Sutton Coldfield Superleague Darts

RUGBY V SUTTON SPORTS  7TH OCTOBER 2010

MATCH REPORT

Rugby 3 Sutton Sports 5

A great result for us against what has been something of a bogey side for us over the years.

That said Rugby were slightly ahead on both tons and running average, which showed how well we did in the key legs on the night.


Carl Green (20.21) 2 Dane Vickers (21.41) 3

A close first leg saw Dane with advantage of throw, take it in 23, despite a maximum from Carl. Dane had a great chance for 2-0 but missed 5 at a double. Carl took the leg in 27 darts for 1-1 having missed a few at doubles himself. Carl won the 3rd in 24 darts including a 2nd maximum. Dane took advantage of a few loose darts from Carl in the 4th and levelled against throw in 21 darts. Dane started the last with a 140 and was always just ahead before taking out 40 for a 23 dart winner. Carl 6 tons 7 2 x 180, Dane 7 tons. 1-0 Sutton.

Matt Edgar (24.64) 3 Adam Gallett (20.00) 0

Matt always seems to play well against us, and so it was again. In the first leg adam got off to a slow start but then recovered. However, with Matt scoring under 80 only once until he got to a double, it was Matt who took it in 21. In the second Adam left tops but back to back tons had set Matt up to win it in 23 darts. Adam started the 3rd with a 121 but a good third leg from Matt out in 17 darts completed his win and took the Rugby MOM. Matt 6 tons, Adam 2 tons. 1-1 the match score.

Martin Bowley (24.03) 2 Ian McFarlane (22.14) 3

The proverbial game of two halves. Martin in great form early on taking the 1st in 15 darts including a maximum (57, 137, 59, 180, 68f). Macca got a 180 himself in the second, but missed tops, and Martin nicked it in 20 darts for 2-0. A tight 3rd leg saw Ian down first but both missed several chances before Ian took it in 29. Ian kicked on in the 4th with a couple of tons and a 96 helping him level it up in 20 darts. Ian had advantage of throw in the last and made it count taking out 60 for 20 darts with Martin having left a double and having scored his 2nd maximum of the match in the leg. Martin 5 tons and 2 x 180, Ian 7 tons and a 180. 2-1 Sutton.

Prakash Jiwa (25.97) 1 Matt Gallett (26.90) 3

Match of the night. You know you are up against it with Prakash but giving him the darts just makes it that bit harder. Matt is playing with great confidence at the moment so we knew he would push him all the way. Matt stayed with Prakash in the first, and when Prakash missed his doubles Matt took it in 20 darts. Matt didn't do a lot wrong in the 2nd but Prakash levelled in 15 darts (100, 85, 92, 140, 84f). Once again Matt broke Prakash in the 3rd, this time in 17 darts (100, 97, 100, 60, 100, 44f) for 2-1. He knew he had to hold throw in the 4th and did starting 140 and taking it in 18 darts for 3-1 and the Sutton MOM. Prakash 8 tons, Matt 8 tons. 3-1 Sutton.

Hemal Tailor (19.32) 3 Chris Turnbull (18.59) 1

A 1st leg they will both want to forget with 24 darts at a double between them! Hemal took it in 34. The second was much better but Hemal took it in 21 darts for 2-0. Chris did kick in for leg 3, starting 140, 100, 140 and taking it comfortably in 20 darts. Chris seemed to have a slight edge in the 4th but 2 ton plus scores in quick succession saw Hemal leave 20. Chris missed 32, and Hemal took it in 23 darts for a 3-1 win. Hemal 6 tons, Chris 4 tons. 3-2 Sutton.

Chris Morgan (21.22) 2 Mark Birch (21.81) 3

Another close contest. Birchy starting as we expect these days out in 18 darts with 3 x ton plus scores. He looked to be heading for 2-0 until Chris banged in a maximum to leave 29. Mark missed 4 at a double, and Chris took it out in 25 darts. Three tons from Chris in the 3rd saw him go 2-1 up in 21 darts. A nervy 4th game saw Mark edge it in 26 darts. The 'real' Birchy re-emerged for the 5th, hitting 2x 180's in a 19 dart leg. Even then Chris did have a dart to win it. Don't think Mark would have took losing a leg including 2 x 180's too well!. Chris 11 tons and a 180, Mark 6 tons and 2 x 180. 4-2 Sutton.

Terry James (24.13) 1 Mark Wild (23.69) 3

Wildy glad of the advantage in the 1st leg, taking it in 20. Despite 3 tons in that leg from Wildy, Terry still had 2 at a double. The second looked to be slipping away from Mark, but a 127 to leave 32 pressured Terry. Wildy then taking out the 32 for 23 darts. Terry bounced back with an 18 dart leg in the 3rd, but an excellent 4th leg from Wildy in 16 darts (85, 125, 84, 60, 107, 40f) won it 3-1. Terry 5 tons, Mark 8 tons. Sutton 5-2.

Pete Scrivener (19.57) 3 Paul Cumming (19.00) 2

A slow start form both players before Pete clocked 68 for 27 darts. Pete hit a maximum in the second, but Paul who started 135, 140 was first down and out in 23 darts. Paul went ahead in the 3rd in 18 darts (140, 100, 60, 40, 113, 48f). Paul struggled at the back end of the 4th and Pete levelled in 24 darts. Paul again found it difficult at the start of the 5th, and by the time he did find his range again he was some way behind. In the end it was just too much of a deficit as Pete took it in 29 darts for 3-2 with Paul on 68. Pete 5 tons, Paul 7 tons.

Tons on the night were: Rugby 52+6, Sutton 49+3
Running Averages: Rugby 22.39, Sutton 21.69

Rugby are a good bunch of lads (& lasses), and we look forward to the return. It is probably our longest trip so definitely a great result.

Rugby certainly deserve a mention for matching the record number of 180's scored against us, last achieved by Leamington in 2005-06. Some performance that.


All in all we haven't had too bad a start given we started 2 weeks after most teams. The 5 new lads have settled in well and there is a good team spirit developing. All the new lads have played in all 4 games to date which has helped them settle in, and that will certainly help for the rest of the season. It is always hard getting used to a new team around you particularly at this level. We have won 2 and lost 2 so far but given that the two defeats were to last years top 2 sides that is no disgrace. We also have not seen much from some of the old guard this season with Milly, Baz and JK having only played 2 games between them so far despite having a total of over 250 Sutton Coldfield super league games experience between them.

Hopefully this will be a season where we can continue to improve throughout the season. Next up is Nuneaton at home in a fortnight (as it is the Superleague singles KO next week).