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BOSTON FRIDAY NIGHT

INDIVIDUAL DARTS LEAGUE

Latest reports from the 2006-2007 season in the
Boston Friday Night Individual Darts League are:

Reports round-up for August 2006

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Round-up for week ending August 25, 2006

Boston Standard Premier Division

A new Friday Night Individual Darts League season is under way and while most players were a little “ring rusty” at the doubles, Graham Sharp was impressive in his opening game in the Boston Standard Premier Division. He recorded a 25.36 average, including a 180 and a 100 checkout in a 17-dart leg as he stormed to a 4-0 win over Chris “Joker” Royal who failed to see the funny side of the result!

Ady “Missile” Parker had his darts fine-tuned as he also hit a 180 in his game up against newcomer Shane Richardson. Ady had to be at his best to gain a 4-2 win with both players recording good averages in a tight match. Ady’s 25.26 average was narrowly better then Shane’s 24.11. Trev Day took on last year’s promoted champion Richard Pearson in an encounter in which both players failed to settle, each only recording 18.00 averages. But the result was the most important thing to start with and it was Richard who gained an emphatic 4-0 victory.

Colin Hewson’s return to the oche after an 18-month absence saw him below par up against Kev “Grinder” Lenton. It was Kev who gained the early advantage to lead 2-0. But despite being ring rusty Colin fought back and to his credit took the next three legs to lead 3-2. But the lack of recent regular action was Colin’s undoing and the “Grinder” went on to secure victory by a 4-3 margin.

Another of last year’s promoted players took to the oche next as Derek Johnson faced Tony Hillyard. Tony took the opening leg but Derek hit back with a 98 checkout in 18 darts to draw level. Derek then outplayed Tony to race into a 3-1 lead. But when his chance came to kill off the match, Derek failed to do so. This allowed Tony to storm back, hitting two 180s in consecutive legs to draw level. Tony went on to complete the great escape by taking the match 4-3 with a 24.18 average.

Dave Hasnip was next to the oche up against Colin Hewson who was making a swift return to the fray. The cobwebs looked to have been blown away as Colin hit 19 and 20 dart legs to lead 2-0. But Dave hit back with 17, 18 and 21 dart legs to take control before going on to win 4-2 punishing Colin for missed doubles!

The final game in the division on the opening night saw newcomer Chris Kerbal making his debut start up against Martyn Palmer. It was a tough baptism for Chris, but he held his own taking equal shares of the opening four legs. However, the experience of the seasoned campaigner stood Martyn in good stead against the newcomer, and it was he who went on to complete a narrow 4-2 victory.

Lincs Racing Championship

Mick Flynn got the action off to a flying start in the newly-named Lincs Racing Championship as he recorded a 23.13 average in the opening game en route to a 3-1 victory over Rob Birtwhistle. This average was the best in the division with none of the other games able to better it.

Darren Butler came the closest in his game against Redvers Dickinson. The newcomer opened with scores of 40, 140, 100, 100, 89 and 32 out for an impressive 17-dart leg. But he failed to maintain this standard. But a 3-0 victory with a 21.10 average was a good start to his season.

Another player making his debut was Daley Richardson. He took the first leg off Mick Vinters but the latter hit back to record a 3-1 win, hitting the division’s highest checkout of 85 to secure victory. Dick “Top-Pocket” Taylor produced a 180 in the first leg of his game with Pete “Fat-Controller” Reid. But misses at the double allowed Pete to steal the leg. Pete also took leg two before Dick managed to find a double in leg three. But Pete was always in control and he went on to open his campaign with a 3-1 win.

Rob Scrupps was pleased with his performance in the opening leg of his match against Ben Carr as he secured the lead in 20 darts. However, it took both players more than twice that span of darts that to find a double in the next two legs with Rob coming away the happier with a flattering 3-0 win.

Promoted Adie Blackham started his new season against Rick “Lumber-Jack” Woods. Adie began well by taking the first leg. But Rick swiftly felled Adie by taking three legs on the bounce to win. The impressive Mick Flynn returned to the oche, but he came up short this time as newcomer Dan Martin produced a 180 and some consistent scoring to beat a shell shocked Mick 3-0.

The final game saw Rob Birtwhistle make his second appearance of the night. Things went a little better for Rob as he gained a 3-1 victory at the expense of springbok Pedro Silva!

John Smiths Challenge League

The renaming of this section could turn out to be quite apt. One player who continues to find darts a challenge is Emma Grant. She failed to reach a three dart out-shot against newcomer James Harmer. He began well with a 20.31 average that included a 70 checkout in a 20-dart leg. And it was all too easy as he won 3-0.

The league’s oldest participant and possible favourite to take the title this year is George Harness. He began well as he faced two difficult opponents on the opening night and secured two victories. He started with a 3-0 victory over Paul Limb. Later he completed his action with a 2-1 victory over Diane Jenkins.

Next to the oche was a marathon encounter as another new boy, Adam Kemp, clashed with Christine Holmes. Despite a 3-0 scoreline in Adam’s favour, it took a staggering total of 302 darts at the board to reach this outcome! Elsewhere, Richard Attwell was made to sweat by Angie Upsall. Richard who was fortunately 1-0 up, was then stunned by a 24-dart leg from Angie to tie the game. But Richard held on to gain a 2-1 win as Angie failed to find her double in the decider.

An all-lady clash between Carla “Bambi” Slade and new girl Sharon Butler saw the former take a 1-0 lead. But in good old Bambi style, Carla took a slide allowing Sharon to serve up a 2-1 victory in her opening game.

Scott Lea has given up the banger track for the more leisurely pastime of darts. It seems to pay off, as he was always a leg ahead of Don Holmes and reached the chequered flag for a 2-1 victory. Dark horse and leading contender, Denis Turner, was not playing ball with newcomer Susan Games. Denis secured a 3-0 victory with a 72 checkout. Paul Limb, playing his second game of the evening, registered a 2-1 victory, albeit a hard fought one, as he had to brush aside newcomer Tina Willicombe.