Ryan Searle Aims Cheeky Dig at Ally Pally Crowd as World Championship Practice Session Inspires Emphatic Win
Ryan Searle could not resist a playful swipe at the Alexandra Palace crowd after producing a commanding performance at the World Darts Championship, admitting a quiet practice session earlier in the day helped set him up for victory.
The Englishman delivered one of his most convincing displays of the tournament to storm through his match, looking far more settled and clinical than in previous appearances on the famous Ally Pally stage. Heavy scoring and sharp finishing quickly put him in control, leaving his opponent struggling to keep pace.
Speaking after the win, Searle revealed that arriving early for a practice session — before the arena filled up — made a significant difference.
“I came in earlier and had a good throw when it was nice and quiet,” Searle said. “That definitely helped.”
The comment was followed by a cheeky dig at the Ally Pally crowd, whose lively and often raucous atmosphere has been known to divide opinion among players.
“When it’s packed in here it can be noisy, let’s say that,” he added with a smile. “So getting that practice in beforehand really settled me down.”
Searle has previously spoken about the unique pressures of playing at the World Championship, where the party-like environment can be as challenging as the opponent on stage. This time, however, he looked completely unfazed, combining his trademark power scoring with a calm, controlled presence at the oche.
Fans inside the venue responded warmly after the match, appreciating both the quality of darts on display and Searle’s honest assessment of the Ally Pally experience.
With confidence growing and preparation clearly paying off, Searle now looks well placed to build momentum as the tournament progresses. And while the Ally Pally crowd may not always make things easy, the big scorer proved he can thrive — even if he prefers his practice sessions a little quieter.
