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BOSTON FRIDAY NIGHT

INDIVIDUAL DARTS LEAGUE

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Reports round-up for January 2006

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Round-up for week ending January 27, 2006

Boston Standard Premier Division

Shane Parker kept his three-point advantage at the top of the newly re-branded Boston Standard Premier Division, a section renamed under the sponsorship banner of the town’s long-standing weekly newspaper.

In the latest programme of fixtures he faced Simon Trigg. And Shane started with a 17- dart leg that included a maximum 180 to lead 1-0. He increased the lead to 2-0 before Simon managed to reach a double for the first time to take leg three. Simon’s lack of action in recent weeks meant he was a little rusty at the double and several missed chances. And this allowed Shane to complete a 4-1 win.

Martyn Palmer stays in hot pursuit in second spot after a hard-fought win over Tony Hillyard. Martyn was never behind in the match. He led 1-0 but Tony scored 100, 180, 30 (out) at the end of leg two to draw level at 1-1. Martyn hit back to increase his lead taking the next two legs for a 3-1 advantage. But Tony hit back with a 17-dart leg to cut the deficit to 3-2. However, Martyn went on to take the match in 19 darts to win 4-2.

Dave Hasnip and Bob Mountain followed next in a poor game with both players off the mark when it came to the double. It resulted in a extended match that Dave went on to win 4-1 — but too many darts spoiled any chance of a good average from the game.

A clash between Graham Sharp and Chris Royal followed. Both players are suffering contrasting fortunes at present — Graham on a upward surge while Chris is in freefall. Thus it was no surprise to see Graham take the match 4-0, sending Chris to his ninth successive defeat after winning his first six. But that seems an age ago now.

Trev Day found himself with two must-win matches in his efforts to avoid the drop as he faced Bob Mountain and Kev Lenton in quick succession. The pair were his nearest rivals before the start of the action.

And things looked to be going to plan in his opening match against Bob when Trev led 1-0 and then 2-1. But Bob drew level for the second time at 2-2 before a bizarre fifth leg decided the game. Bob looked to be taking a hold on the game, scoring 60, 121, 100, 180, to leave double 20 after just 12 darts. But somehow Bob missed with a further six darts and Trev came down to win by hitting double 10 with his fifth dart to steal a 3-2 lead. Trev went on to take the match 4-2 hitting a 90 checkout, this after Bob had once again missed six darts at checkouts.

With one win under his belt Trev was in buoyant mood. But “Grinder” Kev Lenton is a different type of opponent. His tactical approach and slowness of play usually bores opponents into submission. But it did not seem to affect Trev as he went into a 2-0 lead. However, Kev began the fightback with an 18-dart leg to make it 2-1. By the time leg six was reached Kev had turned the game around and it was he who went 3-2 up. Trev kicked off leg six with a 180, but he fell apart. And then Kev hit double 20 for the fourth time on the trot with his first dart, he was able to complete a 4-2 success, a result which moved him up four places and left Trev still rooted to the bottom.

The final game in the division produced the best average as Tony Hillyard recorded a 25.35 average with a 16-dart leg being the highlight in a 4-1 victory over Simon Trigg.

Lincs Racing Division Two

Table-topper Harry Lee had to fight back from 2-0 down as Mick Parker hit a 101 checkout to go in front. When Mick took the next leg, he really put the pressure on the pole sitter. But he did escape to claim a 3-2 win thanks to Mick being unable to sustain the gallop rather than outstanding play from Harry.

At the other end of the table, Rick Woods continues to suffer. And his losing streak is growing. Mick Vinters had a little luck at the double while Rick had none whatsoever — hence the 3-0 score line. Rob Scrupps secured a 2-0 lead over Dick Taylor when hitting 23 and 24-dart legs only for normality to be resumed with a 39-dart leg to take the match 3-0.

Scott “Banger” Lea has still only seen the chequered flag once all season, this time Derek Johnson crossing the line with a 95 checkout to record a 3-1 win.

Richard Pearson is hanging on to second place after a tight match with Redvers Dickinson. Although both players reached a double at the same time, Richard’s finishing was just a little sharper resulting in a 3-1 win.

Pedro Silva produced a 20-dart leg (the best of the match) to conclude his game with Jon Paul Carney. The victory keeps him just outside the top four.

The best game in the division featured Derek Johnson and Mick Vinters recording 20.82 and 20.08 averages respectively. Derek went 1-0 up but Mick hit 40, 100, 60, 140, 83, and 78 (out) to draw level in 17 darts, but back-to-back 21-dart legs gave Derek the win 3-1 to stay in fourth,

The final game saw Mick Flynn grab a 3-1 win over Paul Storr to ensure he stays in the hunt at the top of the table.

John Smiths Division Three

The top-of-the-table encounter between Ady Blackham and Pete Johnson saw an easy win for Ady with the latter being unable to reach a checkout. Ady hit 46, 32, and 62 checkouts to record a 3-0 win leaving Pete in his wake.

Chris Ray is off the top after he could only manage a 2-1 win over Don Holmes. It just was not enough to hold off Ady who gained a swift double when beating Christine Holmes also by a 3-0 margin.

Dark horse Dennis Turner moved into the top four after an 18.01 average (best in the division) gave him a 2-1 win over Keith Dack. But the latter Keith was soon back on the winning trail at the expense of Emma Grant as Keith won game two 3-0.

Suzy Watson fought back from 1-0 down to beat Di Jenkins 2-1 with a 54 checkout coming along at just the right time.

Carla Slade punished Richard Atwell’s mistakes at the double to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win and Angie Upsall upset highflying George Harness to record another win over George. This time a 2-1 win gave her a double over her opponent in successive weeks.

The final game of the night saw Rob Birtwhistle have too much puff for Christine Holmes as Rob ran out a 3-0 winner to leave Chris adrift at the foot of the table.

Round-up for week ending January 20, 2006

Boston Standard Premier Division

Several players appeared a little rusty after the lengthy lay-off for an extended festive and New Year break. But the best game in the top section saw the leading pair locked in combat as Shane Parker and Martyn Palmer clashed. The opening leg went to Shane in 20 darts only for Martyn to draw level in 23 darts to make it 1-1. Shane then hit a 82 checkout in a 21-dart leg for a 2-1 lead with Martyn again responding to draw level in 20 darts. The legs were going with the throw so it was no surprise to see Shane re-take the lead again in 18 darts, this after Martyn had hit the floor with two bounce outs to score one. Despite following up with a 180 he was just too far adrift. Martyn kept his throw and nerve to force the decider. He hit the bull to win the throw and this proved decisive as he went on to take the match 4-3 with a 19-dart leg . They finished with 24.06 average and 24.73 average respectively but Shane still holds a three-point cushion over his nearest rival.

Kev “Grinder” Lenton was next to the oche as he took on Tony Hillyard and a sedate pace saw the game take 40 minutes to find a winner after six legs. Kev had led 2-0 only for Tony to fight back to 2-1 but Kev regained his two-leg advantage at 3-1 up, Tony’s best leg of the match made it 3-2 in 18 darts only for Kev to do the same. But his 18-dart leg secured victory 4-2.

Defending champion Mick Ray had two tough looking games on paper as he faced Deb Royal and high-flying Ady Parker. He opened with a 16-dart leg against Deb. When Deb failed to take leg two after 26 darts it was one-way traffic after that as Mick ran out a 4-0 winner with a 24-14 average. Game two saw Ady take a 1-0 lead. But Mick drew level in scoring 140, 81, 123, 139, and 18 out for a 15-dart leg. He blew Ady away after that, concluding the win by scoring 81, 59, 121, 83, 139, 18 out to win 4-1 with the night’s best average of 25.55 recorded to move into third in hot pursuit of the top two.

“Grinder” Lenton was back to the oche when he faced Dave Hasnip and a swift win looked on for Dave as he raced into a 3-0 lead. But a 180 from Kev in leg four turned the game his way and he also took leg five to make it 3-2. But when his chance came to tie the match at 3-3 he missed his doubles and Dave secured a 4-2 win.

The final game was a “love-match” between Deb Royal and Graham Sharp. With the latter taking a 3-0 lead, it looked as if it was going to be a bad night for Deb. But she did get two legs back before Graham sealed a 4-2 win with a 90 checkout the best in the division.

Lincs Racing Division Two

Things are starting to hot up with the top four players all showing good form. Harry “Lottery” Lee holds on to top sport after this week’s results as he secured maximum points in a 3-0 win over Dick “Top Pocket” Taylor.

Harry hit a 180 and secured a 19.80 average to stay just ahead of Richard Pearson who was in brilliant form in a top five clash with Pedro Silva. Richard, produced a 180 and a 23.48 average (divisions best) in a 3-0 rout.

Mick Flynn kept in touch with the top two but he had to work a lot harder to overcome Kev Dickinson as the match went the distance, Mick winning 3-2 with a 19-18 average.

Derek Johnson moved into fourth spot after he beat lowly Rick Woods 3-0 with both players a little rusty at the double.

One player who had no trouble hitting a double was Mick Parker. A 120 checkout secured the opening leg off Rob Scrupps but Rob turned it around in bizarre fashion. With the score at 1-1, Mick needed 165 in leg three but he bust scoring 180, this allowing Rob to steal the leg. Rob then failed to secure a win 3-1 as 12 darts failed to find a double. It meant a fifth leg decider and Mick grabbed the win.

Mick Vinters hit a 112 checkout on the way to securing a 3-1 win over Scott Lea as the latter struggles to add to his sole win in 16 attempts!

The final game was very poor with 279 darts thrown in the match to try and find a winner. In the end, Redvers Dickinson beat Jon Paul Carney 3-1 — but both players failed to record double figure averages!

John Smith’s Division Three

Leader Chris Ray suffered a rare defeat this week going down 2-1 to a resurgent Matty Grant who, in the process, hit the division’s top average of 18.69. He duly went on to complete a double with a 3-0 win over wife Emma.

Pete Johnson stays second after a hard fought win over Rob Birtwhistle by a 2-1 scoreline. Adie Blackham white- washed Christine Holmes to stay in third. And with a game in hand he could go top if results go his way next week as he faces Pete Johnson in a top of the table clash.

Richard Atwell needed to produce a 26-dart leg (the best of the match) to overcome Suzy Watson 2-1, but Emma Grant had no need of a good leg as she fought back from 1-0 down to beat a lacklustre Don Holmes 2-1 as both players failed to find a double on numerous occasions. But a win is a win, however it comes!

A scrappy opening leg followed between Angie Upsall and Keith Dack that could have gone either way. Unfortunately for Angie it went to Keith, as did the next two legs also for a 3-0 win.

A marathon between Carla Slade and Di Jenkins followed Carla went 1-0 up but Di took the game eventually 2-1. The final game saw Dennis Turner lead George Harness 1-0 but George was a little more consistent and took his chances when they arose to win 2-1.

Other matches without detailed reports saw a rare occurrence as all six fixtures were won by 3-0 scorelines. Wins came for Matty Grant, Chris Ray, George Harness, Dennis Turner, Pete Johnson, and Angie Upsall who caused the night’s shock result by beating high-flying George Harness.