Sutton Coldfield Superleague Darts

SUTTON COLDFIELD V LEAMINGTON  19TH NOVEMBER 2009

MATCH REPORT

Sutton Coldfield 4 Leamington 4

A very good result for us against the reigning champions, who remain unbeaten this season.


Mark Wild (25.76) 1 Nigel Heydon (30.22) 3

A great start to the match. Nigel taking the first in 14 darts (140, 140, 100, 85, 36f). Wildy bounced back in the 2nd in 21 darts. Nigel back in front in the 3rd in 17 darts, with Wildy on 66 after 15. Wildy had a shot to take the 4th but missed letting in Nigel for a 16 dart 4th leg. Wildy 6 tons, Nigel 10 tons. 1-0 Leamington.


Chris Millward (21.57) 3 Dave Atkins (23.48) 1

Milly took the first in 19 darts, only for Dave to level in 16. Milly took a close 3rd leg in 21, but the 4th saw Dave miss chances allowing Milly to win it in 27. 5 tons for Milly, 6 tons for Dave. 1-1 the Match score.


Mark Kane (28.75) 2 Mark McGeeney (30.71) 3

Undoubtedly the match of the night, possibly of the season so far. Mark McGeeney out in 16 darts, Kaney levelling in 19. Mark McGeeney came back with another 16 dart game including a 180 for 2-1, with Kaney having missed double 12 for 15 darts. Kaney took the 4th in 18, with Mark having missed tops for a 160 finish in 15 darts himself. The 5th leg went dart for dart. Kaney left 120 after 12 darts (100, 83, 100,98), his opponent Mark had left 141 after 12 (140, 60, 60, 100). Mark had first shot for Leamington and took it with a 141 finish and taking the Leamington MOM. You wouldn't have backed against Kaney doing the 120 though. Kaney 12 tons, Mark 14 tons and a 180. 2-1 Leamington.


Dane Vickers (20.88) 3 Peter Hughes (22.54) 2

First leg to Pete in 21, but Dane levelled in 24. Pete missed several chances in the 3rd letting Dane in to nick it in 28. The 4th leg was the best leg of this contest, with Dane hitting 3 tons to leave 120 after 15, but Pete winning it in 17. Pete started strong in the 5th 100, 140, 100 but couldn't find his double. Dane hung in and when given the chance took it gratefully in 24 darts. Dane 6 tons, Pete 6 tons. 2-2 on the night.


Carl Perry (18.14) 0 Colin Laffar (25.05) 3

Carl's first game for a while, and another tough draw against the Warwickshire appearance record holder. Colin winning in 21, 23 & 16 darts, but Carl had his chances in the 2nd, and had that gone in who knows? Carl 3 tons, Colin 6 tons. 3-2 Leamington.


Paul Cumming (19.98) 3 Pete Allen (21.40) 1

Paul's superior finishing helped him to a 2-0 lead, with Pete missing doubles and Paul taking out 68 & 64 shots for 2 x 20 dart legs. Pete took the 3rd in 21, then came a nervy 4th leg with both players missing chances. Paul eventually took it, but this leg definitely dragged the averages down. Paul 5 tons, Pete 6. 3-3 on the night.


Rob Hawker (26.81) 3 Nick Gedney (22.19) 1

This looked set to be every bit as good as any game on the night, as Rob faced the only player to have beaten him last season. A cracking first leg from Rob in 16 darts put him ahead. Nick took the 2nd in 21. Rob won the 3rd in 21, and took the game with a 16 dart 4th leg taking the MOM in the process. Rob 7 tons, Nick 4 tons. 4-3 to Sutton.


John Kavanagh (20.30) 0 Jamie Atkins (24.64) 3

Jamie went 1 up in 20 darts, and took the 2nd in 17. He missed out on a 15 dart finish for 3-0, eventually taking it in 24. JK disappointing. JK 2 tons, Jamie 6 tons. Sutton 4 Leamington 4.



We certainly saw why Leamington are the champions, and favourites again this year.

Overall an excellent result for us. Leamington will look at the tons and running averages and say they probably should have won. We will look at Kaney's game in particular and say who knows we might have even won it ourselves. After all we had the higher tons & averages against Rugby the week before but lost it. We still have a few players struggling for form, but hopefully this will sort itself out for the 2nd half.

Tons were Sutton 46, Leamington 58+1
Running averages Sutton 22.77, Leamington 25.03.

It has been a more difficult season for us this year, but despite drawing so many games, if you check out the league table we still look to have as good a chance as anyone for that 5th place (assuming Leamington, Cherry Tree, Cov Cherry & Hall Green will be tough to catch). It is therefore vital we use this result to build on and mount a proper 2nd half challenge. The good news is that Pikey & Kaney are playing as well as anyone in the league at present, and with Milly & Paul winning regularly, Dane back to winning ways and Wildy re-discovering his form there is no reason why we can't kick on.

Next up Coventry Bishopgate away. We know they are a good side from our games against them last year. They lost 7-1 to Cherry Tree this week. Lets hope that puts a bit of doubt in some of their players' minds.