Darts Hero Returns to Work

Ritchie Davies came second in this year's tournament

A south Wales computer programmer who was defeated in the final of the Embassy World Darts Championship returned to work on Monday morning. Ritchie 'Lamb Chop' Davies, 31, from Abercwmboi in the Cynon Valley beat some of the world's top players to reach Sunday's final, where he was beaten by Raymond Barneveld.

But hours after picking up a £25,000 runners-up cheque, he reported for his shift at the Harman Becker factory in Bridgend. On Sunday night, hot favourite Barneveld raced to a 4-0 lead, and even though Davies rallied to 4-3, the Welshman could not upset the odds.

Davies had entered the championship as a way of proving to himself that he could compete with the best players in the world. He described his achievement in the tournament as a "fairytale". "I feel on top of the world," he said. "It has been a dream to do as well I have this week, and everything has just gone for me. "It's like a fairytale, to be honest with you - my second and third rounds were the highlight of my week. "Taking out John Boy Walton and Tony David in the fashion I did was a shock to myself.

Workmates clapped Mr Davies when he began his shift

"It was a real shock to get this far, but everything went well, it's been a good week," he said. Mr Davies admits that the tension during the final was intense. "The pressure was different to all the other rounds where I had felt so calm. "But it was electric in the final, and it took a little time to calm myself into the game. "I had brilliant support in the audience - I think it was half orange and half red - they were marvellous," he said.

Congratulations Mr Davies is already planning his training for his next tournament. "I am preparing for the Scottish Open now - I won it last year so am going up to defend the title," he said. Work colleague Paul Evans was one of the first to congratulate Mr Davies on his first day back in work. "He was amazing - he only sits a metre away from me and it is crazy to think how well he has done," said Mr Evans. "I was up watching him every night and I think he is on his way up now." Tim Lorcan agreed: "He is the man. He has really done us proud. "I followed him right through from the first round. "He was superb," he added.