A clock for five ton-eighties
This is the week I had set aside to go to Bolton to make my TV debut.
Alas this year the only way I'm going to get on the telly is by climbing on top of the one sitting in my lounge…though with my track record I'd probably fall off and injure myself. My Superleague team mate Adrian Gray was due to play on the first day of the tournament, meeting Diamond Dave Askew in the second round. I hope Adi has a great tournament, he deserves it.
The past week's darts started with me winning a nice shiny clock for getting the most 180s in the Eastbourne Cardwell League. I did not attend the finals night as I was away on holiday, so had no idea I had won until I got home.
Apparently I got five 180s in the season, so I'm happy with that…and looking forward to seeing my clock!
Monday was the start of the Cardwell Summer League, and my team from Hailsham MI were at home. I'm afraid I was out shaking out the dandruff at another rock concert: Black Stone Cherry this time. They were superb, and a band that people will hear a lot more of in the future. Anyway, the team began the season well with an 8-1 win.
On to Tuesday night, and the Harvey League in Hailsham. The Kings Head 'C' as we are known were at home to a team from the Hailsham MI. For the singles games the match was nip and tuck: after six games, we were all square at 3-3.
There were some close games as both sides have some quality players. We went into the pairs matches and it was myself and Captain Sheebo up first.
We got away well, and I was hitting some good scores despite two darts falling out of the treble 20 in consecutive throws. Either I need to throw harder or our board needs mowing! Sheebo left me 138 to win the leg, and despite having to take a sideways step to see if the first two darts were in the treble 20, I managed to hit double nine with my third dart. High finishes always feel good.
From that point on, the whole of our team put in some great performances, and we won the match without conceding another leg.
We are now unbeaten at the top of our division, and looking good to progress to the final four. This league is run as two separate divisions with the top two from each going to a mini-league to determine the league winners.
The others all go into a best of the rest tournament. This coming Monday is the singles competition, and I'm drawn among a good field of players at the Kings Head, Horsebridge.
Usually you pick out strong opponents in a competition draw, but the thing that concerns people more at this venue is the position of the fireplace. Put it this way, you are that close to it that if the fire was alight, you'd throw the darts pretty quickly, or your trousers would be smouldering!
Wednesday and we were back in Superleague action, with The Hollington Oak team at home to Newhaven.
I had a quick practice when we arrived, and things were looking good, I was hitting 180s and 140s for fun...why can't it always be this easy? Now, for the whole of last season, I was drawn out to play either last or second to last, and I suppose my preparation had fallen into that habit, so I was a bit shocked when my name came out to play first in the draw this week.
I was to play Sussex county player Darren Woolgar. I began the match well but it was Darren who checked out first, I was 1-0 down.
From then on I gained my scoring momentum from my earlier practice and went on to take the next three legs and win the match. A decent performance, and a 25.5 average. After my hammering last week, it was good to get a win under my belt.
Some great matches followed, with a MoM performance from our own Adrian Boyle and wins for Adi Gray and Phil Wanstall. From Newhaven there were wins for Paul Eves, Michael Donegan and Michael Hammond.
After eight matches it was all square and our Adam Bryant was up against Matt Walton. This match was finally won by Matt for Newhaven with a solid performance, and a great 143 check out thrown in for good measure.
That was it, our second defeat in two weeks, we need to get back on track. Next week we have a bye, so maybe it's time for a practice night.
Right, that's it for another week, I'm off to play golf now, and then it's four days of watching the UK Open Darts on TV. Come on Adi.
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Weather for Lewes
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -5 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -3 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North east
