Bernie Smith on cough-gate: 'It was pretty crazy I tell you'

New Zealand's Bernie Smith. Photo / Photosport.co.nz

Bernie Smith is hoping the recently-completed world darts championship isn't his only appearance on the sport's biggest stage.

However, if it is, he will always be remembered for being part of a great piece of sporting controversy.

Smith was a part of what has been labelled 'cough-gate' when he was knocked out in the first round of the world championship by England's Justin Pipe.

Pipe, the world No 27, became the ultimate villain at the tournament after he was seen coughing behind Smith as the 53-year-old from Christchurch attempted to throw a dart for double 10 which would have won him the match.

Within 24 hours of the incident, the footage of Pipe's cough was making headlines around the world after Sky Sport UK commentator and former pro, Wayne Mardle, pointed out the cough during coverage the following day.

"That was a tactic for advantage, that was a tactic to make Bernie Smith miss and he got his way," said Mardle.

"The DRA (Darts Regulation Authority) have to do something . . . that was disgusting."

Smith, who is a plasterer, arrived home on Christmas Day and is currently spending time with family at his holiday home in Hanmer Springs. After having some time to wind down from darts' biggest stage, he was still downplaying the 'cough-gate' saga. "It was pretty crazy I tell you, this cough-gate thing," said Smith.

"When I saw it, I did think it looked pretty bad, but you couldn't hear anything. It was so noisy."

"I wouldn't have said anything if I heard it anyway."

The New Brighton Club player lost the opening two sets of the match against Pipe and looked odds-on to lose the match 0-3. However, with the crowd behind him in the third set, Smith won two sets on the trot to level the score, before having two darts to win the match when he led 2-1 on legs in the fifth and deciding set.

"The crowd fires you up, that's what happened. They wanted more, they don't want to go home," said Smith.

"They fired up, I fired up and next minute I had a shot at the win."

"I actually probably thought I was in the next round before I threw it. But unfortunately I missed it, so bummer."

Pipe was given a nasty reception from the crowd in his next match against 16-time world champion Phil 'The Power' Taylor. The crowd effects were constantly turned down during the coverage of the match as expletives were thrown his way.

"I actually felt sorry for him [Pipe], the crowd were booing him in my game as well," said Smith.

After coming within a throw of upsetting one of the sports top players Smith is now hungry to get back to darts' biggest stage.

"You get a taste don't you? It's a bit like eating chocolate," Smith said. Smith earned £11,000
(NZ$20,932) for making it to the first round. He says a good chunk of the winnings will be invested back into the sport.

"Probably more darts trips. I'll give it another good bash this year," said Smith.