Practice makes perfect for Jamie Hughes

The dust is settling on the 2016 competition at Lakeside with Hughes a semi-finalist, ensuring his worlds place for the next two years,

'Yozza' bowed out 6-1 in sets to Scott Waites in Saturday's afternoon session, his fourth tie of the week in Frimley Green.

Monday's 3-0 whitewash of Ross Montgomery, Wednesday's 4-1 downing of Madars Razma and Friday's 5-1 vanquishing of two-time semi-finalist Wesley Harms set up the Waites clash.

The 29-year-old was less than pleased with his first two performances despite going through, but he turned on the style against Harms.

The nine 180s in that match were more than the seven combined in the other three games, as he recorded his best average of 94.11.

He got his nose in front and didn't look back there but he couldn't replicate that against Waites, who used his experience on the Lakeside stage.

And Hughes is planning to get himself more accustomed to the longer format and spend more time on the practice board, something he freely admits has been lacking.

He said: "I've always played competitive darts, I've never really been one for practicing. After this, I need to have a think about that.

"I didn't prepare like I did the previous year, where I had a month off work as it was my Lakeside debut. I only got to the second round then!

"I need to get more used to the longer format, it was best of 11 sets against Scott and that's a long time at the oche. You need to maintain a decent throw.

"I won't over-work on it, because I don't want it to affect my short game too much. This year has been great for experience.

"I'm booked up for the first part of next year, in terms of flights getting to the tournaments on the BDO calendar. It can take you all over Europe.

"But, now I'm definitely at the worlds for the next two years, maybe I can take my foot off the gas in the second half of 2016 and get properly ready for Lakeside.

"I need to be more dedicated if I want to reach the next level."

Hughes arrived back at home yesterday, after staying in Surrey to watch Waites beat Jeff Smith 7-1 to win the world final last night. Fiance Jayne was seen at Lakeside supporting him last week.

He first drove friends from a darts club in Denmark to Stansted Airport yesterday morning, so they could fly back, and was at work today.

The industrial boiler engineer and site operative is in the family business, working alongside his brothers Shane and Lee.

His final match at the worlds was broadcast live on BBC1, after the first two were live on BT Sport with the Harms tie on BBC2. They watched Hughes stay true to his roots.

His walk on music was Jeff Beck's 'Hi Ho Silver Lining,' while his top and flights both displayed the area's emblem. After each match, he was draped in the Black Country flag.

The Wolves fan's darts nickname is derived from the character Yozzer Hughes in television series 'Boys from the Blackstuff.'

He added: "My upbringing has made me the person I am today and the people of the Black Country are a huge part of that. I'm proud of where I come from."