Even if you’re not a darts fan and just a fan of rugby league you’ll have struggled to escape the news and the incredible final played out in the darts on Tuesday night with a host of rugby league stars reacting to the game on social media.
The final featured Dutchman Michael Van Gerwen against huge St Helens fan, Michael Smith, and ‘Bully Boy’ as he’s nicknamed came out on top in one of the all time great finals to lift the Sid Waddell trophy.
Even the most iconic line in rugby league history, “I can’t speak”, was uttered by commentator Wayne Mardle in what was truly a brilliant game.
THIS IS INSANE!!! WHAT A LEG OF DARTS!!
MICHAEL SMITH HITS A NINE DARTER!! 🤯😲 pic.twitter.com/T6HWmRCQYX
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) January 3, 2023
Winning the title wasn’t enough for Smith though, he wanted to celebrate his achievement with the St Helens team and their Grand Final trophy and that’s something that his beloved club have done for him today.
One thing I really want to do and would love to do. Is stand on the half way line with the boys with the league leaders and grand final trophy on there side and the gsod and world champs on mine with that mighty red V in background @Saints1890
— Michael Smith (@Michael180Smith) January 4, 2023
The four time consecutive Grand Final champions responded with the idea of making it happen and celebrating the sporting greats of the so-called ‘Trophy Town’ and they’ve now fulfilled that promise.
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐲 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧 🏆
Your wish is our command, Champ! 🏆
@Michael180Smith 🎯👑#COYS | @SkySportsDarts | @SkySportsRL | @SuperLeague | 📸 @plattyphoto https://t.co/i91O0VzVcM pic.twitter.com/vNynNJuEhh
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) January 5, 2023
Proudly holding his trophy is Smith on the halfway line alongside Jodie Cunningham and Alex Walmsley among others with the Grand Final and League Leaders Shield trophies sitting proudly in the background.
An amazing gesture by the club Smith wants to do it again hoping that they win their own world title against Penrith Panthers on February 18th down under as he claimed Saints were the best in the world in his opinion:
“It would be amazing, I have always said we’re the best in the world and hopefully in February we can prove it, it would be nice and hopefully I can bring back my trophy and we can celebrate in style,” he said to Sky Sports.
He also opened up on how much it means to take his trophy to his favourite stadium:
“I’ve been to every single one so far, when you watch Saints it’s such an amazing experience, this is why I have always called it my happy place. I wanted to bring the trophy here it belongs in my home St Helens and the stadium I love to come to.”