in a rage: 3/2

'The Robber' to get beaten 2-1 in all his matches: 2/1

'Wolfman' to stick with the same technique all tournament: 100/1

'Bigfoot' to crack under pressure: 1/2


The tournament host - 'The Gent' will be sending out something regarding all the specific tournament rules shortly and confirmation of the tournaments sponsors.

May the darts be with you!