Wayne Jones meets early with rival

Wolverhampton's Wayne Jones has had to get his fix of Judas Priest in early with a World Matchplay first round clash against Scott Rand in mind.

The two open their tournament at Blackpool's Winter Gardens tonight, live on Sky Sports, with the winner facing a potential showdown with reigning champion Phil 'the Power' Taylor in the second phase.

Jones wanted to see Judas Priest in concert at Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Thursday night but, as he could still be involved in the Matchplay by then, went to see them in Manchester on Saturday night instead.

The 46-year-old has been a fan of the heavy metal band from Birmingham as long as he has been playing darts and, with this tour purported to be their last, may not have got another chance.

He said: "I didn't want to miss it, as I have been a big Judas Priest fan for 30-odd years, it's the epitaph so you would assume this is the last tour as they are getting on a bit now, like me!

"I popped over to Manchester on Saturday night and chilled out yesterday, I had a bit of a throw here and there but I don't have any particular routines.

"It's on the day, if I play well I do well and, if I don't, I don't think practicing for six or seven hours a day will make a difference anyway."

Jones and Rand got up and personal before tonight's clash at a charity exhibition, called 'Darts for Little Hearts,' staged at the Central Banqueting and Conference centre on Vulcan Road in Bilston.

The rivals were two of 10 players on the night along with Terry Jenkins, Mark Walsh, Dave Chisnall, Andy Smith, Kirk Shepherd, Steve Hine, Nigel Heydon and Prakash Jiwa.

The eyes of the darts world are now focused on the Matchplay, the second biggest tournament on the PDC calendar, with Jones again in the hunt after a 22-year wait for a first major title.

'The Wanderer' appeared in good spirits before his next chance to break his duck and didn't mind an early meeting with his opponent at the oche.

He said: "I like Scott and the only problem we will have is when we are trying to beat each other.

"I don't underestimate anybody, Scott is a good player and has had a really good year.

"In fairness, he's probably looking at the draw better than I am, because he could have got Phil Taylor, but instead he has got me.

"But, if I play like I can, I will beat him."

Rand has been only been a professional for 14 months but beat Jones on the PDC Pro Tour and fancies his chances of doing the same tonight.

Confidence is not a problem for the rising star from Coventry, who is ice-cool going into the tournament tonight.

He said: "I am looking forward to the game, I will be going out there with no intention of losing, just to plough through.

"Everyone is saying it's a good year for me, but that's only because they are starting to take notice. For me, it's a normal year.

"Watch this space for the future, anyone who is in my way I want to steam roll through and get my career rolling."