Sellafield Ltd

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We have a long history of supporting our local communities. Working with the NDA our socio-economic plans encourage employee involvement in local activities, charitable donation schemes and inward investment.

Thursday 10th January 2008

Sellafield worker aiming for world darts championship glory

A Sellafield worker is aiming for world darts championship glory on BBC television.

Brian ‘Pecker’ Woods, who works as a contractor on site for Neales Waste Management, is playing in the BDO World Darts Championships at the Lakeside in Frimley Green, Surrey.

Brian, who is seeded 11th for the competition, is relishing the chance to go for glory under the TV spotlight. “I can’t wait,” he said before the competition began.

“I have played the last two years but this time I am seeded, and if I’m on my game I think I can beat anyone.

Top ranked seed Gary Anderson crashed out in the first round, but there was no such worry for Brian, who displayed his darting prowess as he destroyed Paul ‘Polly Boy’ Hanvidge in straight sets, 3-0, and finished the first round with the highest three dart average of any player in the tournament.

“The rankings are a bit false sometimes, because you only get points depending on how many competitions you can go to.

“Gary Anderson was top seed with 136 points, but he played in the competitions abroad, and I didn’t, I have a job and a family and just couldn’t get to them all,” he said.

“If I had done I could have been seeded higher than 11th, but I’m playing pretty well so I’m confident.”

Egremont-based Brian was beaten 3-0 by Mervyn King in his Lakeside debut two years ago and went down by the same score line against Niels de Ruiter, in 2007.

But he does not believe the pressure of appearing on TV on the big stage was a factor in those defeats. “It has never bothered me,” he added.

“Losing the last twice was my own fault. “I know ‘if’ is a big word, but I missed doubles and let them off. I have beaten these players. It’s just a matter of doing it on the day.”

Pecker faces fancied Dutchman Co Stompe in round two on Wednesday night.

The Cumbrian started the tournament as a 100/1 shot to lift the £85,000 first prize, though he has no chance of leaving empty handed as even first round losers collect £3,000.