BETVICTOR World Matchplay semi-final opponents Michael van Gerwen and Simon Whitlock warmed up for their Winter Gardens clash with a game of crown green bowls!
The pair will meet at Blackpool's Winter Gardens on Saturday night to compete for a place in the BetVictor World Matchplay final, following their progression to the last four.
However, they took time out from their preparations on the dartboard to enjoy a friendly game of bowls at Blackpool's famous Waterloo Bowling Green.
"I came here for a game one day last year during the World Matchplay and it's a nice way to relax," said van Gerwen.
"Sometimes you need to find something to do in your spare time away from the dartboard and I enjoy bowls.
"It's a good game and I've had a bit of beginner's luck, but I'm very competitive in everything I do. You always like to have a little bit of rivalry, whether it's on the dartboard or bowling, and I always want to win!"
With Australia boasting the Men's and Women's World Champions, Whitlock could have been expected to be experienced in the sport, but he admitted: "I played a bit of indoor bowls before but not outside.
"I think Australia has always been good at bowls but this is my first time playing so I've had a few tips. It's not good to be indoors all day so it's good to get out and play."
Looking ahead to his semi-final clash with Whitlock, van Gerwen said: "I'm going to give 200 percent to try and win this title but I need to do it up on stage.
"It's not going to be easy because he's just beaten James and is a fantastic. He's been in the top four of the world for a long time and deserves a lot of credit - but I think Simon fears me, so we're going to see what happens!"
Whitlock has bounced back superbly from his elimination after nine weeks of the Premier League earlier this year to reach his second World Matchplay semi-final, and the former European Champion said: "I can't wait.
"I believe in myself and I'm playing my best darts for four or five years, and I'm really confident at the moment. My confidence is sky high and I'm a different Simon Whitlock to four years ago, much more experienced.
"I want to win another major this year and I'm on course to do that, but I've got to take one game at a time. You've got to increase your game in every round and hopefully I can play a little bit better in the semi-finals, but my game is very good at the moment."
Click below to see Michael van Gerwen & Simon Whitlock playing bowls in the exclusive "On The Wire" magazine show
The pair will meet at Blackpool's Winter Gardens on Saturday night to compete for a place in the BetVictor World Matchplay final, following their progression to the last four.
However, they took time out from their preparations on the dartboard to enjoy a friendly game of bowls at Blackpool's famous Waterloo Bowling Green.
"I came here for a game one day last year during the World Matchplay and it's a nice way to relax," said van Gerwen.
"Sometimes you need to find something to do in your spare time away from the dartboard and I enjoy bowls.
"It's a good game and I've had a bit of beginner's luck, but I'm very competitive in everything I do. You always like to have a little bit of rivalry, whether it's on the dartboard or bowling, and I always want to win!"
With Australia boasting the Men's and Women's World Champions, Whitlock could have been expected to be experienced in the sport, but he admitted: "I played a bit of indoor bowls before but not outside.
"I think Australia has always been good at bowls but this is my first time playing so I've had a few tips. It's not good to be indoors all day so it's good to get out and play."
Looking ahead to his semi-final clash with Whitlock, van Gerwen said: "I'm going to give 200 percent to try and win this title but I need to do it up on stage.
"It's not going to be easy because he's just beaten James and is a fantastic. He's been in the top four of the world for a long time and deserves a lot of credit - but I think Simon fears me, so we're going to see what happens!"
Whitlock has bounced back superbly from his elimination after nine weeks of the Premier League earlier this year to reach his second World Matchplay semi-final, and the former European Champion said: "I can't wait.
"I believe in myself and I'm playing my best darts for four or five years, and I'm really confident at the moment. My confidence is sky high and I'm a different Simon Whitlock to four years ago, much more experienced.
"I want to win another major this year and I'm on course to do that, but I've got to take one game at a time. You've got to increase your game in every round and hopefully I can play a little bit better in the semi-finals, but my game is very good at the moment."
Click below to see Michael van Gerwen & Simon Whitlock playing bowls in the exclusive "On The Wire" magazine show