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This week’s action in the Staffsmart Youth League showed the significant progress the youngsters have made in recent weeks with some top quality darts on display. Game one featured a rising star of the future. At just 14 years of age, Ryan Austin once again made light work of his 200-point deficit against Arron Gardner. He opened the scoring with 121 and followed it with a 140 as he took the opening leg in 21 darts. Leg two saw him score 100, 74 and 95 as he secured a 2-0 win. Ben White put the disappointment of last week’s first loss behind him, although he was made to work hard to overcome Sean Butler. It was Sean who took a 1-0 lead as he scored 160 in a 20-dart 401 leg, giving him a 20.05 average. But he failed to keep up the momentum and Ben nicked the next two legs on the doubles to win 2-1. A nine dart 301 leg looked on the cards in the next match as Scott Bates found his form against Brett Butler. A tight first leg went to Scott, but leg two was the highlight. Scores of 41 followed by 160 left just 100, but he bust hitting treble 20 instead of tops for that magical nine dart leg. It seemed to upset him a little and it allowed Brett to close and have darts at doubles himself to draw level before Scott found double two some 24 darts later for a 2-0 win. Tom Owen (aka “51 dart”) had a mixed night. Game one saw him record a 2-0 win over Daniel Gutterson. With both players missing doubles, it once again took 55 and 36 darts respectively to record the win. Game two for Tom, however, saw him lose 2-0 to table topper Scott Bates. With Scott 1-0 up after a 21-dart leg, he relaxed somewhat before eventually wrapping up victory in 41 darts. Luke Anderson began well against Ben White, reducing the 100 point deficit to go 1-0 up. But Ben soon got back on level terms before going on to win 2-1 and maintain second place behind Scott on legs difference. Arron Gardner was back in action against Sean Butler and he looked in control of the opening leg. Needing 154, he hit 130 to leave 24 after just 12 darts but the double proved elusive, spoiling a good game as Sean stole a 1-0 lead. Sean went on to make it 2-0 with a 48 checkout leaving a dejected Arron on six. The final game saw a reasonable night’s work concluded for the Butler household when youngster Brett checked out on 20 and 48 against Daniel Gutterson to record a 2-0 win. The after-match warm down saw the youngsters dump Darren Butler and landlord Colin Hewson out of a game of killer, although the two regular darters claim they were “ganged up” on!

Round-up for November 5

Staffsmart Youth League

A new leader now heads the Staffsmart Youth League after the latest round of action. Pole sitter Ben White lost his first game of the season to arguably the leagues most improved player up against ‘The Little Power’ Ryan Austin. Despite giving away a 200-point start Ryan soon cut the deficit with some big scores. It enabled him to put Ben under pressure at the doubles end of the match for possibly the first time thus far, and it paid dividends as Ryan notched a 2-0 win hitting 40 and 52 checkouts at the first attempt. He was overhauled on legs difference only by Scott Bates after he gained a 2-0 win over Sean Butler the opening leg in this match was vital as Sean failed to hold his throw missing a double 19 finish this allowed Scott to seize his chance to go 1-0 up from which he didn’t look back. Daniel Austin although talent wise is a little below that of his brother he still put in a good nights work a 2-0 win over Damo Lawson was later followed by a 2-0 win over Brett Butler this match was a lot closer encounter than the score suggested with only the dreaded double one (mad house) deciding the outcome. Finally Tom Owen and Luke Anderson took to the oche both lads scored well but the acid test was once again on doubles, after a 51-dart opening leg things did improve slightly a 45-dart leg ended on double one yet again it gave Luke a flattering 2-0 win to leave Tom kicking himself once again as the doubles so far have not been kind to him, in most of his matches he can hit them but its usually next door to where he needs to be.

Round-up for October 29

Staffsmart Youth League

Two buddies contested the opening match in the youth league as James Beeson and Damo Lawson clashed on, for once, a level playing field of 501. A tense opening leg saw the doubles missed by both lads as 15 darts at doubles went astray. It looked like whoever could establish the advantage would go on and win the game and so it proved as James hit double one to take the lead at 1-0 leaving Damo on 13. Not so many darts were needed in leg two as James gained a 2-0 win with a double 10 finish. Arron Gardner continued his mini-winning run to go three games unbeaten in a tight league a few trebles got him out of a jam against Daniel Austin Arron was trailing in both legs but Daniel’s inability to find a double proved oh so costly as Arron nicked the win on double one in both legs for a 2-0 win.51 dart Tom Owen was next to the oche to face pole-sitter Ben White. Tom was living up to his nickname with an opening 51-dart leg that saw him frustrated once again on double one. This gave Ben an unexpected 1-0 lead. A significantly better leg followed from both lads. With Tom missing 21 for a 21-dart leg, there was no second chance as Ben hit a 74 checkout to win 2-0 in 21 darts.

Round-up for October 22

Staffsmart Youth League

Two rising stars fought out a good game when Scot Bates and Ryan Austin clashed this week. Ryan put the 200 point start clearly behind him, hitting four tons. The trouble was Scott was also in form and two 21-dart legs gave him a 2-0 win, leaving Ryan on a double but unable to get in a blow. Brother Daniel fared better against James Beeson. A dip in form from James gave Daniel a golden opportunity to capitalise and he took it to win 2-0 although, if James had hit a 92 checkout in leg one, the outcome would surely have been different. The dreaded “girlfriend” that has struck down so many young talented darters looks to have stuck yet again although at 12 Luke Anderson is possibly a little young to be smitten, but his darts have taken a back seat. He put in a lacklustre performance against Brett Butler who gleefully took all the points in a 2-0 win against the love-struck teenager. The final game was the closest encounter of the night as Sean Butler and little Daniel Gutterson fought out three legs the training from granddad has paid off and 19s were hit with aplomb to secure a leg and force the decider but doubles need a little more work this allowed Sean to hit 105 double 12 out to win 2-1 and complete a good night for the Butler camp.

Round-up for October 15

Staffsmart Youth League

A confidence-boosting couple of victories for Arron Gardner was the highlight of this week’s Staffsmart Youth League action. He hit a 56 checkout in leg one to take a 1-0 lead against James Beeson with the latter unable to make little impression on the staggered start. Leg two was a different story, though, as James hit scores of 140, 80 and 75 to give him nine darts at a double. Sadly for James, he failed to find the target and Arron grabbed a unexpected 2-0 win. A good night’s work was concluded against Damo Lawson in identical fashion to his previous win. Leading 1-0, Damo battled back with scores of 100, 75, and 85 only to miss his intended checkout and bust, although he had other chances to draw level. But Arron hung on for the win 2-0. Ben White put the disappointment of losing two points at the start of the night because of Keith Hunter failing to turn up yet again and so he is consequently expelled and all points have been expunged. On to the action, though, and Ben knew a win over Daniel Austin would keep him at the top of the league. He took a 1-0 lead with a 66 checkout but Daniel hit back to draw level in 20 darts. It set up a tense decider that saw Ben narrowly miss a 120 checkout shot for a 15 dart leg to leave 20. His problem was in missing it gave Daniel a chance to nick the match and win 2-1. But he bust in attempting a 49 checkout, thus handing the advantage back to Ben who hit double 10 with one dart to win and stay in pole position by the narrowest of margins (leg difference). The final game saw a much-needed win and confidence boost for Luke Anderson. His game with Sean Butler could have gone either way as doubles were missed by both lads. But a 2-0 win to Luke was a little harsh on Sean by the end.

Round-up for October 8

Staffsmart Youth League

A future star in the making showed his prowess in the Staffsmart Youth League this week to share the lead at the top, giving most of his rivals a 200-point start. Ryan Austin’s Taylor-esque stance, throw and dart stacking is starting to pay dividends for the youngster. He gained two wins this week. Game one saw him inflict a 2-0 defeat on Luke Anderson and later on in the evening he fought back from 1-0 down to beat Daniel Gutterson 2-1. Although Daniel made full use of his points advantage, the doubles let him down and allowed Ryan to snatch the win. Brother Daniel Austin is also coming on in leaps and bounds after a serious knee injury threatened his participation in the competition. He inflicted a first defeat on Scott Bates, although Scott was left to rue nine darts at a double in the opening leg, when Daniel hit scores of 77, 125 and 76 in leg two it gave him a big enough cushion to see out the win 2-0. Ben White joined Ryan on eight points at the top as opponent Damo Lawson failed to maintain his form. Damo started with 100 and four scores over 80 as he overhauled Ben in leg one to lead. But his form dipped after that and Ben fought back to win 2-1 and become the only player unbeaten after four wins. The final match saw Arron Gardner record his first win after the usually-reliable-on-the-doubles Tom Owen had an off night nicknamed ‘one dart’ because of his ability sadly he gifted Arron the first win he sought. After leading 1-0, Tom scored superbly in leg two but four darts missed their intended target so it was 1-1. Tom started the decider with 119 and reached a double after just 15 darts but Arron plugged away to come from way back to snatch a winner hitting double two in a frustrating 51-dart leg.

Round-up for October 1

Staffsmart Youth League

Another entertaining night of action in the Staffsmart Youth darts league saw James Beeson hit a maximum unfortunately for him though in his game with Ben White the doubles were more elusive and despite hauling back the 200 point start in every leg he went down to a 2-1 defeat as Ben maintained his 100 percent start by the skin of his teeth. Scott Bates still heads the table after three matches as he gained a win over Damo Lawson with Damo unable to make any impression on the advantage Scott received, but an excellent 16 dart 301 leg was the nights highlight in a 2-0 win. A battle of the brothers followed as Brett and Sean Butler clashed by the end of a tight match it was Brett that held the bragging rights with a 2-0 win to leave his brother without a win. Tom Owen made full use of the staggered start against Ryan Austin to take a 1-0 lead but Ryan is playing some quality darts and hit back to steal a 2-1 win as Tom floundered on the doubles, A serious bit of coaching from granddad has seen a change of tact from Daniel Gutterson the youngster has switched to play on 19s in line with his stature it worked to good effect as he registered his first win against Daniel Austin on a level game both players hit some good scores as 120, 70, 73 and 74 were hit with Gutterson picking off double 11 and double 15 for a 2-0 win. The final game saw Sean Butler record his first win in a re-arranged game with Tom Owen both players reached a double at the same time but for the second time on the night the usually consistent ‘one dart’ Owen was off line and he passed up several chances at the doubles as Sean gleefully gained his first win by a 2-0 score-line.

Round-up for September 24

Staffsmart Youth League

Week two of the Staffsmart Youth League action saw a tight match between Brett Butler and Ryan Austin despite giving away a 200 point start the latter put Brett under some heavy pressure with his Taylor-esque style of darts, scores of 100, 81, 85, 81 and 85 were soon stacked up as he chipped away at the lead allowing him to reach a double in both legs. But Brett hit the doubles to win 2-0 although Ryan did hit the night’s best average of 17.21 albeit in vein. Arron Gardner was seeking his first win while opponent Ben White was unbeaten with both players on 301 a tight game ensued, ultimately the doubles were the deciding factor. Trailing 1-0, Arron was once again unlucky not to salvage anything from a double one marathon in leg two allowing Ben to remain unbeaten after a 2-0 win. Scott Bates tops the league at this early stage only on legs difference after he had a 2-0 win over James Beeson. James was giving away 200 points at the start and unfortunately for him he was only in mediocre form this week as he could only manage a top score of 60. Thus he was unable to claw back the deficit. One player who did manage to make up 200 points was Damo Lawson. Although Daniel Gutterson battled hard, he was just out-gunned on the doubles. With the score at 1-1, a double one (madhouse) marathon ensued and it was a relieved Damo who picked up a 2-1 win.

Round-up for September 17

Staffsmart Youth League

The Queen of Spades staged the opening round of matches in the Staffsmart-sponsored Youth Darts League on Monday night. And with the array of talent on display, organisers have handicapped the league with the youngest competitors playing 301 against some of the eldest playing 501. It all served to set up some interesting encounters on the night—enjoyed by all the youngsters who, for some, sampled their first taste of competitive action. The first match saw Keith Hunter play Ben White. In a tense and nervous opening both players scored well but the doubles were elusive. This resulted in both legs reaching a double one conclusion. Unfortunately for Keith it was Ben who found the target twice to record a 2-0 win. James Beeson had to give 200 points start to youngster Daniel Gutterson, a tall order. But scores of 100, 85, and 80 cut the deficit a little. However, Daniel still reached a double first. He missed checkouts on 66 and 32 to allow James to steal a 1-0 lead with a 64 checkout. Leg two followed a similar trend to the first leg except that Daniel had more darts at doubles in this one. But lady luck was against him as each effort he hit the double next to the one he wanted. He was left on 14 when James hit double 12 for a 2-0 win. Luke Anderson made an encouraging debut off a 401 start against Damo Lawson (501) but missed doubles gave Damo a 1-0 lead. This became 1-1 as Luke hit double one to draw level. The decider went to a relieved Damo. One player not to succumb to the double trouble that most were enduring was Tom Owen. In fact he was deadly with one dart as he hit 20 and 32 checkouts to beat Brett Butler 2-0 although Brett should have taken the opening leg. Brother Sean fared no better in the following game. Despite maintaining his 100 point advantage against Ryan Austin, doubles were missed and he was a unlucky 2-0 loser. Scott Bates hit the night’s best average (a respectable 14.30) which was mainly down to a superb 19-dart leg which secured him a 2-0 win over Arron Gardner. The final game saw the night’s highest scores achieved as Luke Anderson overcame a 100-point deficit to hit scores of 140 and 121. This enabled him to narrowly overcome Daniel Austin 2-1 but Daniel should fare better next week without the cast on his leg!