FEBRUARY - MARCH  2010

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ANDOVER INVITATION DARTS 

Previous Month  January 2010  (if you missed it)  HERE

Micky Collins Memorial.

Reigning Classic Champion Paul Hogan produced a stirring comeback to lift the 4^th Micky Collins Memorial trophy at the Entertainer last Saturday. Recovering from 2 nil down the England international produced a master class to defeat Wiltshire’s rising star Chris Aubrey 5-2 and notch another classic ranking title.

The England international averaged over 29 per dart in the final collect the £300 winners purse with Aubrey pocketing a well-earned £150. Semi finalists were Hampshire captain Kevin Ede and Swindon’s Mark Cox; £50 each and the quarter finalists were Craig Binge (Southampton) Gary Scratchley (Devizes), Johnny Haines (Swindon) and Steve Barnes (Andover) who all collected £20 for their efforts. Best Academy performance came from Dan Read who defeated Chris Bailey in 15, 17 and 20 darts despite Bailey’s brilliant finish 170 in the fourth leg.

Micky’s widow was again on hand to present the awards in memory of a much-loved darting gentleman

12th March

Micky Collins Memorial

Ranking Event

It is hard to believe that this Saturday is the 4^th Micky Collins memorial a dear friend of darts especially here in Andover – a lovely man and much missed. Micky’s widow Totty will again be in town to present the awards in an event that brings players together from neighbouring counties in his honour.

Entries, £7 -will be taken on the day with registration closing at 11.30.

Inaugural winner Kevin Ede, 2008 victor Gary Scratchley and last year’s champion Danny Smith will all be in a strong field chasing the £300 first prize.

Invitation Darts

There was to be no upsets in last week’s quarter final team knock out matches with four of the top five placed league teams progressing comfortably to what should be a interesting semi final stage.

Wolves ‘F’ were too strong for the Legionnaires side full of youngsters and the veteran Lamb Brants were out gunned by the Out of Towners. Wolves ‘A’ made no mistakes against the Royal Oak but the performance of the round came from the Lardicake who gave the Mingers a real battle to the very last match.    

Academy News

The junior section was in good form for their hangman session with all four teams excelling. There were impressive performances from newcomers Jordan Simpson and Brandon Lee Thomson as well as Kelly Paine and Ryan Morgans who enjoyed an 89 check-out.

It was the first session this year on the trainer board for the seniors which measures players’ strengths and weaknesses over a comprehensive course of exercises.

The ‘Lets TRAIN darts’ boards have been designed in Holland with the Academy being the first to receive them and after excellent reviews they look to become a world wide top seller.

Level one had a 77% pass rate and the few that missed out did so only by a whisker. Top performer in round 1 was the diminutive Nathan Richards with a superb 99% followed by Ray Lockington and Luke Goddard on 98. Jack Miller, Jack Morris, Sam Ellis, Jamie Tarrant, Dan Miller and Harriet Raynsford all achieved a 90+ mark and Sam Pike was only a fraction below. The exercises will get considerably harder and the coaching staff are looking for consistency and application from all players.

For the Mens A group it was the Eclipse Pro-Trainer night with half size doubles and trebles. It was an evenly contested night and an impressive 65% of legs being won within three darts at the double. Gary Thorne and Adam Major had the fastest legs on the night averaging over 76 a throw and Jordan Edmond’s 79 was the best finish. Finally well done to young Jack Miller who won the Shanghai board with 45 points from Brendan Pedge in second, Ellie May third, Danni Hopper was fourth and Dominic Baker 5^th.

Hampshire County & PDC Darts.

Hampshire gained a vital 21-17 victory against fellow relegation battlers Warwickshire last weekend in their fight for Premiership survival. Charlotte Burgess was again an impressive winner but Mark Thorne despite playing well lost against an opponent in top form. Hampshire was missing the talents of Arron Monk who was away in Germany on the PDC circuit. Arron failed to reach the standards he has been setting in recent weeks but gained precious overseas experience. Practice partner Sean White was unable to finance his trip so missed out and if anyone is interested in sponsoring these two future champions please contact the Academy.

5th March

Invitation Darts

Lardicake 15: Lamb Rams 11.

Pairs: 2-4: Singles: Lardi: Graham Howard, Steve Barnes 5-0, Ray Perry 3-2. Lamb: Mark Chilton 5-0.

Magicians 6: Wolves F 20.

Pairs 1-5. Singles: WF: Arron Monk 5-0, Barry Bowsher 4-1, Paul Reidy, Andy Deavall 3-2.

Porkys Piemen 22: Royal Oak 4.

Pairs 6-0. Singles: Porkys: Dennis Simpson, Paul Britten 5-0, Peter Bailey, Ed Edmondson 3-2.

Wolves ‘A’ 16: Out of Towners 10.

Pairs 3-3. Singles: WA: Mark Thorne, Jeff White 4-1, Steve Shadwell 3-2. OoT: Chris Witts 3-2.

Lamb Brants 19: Swallow Flyers 7.

Pairs 5-1: Singles Lamb: Les Brant, Gary Brant 5-0, Glen Dawkins 3-2. Flyers: Adam Dallimore 4-1.

Borough Brigade 4: Mingers 22.

Pairs: 1-5. Singles: Mingers: Sam Rooney, Kevin Ede 5-0, Conner Bevis 4-1, Dan Read 3-2.

Young Guns 24: Legionnaires 2.

Pairs: 6-0. Singles: YG: Gary Thorne, Andy Harvey, Stuart Eaton 5-0, Adam Major 3-2.

This week’s heavy hitters:

180’s: 3: Mark Thorne. 2: Ron Atwill, Chris Witts. 1: Mark Chilton, Paul Reidy, Dave Belbin, Peter Bailey, Darren Large, Mark Lawton, Gary Brant, Glen Dawkins Danny Ballard, Adam Major and Kevin Ede.

Tons: 15: Sam Rooney. 13: Arron Monk, Barry Bowsher, 11: Andy Harvey 10: Steve Shadwell, Dan Read.

Academy News

The junior section has settled in well with new faces making their mark. There were many good performances in the recent team games with Michael McDonnell, Ross Dixon, Chloe Baird and Stan Dunn outstanding with their attitude and application.

In the seniors Danni Hopper, Jack Morris and Jamie Tarrant had stand-out nights whilst in the singles Nathan Richards 6 from 8, Sam Ellis 4 from 5, Gavin Howard 5 from 5and Christine Pike 3 from 5 were all in good form. Ray Lockington with 92 recorded the night’s best checkout.

Halve-It board winners were Craig Pike, Brendon Pedge, Sam Pike and the Shanghai winners were Ellie May and Jack Miller.

Hampshire County Darts.

Hampshire suffered another set back in their fight for Premiership survival when losing to Kent. Charlotte Burgess was Andover’s only winner over the weekend claiming the lady of the match award on the Saturday.

The Youth section was a much happier place as Hampshire defeated Devon 9-2. Playing their part was Gary Thorne, Gavin Howard, Conner Bevis, Dan Read and Jordan Edmonds who was making his debut.

It is a major aim for the academy to produce a conveyor belt of players for Hampshire and Jordan now makes it eight from the Academy and it was made all the more pleasurable as the young man concluded his match with a bull’s-eye finish.

Memorable weekend for the Academy as Andover remembers Sharon.

Ranking Event

Another remarkable Sharon Bale memorial brought the best out Andover players not only in talent but in spirit too.

Reigning champs Sam Rooney and Charlotte Burgess defended their title in style but it was the emergence of the Academy’s Dan Read and Harriet Raynsford that captivated everyone’s imagination as they battled their way to the final.

It was quite a day as three of the four finalists have come through the Academy and the fourth was an Invitation league favourite and regular at the Entertainer.

Worthy semi finalists were Bev Newman and John Gaffney and Lenita March and Kevin Murrell while the effervescent Martin Hickman and Dave Beagley made the last eight as did Gary Thorne and Vicki Smith, Steve and Anne Barnes and Mark and Teresa Thorne.    It was a smashing day just how Sharron would have wanted it.

Champions: Sam Rooney & Charlotte Burgess £300. 2^nd: Dan Read and Harriet Raynsford £150. 3-4: John Gaffney and Bev Newman, Kevin Murrell and Lenita March £75. 5-8: Dave Beagley and Martine Hickman, Gary Thorne and Vicki Smith, Steve and Anne Barnes, Mark and Teresa Thorne £25.

Invitation Darts

Porkys Piemen 12: Merlin Mingers 14.

Pairs: 3-3: Singles: Porkys: Paul Britten 4-1, Dennis Simpson 3-2. Mingers: Sam Rooney 5-0, Kevin Ede 3-2.

Wolves F 14: Lamb Brants 12.

Pairs 3-3. Singles: WF: Arron Monk 4-1, Sean White and Andy Deavall 3-2. Lamb: Gary Brant 4-1.

Lamb Rams 6: Wolves A 20.

Pairs 1-5. Singles: Lamb: Ray Tyson 3-2. WA: Mark Thorne, Jeff White 5-0, Steve Shadwell 3-2.

Legionnaires 5: Magicians 21.

Pairs 0-6. Singles: Magic: John Gaffney, Ivor Andrews, Glenn Kynaston 4-1, Colin Pimm 3-2.

Out Of Towners 17: Borough Brigade 9.

Pairs 4-2: Singles O.o.T: Chris Witts 5-0, Ron Atwill 4-1, Brian Laws 3-2. Boro: Steve Cox 4-1.

Royal Oakers 13: Young Guns 13.

Pairs: 2-4. Singles: Oak: Darren Large 4-1, Gary Penwarden 3-2. YG: Andy Harvey, Gary Thorne 3-2.

Swallow Fliers 12: Lardicake 14.

Pairs: 3-3. Singles: Flyers: Adam Dallimore 4-1, Darren Barnes 3-2. Lardi: Graham Howard, John Payne 4-1.

This week’s heavy hitters:

180’s: 2: Sam Rooney 1: Gary Brant, Glen Dawkins, Glen Kynaston, Colin Pimm, Brian Laws, Dave Belbin, Graham Howard.

Tons: 11: Mark Thorne, Chris Witts. 10: Sam Rooney, Dennis Simpson, Arron Monk, Glen Dawkins.

PDC Players Championships - Swindon

Sean White was disappointed to lose his first round match to Kevin Painter 6-5 missing doubles in several legs for a comfortable win against ‘the Artist’ who currently enjoys top ten ranking.

It was a different story for Arron Monk who was not in such a generous mood and played superbly to reach the last 16. Master Monk enjoyed 6-2 wins over Tony Randell and Spain’s no.1 Carlos Rodriguez before defeating former world champion Steve Beaton 6-4.

Ironically this brought him up against Dad Colin whom he showed no mercy to win the deciding leg 6-5. Arron’s run was finally ended by the consistent Wayne Jones who has become a force on the circuit in the last 12 months. A 6-4 defeat was softened by the fact he had now qualified for the UK Open at Bolton this summer for his first SKY TV appearance.

Gavin’s Legionnaires off the Mark with first win of the season.

Ranking Event

It looks like being another top day for the Sharron Bale Memorial Mixed Pairs event on Saturday 20^th February at the Entertainer. The list is filling up fast but entries will be taken on the day as long as pairs are registered by 11.30 am. It is the third running of this fun competition in memory of a very special lady who loved life and darts.

Invitation Darts

Lamb Brants 12: Royal Oakers 14.

Pairs: 3-3: Singles: Lamb: Glen Dawkins 4-1, Gary Brant 3-2. Oak: Peter Hainer and Darren Large 4-1.

Borough Brigade 3: Lardicake 23.

Pairs 0-6. Singles: Boro: Lee Who 3-2. Lardi: Martin Hitchins, John Payne and Steve Barnes 5-0.

Merlin Magicians 5: Merlin Mingers 21.

Pairs 2-4. Singles: Mingers: Sam Rooney 5-0, Conner Bevis, Dan Read and Kevin Ede 4-1.

Porkys Piemen 20: Lamb Rams 6.

Pairs 4-2. Singles: Porkys: Dennis Simpson, Paul Britten 5-0, Peter Bailey and Eddie Edmondson 3-2.

Swallow Fliers 6: Wolves ‘A’ 20.

Pairs 2-4: Singles Wolves: Mark Thorne, Jeff White 5-0, Steve Shadwell and Ali MacDonald 3-2.

Wolves ‘F’ 21: Legionnaires 5.

Pairs: 5-1. Singles: WF: Arron Monk, Barry Bowsher, Sean White and Andy Deavall 4-1.

Out of Towners v Young Guns- Postponed.

This week’s heavy hitters:

Fastest Leg: 13: Ali MacDonald and Eddie Edmondson.

180’s: 2: Andy Deavall, Kevin Ede and Eddied Edmondson. 1: Keith Brant, John Payne, Steve Barnes, Colin Pimm, Dennis Simpson, Peter Bailey, Mark Thorne, Darren Barnes, Arron Monk.

Tons: 14: Ali MacDonald, Sam Rooney. Highest Checkouts: 12: Jeff White. 11: John Gaffney. 10: Conner Bevis, Adam Dallimore and Arron Monk.

Academy News

The Academy has hit the ground running with both Junior and Senior sections impressing across the board.

Last week the Seniors held their first Darts-athlon with the top order beginning to be pushed by a younger group. Adam Major, Dan Read and Gary Thorne filled the first three places respectively but Luke Goddard and Jamie Tarrant both had excellent evenings pushing Conner Bevis into 6^th.

Top lady proved to be Harriet Raynsford in 7^th who also won the Highest Score discipline outright. Ray Lockington finished 8^th relegating Academy captain Gavin Howard to 9^th. The emerging Jordan Edmonds and Josh Lambell filled the next two places ahead of 8-year-old Nathan Richards in 12^th. Sam Pike had a rare off night but still finishes 13^th out of 30.

The juniors were on the revolutionary training boards from Holland and their application drew praise from all of their coaches. Boys captain Shane Reidy shone brightest with an excellent 69% followed by Ross Dixon who enjoyed his best night so far at the Academy. Adam Lockington was a close third on 64.5% ahead of the best girl Kyla Tobin on 64%. Second girl was Amy Thorne on 58.5 just ahead of many more excellent efforts.

Gavin’s Legionnaires off the Mark with first win of the season.

Eastbourne Festival of Darts

Fast on the heels of his Classic Ranking win Arron Monk was at it again last weekend this time in Eastbourne. Over the weekend he claimed the mixed pairs title on the Friday with Kathy Nye, then partnered county colleague Rikki Williams to the men’s pair’s crown. A minor hiccup in only securing runners up with Nye and Williams in the mixed pairs before winning the blue ribband event; the men’s singles on the Sunday when demolishing world master and world match-play champion 5-1 in the final.

Part of Arron’s prize is a trip to the Indian Open in Karala.

Invitation Darts

Legionnaires 14: Swallow Fliers 12.

Pairs: 3-3: Singles: Wayne Collins 5-0, Gavin Howard 4-1. Flyers: Adam Dallimore and Darren Barnes 4-1.

Wolves A 25: Boro Brigade: 1.

Pairs 5-1. Singles: Mark Thorne, , Jeff White and Ali MacDonald all 5-0.

Royal Oak 7: Wolves F: 19.

Pairs 0-6. Singles: WF: Arron Monk 4-1, Andy Deavall, Paul Reidy and Barry Bowsher 3-2.

Lamb Rams 6: Young Guns 20:

Pairs 1-5. Singles: YG: Gary Thorne, Adam Major, Andy Harvey 4-1, Stuart Eaton 3-2.

Lardicake 9: Porkys Piemen 17.

Pairs 2-4: Singles Porkys: Paul Britten 4-1, Peter Bailey, Dennis Simpson and Ed Edmondson 3-2.

Merlin Mingers: 19: Lamb Brants 7.

Pairs: 5-1. Singles: Mingers: Sam Rooney 5-0, Conner Bevis 4-1 and Kevin Ede 3-2. Brants: Gary Brant 3-2.

Out of Towners: 18: Magicians 8.

Pairs: 6-0. Singles: OoT: Chris Witts 4-1, Steve Ballard and Ron Atwill 3-2. Magicians: Colin Pimm 3-2.

This week’s heavy hitters:

Fastest Leg:

12: Sam Rooney. 13: Jeff White, Ali MacDonald. 14: Peter Bailey.

180’s: 2:  Jeff White, Kevin Ede 1: Mark Thorne, Ali MacDonald, Darren Large, Andy Deavall, Mark Chilton, Ray Perry, Brian Laws, John Gaffney, Ron Atwill, Connor Bevis and Dan Read.

Highest Checkouts:

160: Glen Dawkins 130: Glen Dawkins 

Academy News

After a delayed restart due to the snow the Academy is now back in full swing with nearly 60 youngsters already re-signed. The academy has been buoyed by an influx of parent/coaches who are taking up the administrative side to allow the coaches to get stuck in with positive results already evident. Each board now has technical assistants to help with throw, stance and balance and also a checkout board to hone their finishing skills.

On the playing side the Academy welcomes Jack Morris, Stan Dunn, Jordan Simpson and congratulates Ellie May on her promotion to the senior ladies.

Dave Cooper, Mark Read, Mark Miller, Peter Richards and Dave Wombwell have joined the staff and Gavin Howard is appointed men’s captain which all points towards an exciting year at the Academy.