Coventry Players Championships – Ricoh Arena
In the fir
st round I had drawn Alan Tabern (right). Alan is rank number 12 in the world and you don’t get to that position without thoroughly deserving it. He is a top class player and although there could have been harder draws out there I do not think there would be many.
The first 2 legs went against the darts with me taking the first leg and Alan too the second. Each leg then went with the throw until the match stood at 3-3. I then broke Alans throw and went 4-3 up but he responded with a 12 darter ending on a 143 finish to level the match at 4-4. Another good leg followed and he was 5-4 up. I put a good leg of darts together and hit double 5 in 16 darts to bring the match to 5-5. In the 11th leg Alan hit 140,140,100 and set up double 16 for the match, however I was not lying down and after Alan missed double 16 I narrowly missed the bullseye for a 122 checkout which would have sealed the match. Alan made no mistake this time and checked out to win the match 6-5.
Overall I was happy with my performance and my finishing under pressure was very good. After my analysis with my son Daniel he explained that there had only been one leg which I should have won but due to 2 darts missed I actually lost the leg (this was the 2nd leg) and could have put me 2-0 up but there were 2 occasions where I won legs where Alan had the first shot.
Looking at improving from this I need to win the off by winning the nearest Bull at the start of the match which would mean that I would have the advantage of throwing first if the match comes to 5-5. I am becoming the 6-5 specialist!
Mark Walsh(right) won the event beating Phil Taylor in the final 6-4. Well done Mark!
Report and Results
PDC UK Open West Midlands Regional Final – Ricoh Arena, Coventry
I almost knew I would be in a preliminary game today and low and behold – I was. This time I was due to play Steve Musson. I don’t know much about Steve but I know he ran my friend Martyn Turner very close on the Saturday so this meant he had to be of a high standard.
I won the Bull off!!!!!! Then went 1-0 down when Steve took out 94 in 2 darts, he then took the 2nd leg and I was well and truly in a battle. Steve went into a 5-2 lead and had darts to wrap the game up 6-2 but missed and I battled away to get into the game with close advice and coaching from my son Daniel and levelled the match at 5-5 but this time it was me to throw first and I made no mistake and won the match 6-5. Positives from this match are that I won a game which I really should have lost and I have often been on the opposite end of that equation and it is nice to get ‘one back’. I also finished very well and never missed a dart at a double when I went 2-5 down…
Denis Ovens next and I really need to beat him for £200 on the UK Open Order of Merit. Denis is one of the best floor players in the world and currently ranked 20 in the world.
I lost the bull on this occasion and Denis went 1-0 up, I was determined to get into this match early and hit a 180 and 52 checkout for 17 darts to level the match up. Denis then went 2-1 up and I put 3 excellent legs together including a 14 and a 15 darter to go 4-2 up. I then had a shot at a 60 checkout to go 5-2 up but missed 2 darts at double 20 and Denis reduced the deficit to 4-3. The 8th leg was a nervy leg and I ended up hitting double 2 with my last dart to go 5-3 up and came out of the blocks well in the 9th leg hitting 122,137,140 and wrapped the match up 6-3 hitting double top with my first dart.
Next round it was Robert Thornton who is one of the form players in the PDC at the minute and is currently ranked number 18 in the world.
I lost the bull in this match and it was a strange game to say the least. Robert seemed worse for wear drink wise and I got caught out listening and not concentrating to 100% and fair play to Robert he took chances that I missed and won the match 6-1.
Phil Taylor won the event beating Wayne Jones in the final 6-5 click photo (right) for Report and full results.
Positives from the weekend
1. Definite improvement on doubles under pressure.
2. Daniel is quickly becoming my coach – proud of this lad with old head on young shoulders. Without his support and advice at times this weekend I could have had bad results – thanks son.
3. Won a 6-5 match by making sure I won the off by winning the nearest Bull.
4. Confidence improving all the time and beating Denis backs up the fact I have been playing well but have been unlucky.
5. Won £200 for UK Open Order of Merit and am now on £400 so this could be enough to get me to the finals at Bolton – one more £200 and that will guarantee it.
6. I am continuously changing things (slightly) and am getting better results – Always remember – Do what you have always done and get what you have always got!
Happy darting, Dave Ladley
On Saturday I had drawn Arron Monk from Hampshire. I knew I had a tough game because recently he has been playing some great darts and has gained some good scalps along the way.
