Up in Barnsley for my birthday
After a few weeks' break from PDC tournaments, this weekend sees us heading to Barnsley for two Players Championship competitions.
I'm looking forward to getting back into action again, as I feel that in my last few matches I had maybe put too much emphasis on trying to qualify for last week's UK Open tournament at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton, and that it affected my normal game.
The downside of this tournament means that I've got to drive all the way to Yorkshire, leaving home at about 6.45 in the evening...and it's my birthday!
Oh well, the birthday dinner and cake can wait a day until we go out on Saturday evening in Barnsley. Hopefully I might have a win to celebrate by then as well.
Starting with the UK Open, there were second round exits from both Sussex-based representatives, Tony Ayres losing to Justin Pipe, and Adrian Gray narrowly losing the deciding leg of an 11 leg thriller.
The competition has grown to be known as the FA Cup of darts, as there are usually some pub qualifiers that have a good run. This year was no exception, with Ken Mather putting on a great show, eventually being beaten by Phil 'The Power' Taylor.
When asked if he was going to have a go on the pro-tour, he said that he was actually giving up darts after the tournament as he had had enough of the game for a while.
Another great performance came from Colin Osborne, a player who always performs well at the floor tournaments that I attend, but this time saw him proving his worth on the big stage in front of the TV cameras.
Colin made the final, and although losing 11-6 to Phil Taylor, he certainly made Taylor play for his win.
As for me, on Sunday I finally ventured out on my motorbike...the first real outing for it in a long time, mainly due to me separating my shoulder three years ago.
It was a charity run setting off from Eastbourne seafront, and there were around 300 bikes that headed off around the countryside of East Sussex.
Now there were many vintage bikes on the run, and the speed of the run was around 35mph, all very nice, but when you are hunched over a Suzuki sports bike, it is going to hurt after a while.
It did, luckily just at the end of the run, but how I have suffered this week, more fitness required.
Still it was all in aid of the Air Ambulance, so I don't mind being numb for a worthwhile cause.
Oh, and a small apology to anyone in the line of bikes that followed me out of the junction near Broad Farm.
I ended up missing a turning to Berwick, and ended up in Laughton...you didn't have to follow me though, did you?
Back home I was in action on Monday night in the Cardwell League in Eastbourne. Our team based form the HMI in Hailsham, was away to the Railway Club in Hampden Park.
I played really well considering I felt like someone had used me as a punchbag. Unfortunately our team lost. There were a number of games that could have gone either way, but this night they all went the way of the Railway Club.
Tuesday, was the Cracker League, and it was singles competitions night. I was drawn at the Kings Head in Horsebridge, with the rest of our team spread out at other venues. I was drawn out against Dudley Betson, a hard game for a first round, but I couldn't complain, as I'd pulled the names out for the draw anyway.
Dudley won the first leg, but I managed to take the next two and win the match. Next up was Keith Griffiths, who I beat 2-0, and then in the final, Eammon Connelly was my opponent.
This time Eammon took the first leg, but again I won the next two, and was through to finals night later in the year.
To be honest, I got away with playing badly tonight, but I took the chances when they were offered.
Elsewhere, other members of the team were in action, with Dan James qualifying at our home pub, and Dick Matthews losing in the semi finals at his venue.
That's the end of another week's exploits, I'm going to finish watching the Andorran goalie getting a bad back, then get some rest before Friday...I've got a few candles to blow out!
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Weather for Lewes
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
