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BOSTON FRIDAY NIGHT

INDIVIDUAL DARTS LEAGUE

 

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Reports round-up for November 2006

 

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Round-up for week ending November 24, 2006

 

Boston Standard Premier Division

 

Runaway leader Martyn Palmer extend his advantage at the top of the table, one reason being a drunken stupor that resulted in a fall to leave Graham Sharp out of action with a broken finger for up to five weeks!  The action, however, saw Martyn maintain his 100 percent record with win number 12 coming against Harry Lee. The game started with Harry hitting a 180 in the opening leg to take a surprise 1-0 lead. He then looked set to increase his advantage but six darts failed to find a double. It was to be Harry’s last chance as Martyn hit back. After drawing level, he produced 19, 16 and 21 dart legs to take the match 4-1 hitting the division’s best average in the process, albeit surprisingly low this week at 24.63. 

 

Ady Parker has shot up the table into second position albeit some six points adrift after he completed a good night’s work. Facing two games, he started against Trev Day by taking a 3-0 lead before allowing Trev to pinch a consolation point by taking leg four. But normal service was resumed immediately after with Ady leaving Trev way back on 229 as he secured a 4-1 win. He followed that up with a 4-1 win over Derek Johnson. This was a slightly flattering result with Derek spurning several chances when they arose, something you cannot do and hope to get away with in the top flight! 

 

Chris Kerbal came within a whisker of grabbing not only the headlines but also a victory this week. Up against Trev Day, things looked a bit bleak at first with Trev hitting a 180 as he raced into a 3-0 lead. Trev then got the jitters as Chris suddenly found some form. This resulted in Chris clawing his way back in to the match by drawing level at 3-3. The thought of his first victory in 10 attempts caused Chris to suffer “double trouble” in the decider. And after looking set to gain his first win and secure a great comeback, it all went pear-shaped and Trev secured a 4-3 win!

 

Kev “Grinder” Lenton and Harry Lee were next to the oche. Fortunately the game following theirs was called off as not only did Kev and Harry use up their allocated time they also used up the subsequent 25 minutes!  Harry eventually found double one to go 1-0 up with Kev hitting his favourite “tops” to draw level. Harry regained the lead at 2-1 and in truth should have gone 3-1 in front after hitting 60, 100, 100, 125 to leave 116 after just 12 darts. Kev was way back on 370 when once again Harry missed his out shot. A 180 from Kev put Harry under increased pressure that worked, allowing Kev to draw level. Another two dour legs followed fortunately they both went to Harry giving him a 4-2 win.

 

This resulted in a change of darts for the defeated Kev as he brought the night’s action to a close later in the evening when he faced high-flying Bob Mountain, the improvement in Kev’s performance was remarkable as he gained a 4-0 victory over Bob who, after a good start to the season (unbeaten after seven games), has now found himself losing five in a row. 

 

Lincs Racing Championship

 

There is little change in the top four positions this week, but varying the points gaps have narrowed as it becomes increasingly tight in this division. Table-topper Mick Vinters suffered a rare defeat this week. However, he didn’t help himself. A late arrival meant that opponent Dan Martin was awarded the first leg. The disadvantage proved too much for Mick as he crashed to a 3-1 defeat. It should have been a good night for Dan as he completed a double on the night beating Mick Parker 3-2 in a rearranged fixture. But unfortunately a resulting one-point deduction followed after he failed to mark the following game. 

 

Rob Birtwhistle bounced back to winning ways. Up against high-flying Redvers Dickinson; Rob produced the better darts in this top five encounter by hitting the division’s highest average of 20.63. Although Redvers was not too far away with a 19.97 average it was Rob who gained a morale boosting 3-1 win.

 

Darren Butler leap-frogged Redvers Dickinson to go into second place in the table. He achieved this feat after fighting back from 1-0 down against Mick Flynn to win 3-1. 

 

After losing his first eight games and being bottom of the table Dick “Top-Pocket” Taylor has now put four straight victories together. A 3-0 success over Ben Carr was achieved this week leaving Ben firmly rooted to the bottom a position Dick once held.

 

Pete Johnson continues his slide down the table. He was out-played this week by a clinical Kev Dickinson who had little trouble in securing a 3-0 victory with a 20.04 average. Rick Woods was the division’s highest climber in the table. After gaining a 3-0 victory in game one, he then fought back from 2-0 down to beat Rob Scrupps to pile further misery on Nathan Richardson and Robbie. 

 

Daley Richardson had better fortune. Trailing 1-0 to Mick Parker, he produced 118 and 106 checkouts (division’s highest) to turn the game around to complete a 3-1 victory. The final game in the division saw Pedro Silva gain a 3-1 victory over Rob Scrupps.

 

John Smiths Challenge League

 

“Dark-Destroyer” Dennis Turner opened up an eight-point gap at the top this week after yet another good night’s work. He not only played well, he also got out his “paint brushes.” First he whitewashed a resurgent Emma Grant for the first coat. And the second coat was quickly applied, as Richard Attwell was powerless to avoid a similar fate.

 

It looked like setting the trend for the evening as Suzie Watson kept the ball rolling against Susan Games. George Harness also got his brushes out as he maintained the whitewash theme against Tina Willicombe.

 

Emma Grant was determined not to suffer the same fate on her return and she did incredibly well to take the opening leg off high-flying Keith Dack. Emma’s shock lead and 16.25 average forced Keith to produce not only the highest average in response but also the division’s best checkout as stats of 18.20 and 75 turned the game in his favour by a 2-1 scoreline. 

 

At the other end of the table Janine Timms followed up last week’s success her 2-1 victory over Adam Kemp means she is no longer adrift at the bottom having now amassed seven points.

 

Keith Dack returned to the oche and made it eight wins on the trot when forcing his way in to the top five at the expense of Sharon Butler. Keith’s 3-0 victory allowed him to leap-frog Sharon. The final game in the division saw Scott Lea gain a 3-0 victory over Di Jenkins with the redhead unlucky not to take the first leg when her chance came. This result moved Scott to second place.

 

Round-up for week ending November 17, 2006

 

Boston Standard Premier Division

 

There was plenty of top quality action in the latest Friday night programme — eventually! Unfortunately it was Kev Lenton who got proceedings under way. Up against Tony Hillyard, Kev returned to his old ways to drag out an extended seven-leg encounter. This did not look possible at the start of the game as Kev gained an early 2-0 lead. But Tony hit back with two 180’s coming in the next three legs to take a 3-2 advantage. With the game then all square at 3-3, it was Tony who came through the 40-minute marathon with a 4-3 win.

 

Trev Day was next to the oche facing two difficult games on the night. He started against Debra Royal. They shared the first four legs, before going on to conclude yet another seven-leg encounters with Deb hanging on to win 4-3. It was, however, better news for Trev in game two. After failing to beat Graham Sharp’s “girlfriend,” he played a lot better against high-flying Graham himself. Graham’s missed doubles in the first leg allowed Trev to checkout on 110 (division’s highest on the night) to take a 1-0 lead. An out-of-sorts Graham then found himself 3-1 down. As the game progressed, this gave a buoyant Trev much needed confidence and he went on to cause a shock result beating Graham 4-1 thus halting the latter’s title challenge.

 

This result was a boost for Martyn Palmer, however. He looked at his best against Richard Pearson. Martyn started with scores of 81, 140, 63, 140 and 77 out, for a 15-dart leg and a 1-0 lead. Some 19 darts later he was 2-0 up. But two 140s in leg three and an 87 checkout put Richard back in the game at 2-1. Martyn seemed to step up the pace as another 19-dart leg put him 3-1 in front followed by 180, 140, 97 and 84 (out) in just 12 darts in leg five. This gave Martyn a 4-1 win with not only the night’s best average but also the season’s best average to date of 29.42. This extended his lead at the top! 

 

Bob Mountain started the season in fine form but a dip in recent weeks has seen him fall off the pace. Up against Dave Hasnip, both players hit maximums and Dave played the better going on to wrap up a 4-2 victory. 

 

Colin “Hit-Man” Hewson continued on his winning run. An opening leg saw Colin hit scores of 100, 100, 100, 130, 31 and 40 out this put him on course for a 4-0 victory over Chris Kerbal with the latter unable to buy a win at the moment! 

 

Derek Johnson’s fortuitous run came to an end against Shane Richardson. With the game evenly poised at 2-2, Shane produced scores of 85, 140, 60, 180 and 36 out to take a 3-2 lead in just 13 darts before going on to wrap up a 4-2 win. 

 

The final game in the division saw high-flying Ady Parker clash with the unpredictable Harry “Lottery” Lee, Ady raced in to a 3-0 lead with no sign on the horizon of what was about to happen. Harry then started his comeback with a 16-dart leg. He followed this with an 18-dart leg and he then hit 180 in leg six. Ady responded with a 180 of his own. But six darts at a double failed to get him home. This allowed Harry to draw level at 3-3. The decider saw Harry complete a remarkable comeback as a 17-dart leg secured his great escape!

 

Lincs Racing Championship

 

The withdrawal of Adie Blackham due to work commitments has meant that all points he had earned (and lost) have been deducted in accordance with league rules. The action on the night did far more to affect the places. Rob Birtwhistle suffered a surprising succession of defeats. He went down in game one by a 3-1 margin to Daley Richardson. And his night went from bad to worse as he also lost to Pete Reid 3-1 in the final game of the night.

 

Pete’s performance against Rob meant it had been a good night for him as he had earlier brought Mick Parker’s mini winning run to an end. Pete scraped home in a five-leg encounter, the result lifting him in to fourth position. The deduction of points and the fact that Dick “Top-Pocket” Taylor managed to catch his third bus in as many weeks means that after being in the bottom two for the past nine weeks he has now arisen like a phoenix from the grave a 3-1 victory over Nathan Richardson resulted in a climb of six places up the table. 

 

Opposite ends of the table clashed next as Ben Carr took on high-flying Mick Vinters. Ben took a shock 1-0 lead after scoring 130 to leave 32 in leg one. But this seemed to spark a response from Mick. And, after drawing level, an 88 checkout saw him regain control before going on to wrap up a 3-1 win and extend his lead at the top by six points. 

 

Kev Dickinson gained a 3-0 win over Rob Scrupps. Although the scoreline seems decisive it was borderline as Rob passed up his chances! Mick Flynn not only produced the highest average in the division he also hit the highest checkout, the two together of 19.30 and 112 (out) meant a 3-1 win was achieved against Pedro Silva. 

 

Despite the division running behind for most of the night, it was at least back in front when Pete Johnson and Rick Woods played out a five-leg encounter with Rick gaining a 3-2 win to replace points lost by Adie’s withdrawal.

 

John Smiths Challenge League

 

Two lady players stole the headlines in this division on Friday night, each for contrasting reasons. One was for the number of darts thrown to complete a game, and the other for an outstanding performance! The first took 519 darts to complete and some 50 minutes of play, beating the previous record of 435 by 84 darts. 

 

This outcome meant Janine Timms recorded her first win of the season by a 2-1 scoreline at the expense of Susan Games. Suzie Watson attained the other accolade as she gained a 3-0 win over Tina Willicombe, following this up with a shock win over high-flying George Harness by a 2-1 score line, inflicting in the process, George’s second defeat thus far.

 

Unfortunately two other players also had a rare taste of defeat. Paul Limb upset Scott Lea’s title challenge with a 3-0 victory and Dennis Turner also lost out by a 2-1 scoreline against high-flying Keith Dack in the highest scoring game of the division. Dennis hit an 17.50 average but it was not enough to stop Keith winning with an 18.30 average. Dennis got back to winning ways as a 3-0 victory over Angie Upsall saw him move three points clear at the top.

 

Keith Dack returned to the oche and a 3-0 win over Richard Attwell was achieved. This completed six in a row to make Keith a clear title challenger! 

 

Louise Charalambou’s improved form has given her some confidence. A 2-1 win over Adam Kemp was enough to secure a mid-table position at the moment! 

 

Adam’s night failed to get any better as he also lost game two despite leading against Di Jenkins. It was Di who found the doubles to win 2-1. Richard Attwell broke his spell against lady opposition. For once he was not left with egg on his face as he gained a 2-1 victory over Susan Games. The final game in the division saw Tracey Richardson complete a 3-0 win over Tina Willicombe hitting a 71 checkout in 38 darts by far the game’s best leg. 

 

Round-up for week ending November 10, 2006

 

Boston Standard Premier Division

 

The Boston Standard Premier Division was blessed with numerous 180s this week as several players hit maximums. High-flying Graham Sharp managed two. His first game of the night saw him produce one against opponent Bob Mountain. This was a game in which the final scoreline flattered Graham because if Bob had found his doubles, he would have held a 3-1 advantage. But it was Graham who came through despite Bob hitting a 180 of his own. Graham took the match 4-2 with a 20.86 average spoiled by a succession of missed doubles! However, Graham produced a better performance later in the evening as he hit his second 180 of the night in a 4-0 demolition of Tony Hillyard, hitting a 25.69 average in doing so.

 

Ady Parker set the division’s best performance when opponent Richard Pearson failed to find any form against him as Ady went in to a 2-0 lead before missed doubles allowed Richard to take what turned out to be a consolation point by taking leg three. From that point, Ady rattled in back-to-back 17-dart legs concluding with a 100 checkout (division’s best) to wrap up a 4-1 win with a 26.84 average (division’s best). 

 

Harry “Lottery” Lee’s recent improvement continued again this week. Up against Debra Royal, he had to settle for a 2-2 outcome after the first four legs before going on to take the match hitting a 180 in a 4-2 win.

 

Trev Day’s recent spell on the sidelines saw him face a difficult baptism on his return to action. He faced table-topper Martyn Palmer. Both players scored heavily with each hitting a 180 in the opening three legs of the contest as Martyn came out in front with a 2-1 advantage before going on to complete a 4-1 victory to maintain his 100% start from ten games to stay two points ahead of the chasing pack. 

 

Colin “Hit-Man” Hewson made no mistakes at the doubles as he wrapped up a 4-0 victory over Chris “Joker” Royal.

 

The next game was the only seven-leg encounter in the division as Debra Royal and Derek Johnson clashed. It seemed as if neither player wanted to get past the winning post as numerous chances passed by. Despite a poor game and the lowest average being recorded, it was Derek who came away with a gifted 4-3 win. Tony Hillyard’s miserable night continued against Dave Hasnip after a 30-dart opening leg which saw Dave take a 1-0 lead. Dave then produced a 180 in a 17-dart leg to further inflict misery on Tony who did, however, briefly show some fight by taking leg three. But Dave was not extended further in the contest as he went on to wrap up a 4-1 win with a 16-dart leg. Dave was quickly back in action in the final game of the night and a 4-0 victory was swiftly achieved over Kev Lenton to complete a good night’s work, shooting him up the table in to fifth place in the process.

 

Lincs Racing Championship

 

Table-topper Mick Vinters had to work hard to win again this week. Up against Nathan Richardson he found himself 2-1 down before coming back to snatch a 3-2 victory to maintain his status-quo at the top from the chasing pack who also picked up victories. 

 

Darren Butler got back to winning ways this week. A 3-0 victory over Pedro Silva was just what he needed although the performance was not as sparkling as in previous weeks!

 

Redvers Dickinson is this week’s highest climber. A 3-0 victory over Ben Carr got the ball rolling nicely. Following up this performance, he grabbed a 3-0 victory over Rob Scrupps. It was a double that saw him shoot into second position. 

 

Like London buses, you wait nine games for one and then two come together as Dick “Top-Pocket” Taylor gained another win. This week up against Pete Johnson, Dick found himself in the unaccustomed position of being 2-0 up. But Pete fought back to draw level at 2-2 only to spurn the chance of a memorable fightback with missed doubles allowing Dick to grab a 3-2 win. 

 

It was five legs again in the next match between Kev Dickinson and Mick Flynn. Mick produced Premier Division-calibre darts in leg three scoring 60, 135, 135, 97 and 74 out to go 2-1 up in 15 darts. Unfortunately he could not reproduce that standard, going down 3-2 to Kev. It’s been a long time since Mick Parker produced back-to-back wins. But he followed up last week’s inspired performance with a 3-0 win over Adie Blackham. 

 

John Smiths Challenge League

 

James Harmer’s reign at the top could soon be over after he lost the top of the table clash to the “Dark-Destroyer” Dennis Turner. An 18.10 average was easily enough as Dennis gained a 3-0 victory to cut James’ lead at the top down to one point with three games in hand. Despite this setback, James quickly got back to winning ways. But a 2-1 victory over Suzie Watson did little to strengthen his vulnerable position.

 

One player everybody needs to keep an eye on is Keith Dack. Back-to-back wins followed again this week and after just four games he now finds himself in mid-table as 3-0 wins over Carla Slade and Angie Upsall respectively boosted his charge hitting an 18.55 average the division’s best in his latter match. 

 

Another rare occurrence followed as Emma Grant gained a double on the night. A 3-0 victory over Adam Kemp was followed by a 2-1 win over Janine Timms. The consequences of this mean that the onset of vertigo is probably around the corner for Emma as she climbs up to seventh place. 

 

Richard Attwell’s performance against the ladies continues to blight his season. Yet another defeat arrived, this time against Carla Slade by a 2-1 score line. It left Richard with egg on his face once again! In an all-lady encounter Sharon Butler got back to winning ways a 3-0 success over Tina Willicombe. This ensured that she became the leading lady once again in the division, although Angie Upsall and Emma Grant closely follow her!

 

Scott Lea moved back into the top three with maximum points coming his way from two games faced. He started with a 3-0 win over Louise Charalambou and ended with a 70 checkout (top in the division) in a 3-0 win over Janine Timms, sending the latter back to legless matches! The final game in the division saw Di Jenkins gain a comfortable 3-0 victory over Susan Games who, in truth, was not really in the game.

 

Round-up for week ending November 3, 2006

 

Boston Standard Premier Division

 

A hectic night of darts action across all three divisions saw several shock results including Dennis Turner’s unbeaten run coming to an end.  But one player escaped this demise, as front-runner in the Boston Standard Premier Division Martyn Palmer still continued his winning run.  He started the first of his two games on the night up against highflying Bob Mountain. On paper it looked a tight encounter but despite this it was Martyn who took a 2-0 lead.  Bob hit back by taking leg three only for Martyn to restore his two-leg advantage to lead once again at 3-1. Bob then hit a superb leg of darts as he scored 140, 121, 83, 121 to leave just 36 after just 12 darts thrown. Despite not hitting his double straight away it put him back in the match at 3 – 2, only for Martyn to wrap up a 4-2 victory by taking the next leg scoring 134, 58, 81, 180 and checking out on 48 in two darts for a 14-dart leg.

 

Martyn followed this success later in the evening in another quality match, this time his opponent Tony Hillyard was unable to keep up with the pace as Martyn hit a rich vein of form. Leg one went to Martyn in 18 darts swiftly followed by 15 darts in leg two. Tony managed to take leg three in 19 darts but this turned out to be just a consolation as Martyn hit yet another 15-dart leg this time scoring 137, 140, 140, 52 and 32 (out) before wrapping up the game in 18 darts for a 4-1 win with the night’s top average comfortably set at 28.33 to leave a beleaguered and shell-shocked Tony in his wake! 

 

Debra Royal got back to winning ways as she gained a 4-1 win over Richard Pearson. The highlight came in leg four as Deb checked out in 18 darts on 109 (the division’s best).  Harry “Lottery” Lee’s season continues to yo-yo from week to week. This time his fortunes were positive. A 180 and a 24.76 average saw him overcome Shane Richardson, Harry wrapping up a 4-1 victory with back-to-back 17-dart legs. Chris Kerbal’s search for a win is proving more elusive than rocking-horse manure. He crashed to defeat number eight in a dour encounter with Derek Johnson. Both players seemed to score fairly well but doubles were not so easily found. This resulted in a 4-1 victory to Derek. 

 

The final game saw Richard Pearson regain some credit after his earlier defeat, as he made it a bad night for Shane Richardson as checkouts on 69, 64, 54 and 82 were all hit with aplomb to record a 4-0 win.

 

Lincs Racing Championship

 

Darren Butler went in to action at the top of the league having only lost one game in nine. But he fell victim to one of the shock results of the night as lowly Mick Parker came away with an impressive 3-0 win to seriously dent Darren’s title aspirations! 

 

Another player to suffer a rare defeat was Dan Martin. Up against Pete “Fat-Controller” Reid, he found himself 2-0 down before showing his class with a 143 checkout (division’s highest) to take leg three. But the doubles went astray again afterwards, allowing Pete to secure a 3-1 win and leapfrog Dan in to the top five. It’s been a long while coming, but at last Dick “Top-Pocket” Taylor has broken his losing 3-1 voodoo. Up against Rob Scrupps, Dick not only managed to get more then one leg, he actually gained a 3-2 win to move off the bottom for the first time! 

 

Pedro Silva’s good run of late was derailed by Kev Dickinson. With the score at 2-1 to Kev, the latter found a 106 checkout in leg four to secure a 3-1 win. Ben Carr’s late arrival meant a forfeiture of the first leg to Daley Richardson. Unfortunately for Ben two swift legs from Daley followed as he wrapped up a 3-0 win. Rob Birtwhistle remains in the top three, although he had to work hard once again to stay in contention as opponent Adie Blackham fought back from 2-0 down to force a decider. Thankfully for Rob, he held on to secure the win. 

 

Mick Vinters moved to the top of the table, capitalising on everyone else’s demise — although both he and opponent Pete Johnson took rather a long time to find a double. When they did, the game went Mick’s way to a 3-1 finish. Nathan Richardson took a surprising 1-0 lead over highflying Redvers Dickinson. But Redvers hit back to take three legs in a row to gain a 3-1 win and consolidate his fourth position in the table. 

 

The final game saw Rick Woods and Mick Flynn go the distance and despite Mick hitting a 180, it was Rick who picked up a much-needed win. 

 

John Smith’s Challenge League

 

The previously unbeaten “Dark-Destroyer,” Dennis Turner not only dropped his first leg thus far, he also suffered his first defeat as the league’s oldest player George Harness (90) put all his years of experience to good use to gain a well deserved 2-1 win in a very good match. 

 

Louise Charalambou gained yet another 3-0 victory. However, she was helped by opponent Janine Timms whose late arrival gifted Louise a 1-0 lead and with Janine’s recent run and lack of a double meant the result was never in doubt! 

 

Surprisingly Emma Grant continues to grind out wins. A 2-1 victory over Susan Games has left her with a near 50 percent strike rate, substantially better then last season!

 

Dennis “Dark-Destroyer” Turner got back to winning ways. A 3-0 win over Tina Willicombe put him in second place two points off leader James Harmer with games in hand. 

 

Keith Dack announced his arrival in style. His 3-0 win over Adam Kemp was achieved with the division’s highest average, scoring 18.78 and he went on to complete an impressive double by beating table topper and step son James Harmer 2-1.

 

Angie Upsall now flies the flag for the highest placed lady in the division. A 2-1 win over Carla Slade saw her shoot up into fifth position, Carla was swiftly back in action. This time she secured her second win of the season beating mid-table Tracey Richardson 2-1. 

 

The final game saw a marathon encounter on the doubles between Richard Attwell and Adam Kemp. Fortunately for Richard, double two was easier to hit than “Mad-House.” This resulted in a 2-1 win for Richard.