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BOSTON FRIDAY NIGHT

INDIVIDUAL DARTS LEAGUE

 

Latest reports from the 2005-2006 season in the
Boston Friday Night Individual Darts League are:  

 

 

Reports for matches played Friday December 16

 

   

Target Premier League

 

With only three games played in “catch-up” week in the top division, one player desperate for points was Trev Day in his efforts to avoid a swift return back to the level below. He faced Martyn Palmer in his opening match. Both players failed to settle early on and the opening 26-dart leg went Martyn’s way for a 1-0 lead. After that, the gulf between the two players was apparent as Martyn thrashed Trev. A 17-dart leg checked out on 100 put Martyn 2-0 up swiftly followed by another 17-dart leg for a 3-0 lead. Martyn wrapped up the match in style scoring 135, 100, 60, 105, 101 (out) for a 15-dart leg to finish with a 26.72 average (top in division). It drew Martyn level briefly with Shane Parker at the top.

 

But the latter was next up to the oche against Chris Royal. With Chris on a losing run of four matches, he must have thought all that was about to change as he found himself 2-0 up after two poor legs from the current leader.  Shane, though, sparked into life in leg three by hitting a 112 checkout in an 18-dart leg. Another followed to tie up the match at 2-2. Chris responded and two 140s at the start of leg five put him in command and he regained the lead at 3-2 in 18 darts. But Chris failed to take his chances to close out the game and Shane rode out his luck once again to escape with a fortunate 4-3 win. 

 

The final game saw Trev Day return to play Steve Davis in a relegation six pointer. Trev started well by scoring 100, 123, 100, and 58. But his 120 attempted checkout missed. He scored 100 to leave 20.  Steve was way back and when Trev missed double 10 again Steve struck a killer blow with a 102 checkout to take a 1-0 lead. Three poor legs then followed as Trev continued to miss his chances. In fact, if the double section had been the size of a barn door, Trev would probably still have missed. This allowed Steve to record a 4-0 win and move up the table, leaving Trev firmly rooted to the bottom!

 

Lincs Racing Division Two

 

Harry Lee tops the Lincs Racing Division Two section after a 3-1 win over Kev Dickinson, this after Kev had taken a 1-0 lead against the throw when hitting a 73 checkout (top in the division) in the opening leg. But Harry failed to mark the following game and he may yet receive some points deductions when the committee meets next on January 13 at 7pm.

 

Richard Pearson hit the best average once again. This time a 20.02 was needed to come back from 1-0 down against Redvers Dickinson. It gave Richard a 3-1 win with a 21-dart leg, the highlight of the match. 

 

Had Kev Dickinson taken the opening leg when he returned to play Mick Flynn it could have been a win and a defeat on the night. But he failed at the double in the opening leg and Mick took a 40-dart leg to snatch a 1-0 lead. After that the game was much closer. Kev took leg two to draw level at 1-1 knowing that he should really have been 2-0 up. And the pressure would then have been on Mick to come back. But it was not to be. Mick went 2-1 up only to then watch Kev hit a 19-dart leg (best of the match) to force the decider. Unfortunately for Kev that opening leg proved costly as Mick went on to win 3-2 knowing that he had escaped to stay in the top three. 

 

Scott Lea has only notched one win in 14 attempts as he struggles to cross the winning line. Up against Dick “Top-Pocket” Taylor, Scott took his rival the distance with a good 21 dart leg. But it was Dick who hit double 16 with his 148th dart from his shirt to win 3-2.

 

John Smith’s Division Three

 

In John Smith’s Division Three, Chris Ray will be on top for Christmas after a 3-0 win over Don Holmes moved him two points clear ahead of Ady Blackham who was not in action. 

 

Matty Grant had a mixed night — a 2-1 win over Carla Slade was secured with a 90 checkout in the deciding leg. But that was followed by a 2-1 defeat to George Harness. George completed a “Grant double” with victory over Emma also by a 2-1 scoreline. 

 

Rob Birtwhistle claimed both awards in the section, his 18.10 average and a 100 checkout were too good for Di Jenkins allowing Rob to claim a deserved 3-0 victory. 

 

The final game saw dark horse Denis Turner come from 1-0 down against Angie Upsall to win 2-1 hitting a 72 checkout in the decider. It maintains his outside chance of getting into the top three. Fourth place is now secure at present by some five points with half the season now completed.

 

Important notices

 

Play in the league restarts after the Christmas and New Year break on January 13. But the first week will be only for Division Three players. Premier section and Division Two will return to the oche one week (January 20). Players should also note that Premier Division fixtures are not as fixture sheet suggests for the week of April 7 as this particular week is will be contested early to avoid clashing with the Old Leake finals night.

 

The next Friday Night Individual Darts League committee meeting is on January 13 at 7pm.

 

 

 

 

Reports for matches played Friday December 9

 

   

Target Premier Division

 

Whatever happens in the top division, one thing is assured. And that is Shane Parker will lead the table at Christmas — and he will still be there in the New Year. Although not in action this week his points amassed so far mean that he cannot be toppled before late January at the earliest due to a festive break in the fixtures schedule (see at the foot of this report). 

 

December 9’s action saw his nearest challenger Jamie Robson fail to win as he found opponent Dave Hasnip difficult to overcome. The match went the full seven legs and it was Dave who came away with the spoils for a 4-3 win. The scoreline, though, fails to tell the true story with Dave remarkably holding a 3-0 lead at one point. He was hauled back to 3-3 but Jamie was unable to complete the fightback.

 

Martin Palmer gained a flattering 4-0 win over Debra Royal, his best leg being an 18-darter, while his worst was in 27 darts. However, the scoreline was the most important factor, not the 23.03 average.

 

Bob Mountain looks as if 2006 will see him in a three-way relegation battle. Up against Ady Parker he could only manage three darts at a double in one of the four legs played!  He failed with his attempt and Ady went on to rub salt in the wounds with a match-winning leg of just 13 darts—scoring 140, 140, 100, 91, and 30 (out), to win 4-0 in style. 

 

Graham Sharpe took on Simon Trigg and the opening leg went to a 75th dart, this somehow after Simon had started the match with three consecutive tons.  But he followed that with 21 darts at a double (all of which were missed) and Graham accepted the early Christmas present to lead 1-0.  Graham was relieved to get such a gift as Simon made little mistake after that, hitting a 94 checkout (top in division) in 17 darts to draw level. A 23-dart leg then put him 2-1 up and 20 darts later it was 3-1. Simon went on to secure a 4-1 win when hitting 60, 81, 100, 100, 100, and 60 (out) for an 18-dart leg. 

 

The final game in the division produced the best performance of the night as Mick Ray played Kev Lenton. Kev started well enough, hitting 66, 125, 180, 100 with his opening four throws, but he bust twice on his double, allowing Mick a chance to steel a leg that should have been won a long time before!  Mick, though, missed and Kev held a 1-0 lead. Mick missed very little after that, though, putting Kev to the sword. Scores of 100, 140, 100, and 97 were enough to secure leg two and 100, 100, 95, and 78 also put him in command of leg three to go 2-1 up.  By now Mick had found his range and he was on fire. Kev was swept away with 16, and 15 dart legs, allowing Mick a 4-1 win with a 25.62 average. But his last three legs saw Mick record a superb 30.06 average. Kev’s solitary point took him out of the bottom two just ahead of Bob Mountain and Trev Day.

 

Players should note that any outstanding fixtures should be caught up this Friday (December 16)

 

Lincs Racing Division Two

 

Regrettably, Andy Skipworth has withdrawn from the division and all points have been deducted from this week’s updated tables. Thankfully, though, his decision has made little change to the top players as most had gained wins. 

 

Harry Lee moved to the top of the table this week. But he needed all five legs to overcome Scott Lea.  The latter hit a 180 and took a lead of 2-1 at one point, but Harry fought back to win 3-2 with an 18.84 average and also hitting a 94 checkout (top in the division). 

 

Richard Pearson tied with Harry at the top on points after he produced a 21.47 average (top in the division) in a 3-0 win over Mick Vinters. 

 

Derek Johnson dropped off the pace a little after he went down 3-2 to Redvers Dickinson. It was a tight game with little between the averages (19.45 and 19.55 respectively). 

 

Mick Vinters made a swift return to winning ways at the expense of Scott Lea. The former won 3-0 to leave Scott at the wrong end of the table. 

 

The final game saw Dick “Top-Pocket” Taylor visit his shirt some 135 times during the course of his match with Kev Dickinson. Unfortunately it was all in vain as Kev ran out a 3-2 winner, despite Dick averaging higher! 

 

John Smith’s Division Three

 

Terry Shepherd has withdrawn from this division and all corresponding points have been deducted. 

 

This allows Ady Blackham to still head the table after yet another 3-0 win. His average of 15.03  (top in the division) was far too good for Emma Grant. 

 

Third placed Pete Johnson could only manage another narrow 2-1 win as he struggled to overcome Angie Upsall. 

 

Denise Turner hit the division’s best average, his 16.29 figure was enough to overcome opponent Matty Grant 2-1, this  after Matty had hit a 60 checkout to force the decider. 

 

The final game saw Suzy Watson take Keith Dack the distance. Suzy took a 1-0 lead before Keith hit back to win 2-1, hitting the division’s best checkout of 64 in the final leg. 

 

Fixtures notice

 

All players are asked to note that after this Friday’s (December 16), there will be a three-week break from Friday Night Individual Darts League action. Fixtures will restart on January 20.

 

 

 

 

 

Reports for matches played Friday December 2

 

   

Target Premier League

 

This week’s opening game in the Target Premier Division featured Jamie Robson and Bob Mountain. With Jamie in hot pursuit of the “big cash” championship prize, it was a must win game for him to keep the pressure on Shane Parker who currently holds top spot.  Both players were slow into their stride and the opening two legs were shared. Although Jamie was not on top form he went on to take a 3-1 advantage, before his best leg with a 70 checkout in 18 darts won the match, securing a 4-1 win in the process to go second in the table. The result left Bob anchored at the wrong end! 

 

Ady Parker is also coming good this season. A new set of darts has clearly worked wonders — unlike opponent Dave Hasnip who has mysteriously lost his! A borrowed set, though, saw him hit a 180 in leg one to lead 1-0. But Ady fought back, taking three legs in a row to turn it around. Dave to his credit then hit 60, 140, 140, 97, and 64 out for a 15-dart leg to sta in the match at 2-3 down. But Ady did enough to secure a 4–2 win and stay in the top five. 

 

Mick Ray leapfrogs Ady into fourth after giving Trev Day a battering. Mick rattled in 18, 17, and 18 dart legs to race in to a 3-0 lead with a 28.35 average. Trev got in a blow somehow taking leg four with a 55 checkout as Mick blew nine darts at a double. Normal service was resumed in leg six with Mick scoring 100, 140, 100, 140, and 21 out for game shot in 15 darts, taking a 4-1 win and a final average of 27.01 (top in the division). 

 

Chris Royal could only manage a 180 in his game with Simon Trigg. Trouble was Simon hit one too. He also scored better and hit his doubles to boot! Thus a 4-0 scoreline led Chris back in to the kitchen with the “mild green stuff” that’s obviously made his hands far too soft for winning!

 

Another player on a bit of a losing run is Kev Lenton. Gone is the long slow grinding games that saw him play better the longer the games went for 4-3 results.  He fails to get past four legs in a game these days!  Unfortunately it was Steve Davis who conquered Kev this week with a 4-0 whipping to ease Steve’s plight at the bottom with a move up the table thus dropping Kev well and truly in it.

 

Graham Sharp is also on the move, albeit at a snail’s pace up against Shane Parker. Both players failed to produce a classic. The only drama in the game came towards the end of the match with Shane 3-2 up and in command of leg six after hitting 180 to leave 10. Graham still required a massive 210, but Shane missed twice and Graham chipped away with a 40 and a 60 to leave 110. He could have never expected another go, but he got one and a 110 checkout (top in division) was hit to tie the game at 3-3. The deciding leg saw Graham leave 110 again with Shane back on 148 this time. Graham missed, allowing Shane a chance to secure the win. He hit treble 20 and treble 16 but tops was missed allowing Graham to grab a 4-3 win and inflict only Shane’s second defeat of the season by the same score line! 

 

Tony Hillyard pulled off a Houdini style escape. Up against Debra Royal he led 1-0, only to watch Deb hit 16, 17, and 21 dart legs to swiftly turn it around in to a 3-1 lead. But Tony fought back and a 180 in 19 darts made it 3-2 and another 19-dart leg tied the game at 3-3. Tony then went on to complete his feat to win 4-3. 

 

Lincs Racing Division Two

 

None of the top five players were in action this week. But one player looking to force his way in is Peter “Pedro” Silva. And with two games to play on the night he could have forced his way into contention.  He started against Paul Storr and with both players at the top of their game, a tight five-leg match followed. Paul hit his doubles to take advantage by winning 3-2 which included 71 and 111 checkouts (top in the division). 

 

In game two Pedro fared better at the expense of Scott Lea. A 3-1 win this time gave him a five-point haul on the night and a useful climb up the table. 

 

Mick Parker fought back from 1-0 down to lead John Paul Carney 2-1. But John Paul hit a 90 checkout in leg four to draw level at 2-2. However, Mick hung on to win the match 3-2. 

 

Rob “Quickfire” Scrupps cannot find a double at present. A 140 followed by a 118 should have made him favourite in the opening leg against Paul Storr. But no double was found. And Rob never seemed to get over that as Paul ran out a 3-0 winner leaving Rob on 98 and 214 as Paul recorded a 20.31 average (top in the division). 

 

Redvers Dickinson threw 95 darts in his re-arranged game with Mick Parker but he came away a lot happier than Mick who failed to take a leg despite 90 darts thrown.

 

John Smith’s Division Three

 

Ady Blackham keeps building on his good run of late which now sees him back on top after a 3-0 win over Rob Birtwhistle. This was the only whitewash in the division and it was enough to take him one point ahead of the field as all his pursuers could only manage 2-1 victories. 

 

Chris Ray hit the division’s best average of 16.86 but he made hard work of overcoming a resurgent Emma Grant to gain a narrow 2-1 win. 

 

Suzy Watson also made high-flying Pete Johnson sweat. Her 14.57 average was a good effort which made Pete work hard for a narrow 2-1 with a 13.86 average. 

 

Carla Slade kept the good work of the girls going as she went down 2-1 to Don Holmes.

 

Di Jenkins also gave Matty Grant a scare. Fortunately for him he was 2 – 0 up when Di struck back in leg three. 

 

The highest checkout in the division came when Richard Atwell overcame Denis Turner 2-1. Richard hit a 51 checkout to win the match in the decider, this after Denis had drawn level with the best leg of the match in 22 darts.