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BOSTON FRIDAY NIGHT

INDIVIDUAL DARTS LEAGUE

 

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Reports round-up for February 2006

 

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Round-up for week ending February 24, 2006

 

Boston Standard Premier Division

 

Tony Hillyard picked up an impressive double win. He opened with a hard fought 4-1 victory over Chris Royal in his first game before he had to claw his way back in game two against Graham Sharp. Graham went in front at 1-0 up after Tony had opened with a 180. But he failed to find a double. A scrappy leg two followed that went Tony’s way to draw level at 1-1. But Graham picked up his game, increasing his lead to 3-1 with 23 and 17 dart legs. However, Tony roared back after that. A 129 checkout secured leg five for a 3-2 win and scores of  25, 180, 100, 100, 96 out made it 3-3 in just 14 darts. The decider was won in 17 darts by Tony for a 4-3 success with an impressive 28.90 average recorded for his blistering last three legs of darts.

 

The top four players in the division were all in action in quick succession. Mick Ray was first to the oche against Bob Mountain and the gulf between the players this year was apparent as Mick secured a 4-0 win with a 26.02 average, leaving a shell shocked Bob with no checkout in any leg.

 

Martyn Palmer faced Graham Sharp in a real battle and it was the latter who showed some clinical one-dart finishing to storm into a 2-0 lead. Martyn cut the deficit when taking leg three with an 80 checkout. But Graham restored his two-leg advantage again taking the next for a 3-1 lead. Martyn’s response was again emphatic as he hit 140, 140, 60, 60, 60, 40 (out) for a 16-dart leg. But Graham secured the win 4-2 with another one-dart finish.

 

Leader Shane Parker went 2-1 up against Deb Royal, but Deb’s response was to hit a 113 checkout to tie the match at 2-2. However, her doubles went astray after that and this allowed Shane to secure a 4-2 win.

 

Martyn Palmer’s response to defeat earlier was emphatic as he returned to batter Chris Royal 4-0 with a 25.36 average. It gave the ‘Joker’ little to smile about.

 

This was also the case in the final game of the night as once again Trev Day lost! This time Ady Parker ran out a 4-1 winner to close on the top three and leave Trev well rooted to the bottom.

Lincs Racing Division Two

 

Pedro Silva’s recent poor run continues. But to be fair, he did come up against a player in form as Mick Flynn recorded the division’s best average of 21.33 that saw him win 3-1 to stay in the top three.

 

It’s taken an age but Rick Woods has at last climbed off the bottom. Two games saw him gain a 3-1 win over Rob Scrupps. But a 3-1 defeat to Paul Storr followed. Despite this, his points haul got him ahead of Scott Lea who crashed out to table topper Harry Lee 3-0.

 

High flying Derek Johnson came a cropper this week as Mick Parker showed him how to hit a barn door — something that Derek never looked like doing in a shock 3-0 defeat.

 

Richard Pearson kept up the pressure at the top with a 20.87 average in a 3-1 win over Redvers Dickinson and the final game saw Mick Vinters continue his progress up the table after a 3-0 win over Dick ‘Top Pocket’ Taylor.

John Smith’s Division Three


Ady Blackham extended his lead at the top after hitting a 70 checkout. And the division’s top average of 16.33 saw him record a 3-0 victory over Richard Atwell. 

 

Second placed Chris Ray lost ground on the leader once again after a narrow 2-1 win over Angie Upsall. Chris went down in game two 2-1 to Rob Birtwhistle.  Rob moved up the table when he followed up with a 2-1 win over Di Jenkins. This gave him a double on the night and shot him up the table in to fifth place. 

 

A husband and wife encounter followed as Don and Christine Holmes did battle. With the score at 1-1, it was Don who secured the bragging rights going on to win the match 2-1. 

 

Carla Slade was unable to follow up last week’s heroics as she faced Peter Johnson. Pete secured a 3-0 win to make up ground on the top two players.  The final game in the division saw Don Holmes take an early 1-0 lead against George Harness. But George levelled the game at 1-1 with the division’s best checkout of 82 before going on to win the match 2-1.

 

 

Round-up for week ending February 17, 2006

 

Boston Standard Premier Division

 

There was little action in the top section this week with several players chasing glory in the Scottish Open. One game that did take place was between Steve Davis and Bob Mountain in a relegation six-pointer. Steve was a little faster into his stride and although both players were evenly matched in terms of scoring, Steve put away the doubles to lead 3-0. Bob got his game together and started the fightback, taking the next two legs to make it 3-2. But Steve killed the game off with a superb leg of darts in the next when he scored 140, 140, 180, to leave 41 after just nine darts. The 11-dart leg escaped as Steve scored 31, but he put the remaining double five away to end the match in just 13 darts for a 4-2 win. 

 

Mick Ray was back to winning ways this week after two defeats. He produced a 24.99 average this week in his game with Dave Hasnip. His scoring was a lot better, hitting a 180 and numerous 140s. But doubles went astray. But for once his opponent was unable to capitalise as Mick ran out a 4-1 winner, the highlight being  two solid 18-dart legs.

 

The final game in the division saw Ady Parker and Kev Lenton do battle. Ady went into a 2-0 lead but Kev found a 94 checkout to pull one back. Ady increased his lead to 3-1 in a leg that saw Kev fail to score above 45. In fact, he still required 234 when Ady checked out. Kev said it was down to bounce-outs, but he put it behind him to take leg five and make it 3-2 although this was after Ady had failed to find a double with 15 darts. Normal service, though, was resumed in the next leg as Ady took the match 4-2 to remain in the top four at the top end of the table. 

 

Lincs Racing Division Two

 

Harry Lee regained top spot after he achieved an excellent double on the night. He opened with a 93 checkout to lead 1-0 against opponent Paul Storr, but the latter fought back to turn it around and take a 2-1 lead. Table topper Harry responded by hitting an 84 checkout to tie up the match at 2-2 before going on to win 3-2 in 21 darts. It gave Harry a 20.40 average.

 

But that was a figure he bettered in game two when up against Derek Johnson. Harry shot in to a 2-0 lead against one of his nearest rivals, only for Derek to get back in to the match at 2-1. Harry was in determined mode and went on to complete a 3-1 win with a 23.60 average to Derek’s 20.50 average in defeat. 

 

Next up was a battle of the Dickinsons as Kev took on Redvers. Kev got off to a flyer, going 1-0 up in 15 darts. But seasoned campaigner Redvers hit back to take the match 3-1. 

 

At the other end of the table Mick Parker gained a much needed 3-1 victory over Scott Lea while bottom placed Rick Woods went down narrowly to Dick “Top Pocket” Taylor. In a game that went the distance, Dick managed a 3-2 win with his 149th dart of the match! 

 

Paul Storr upset the form book when he returned to beat high-flying Pedro Silva 3-0 and the final game saw another player who is on a good run at the moment as Mick Vinters continued his winning streak this time it was at the expense of Rob “Quick-Fire” Scrupps.

 

John Smith’s Division Three

 

Little change at the top this week despite Carla Slade causing the night’s shock result as she belied her position to beat current leader Ady Blackham 2-1.

 

His nearest opponent, Chris Ray, failed to take maximum points in his game with George Harness. However, a 2-1 win did see him reduce the gap to four points at the top. 

 

Matt Grant slipped down the table after he suffered a double defeat on the night going down 2-1 to Keith Dack and also by the same scoreline to high-flying Denis Turner.

 

Ironically wife Emma produced a better performance then her hubby although she also went down 2-1 to Keith Dack. But Emma managed to beat Denis Turner 2-1. 

 

In a battle of the bottom two, Di Jenkins stays ahead of Christine Holmes by a four-point margin after she secured a 2-1 win over her fellow struggler. Rob Birtwhistle’s 15.03 average was just enough to overcome Suzy Watson 3-0. Despite the scoreline, the game was a lot closer with Suzy on a double in every leg. 

 

The final game saw Richard Atwell continue his recent good run of form. A 15.30 average was enough to secure a 2-1 win over third placed Pete Johnson. The result cost Pete his position in the table, dropping him to fourth and allowing Denis Turner to grab a top three slot for the first time this season.

 

Round-up for week ending February 10, 2006

 

Boston Standard Premier Division

 

Whoever Mick Ray seems to play at the moment all raise their games against the defending champion. And this was the case again on Friday night as Simon Trigg shot him down with some excellent finishing.  He took a 1-0 lead in 20 darts but Mick responded in leg two hitting a 16-dart leg to draw level. Simon regained the lead with a brilliant 143 checkout in 18 darts but once again Mick tied the game up at 2-2.  Simon went on to secure a 4-2 victory with some high scoring darts and some clinical finishing.

 

There was little to choose between Dave Hasnip and Deb Royal in the next match. With Dave 3-2 up Deb produced a 119 checkout ending on the bull to force a decider. But it was Dave who gained a narrow 4-3 win in the end. 

 

Graham Sharp opened with a 17-dart leg to lead Kev Lenton 1-0. And when Kev failed to finish on nine with six darts he was 2-0 down. But the “Grinder” dug deep and a 112 checkout salvaged leg three. Graham, though, extended his lead to 3-1 only for Kev to hit a 180 in leg five to pull another point back. Kev, famous for his time at the oche and slow play, looked set to go the distance once again. But yet another set of darts let him down — his third set in as many weeks — as he missed a 134 checkout. He scored 118 and the remaining 16 was also missed. And with that went the match as Graham secured a somewhat fortunate 4-2 win.

 

Shane Parker only managed one good leg of darts this week after the previous Friday’s barrage. It came when he was already 3-1 up against Steve Davis and saw him score 65, 140, 100, 140, 56 (out) for a match winning 15-dart leg.

 

Trev Day continues to suffer. Chris Royal soon wiped out a 1-0 lead and the “Joker” was then laughing all the way to a 4-1 win as Trev slumped once again.

 

The final game of the night was no classic but Ady Parker salvaged a narrow 4-3 win over Tony Hillyard to close in on the top three.

 

Lincs Racing Division Two

 

Jon Paul Carney has now withdrawn from this division and all points from the half-way point are duly amended. So it does not affect the standings too much, But there is now a new leader as Richard Pearson takes over having played a game more than his nearest rival. On Friday he gained a 3-1 win, hitting a 92 checkout and a 20.83 average against Rick Woods.

 

Mick Flynn who gained a 3-1 win over Mick Parker with a 21.56 average topped that average on the night — this after Mick had hit a 94 checkout to lead 1-0. 

 

Rick Woods returned and gained a 3-1 win over Rob Scrupps. This was only Rick’s second win of the season.

Pedro Silva went down 3-0 to high-flying Derek Johnson but he bounced back to beat Mick Parker by the same score line in game two.

 

Rob Scupps had a miserable night when he returned to play Kev Dickinson. The latter’s 19.41 average was enough to see him home for a 3-1 win.

 

The final game saw Mick Vinters climb up the table after a 3-0 over Redvers Dickinson — concluding a miserable night for the Dickinson household.  

 

John Smith’s Division Three

 

Ady Blackham extended his lead at the top after a 2-1 win over Don Holmes. His average of 12.50 was not spectacular but the chasing pack all faltered. 

 

Second placed Chris Ray went down 2-1 to third placed Pete Johnson. The latter caught Chris by surprise with a 141 checkout in the opening leg and he was already 2-0 up before Chris salvaged appoint taking leg three. 

 

Richard Atwell hit the division’s best average of 18.30 this coming in a 2-1 win over Keith Dack who led 1-0 early on but could not sustain the gallop. This was not the case in game two for Keith when he cruised to a 3-0 victory over Di Jenkins.

 

It’s been a long while coming, but at last Christine Holmes has recorded her second win in the division. She fought back from 1-0 down to beat Emma Grant 2-1. 

 

Hubby Matt Grant fared no better. He went down 2-1 to Rob Birtwhistle. 

 

Angie Upsall is now flying the flag for the highest placed lady after she gained a 3-0 win over Carla Slade. 

Dark horse Denis Turner kept in touch with the top three in a hard-fought victory over Suzy Watson, Denis just edging out Suzy by a 2-1 score line. 

 

The final game of the division saw Richard Atwell complete a double this time it was at the expense of high-flying George Harness. Richard won 2-1 to move up the table, leaving George hanging on to fifth spot.

 

 

Round-up for week ending February 3, 2006

 

Boston Standard Premier Division

 

Shane Parker was in outstanding form on Friday night as he put one of his nearest rivals and defending champion Mick Ray to the sword. Shane grabbed a 1-0 lead in 19 darts, this after Mick had bust on an attempted 94 checkout. After that, a steady 22-dart leg put Shane 2-0 up. Then the fireworks began in leg three. Shane scored 140, 140, 140, 81 (out) for a superb 12-dart leg. And he sealed a 4-0 rout when hitting a 180 and a 140 checkout in just 15 darts to record the best average of the night — an impressive 29.47. 

 

It left Mick in a distant third place in the table. His sights are now surely set on Martyn Palmer in second now after he also suffered a defeat on the night. Up against Ady Parker it was second v fourth. But it was Ady who came away the happier after hitting 15 and 19 dart legs to lead 2-0. He almost let Martyn back in to the match but Ady held on to win 4-3. 

 

Once again Kev Lenton spent by far the longest at the oche in his match with Chris Royal. The match took some 50 minutes to complete, this after Kev had started with a 180 in a 16 dart opening leg for a fast start. But it took seven legs to find a winner, the outcome being a 4-3 win for Kev. 

 

Deb Royal and Bob Mountain were locked together at 2-2 before Bob returned to his old ways of missing doubles. This allowed Deb to go in front at 3-2. Bob then hit a 180 swiftly followed by 125 to reach 95 left after just 12 darts in leg six. But he failed once again to check out with six more darts and Deb hit her 65 out shot to win 4-2. 

 

Trev Day was gifted a 1-0 lead against Graham Sharp as the latter failed to checkout on 40 with 15 darts. But normal service was resumed after that early blip as Graham sealed a 4-1 win with a 180 in a 13-dart leg.  The final action in the division saw Steve Davis and Simon Trigg finish off proceedings with a seven leg encounter that saw a win for Steve 4-3.

 

Lincs Racing Division Two

 

A battle of two players  in the top four started the latest action programme as Harry Lee (top) faced Mick Flynn (fourth).  Mick hit an 88 checkout to go in front at 1-0 but Harry’s game was a little more consistent. And this resulted in him taking three legs in a row to win 3-1 with an 18.03 average. 

 

Richard Pearson stays in hot pursuit after beating Mick Vinters 3-1. Richard hit a 19.07 average, the division’s best on the night. 

 

It’s been a long while coming, but at last Scott Lea has recorded win number two. It came at the expense of high flying Pedro Silva as Scott scored a shock 3-1 win to bring to an end a losing sequence of 15 games.

 

Unfortunately this is not the case for Rick Woods and Jon Paul Carney they cannot buy a win at the moment. Redvers Dickinson beat Rick 3-0, while Derek Johnson beat Jon Paul 3-1 to leave both players in the mire at the foot of the table. 

 

The final two games in the division both went the distance. First Paul Storr beat Mick Parker 3-2, and then Kev Dickinson needed an 18.26 average in a tight game to overcome Dick Taylor also 3-2.

 

John Smiths Division Three

 

Doubles proved decisive in the top of the table clash between Ady Blackham and Chris Ray. Ady hit his while Chris failed, thus resulting in a 3-0 win for Ady. He has now extended his lead at the top of the table after beating his nearest rival. 

 

Pete Johnson secured third spot after coming back from 1-0 down against Don Holmes to win 2-1, hitting the division’s best average of 16.22 in the process. It keeps him in touch with the top two.  Denis Turner is a man on a mission. A great run of results has seen him climb up the table into the top four — his latest results seeing a clinical finish on 78 to secure a 2-1 win over Di Jenkins.

 

At the other end of the table Christine Holmes remains detached at the foot. Any type of luck at a double would have seen her reap some reward from her game with Matty Grant. But it was not to be and Matty recorded a flattering 3-0 win. 

 

Wife Emma Grant is also finding doubles elusive. Despite having her chances she also went down 3-0 to Rob Birtwhistle. 

 

It turned out to be a bad night for the girls on the doubles Carla Slade also went down 3-0 to George Harness but she had several chances to take a leg — in fact but for an unlucky bust on 84 in leg three she could have taken at least a point. 

 

Two ladies who keep picking up the occasional points are Suzy Watson and Angie Upsall.  Suzy kept plugging away in her match with Keith Dack and despite being outgunned in the first two legs she did grab a consolation taking leg three. It was a different scenario for Angie in the final game in the division she led Richard Atwell 1-0 only for her opponent to hit back and take a 2-1 win with an 87 checkout.