The most exciting time is upon us...no not Christmas, darts!
So here it is… the start of the most fantastic time of year for us all, everyone gathered together and celebrating… you're thinking, yep, we know its Christmas, but you are wrong, it's the World Darts Championships for the next two weeks!
Before I get around to that, I'll reflect on the last week of darts that I've been playing. Our Kings Head team were at home last Friday to the gang from the Smugglers in Pevensey. As always we had a great night, and some close games. We even had a guest appearance from Captain Sheebo this week, lucky for him that he managed a win; he was hyped up by my wife and team captain Kristina, as star billing!
The team went on to win by a 7 – 2 margin, and I have now managed to calm down following a number of bounce outs that were costing me dearly… "Don't aim at the wires then" I hear you say!
My weekend was spent untangling Christmas tree lights and going out for Christmas meals in the evenings. Just watch everyone going on their fitness regimes for the first week of January… I'll be one of them, until I get distracted by some more food!
Back to darts, and on Wednesday it was back into action in the Royal Albert Singles League. It is still tight at the top, with Adrian Gray in first place, myself in second, and Shayne Burgess in third.
Tonight I was up against a lad called Jordan in my first match, and despite the distractions of some noisy Spurs fans watching their team beat Man City in the other bar, I managed a 4 – 1 win, with a bonus point for a 105 outshot. Adrian meanwhile was playing Shayne on another board, and I needed Shayne to do me some favours here, to reduce my six point deficit. Well, no favours from Shayne, as Adrian beat him 5 nil, and gained 3 bonus points for ton plus out shots. Great, an 8 nil by Adi, had put me further behind. Next for me was Ian Bingham, currently sitting in fourth place, so this was a hard match, and the pressure was on for me to do some catching up, or at least remain within striking distance of Adi.
I started well, and went ahead, Ian then levelled. I won the next leg, and then in the fourth leg had a shot at 126 to go 3 – 1 up. I hit the two treble 19's, and then hit a single 6 instead of a double. Ian then narrowly missed a 145 outshot, and we battled out for a few throws to try to hit double 3 and double 1 respectively. Fortunately I struck first, and then won the final leg for a 4 – 1 win. A good result, but some catching up for me to do in the second half of the season.
Now to the two World Championships, and I'll make my predictions for the winners. Phil Taylor in the Ladbrokes PDC tournament, and Tony O'Shea in the Lakeside BDO competition. I'll probably be attending both at some point over the next couple of weeks, so look out for some candid photos perhaps.
Diary of a Dart Player has received some further recognition… I've been asked to write a monthly version of it for Darts World magazine, a few trial issues are in the pipeline, and possibly leading to a permanent column.
I'd like to take this opportunity to give special thanks to those that have helped me over the past year. Final Score Sports Shops, Newton & Frost Fencing, Hill & Smith, Bluefin Insurance, and Trion – Z. (The begging letters will be out again in the New Year).
I hope that everyone enjoys a great Christmas, and a successful 2010
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Weather for Lewes
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 0 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -5 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South east
