www.bostonbuzz.co.uk

The prime platform for Boston and District sports news

 

BOSTON FRIDAY NIGHT

INDIVIDUAL DARTS LEAGUE

 

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

 

 

Reports round-up for May 2006

 

CLICK HERE FOR latest tables

Round-up for week ending May 19, 2006

 

Chris wins title play-off in action finale

 

The conclusion of this year’s Friday Night Darts League was reached on May 19 with the final action taking place. At the oche it featured the Division Three play-off between Adie Blackham and Chris Ray. Both players had exchanged positions at the top throughout the season, resulting in a tie for title honours. The destination of the championship trophy and the large cash prize money added to the tension and both players were clearly nervous when it came down to the deciding doubles. Fortunately for Chris, it was he who grabbed a 2-1 win to snatch the £185 first place prize leaving Adie to take the runner's-up spot and with it a £135 prize. Both players will be able to collect their winnings at the end-of-season presentation night that takes place on Friday June 2 at Shodfriars with an 8.30pm start time.


This season's winners

 

Boston Standard Premier Division: 1 Shane Parker (£285), 2 Martyn Palmer (£205), 3 Mick Ray (£125), 4 Ady Parker (£65). Other awards: Most 180s, Mick Ray (13 maximums). The same player also hit the top three-dart average of 30.83. Top checkout went to Martyn Palmer for his 154 finish.


Lincs Racing Division Two: 1 Richard Pearson (£215), 2 Harry Lee (£155), 3 Derek Johnson (£115), 4 Mick Flynn (£60). Other awards: Most 180s, Harry Lee (9 maximums); top three-dart average, Richard Pearson on 24.50; top checkout, Derek Johnson for his 138 finish.


John Smith’s Division Three: 1 Chris Ray (£185), 2 Adie Blackham (£135), 3 Pete Johnson (£95), 4 Rob Birtwhistle (£50). Other awards: Top lady, Suzy Watson (£70); runner-up, Emma Grant (£35). Most 180s: Shared between Chris Ray and Richard Atwell (both two); top three-dart average, Keith Dack for his 20.82; top checkout, Dennis Turner for his 155 finish.

 

Annual meeting: The league’s annual meeting will be held at Shodfriars on Friday July 28 at 8pm with next season set to get under way on Friday August 25.

 

Ladies section: There’s still time for ladies to take their places in an all-female section for next season. Entries are already being accepted. Anyone wishing to play should contact Emma on (01205) 352990.

 

Round-up for week ending May 12, 2006

 

Boston Standard Premier Division

 

What a super way to end the season! Newly crowned champion Shane Parker took on Graham Sharp in the penultimate game. And they produced a classic encounter. Shane was at his best and went into a 2-0 lead after he hit 15 and 17-dart legs. But Graham responded by taking leg three in 16 darts. He then scored 180, 55, 140 and finished off with a 126 checkout for a superb 12-dart leg to tie the match at 2-2. But the champion came back to take the next two legs to secure a 4-2 win with an impressive 26.95 average. Graham though, bettered this. He produced a 28.51 average in defeat to leave him to ponder how he had lost.

 

The final game saw Martyn Palmer take to the oche against Simon Trigg with the former having to settle for second spot this year. There was no pressure on the outcome and a relaxed Martyn put Simon to the sword with some great darts. He cruised into a 2-0 lead before scoring heavily. Leg three was over in a flash as Martyn scored 140, 140, 100, 85 and 36 (out) for a 14-dart leg. And he followed that with scores of 180, 100, 60, 140 and 21 (out) for yet another 14-dart leg. It gave him a 30.36 average to narrowly miss the season’s best of 30.86 by just one dart

Boston Standard Premier Division


The news from the third division play-offs saw Rob Birtwhistle start with a 2-1 win over George Harness. But George bounced back to beat Dennis Turner 3-0 to stay in the hunt. It left Rob needing to beat Dennis 3-0 to secure the £50 prize money for a fourth place finish. But Rob could only manage a 2-1 win. It meant Dennis was out of contention, leaving Rob and George to do battle yet again for the cash. Their game was decided on doubles as both players got the jitters. But it was Rob who went into a 2-0 lead. At this point, the league’s oldest player (at the grand age of 90) threw in the towel, knowing victory was beyond him.

The top two do battle on May 19 with Chris Ray and Adie Blackham facing their play-off at 8pm followed by the end of season committee meeting afterwards.

*****

Any new entries for next season should contact Emma (via Shodfriars) with all divisions looking for additional players including ladies for their very own division.

 

Round-up for week ending May 5, 2006

 

Boston Standard Premier Division

 

Shane Parker took the top title once again. And he has done it with one game still to play. In the process, he took his fourth crown in the last five years. A hard-fought double battle on the night saw him gain a win over Tony Hillyard (4-2) and then in the second match against Chris Royal, he needed a 180 and a 15-dart leg to escape with a 4-3. The latter played some of his best darts to date. But the two outcomes meant that Shane had given himself a five-point cushion over nearest rival Martyn Palmer who, despite beating Deb Royal 4-1 to secure second place, is now unable to catch Shane despite also having a game left to play.

 

Kev Lenton spent his usual age at the oche up against Bob Mountain. A quick game for once looked on as Kev raced into a 3-0 lead. But 15 darts failed to kill the match off and yes, you guessed it, a seven-legger followed as Bob drew level at 3-3 with a 180. But “the Cliff Thorburn of darts” held on to win 4-3.

 

Ady Parker then moved into third spot after he gained a 4-1 win over an exhausted Bob only to watch Mick Ray snatch that away from him after he produced a 25.76 average (top in division, including his 13th 180) as he beat Kev Lenton 4-1.

 

This result saw Kev’s final game in the competition end in defeat. After 17 years in the top flight, he is also the only player to play every year since day one in 1989. Dave Hasnip ended with a brilliant leg of darts — scores of 180, 60, 140, 121 (out) gave him a 12-dart leg as he raced to a 4-1 win over Chris Royal.

 

Tony Hillyard and Deb Royal brought the night to a close somewhat later than scheduled. Each player took a brace of leg wins at a time with Tony taking the first and last two, to win 4-2.

 

Steve Davis withdrew with just three games to go all points have been amended for the second half of the season. Thankfully no one at the top loses out due to this player’s decision.

 

Lincs Racing Division Two

 

The destination of this title was settled last week. But Richard Pearson extended his lead at the top as he finished with another best average when hitting a 20.78 in a 3-1 over Paul Storr. Harry Lee was left in second spot some four points adrift, despite ending his campaign with two wins — a 3-0 success over Mick Vinters being followed by a 3-2 victory over Rick Woods. But too many defeats, albeit by slender 3-2 margins proved costly in the end.

 

Mick Flynn was one win away from securing third place. But a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Redvers Dickinson left the door ajar for Derek Johnson to grab it off him. Things, though, looked grim for him after he lost 3-2 to Rob Scrupps. But a 3-0 win over Dick Taylor put him back in third place, leaving Mick with no promotion and only fourth placed prize money for compensation.

 

Pedro Silva and Kev Dickinson (both in mid-table) finished just a point apart after Pedro ended his first season with a 3-1 win over Kev. The final game between Mick Parker and Mick Vinters went the full distance before finding a winner. Parker found most of his darts hitting the floor after bounce-outs while Mick hit a 98 checkout (division’s best) to win 3-2.

 

John Smith’s Division Three

 

This has been the tightest division by far, resulting in a tie at the top. Chris Ray and Adie Blackham went into the night’s games level. And they finished locked together in the table as both gained 2-1 victories over Keith Dack and Suzy Watson respectively.

 

Pete Johnson gained enough points to clinch third spot. A 2-1 defeat to Suzy Watson caused a scare, but a narrow 2-1 win over Di Jenkins was just enough in game two.

 

The fourth position and £50 in prize money will also need a play-off to find a winner as three players all tied George Harness, Dennis Turner and Rob Birtwhistle. Each amassed 55 points after Friday’s action.

 

The final game saw Carla Slade end with a 2-1 win over Christine Holmes. Unfortunately it was not enough for either player to deny Suzy Watson and Emma Grant of a one-two finish in the ladies’ battle for cash. 

 

League news in brief

 

Still on the subject of ladies’ darts, a further reminder that the search for additional females in on-going in a bid to establish a ladies-only league next season. Full details from Emma c/o Shodfriars.

 

Play-offs will be staged over the next two weeks with finals night taking place on Friday June 2 at Shodfriars at 8.30pm.


The end-of-season committee meeting will be at 8.30pm on May 19 after the top two have played off in Division Three.