Harrington fails to fire at darts world champs

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SHORT STINT: Dave Harrington of New Zealand throws against Haruki Muramatsu of Japan during World Darts Championship.

You'd hope national darts champion Dave Harrington had a good time, because it certainly wasn't a long one at the world championships in London this morning.

Flanked by two attractive young ladies as he entered the Alexandra Palace to classic pump-up music, the 59-year-old from Christchurch appeared to be lapping up the occasion in the 9000-capacity arena as the typically boisterous darts crowd cheered on him and his opponent, Japan's Haruki Muramatsu, ahead of their preliminary match.

'Ally Pally' is a far cry from the Christchurch pub scene but sadly for Harrington, once the hype settled down and darts started flying, the occasion got to him.

He was hammered four legs to zip in less than 15 minutes; the grey-haired Kiwi may have towered over the diminutive figure of the 35-year-old from Japan but Muramatsu dominated where it mattered as Harrington failed to fire a shot.

Muramatsu progresses to the first round to play Australia's former world No 1, Simon Whitlock, hoping to better first-round losses in 2010 and 2011, the latter to Phil 'The Power' Taylor, the 15-time world champion and best player of alltime.

Harrington? He can tuck into a few pints and enjoy the atmosphere from the tables as the heavy hitters play for the $1 million top prize.

- © Fairfax NZ News