This week trying to get to my matches has been a nightmare. You'd think that with everyone being told to cut salt out of their diet there would be more available to put on the roads!
Only one person managed to bump into my car, and that was ab
out 100 yards from my house – no damage done, nobody hurt, and absolutely nothing the other driver could do about it.
Having slid along in the car the short distance to the Kings Head in Horsebridge on Friday night, we settled in for a home match in the Cracker League against the White Horse from Bodle Street.
We got off to a flying start and were soon 5 nil up in the singles. My own particular game against Sam Holloway was a disaster from my point of view… I had a new pair of glasses that I got the day before, and as everyone knows that wears glasses, there is a bit of a transition period whilst you get used to your new prescription. My experience for the whole night was as though someone else was throwing the darts – they certainly weren't going where I was aiming! I scraped a 2 – 1 win over Sam, and he looks as though he'll be a good player in the future.
Player of the night for us was Paul Hemsley, he hit a 10 dart leg of 301 in his match, so well done to him. Overall we won the match 7 – 2, so we're still going well in the league.
Onto Saturday I took the opportunity to have a bit of a practice to see whether I might be getting used to the new glasses. To my delight I hit a couple of 11 darters, so felt a little less disappointed in my new purchase.
Sunday was the day of the Royal Albert Open, a competition with a good prize fund of £250 to the winner. Myself and Dan Smith headed off on our ice skates to Hastings to see what we could do.
On arrival, there were a lot of excellent players on show, most of our Singles league were present, and the line–up also included former PDC player Jim Withers, and Sussex players, Dave Creasey, Paul Russell and Spencer Ellis.
Once the preliminary rounds had been completed, the main draw was done, this couldn't have been picked harder if you'd fixed the draw! I was drawn against Dave Creasey, Adrian Gray against Spencer Ellis, and also in our half of the draw were Jim Withers, Paul Russell, and Ian Bingham. Whoever won through this half deserved to be in the final. Meanwhile in the bottom half of the draw, a certain Mick Evans was looking reasonably pleased with his half!
The games got underway, and I was first on against Dave Creasey. We usually have some good matches, and after hitting a 180 with my second throw, I soon found some confidence. I hit a 12 darter on the way to a 4 nil win, and was really pleased with how I'd performed. On the board next to me, Adrian dispatched Spencer in a narrow 4 – 3 win, and then we are set for a second round meeting. Dan played well, but lost to Neil Edwards.
Myself and Adi had a great match, each leg going with the throw, I hit an 11 darter, and checked out on 105 to level for 3 – 3. We both went well in the decider, unfortunately for me, Adi checked out a 120 finish with me sat on 86 to win the match. A great game, but my day was done. Adi lost in the semis to Jim Withers, but it was Mick Evans who took the winners prize, beating Jim 5 – 4.
Now it's time to settle down and watch the darts on the TV, relax over Christmas and prepare for the year ahead.
Have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year.
