Trident v Castle “A”
Good evening all and welcome to the Trident, Burntwood’s premier nightspot and all-round fablious place to drink - okay that’s the freebie I promised you Phil!. After the disappointment of no game the previous week with Libby’s not having a team it was a tough first outing for newly formed Trident. They do not come much tougher than the Castle “A” with a squad boasting 3 PDC players and Mr “Prettyboy” Hylton recently getting into the final in the Austrailian outback despite a Babyfaced Platt trying his hardest to knock him out.
So with the draw done it was Mark “Zorba” Van Patten against Simon “The Hitman” Astle. Simon started slowly with steady scoring as Zorba was quick into his throwing with 100,100,140 and while Zorba missed a few doubles, Simon hit back with an 83, 140 before having a chance of his own only to wire his shot at tops. This gave Zorba another chance which he took coolly taking out double 18 for the leg in 20 darts. Next leg, Zorba started slowly but dropped in a few bigger scores 81,100 while Simon was in full command hitting 100,81,97 but just couldn’t finish off the leg and after a few moments of double trouble from both players, Zorba got the valuable double 8 for a 2-0 lead. Third leg and Simon struggled from the off finding it hard to hit a score of note as Zorba banged in the treble 20’s with scores of 81,100,100 and despite a few missed doubles he finally located double 5 for a very fine scalp. Zorba – 19.52avg 1x140 5x100, Simon – 18.15avg 1x140 1x100
Second match-up was Jon “The Rythem” Platt against Ryan “Rhino” Herrington and without doubt the best match-up of the evening. Jon started the better obviously up for it against the young up and coming Rhino with great scores of 95, 125, 140 before clocking out 68 for a fine 18 darts leg with Ryan way back on 189 after a few good scores of 85,95. Next leg was a little slower with Jon hitting 85, 140, 73 and having first shots at a double despite Ryan hitting 81, 85, 97 but after both players guilty of misses Ryan plopped in double 10 to make it 1-1. Both players suddenly woke up and Ryan more confident with a leg on the board bashed the treble 20’s with 125,84.81,87 but Jon having started the leg hit back towards the end of it with 85, 121, 140 taking out double 18 for a 19 dart leg with Ryan sitting on tops. Ryan then started the 4th leg in style 85, 100, 95, 96 putting huge pressure on Jon who could only reply with an 82, 100 – Ryan hitting double 10 for a fine 19 dart leg and 2-2 score. The last leg was the best as Jon started 140, 100, 100 with Ryan hitting back 100, 140, 140 and leaving 52 after 15 darts. The Rythem stepped up to the mark and hit treble 20 then double 16 for the crowd to go wild! The Rythem – 24.25avg 4x140 1x125 1x121 3x100, Ryan – 23.91avg 2x140 1x125 2x100
Third match was a debut in the super-league for Paul “Fella” Hollowell and he was up against Adam Johnson. When your first three darts in the super-league are 180 you know things are going to go your way. The first leg scoring of 180, 100, 81 then cool finishing on double tops gave Fella a 17 dart leg. Adam with a 92 was a little shell shocked still left on 185. Next leg and Fella’s darts and with steady scoring 100, 100 he finished well again on tops for a 22 dart leg. Adam again on 108 but did score better hitting 85, 81. Adam played better in the third leg with 83, 103 but Fella again hit a 140, 81 putting Adam under pressure all through the game and after Adam left himself double tops, it was Fella that finished on tops to give Trident their first ever win in the Staffordshire Super-league. Fella– 24.63avg(MOM)1x180 1x140 3x100, Adam – 18.57avg 1x103
Fourth game and it was a daunting challenge for Jimmy “Potter” Toddington against the new superstar of the PDC Mark “Prettyboy” Hylton. After a good first leg for both players, Potter scoring 140, 100 and just missing out on a 110 finish missing double 14 as Mark banged in double 10 for a 20 dart leg and first blood. The next leg was awesome from Mark as he first hit 180 then followed it up with a second 180 leaving the whole room gasping in anticipation! Unfortunately the click could be heard of the wire as he narrowly missed the seventh treble leaving 84 and superbly checking it out next visit for a fantastic 12 dart leg. Poor Potter only had 9 darts and was well back on 311. Needing all of his wizardly skills, Potter came out fighting in the third leg with a 140, 80, 73, but this seemed to spur Mark on as he again scored very well 100, 100, 85 before finishing off 16 in 2 for a 17 dart leg and a fantastic 30.67 avarage. Great darts Mark. Potter - 22.43avg 2x140 1x100, Mark – 30.67avg 2x180 4x100
Last up was Jason “Victor” Gilbert against the old stalwart Cliff “Mr Magic” Biggs and it was Cliff that started the better with scores of 100, 70, 85 – Victor coming good towards the end of the leg with 100, 100, 96 but both players missed a lot of doubles before Meldrew snook in double 7 for the first leg. Nerves calmed, Victor started to play with scores of 100, 125, 124 as Cliff hit back with 100, 95 but Victor having started the leg was first at the double to clock out double tops in 20 darts. Third leg and Cliff was a little slow out of the blocks but registered 100, 100 late on as Victor moved into striking distance with 81, 100, 100, missing double 16 for a 112 finish. And despite busting and missing a few more double it was Meldrew who clocked double 8 for 22 dart leg and the game 3-0. Victor - 22.10avg 1x125 1x 124 5x100, Cliff – 19.59avg 4x100
Trident Stats – Best Avg 24.63 1x180 8x140 21x100+ - highest finish 92
Castle “A” Stats – Best Avg 30.67 2x180 3x140 13x100+ highest finish 84
Glasshouse 2 White Eagle 3
Poppa Powell put the Eagle ahead with a fine 3-0 victory over John Cooper, a couple of 80’s and 135 saw him take the 1st leg in 20 darts. The second leg was a little closer, with John rattling a Ton and a couple of 80’s, to leave double 4, Poppa’s hit a run of 80’s and a 90, and unlike last week his finishing is sharp and goes 2 up with a 25 darter. A 120 and 140 sees Poppa soar ahead in the 3rd leg, which he takes in just 18 darts, with a neat 54 in 3 finish.
John; 2 x 100, average, 18.8.
Poppa; 120, 135 and 140, average, 23.86 (mom).
Ted Dodd put the visitors further ahead with a steady 3-1 win over Martin Kendall, a 140 put him in charge of the 1st leg, and with a neat 60 in 3 finish he took the leg in 24 darts. The 2nd leg and Martin hits 100 and 85, with Ted hitting 140, but both players hit a black spot approaching the double, with Ted eventually taking it in 29 darts. The 3rd leg looks like going to Ted after he hits consecutive 100’s, but again he struggles approaching the double and busts 92, this allows Martin in to steal the leg, taking out D16. Ted completes the win in the 4th leg, with Martin waiting on 20; he takes out 35 in 2.
Martin; 2 x 100, average, 16.09.
Ted; 2 x 140 and 3 x 100, average, 17.38.
Andy Feltham pulls a game back for the home team, with a 3-0 win against Matt Powell, he took out 38 in 3 to win a scrappy 1st leg, with Matt waiting on 54. Andy smashes in 2 x 100 to take control of the 2nd leg, which he takes in 26 darts, a 125 then gives him the advantage in the 3rd leg and he neatly takes out 48 in 2 for another 26 darter.
Andy; 140, 2 x 100 and 125, average, 17.68.
Matt; average, 13.89.
Spencer Trow secured the points for the Eagle with a fine 3-0 win against ‘Pom Omara’, Spence hit a Ton as he took the opening leg in 26 darts, neatly finishing on Tops, and this after Pom had chance to take out 23 only to leave 5. A 140 put Spence in charge of the 2nd leg, which he duly takes in 24 darts, finishing on 56 in 3. Spence then smashes in 3 red scores as he completes the win in just 19 darts.
Pom; average, 18.91
Spence; 2 x 140, 2 x 100 and 139, average, 21.78.
The final game of the night saw Alan Plimmer beat the suntanned Jack Senior 3-0, Alan hit 140 with Jack replying with 100, and after many shots at a double Alan goes 1 up. A 100 gives Alan the advantage in the 2nd leg and with Jack waiting on 61 Alan takes out D4, The 3r leg and Alan bangs in 2 x 100 with Jack cracking in a 140, but followed by a run of 40’s, and Alan takes advantage to take the leg in 23 darts.
Alan; 140 and 3 x 100, average, 15.98.
Jack; 140 and 100, average, 14.23.
Cheslyn Hay 0 Harrisons 5
The Champions made it a maximum start with another 5-0 win, taking their aggregate total to 10 for, 0 against.
Dougie Thompson set them on their way with an excellent 3-0 win over Gavin Stanley; he hit a 140 in the opening leg, which he won n 21 darts. The 2nd leg and Doug bangs in 121, 125 and a couple of 90’s, but Gavin’s not far behind, hitting 100, 85, and three scores over 60, but he’s left waiting on 50 as Doug takes out 24 in 2 for a 2o darter. Gavin hits 2 x 100 in the 3rd leg, but Doug storms in with 177, 125 and 100 and takes the leg in just 16 darts, (could have been 13).
Gavin; 3 x 100, average, 22.27.
Doug; 177, and 5 x 100+ scores, average, 26.36.
Paul Clift defeats Steve Hickman 3-1 in the 2nd game; he hits 100 in a disappointing 1st leg, with both players struggling to hit their doubles. Paul opens with consecutive Tons in the 2nd leg, which he takes in 22 darts, with a D20 finish, the 3rd leg belongs to Steve, who bangs in 140 to take control, and he takes it with a neat 32 finish in 2o darts. Paul retaliates with a 140 and 100 as he completes the win in the 4th leg, taking it in just 16 darts.
Steve; 140 and 100, average, 18.83.
Paul; 140 and 5 x 100, average, 22.12.
The game of the night and also the game of the season comes next, with Chris Stanley producing a stunning performance in his 3-0 win over a shell shocked Adam McCreedy, I’ll let the darts do the talking.
1st leg, Chris, 140, 55, 100, 135, and 71 in 3 for a 15 darter.
2nd leg, 180, 59, 100, 140, and 22 in 2 =14 darts
3rd leg, 180, 45, 100, 100, and 76 in 3 =15 darts.
A stunning seasons best 34.16 average, (if only his second throw had been better in each leg)?
Not forgetting Adam, he it 140 and 2 x 100, plus several other good scores, average, 21.23.
This was difficult to follow, but the good looking Neil Pointon tried in his 3-0 win over Dave Ridgway? Neil opened with 100, soon followed by 140 as he took the 1st leg in 21 darts; he followed up with a great 16 darter, hitting 100 and 145, and taking out double Top in one. The 3rd leg was a little closer, with both player hitting a Ton, and several scores of 60 or more, but with Dave sitting on 36, Neil coolly takes out 70 in 3 for a 21 darter.
Dave; 1 x 100, average, 18.38.
Neil; 145, 140 and 3 x 100, average, 25.91.
Richard Platt completed the rout with a 3-0 win over Neil Cooper; he hit 100 as he won the 1st leg in 25 darts, with Neil having hit 121 and 100 waiting on 62. Tricky bangs in 135 and 100, to take the 2nd leg in 24 darts, before producing his best darts in the 3rd leg, taking it in 19 darts, hitting consecutive 100’s and taking out double 16 in 0ne.
Neil; 121 and 1 x 100, average, 18.32.
Tricky; 135 and 4 x 100, average, 22.10.
Castle B 1 Windmill 4
Pete Lowe gave the Windmill a good start with a close 3-2 win over Nathan Chedzoy, he hit 100 and a couple of 90’s as he won the 1st leg in 23 darts. Nathan then took the next 2 legs in, 24 and 26 darts respectively, he had chance to wrap it up in the 4th leg, hitting 140 and 2 x 100, but he failed to take out 32 and Pete neatly took out 80 in 3 for a 21 darter. The decider and Pete bangs in 3 red score to take control, finally taking out double 2 for a 24 dart, game winning leg.
Nathan; 5 x 100+ scores, average, 19.28.
Pete; 9 scores of 100 or more, average, 20.85.
Martin McAulay made it 2-0 with a 3-0 victory over Bill Williams; he opened up with, 100, 140 and 140, taking the 1st leg in just 18 darts. Bill replied with 2 red scores in the 2nd leg, but Martin cracks in another 3 Ton+ scores to go 2 up in 21 darts, he completes the win with a 22 dart leg, yet again opening with 3 red scores.
Bill; 121 and 3 x 100, average, 20.05.
Martin; 2 x 140, and 7 other scores of 100 or more, average, 24.63 (mom)
Steve Boulton kept the game alive with a 3-2 win against Ian Pointon; he hit 100 and 125 to take the 1st leg in 20 darts, with Ian having hit 100 and 125 waiting on 8. Steve smacks in a maximum in the 2nd leg, but it’s to no avail as Ian hits 2 x 140 for a 19 darter, the 3rd leg also goes to Ian, after good scoring by both he takes out 60 in 3 for a 24 dart leg. Both players then hit a 140 and 100 in the 4th leg, and with Ian waiting on 44, Steve takes out 16 for a 22 darter, the decider and Ian hits 2 x 100, but Steve hits 140 and a Ton, and he neatly takes out 72 in 3 for a 21 dart winning leg.
Steve; 180 and 7 x 100+ scores, average, 23.67 (mom).
Ian; 3 x 140, 125 and 5 x 100, average, 22.33.
Glen Cullen made the points safe for the Windmill, coming back from a leg down to beat Ant Wharton 3-1, Ant hit 125 and 100, and finishing 69 in 3 for a 21 dart leg. The 2nd leg was patchy, with both players scoring 100, and Glen taking it in 27 darts, the 3rd leg belongs to Glen; he cracks in 3 x 100 to take it in just 20 darts. A 95, a couple of Tons and a nice 60 in 3 finish, sees Glen take the 4th leg in 21 darts.
Ant; 2 x 125 and 2 x 100, average, 19.95.
Glenn; 6 x 100, average, 21.69.
The final game sees the return of Chris Seward to the super league, taking on one of last years star performers, Steve Shenton, Chris start slowly, hitting 11, and a couple of 30’s, but he soon comes to life, hitting 125 and 100, before coolly taking out 109 in 3 for a great start to the season. The 2nd gets better, both players hit 2 red scores, and with Chris waiting on 60, Steve takes out double 10 to level in 20 darts. The 3rd leg is similar to the second, both hit 140 and 100, with Steve again taking out 20, this time in 23 darts and Chris sitting on 80, the 4th leg is also close, Steve hits 2 x 100, 85 and 98, with Chris hitting 3 x 80+ scores and 96, Steve fails to take out 28, and Chris hits 40 in 3 to level in 24 darts. Steve hits 2 x 100 to give him the advantage in the decider, with Chris hitting a couple of 90’s, Steve makes use of the advantage of the darts and secures the win in 22 darts, yet again finishing on 20.
Chris; 7 x 100+ scores, average, 20.72.
Steve; 2 x 140, 123 and 6 x 100, average, 21.84.
MORRIS MAN Vs EMERALD CLUB.
Welcome. Well we’re finally here! The start of the brand new season. I hope you’ve all had your holidays. We found out that some of you hadn’t, which reminds me, Neil Clarke, if you read this do me a favour and call me, my number is on the contact sheet or Ted has it! I’ve tried calling you and it just goes to voice mail. IT’S IMPORTANT.
Anyway, where was I, oh yeah, a brand new season. This for us was the first match we have played and on a personal note, my first match as I was away for the cancelled one we had the week before, although all my team had the information they required before I left.
So, how are you all doing? Over the next few weeks we’ll all meet up again and swap stories no-doubt.
I hear that Jason Gilbert has arrived back from Krypton, although it doesn’t seem like five years since he left to “find himself”. I’ve heard that he slipped over when we had all that snow and suffered amnesia. Allegedly he awoke thinking that he was Maradona, or was it Madonna? Any way I’m sure we’ll find out.
Tonight we travelled hundreds of miles across the other side of Stafford to reach a new team on our books, the Morris Man. I hadn’t, until this night, been in this pub for a few years, but what a surprise I had. It changed a lot, made a little larger and the board swapped around to make it a very nice throw and very visual for the rest of the team and punters, beer was good and the chip shop will do a roaring trade during the season. All in all a great night, I’m sure you will all find it easily and enjoy yourselves. By the way, if you don’t know where it is, if you can find the Hospital, it’s opposite there.
Our team news, which I’ll go through because it a new start and we have a couple of changes. Amongst the old players; Tim Whiston, Jim Harrison, Paul “coco” Wright and Mark Harvey are two new faces. Danny “patch” Allsop and Rob “shammie” Scott.
Here’s what happened in a nut shell;
Danny Allsop took the first win of the night against Shaun Watkin 3-1. Shaun took the second leg and for a short while it looked like it might of gone all the way. The averages don’t show how close this match was, but a lot of missed doubles might of contributed towards the length of some of the legs. For his first match for the Emerald Club, Patch played O.K. I know, it sounds harsh, but I’ve seen him play better and I think he’ll be right in the thick of it when he settles in.
Jim Harrison had a straight forward 3-0 win over Mark Booth in the second match of the night. The first leg for Mark was strained, but he certainly made up for it in the following two. Jim played as we would expect. Calmly and with grit in his teeth, sure it didn’t go all his own way, but he held it together and finished.
The next match saw the home side take there first win of the night. Mark Keegan took out Tim Whiston 3-1. Tim grabbed the 2nd leg in 15 darts which was the shortest leg of the evening. But that wasn’t good enough, he would have had to do that every leg to win, not that he’s not capable, Mark wasn’t going to let him. Mark played well, with red scores in the right places, he slotted the win in very neatly.
In the fourth match, Russell Penwright lost out on a tick in the box against Rob Scott. Rob took the win 3-0. Although, once again it was a lot closer than it seems on paper. Over recent weeks, as I had already pointed out earlier on in the evening, Rob had been struggling on his doubles. Well, just call me a liar. He hit almost everyone with conviction. Russell didn’t play that bad, you just felt he let the match get away form him.
The last match of the evening was between Malcom Edwards and Paul Wright. On paper this should have been a corker, well, it nearly was. Both players didn’t play to their abilities, but this just made it more compelling to watch. Paul took the first leg and Mal repaid the compliment, then Mal had a touch of the “lets not hit my double”. Paul didn’t need to be asked a 2nd or 3rd time. He took the 3rd leg and you could say, because of this, the match. Paul did take the win, but only after Mal left himself a double. If Paul had lost that pivotal 3rd leg, this match might have ended all different. Great one to watch though.
So, the final score;
Morris Man 1 – 4 Emerald Club.
Well, our first win. Feels good. More than that though, it’s our first match completed. Lets hope they all feel like this.
Here are the averages;
Morris Man. S.Watkin, 16.28. M.Booth, 18.52. M.Keegan, 21.94. R.Penwright, 15.06. M.Edwards. 21.00.
Emerald. D.Allsop, 19.04. J.Harrison, 21.47. T.Whiston, 22.48. R.Scott, 17.68. P.Wright, 21.87.
M.O.M. M.Keegan/P.Wright.
So, that’s it.
Keep chuckin’
Tc.
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