Louis Rees-Zammit and his stunning girlfriend Drew Knotts enjoyed the chaotic atmosphere at the World Darts Championship as Luke Littler beat Rob Cross
Louis Rees-Zammit and his girlfriend Drew Knotts made an appearance at the World Darts Championship as Luke Littler took aim at the Ally Pally crowd.
The Wales star has just come off the back of bagging two tries against Newcastle Red Bulls in the Gallagher PREM, with supporters praising his display at full-back. Taking advantage of some leisure time over the Christmas period, he and Knotts headed to London with mates to witness darts’ premier event in person and they all embraced the mayhem at the Palace.
Brandishing placards displaying ‘USA’ and ‘Wales’, Rees-Zammit and blonde bombshell Knotts were positioned in the seating section close to the players’ entrance walkway.
Belting out ‘Livin’ On A Prayer’ by Bon Jovi and going wild for maximum scores, the only element missing from the group were some quirky fancy dress outfits and they’d have transformed into genuine Ally Pally devotees.
The evening the pair witnessed proved utterly thrilling, with teenage prodigy Littler launching verbal salvos at spectators after they had jeered him during his triumph over Rob Cross.
“Am I bothered? Really, am I bothered? ! Really not bothered!” Littler declared to Sky Sports. “Can I just say one thing? You guys pay for the tickets and you pay for my prize money so thank you, thank you for my money! Thank you for booing me. Thank you – come on!”.
“I’ve just seen the stats then but I wasn’t really thinking of anything – I just wanted to win the game. It was hostile, nobody wanted me to win, but yet again I proved them wrong.”
Alongside the Littler/Cross showdown, Rees-Zammit and Knotts witnessed Ryan Searle demolishing James Hurell 4-0 in the last 16, whilst Justin Hood, Charlie Manby and Josh Rock had already progressed earlier in the day.
After bagging a double against Red Bulls, Rees-Zammit will be keen to maintain his momentum when Bears take on Sale Sharks at Ashton Gate in the new year.
Bears boss Pat Lam reckons Rees-Zammit’s American football adventure has enhanced his rugby abilities.
“It’s made him a more rounded player,” Lam explained. “He’ll beat tackles, he’s powerful. I think he fights a long time on his feet. If you take a little snapshot – a look from a close up [in contact] – you think he’s playing the NFL, working his way through the scrimmage line and the defenders. The only thing they haven’t got is pads.
“You look at the change of angles, the quick feet and the power in the tackle – he keeps his feet longer. He’s come back in that physical game a lot better.”