31st July 2009

Unicorn Darts Youth Academy

It will be an emotionally charged Entertainer this Saturday as the 4^th Andover Youth Open which has been renamed the Jamie ‘G’ memorial welcomes young darters from 6 counties and a host of special guests.

Sadly one player who will not be there is the Academy’s Conner Bevis who will be on holiday. However Conner and his foster parents who live in Southampton made a telling contribution to the event long before the big day.

Travelling to the Lyndhurst Club in early July to take part in a Darryl Fitton and Tony O’Shea exhibition they approached the stars and organisers to tell them about Jamie ‘G’, his event and charity. By the end of the evening the matchboard had been auctioned and bucket passed round and an amazing £250 had been raised; congratulations Conner, Sue and Dave, what a fantastic effort.

Most of the seniors will be on show with a good sprinkling of juniors who will be in attendance to help in the day’s running for it will be the usual round robin format in the early stages until a knockout phase takes over in the second half. Dave Dempsey the Transplus Classic referee is travelling up from Essex to give his services free of charge as are Jamie’s favourite players Adrian ‘Jackpot’ Lewis and Colin ‘the Wizard’ Osborne who will be making their way from the midlands. There will be a host of talented youngsters aiming to win the coveted titles which are currently held by academy players; Sean White has won the last two men’s events and no other young lady can lay claim for Charlotte Burgess will be going for a fourth consecutive title.

Doors will open at 10.30 with players toeing the oche at 11.45 and the finals and presentations around 6pm.

It will no doubt be a full house on the day but spectators are warmly invited to support the town’s youngsters, welcome a remarkable family in Ivan, Jacqui and Tommy and to honour the Academy’s little superstar who is still so sorely missed.

Nb; The Academy is holding their annual fun-day at New St FC on Sunday at 12.30. Everyone is welcome for an afternoon of fun and games including a bar-b-que, penalty shoot out, tug of war, rounders and of course a game of darts!!

24th July

Unicorn Darts Youth Academy

Sean, The Power and Arron

... and with Bob Anderson

and Kirk Shepherd and John Part

Representatives of the Academy had the privilege and honour to be in Nottingham last week for the Unicorn 2010 product launch of nearly 300 new products and the induction of Arron Monk into Team Unicorn.

It was a gathering of the world’s greatest darts team with world champions Taylor, van Barneveld, Part, Anderson and Dobromyslova and other household names such as Wade, Hamilton, Lewis, Manley, Jenkins and Osborne. Add an array of upcoming talent destined for fame and glory and a pinch commentary cognoscente in Sid Waddell, Stuart Pyke and Russ Bray, it was indeed a darting who’s who.

From an Andover perspective it was a delight to see young Arron’s name in lights on the presentation as he joined colleagues Sean White and Jamie Kelling in this exclusive club with every opportunity to emulate his illustrious team-mates; surely no other club in the world has such an incentive.

Back at grass roots academy, there were good performances from Adam Major who topped the A group 701 singles and the 29’s with a score of 357.

Dan Read however had the fastest leg in 24 darts which included the night’s best finish of 74. Gavin Howard continues to impress with his steady progress and was four from four in the A-501 singles.

Sam Ellis and Jamie Tarrant are also producing consistent performances and were unbeaten on their board on the night. In the team game there were good 2-nil wins for Luke Goddard and Scott Burton Pye and Danielle Hopper just missed a maximum with a super 123.

The fourth Andover Youth Open which has been renamed the Jamie Gentleman Memorial trophy takes place at the Entertainer on Saturday 1^st August. It promises to be a great day with Jamie’s favourite players Adrian Lewis and Colin Osborne making the presentations and proud parents Jacqui and Ivan and brother Tommy making special appearances. Prizes include World Championship tickets donated by the PDC and entries are still being taken at £3 per player with eligibility being 20 years of age as of January 1^st this year.

Milestones; Academy membership rose to 124 last week and 7 of the 9 players in the Invitation League match between the Young Guns and the Mingers were Academy players.

17th July

Unicorn Darts Youth Academy

The first ever Saturday Junior Academy Event sponsored by Unicorn was held at the Entertainer and proved a great hit as a darts-athlon produced semi finalists for the most successful under 14 boys and girls. It was nearly a full turnout of Academy’s juniors who were tested to the full for over three hours before the semis took to the stage for a 301 knock out format.

Colin Monk Andover’s most successful ever darter, was on hand to present the trophies and remarked how the standard had risen since the inception of the academy and was especially impressed by the improvement all of the girls. The knockout stages were too close to call with all scoring well and it was inevitably the best finishers that won through. Shane Reidy the eventual boy champion was excellent on his doubles; the best a clinical 66 two dart check-out and Ellie May deservedly ended the day as girl’s champion, just reward for her excellent attitude and determination.

Colin Monk, Ellie May, Shane Reidy and Mark Thorne

Boy’s winner; Shane Reidy, Runner-up; Charlie Deavall, 3-4; Nathan Richards and Ryan Morgans.

Girls Winner; Ellie May, Runner-up; Amy Thorne, 3-4; Sian Monk and Molly Dawkins.

9-18, Kelly Paine, James Hanson, Chloe Baird, Luke Baird, Keiron Rowe, Ryan Rowe, Kian Coffin, Dean Rocker and Frankie Valance.

Back at the Academy; Congratulations to Conner Bevis and Dan Read who have qualified as Hampshire representatives for the Winmau World Masters and British Teenage Open respectively at Kettering later this month.

It was Darts-athlon week at the Academy last week, Ryan Rowe and Molly Dawkins were top of the juniors with Shane Reidy and Ellie May close behind in second. In the seniors Dan Read, Gary Thorne and Adam Major filled the top three places with Sam Pike top lady. Jordan Edmonds, Josh Lambell and Sam Ellis each attained personal bests for the evening.

10th July

Congratulations the nine academy players who are the most recent members of the Unicorn 180 Club and to the players of the month for May.

Gavin Howard and Samantha Pike are award winners for the seniors and Ryan Rowe and Ellie May for the juniors. May also excelled on the Lets TRAIN darts board averaging over 87% as did Charlie Deavall who has been making excellent early progress. It was predominantly a pairs evening last week, Ray Lockington and Hugo Candeias had the fastest leg a 24 darter but Rhys Collins and Shane Cooper were the top pair winning all their matches. In the mixed pairs Karl Brooks and Christine Pike were in good form losing just one match.

There was an excellent night’s work in the singles section with all players playing well.  Dan Read again caught the eye winning 5 from 6 but it was Conner Bevis who topped the session winning all his games with fine 23.97 average. Other highlights were Read’s 21 dart-601 ending in an excellent 134 closure and 11 year-old Nathan Richards’ second maximum in as many weeks. Fastest leg of the night was Bevis’ 18 darter with Adam Major waiting on a double.

 There were over 80 ton plus scores but the most pleasing aspect of the night was the numerous excellent set up shots. Adam Major 162, Josh Lambell 160, Gary Thorne 135, Nathan Richards 115 and Read’s 137, 134 and 101 were the ton plus score setting up finishes.

Unicorn Darts Youth Academy

Luke Baird, Ryan Rowe and Kelly Paine all with scores around the 90% mark topped the Lets TRAIN darts exercises last week reaping the benefits of concentration during a very hot session.

It was the final practice rounds of the handicap singles for the seniors before the summer break and Gavin Howard, Steve Turner and Josh Lambell were undefeated with five from five.

Howard notched another maximum, Dan Read a 27 dart 701 and Rhys Collins a 21 dart 401.Gary Thorne was 4 from 5 off 601 and 11 year old protégé Nathan Richard returned 3 wins from 5 over 501.

The fast improving Nick Chilton had another good night winning 3 as did Hattie Raynsford who was the best lady on the night closely followed by Amanda Paine

Young Samantha’s turn to shine on the national stage

Youth Academy

Congratulations to 14 year old Samantha Pike who was selected to play for the Southern Region in the National Association of Railway Clubs Inter-Regional Darts Tournament. Sam played her part in winning her two singles games; 2-0 & 2-1 and her trebles against teams from London, Midland and Eastern regions.

The juniors are getting to grips with the innovative ‘lets TRAIN darts boards’ from Holland, most accurate so far of the boys are Regan Preston and Adam Lockington with 92% followed by Ryan Morgans on 89.5. Top girls so far are Molly Dawkins 91.1%, Amy Thorne 87.8 and Ellie May with 82.75. Last week in the seniors it was a trial run for the Handicap Singles. Gary Thorne with 4 from 5 topped the 601 starters, Gavin Howard, Jordan Edmonds and Sam Ellis were 4 from 5 over 501, Shane Lock and Hugo Candeias won all three over the 401 distance. Newcomer Candeias is making good progress and recorded the top checkout of the night; 89 and a 21 darter.

Other good performances came from Conner Bevis with a 28 dart 701, Thorne a 25 dart 601, Edmonds and Nathan Richards recorded 21 and 23 dart 501 legs respectively and the impressive Harriet Raynsford a 24 dart 401. Bevis and Dan Read were the best of the 701 starters with 3 wins from 5.

The new ‘lets TRAIN darts boards’ are proving a great success; Adam Lockington 92% Conner Samways 83 and best girl Kelly Paine 79% achieved the highest scores at Junior level.

The senior ladies almost beat the lads coming up just short in losing 5-6.

Good wins for Scott Burton Pye and Oli Burgess and Brendon Pedge and Jamie Tarrant in the pairs set up the win but the girls came back with wins from Amanda Paine and Harriet Raynsford in the pairs and Christine Pike, Becky Chilton and Danielle Hopper in the triples.

Best of the 701 singles had 26 darters from Conner Bevis (2) and Sean White who also registered a maximum.

Top of the 501 Singles was Dan Miller with 3 wins from 4, while in the 401 Singles Same Ellis won 3 from 4 with Jordan Edmonds registering the the fastest Leg. 

 Unicorn Darts Youth Academy

Congratulations to 14 year old Dan Read who ploughed a lonely furrow to the Isle of Sheppey and reached the last 8 of the under 21 youth event. The youngster is showing great potential and attitude

Back at the Academy, the new Lets TRAIN Darts training boards are showing some interesting results. In the juniors Charlie Deavall and Shane Reidy achieved 90% and Ellie May and Sian Monk 80% at level 1. Nick Chilton, Craig Pike and Connor Bestford returned 90% achievement at level 2 and Sean White, Gary Thorne and Dan Read were all 50+ at level 7. Best performances in the 401singles round robins came from David McFadden’s 18 and Christine Pike 20. Newcomer Shane Cooper’s recorded the fastest 501 leg in 19.

Unicorn Darts Youth Academy

Congratulations to Dan Read who reached the last 64 on a field of over 500 players at this year’s Hampshire Open. Read’s opponent produced a last gasp 117 check-out to edge the tie 3-2 after the 14 year-old had missed a dart a double top to win go through. Colin Monk lifted the title for the second successive year, his third in total as Hampshire players dominated the final stages with six of the last eight.

Popular visitors to these parts, Sam Rooney and Kevin Ede made the semi finals with Ede accounting for Andy Jenkins 4-2 in the quarters.