Match Report
Round 10 was played last night with a few changes to the published fixtures due to the absence of two of our players. Darren and James got the ball rolling. A solid performance from Darren including the night's highest score of 135 left James behind on the scores. He checked out all three legs, one with the highest on the night - 54, to win the match 3-0 and gain 4 points to move ahead of James in the table.
Andy took on Craig next in a top-of-the-table clash. Both players were evenly matched, although perhaps not showing their best form as the scoring was below average with a few more darts than usual straying from the 20 and hitting 5 or 1. In the end you couldn't separate the two and it finished with a 2-2 draw.
The third and final match saw Ben play Sam. Ben took a 2-0 lead with a couple of accurate checkouts - looks like the practice helped - but Sam kept the pressure on with an impressive string of treble-19's, scoring 134 with one throw and just missing out on the highest score. Ben needed 133 in the third leg, hitting treble-20 followed by treble-17 to leave one dart at double-11 for the match. However the dart went half an inch wide to leave Sam with a chance to come back which she took: 2-1. She had the advantage of the throw in the final leg and scored steadily to stay ahead and take that leg as well, ending up with a well-deserved 2-2 draw.
Next Week
Round 11 is to be played on Monday 21st May.
Darren v BenRam v Andy
Sam v Anne
James v Craig
Tuesday, 15 May 2012
Tuesday, 8 May 2012
Bank Holiday Knockout - 7th May
Match Report
Two words - double trouble - sum up last night's knockout. The format was best-of-three from 301 with double-in as well as -out. While nobody actually failed to start a leg (by the skin of my teeth in one leg - more about that later), there were some close calls...
James and Darren played first, James taking an early lead in a slow first leg. Then Darren came back with some good scoring and even better checkout (74) to draw level and then win in the deciding leg. Sam was drawn against Andy in the second match. Andy put in his usual steady performance to win in straight legs with Sam having some trouble hitting her starting doubles. Anne received a bye to go straight into the semi-final round, leaving Ram and Ben to battle for the remaining place. Ben barely got started in the first leg, only hitting a starting double 7 when Ram had already reduced his total to double-top which he hit on his next throw. The second leg was much closer, both players getting off to a quick start and Ben even throwing a 140. However he was let down by poor finishing again, missing three chances to check out and giving Ram the chance take the second leg and the game.
Darren played Andy in the first semi. Andy had the edge in accuracy on the doubles and with his steady scoring again secured the first final place. Anne faced Ram in the second semi-final but struggled and lost in straight legs to Ram, this despite a dip in his form in this round.
The final saw Andy take on Ram and I would have backed Andy after the previous round. However as it turned out both players were sharp when it came to the opening doubles but Ram was well ahead on the scoring and took advantage to check out both times without too much pressure from Andy. So it was congratulations and £10 to Ram as the winner, and commiserations and £5 to Andy as runner up. A big thank you to the players and also to those who watched and supported.
League News
Because of holidays there has been a small change to the match schedule to insert a catch-up week before the finals - many thanks for letting me know this far in advance because it makes my job so much easier. Here's the new updated fixture list.
Next Week
Round 10, postponed from last week, will be played on 14th May.
Andy v Anne
Ben v Sam
Craig v Ram
Darren v James
James v Ram
Two words - double trouble - sum up last night's knockout. The format was best-of-three from 301 with double-in as well as -out. While nobody actually failed to start a leg (by the skin of my teeth in one leg - more about that later), there were some close calls...
James and Darren played first, James taking an early lead in a slow first leg. Then Darren came back with some good scoring and even better checkout (74) to draw level and then win in the deciding leg. Sam was drawn against Andy in the second match. Andy put in his usual steady performance to win in straight legs with Sam having some trouble hitting her starting doubles. Anne received a bye to go straight into the semi-final round, leaving Ram and Ben to battle for the remaining place. Ben barely got started in the first leg, only hitting a starting double 7 when Ram had already reduced his total to double-top which he hit on his next throw. The second leg was much closer, both players getting off to a quick start and Ben even throwing a 140. However he was let down by poor finishing again, missing three chances to check out and giving Ram the chance take the second leg and the game.
Darren played Andy in the first semi. Andy had the edge in accuracy on the doubles and with his steady scoring again secured the first final place. Anne faced Ram in the second semi-final but struggled and lost in straight legs to Ram, this despite a dip in his form in this round.
The final saw Andy take on Ram and I would have backed Andy after the previous round. However as it turned out both players were sharp when it came to the opening doubles but Ram was well ahead on the scoring and took advantage to check out both times without too much pressure from Andy. So it was congratulations and £10 to Ram as the winner, and commiserations and £5 to Andy as runner up. A big thank you to the players and also to those who watched and supported.
League News
Because of holidays there has been a small change to the match schedule to insert a catch-up week before the finals - many thanks for letting me know this far in advance because it makes my job so much easier. Here's the new updated fixture list.
Next Week
Round 10, postponed from last week, will be played on 14th May.
Andy v Anne
Ben v Sam
Craig v Ram
Darren v James
James v Ram
Friday, 4 May 2012
Updated Fixtures
Match Postponed
Because the pub was so busy with the Manchester derby being played on Monday night I took the decision to postpone that night's darts. This means that all the remaining fixtures have been pushed back.
Next Week
Next week, Monday 7th May, is a Bank Holiday and there will be a knockout. £2.50 to enter, starting from 8pm. Double-in, best of 3 legs played from 501 (301 in the case of a big turnout). As usual all are welcome to join in - not just regular league players.
Next League Matches
With Craig back from his holiday we should have a full complement for Round 10 on the 14th May. These will be the matches:
Andy v Anne
Ben v Sam
Craig v Ram
Darren v James
James v Ram
Because the pub was so busy with the Manchester derby being played on Monday night I took the decision to postpone that night's darts. This means that all the remaining fixtures have been pushed back.
Next Week
Next week, Monday 7th May, is a Bank Holiday and there will be a knockout. £2.50 to enter, starting from 8pm. Double-in, best of 3 legs played from 501 (301 in the case of a big turnout). As usual all are welcome to join in - not just regular league players.
Next League Matches
With Craig back from his holiday we should have a full complement for Round 10 on the 14th May. These will be the matches:
Andy v Anne
Ben v Sam
Craig v Ram
Darren v James
James v Ram
Tuesday, 24 April 2012
League Table & Fixtures - 23rd April
Match Report
Only three matches were played last night in round 9 with Ram being away. Andy and Ben played first with Andy hitting some high scores (two 125's and several other ton-pluses). Ben did manage to get down to a checkout in each leg despite some inconsistent throwing - try to get all three darts in the board next time - but poor aim on the doubles counted against him yet again, Andy winning 3-0 despite leaving the door open with an uncharacteristic lack of precision in his checking out. Andy also hit a finish of 60 to win the prize for highest checkout.
Anne and Craig were second up and Craig threw some steady darts including a 140 which won him the high score prize. Finishing was weaker than usual from both players but Craig had the best of it to win 3-0. The third and last match saw Sam take on Darren. Both players like their 19's and there were a good few treble-19's in a contest that was fairly evenly-matched for scores. Darren had the edge in accuracy on his doubles though, and finished with a 3-0 win.
Next Week
Bit of a reshuffle in next week's fixtures to work around holidays.
Andy v Anne
Ben v Sam
Darren v James
James v Ram
Knockout
The following week (7th May) will be another knockout, this time featuring double-in - it's an area of the game where we're all a little weak and this ought to provide a little incentive to tighten things up. But don't worry - we won't be using my practice board with the half-width doubles.
Only three matches were played last night in round 9 with Ram being away. Andy and Ben played first with Andy hitting some high scores (two 125's and several other ton-pluses). Ben did manage to get down to a checkout in each leg despite some inconsistent throwing - try to get all three darts in the board next time - but poor aim on the doubles counted against him yet again, Andy winning 3-0 despite leaving the door open with an uncharacteristic lack of precision in his checking out. Andy also hit a finish of 60 to win the prize for highest checkout.
Anne and Craig were second up and Craig threw some steady darts including a 140 which won him the high score prize. Finishing was weaker than usual from both players but Craig had the best of it to win 3-0. The third and last match saw Sam take on Darren. Both players like their 19's and there were a good few treble-19's in a contest that was fairly evenly-matched for scores. Darren had the edge in accuracy on his doubles though, and finished with a 3-0 win.
Next Week
Bit of a reshuffle in next week's fixtures to work around holidays.
Andy v Anne
Ben v Sam
Darren v James
James v Ram
Knockout
The following week (7th May) will be another knockout, this time featuring double-in - it's an area of the game where we're all a little weak and this ought to provide a little incentive to tighten things up. But don't worry - we won't be using my practice board with the half-width doubles.
Thursday, 19 April 2012
League Table & Fixtures - 16th April
Match Report
On with the second half of the league! Round 8 was played on Monday night along with the outstanding match from round 7. First up, Craig beat Ben 3-1 in a match that was ultimately decided by checkout accuracy. The second match was Darren against Andy which Andy won 3-1. Despite some good scores from Darren, Andy showed an accurate aim to set up his finishes. Next to play were Ram and Anne. Unfortunately Anne was not on top form and tiredness showed after the first leg, Ram finishing the clear winner 3-0. Darren played Craig in the match postponed from Round 7 and produced an upset to win 3-1, while in the final match of the night James beat Sam 3-0.
Darren and Ram both scored 140's to share the prize for highest score, while Craig's 47 checkout in the first match proved good enough to last the night, winning him the prize for highest checkout. Congratulations to all three of them!
Next Week
Here are the Round 9 fixtures for Monday 23rd April.
Andy v Ben
Anne v Craig
James v Ram
Sam v Darren
On with the second half of the league! Round 8 was played on Monday night along with the outstanding match from round 7. First up, Craig beat Ben 3-1 in a match that was ultimately decided by checkout accuracy. The second match was Darren against Andy which Andy won 3-1. Despite some good scores from Darren, Andy showed an accurate aim to set up his finishes. Next to play were Ram and Anne. Unfortunately Anne was not on top form and tiredness showed after the first leg, Ram finishing the clear winner 3-0. Darren played Craig in the match postponed from Round 7 and produced an upset to win 3-1, while in the final match of the night James beat Sam 3-0.
Darren and Ram both scored 140's to share the prize for highest score, while Craig's 47 checkout in the first match proved good enough to last the night, winning him the prize for highest checkout. Congratulations to all three of them!
Next Week
Here are the Round 9 fixtures for Monday 23rd April.
Andy v Ben
Anne v Craig
James v Ram
Sam v Darren
Thursday, 12 April 2012
Pairs Knockout - Easter Monday
First off, apologies for the lateness of this update: I simply haven't been able to find the time. But now that I have, on with the darts!
Match Report
It was a new format for the Easter Monday knockout: pairs. We had ten players on the night making five pairs (obviously), so that meant a preliminary round to decide the line-up in the semi finals.
The pairs were: Ram & Sam, Ben & Anne, John & Mark, Andy & Matt and James & Gwyn. Both Gwyn and John have competed in previous leagues in the Standard while Matt has competed in knockouts. Mark is a relative newcomer to the Standard's darts events, if not the Standard itself, having only competed in last year's Bullseye, although he is a regular weekend visitor here and member of the darts team in his own local. It was a real pleasure to see some new (and old) faces taking part.
First up were Andy & Matt versus James & Gwyn. James opened the night's play with Shanghai - 120 - and he and Gwyn maintained their momentum to claim the fourth SF spot.
The first semi final saw Ram & Sam take on Ben & Anne. The scoring was well-matched on both sides and both pairs had chances to finish but it was Ram & Sam who proved more accurate on the doubles and booked the first spot in the final.
The next semi involved qualifiers James & Gwyn against John & Mark. The previous match unfortunately seemed to have sapped the strength of the qualifiers and they could not match the steadiness of John & Mark's scoring or the strength of their finishing.
After a short interlude for refreshment it was time for the climax of the night - the Final. Ram was closest to the bull to give him & Sam the advantage of first throw but he struggled to find his usual form and despite some good scores from Sam they were beaten by John & Mark who showed impressive consistency in scoring and checking out. So it was congratulations to John and Mark on their win and £20 to split between them.
Next Week
There's one postponed match left to play from round 7 in addition to the regular round 8 matches.
Craig v Ben
Darren v Andy
Darren v Craig
Ram v Anne
Sam v James
Match Report
It was a new format for the Easter Monday knockout: pairs. We had ten players on the night making five pairs (obviously), so that meant a preliminary round to decide the line-up in the semi finals.
The pairs were: Ram & Sam, Ben & Anne, John & Mark, Andy & Matt and James & Gwyn. Both Gwyn and John have competed in previous leagues in the Standard while Matt has competed in knockouts. Mark is a relative newcomer to the Standard's darts events, if not the Standard itself, having only competed in last year's Bullseye, although he is a regular weekend visitor here and member of the darts team in his own local. It was a real pleasure to see some new (and old) faces taking part.
First up were Andy & Matt versus James & Gwyn. James opened the night's play with Shanghai - 120 - and he and Gwyn maintained their momentum to claim the fourth SF spot.
The first semi final saw Ram & Sam take on Ben & Anne. The scoring was well-matched on both sides and both pairs had chances to finish but it was Ram & Sam who proved more accurate on the doubles and booked the first spot in the final.
The next semi involved qualifiers James & Gwyn against John & Mark. The previous match unfortunately seemed to have sapped the strength of the qualifiers and they could not match the steadiness of John & Mark's scoring or the strength of their finishing.
After a short interlude for refreshment it was time for the climax of the night - the Final. Ram was closest to the bull to give him & Sam the advantage of first throw but he struggled to find his usual form and despite some good scores from Sam they were beaten by John & Mark who showed impressive consistency in scoring and checking out. So it was congratulations to John and Mark on their win and £20 to split between them.
Next Week
There's one postponed match left to play from round 7 in addition to the regular round 8 matches.
Craig v Ben
Darren v Andy
Darren v Craig
Ram v Anne
Sam v James
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
League Table and Fixtures - 2nd April
Match Report
We're half way through the league now and the table has settled into some kind of order with the top 4 still very close. That's not to say there won't be any upsets in the coming weeks: the standard of darts is so close that anybody could win on the night.
Ram and Ben got the proceedings under way in a close match which Ram won 3-1 thanks to sharper finishing. Anne played James but despite some steady scoring didn't manage to win a leg and James took it 3-0. Finally Sam played top-of-the-table Andy. She put him under some pressure but he kept cool and landed his checkout doubles without too much trouble to win 3-0. Unfortunately Craig and Darren couldn't play their match due to illness so their fixture has been postponed until April 16th: get well soon guys! Finally a big thank you to Anne for providing a lovely chicken curry that got her two marriage proposals from well-satisfied diners!
Next Week
The league takes a week's break for Easter so instead there will be a pairs knockout on Easter Monday. The pairs will be drawn at random with the top league players seeded to keep things balanced. This competition is open to everybody: just turn up on the night. As usual it starts from 8pm and will cost £2.50 per player to enter.
We're half way through the league now and the table has settled into some kind of order with the top 4 still very close. That's not to say there won't be any upsets in the coming weeks: the standard of darts is so close that anybody could win on the night.
Ram and Ben got the proceedings under way in a close match which Ram won 3-1 thanks to sharper finishing. Anne played James but despite some steady scoring didn't manage to win a leg and James took it 3-0. Finally Sam played top-of-the-table Andy. She put him under some pressure but he kept cool and landed his checkout doubles without too much trouble to win 3-0. Unfortunately Craig and Darren couldn't play their match due to illness so their fixture has been postponed until April 16th: get well soon guys! Finally a big thank you to Anne for providing a lovely chicken curry that got her two marriage proposals from well-satisfied diners!
Next Week
The league takes a week's break for Easter so instead there will be a pairs knockout on Easter Monday. The pairs will be drawn at random with the top league players seeded to keep things balanced. This competition is open to everybody: just turn up on the night. As usual it starts from 8pm and will cost £2.50 per player to enter.
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