Sutton Coldfield Superleague Darts

SUTTON SPORTS V COVENTRY BISHOPSGATE  20TH JANUARY 2011

MATCH REPORT

Sutton Sports 4 Coventry Bishopsgate 4

Always a tough fixture for us, where in previous years our opponents have been playing as Coventry Cherry Tree. In the last 4 seasons our home fixture against them had resulted in defeat for us, so this was a useful draw, particularly having trailed 4-2 in the match.

Chris Turnbull (19.56) 0 Dave Harris (22.10) 3

Another tough draw for young helmet, taking on Bomber just days after he recorded an 11-dart leg for Warwickshire A, a leg that had included 2 x 180’s. Bomber bust 76 in the first which gave Chris one dart at a double. He missed, and Bomber took it in 24 darts. A much better 2nd leg from Bomber saw him out in 18 darts including scores of 100 & 140. Neither player really found their form in the 3rd leg, but advantage of throw saw Bomber down first and he took out 54 for 26 darts and a 3-0 win. Chris 3 tons, Dave 4 tons. 1-0 Cov Bish.


Paul Cumming (19.09) 2 Mark Sidgwick (22.58) 3

Paul was out of sorts in the first leg, Sidgy taking it comfortably in 23 darts with scores of 100 & 140. Paul hit back with 125 & 100 in the 2nd leg, and despite some inconsistent darts and missed doubles from both players, Paul took it to level at 1-1 in 26 darts. Both players improved in the 3rd but back to back scores of 100, 100 & 125 put Sidgy in control and he went 2-1 ahead in 20 darts. Paul wouldn’t lie down and levelled in 21 darts with 100 & 135. The 5th went to Sidgy though, with 3 tons and a 95 he closed out the leg in 18 darts for a 3-2 win. Paul 7 tons, Sidgy 11 tons. 2-0 Cov Bish.


Ian McFarlane (25.68) 3 Dave Crossingham (24.77) 1

Ian started well, taking the first against the darts in 20 darts with scores of 125 & 100. Both players then had to wait while a replacement board was set up after a rogue permanent marker had infiltrated the white board marker pack! The second saw 100 & 140 from each player before Dave levelled in 17 darts. Ian started superbly in the 3rd leaving just 59 after 12 darts, but an error was spotted earlier in the game meaning the score should now read 61. Ian was understandably put out at this but recovered his compsure to finish in 16 darts for a 2-1 lead. A close 4th leg, with Dave scoring 140 & 134, but steady scoring and sharp finishing from Ian saw him out in 22 darts for a 3-1 win. Ian 6 tons & a 180, Dave 6 tons. Cov Bish 2-1.


Chris Millward (29.04) 3 Paul Deslandes (25.53) 1

Milly started well and just kept on going. Scores of 140, 100 & 118 in the first leg gave him the edge and he took it in 19 darts. A great 15- dart second leg against throw, out in 15 darts (60, 180, 100, 41, 120f) put Milly into a 2-0 lead. Milly then started the 3rd leg 180, 140, but credit to Paul who found a 15-dart leg himself to stay in the game (97, 45, 180, 99, 80f). Milly showed no letting up in the 4th scoring over 80 with every throw and including a 140 & 100 to take it in 18 darts for a 3-1 win and the Sutton MOM. Chris 10 tons and 2 x 180, Paul 6 tons and a 180. 2-2 the match score.


Dane Vickers (20.66) 1 Jimmy Hill (24.33) 3

A close 1st leg going with throw as Jimmy took out 75 for 21 darts. The 2nd was much better for Jimmy, out in 16 darts including a 180 & 140. Dane bounced back in the 3rd, with 2 tons in a 20 dart leg. Jimmy sewed it up in the 4th though with 2 x 121 and out in 24 darts for a 3-1 win. Dane 3 tons, Jimmy 6 tons and a 180. 3-2 Cov Bish.


Mark Wild (24.11) 1 Noel Grant (25.77) 3

A good start for Wildy with scores of 100 & 125 helping him win a close 1st leg in 19 darts. Both players traded 140’s in the 2nd, but a 114 finish from Noel levelled the match at 1-1 in 18 darts. Wildy with back to back tons followed by 98, got down first, but missed 3 at tops, and Noel clocked out 74 for a 20 dart leg and a 2-1 lead. Wildy scored steadily in the 4th leg, but with Noel scoring 121 & 100 and having advantage of throw, it was Noel who took it in 21 darts for a 3-1 win and the Cov Bish MOM. Mark 5 tons, Noel 8 tons. 4-2 Cov Bish.


Matt Gallett (22.16) 3 Tom Martin (20.81) 2

Usually close when these two young players meet, and it was Matt who took the first leg in 19 darts with Tom back on 96. Matt had chances to go 2-0 up but missed and Tom who had looked a little out of sorts up to that point levelled in 23 darts. Tom started the 3rd with back to back tons, but Matt got back into it with scores of 140 & 96. Tom then hit a sticky patch and Matt took full advantage finishing in 23 darts for 2-1. If we thought Tom would fade away after that we were wrong, he started the 4th leg 100, 115, 140 and took the leg in 16 darts for 2-2. Tom with the darts started 140, but a 134 from Matt kept him in touch. Tom was down first but missed 6 darts at a double, allowing Matt in to take it in 22 darts for a vital 3-2 win. Matt 4 tons, Tom 6 tons. 4-3 Cov Bish.


Mark Birch (26.34) 3 Mark Carter (25.67) 1

Both players scored 180’s in the opening leg, but it was Mark Carter who got the double to take it in 18 darts. The second was vintage Birchy, out in 14 darts (100, 180, 85, 76, 60f). That 2nd 180 of the match was his 12th of the season. The 3rd leg went dart for dart, but it was Birchy who got first shot at a finish and took out 72 for 21 darts. The 4th leg looked to be going Mark Carter’s way, leaving 16 after just 15 darts, but 6 missed darts at a double allowed Birchy in and he tied up the overall match score by taking the leg in 21 darts and a personal 3-1 win. Birchy 4 tons and 2 x 180, Mark Carter 6 tons and a 180.


So a great comeback from Sutton to earn a draw, particularly after the defeat we suffered at Leamington the week before.

Great performance from Milly, but also great character shown by Ginger, Matt and Mark to grind out wins in very difficult games for each of them.

Running averages were: Sutton 23.33, Coventry Bishopsgate 23.95.
Tons were: Sutton 42+5, Coventry Bishopsgate 53+3.

Next up its Rugby at home on February 10th.