After a reasonable run of results we had a tough game last Friday against the Hearts of Oak B. Always a difficult game made much harder by trying too hard to win games to stop them bloody singing!
Looking at their team sheet, we knew it was going to be a tough night particularly with them strengthened (???) by an old Potty favourite in Jarvo.
Anyway we needed to kick off and fight off the songs (maybe we should have some for ourselves, just a thought, Naaaaaa) and see if we could keep our run of good results going.
First on in the doubles was Ozzie (aka magoo) partnered with Yiddo (di di de de de di di de de de di di de de de di di di OY!) who were behind for most of the game until two tons and a quick finish saw them snatch a great win. Glynn and Hos were on next and we knew Shawn was going to be in trouble as soon as we spotted the curtains pulled back that usually protect the board. I am not sure whether he was quaking with fear or building up his anger but there were a few strong glances aimed at the aforementioned soft furnishings. Boy were they going to get it if things didn’t go right. Not sure whether this was a distraction or whether it was Paul Philips 2 140’s but we were soon back to level at 1-1. Moysie then tried hard to carry a slightly-lacking-in-confidence Shoot em up but despite his best efforts we lost the game and went behind. It seems a long time since we have been able to revel in the joy of the famous Stridey pirouette into a handshake. Looking forward to that coming back. Fortunately the last pair struggled to start making it fairly comfortable for yours truly and Bungle to level it. A good game from the legend that is Goochy was followed by a struggle for Bill and a tame game from Moysie, with a 180 from, yes you guessed it, Jarvo being the telling throw to put us 4-3 down. Good back to back wins from Me and Clint were followed by Glynn on seventh to get us the 6 games to secure a point. In between this Hos had an excellent chance but couldn’t finish and Ozzie on last had the same problem.
They were singing at the end celebrating the draw. Okay we couldn’t stop them but it was quite satisfying to hear that they were happier with the draw than we were. This was much better from us, a good performance and better darts than we had been playing and another good point on the board.
By the way, if any of you are concerned I can assure you that we managed to placate Shawn with the usual medication, lager, and no curtains were harmed during this performance!
This week we had another tough game in prospect with the visit of the football club which has probably been our most consistent tight match for years. It doesn’t seem to matter how many times we play it is never more than 7-5 one way or the other with a draw being the most likely outcome. With 10 players to choose from team selection was a bit tricky and the old squad rotation had to come into play with Shawn sitting out the doubles. Having said that I seem to be getting volunteers not to play and I took Clint up on his kind offer due to the fact that we know the doubles are far too early for him.
I left Ozzie and Yid together but unfortunately they couldn’t repeat the heroics of last week and were always behind. Now Ozzie’s inability to see his hand in front of his face has been well documented but it was Clint who had the first magoo moment, not realising that they had hit the finishing double. They had, 0-1. Not to be outdone by Clint, Ozzie took the chalks for Shoot em up and the legend and, true to form, managed a short sighted moment when asked what bed a dart was in. Why bother asking, he hasn’t got a clue! When will you all learn! That aside, they played a good game and got us back level. It was particularly pleasing to see Dave feeling more comfortable with his throw and hitting the finishing double, only to walk gently straight to the board. Where was the spin? Is he unwell? I am sure this will restore his confidence and normal service will be resumed shortly. A tough game for Bungle and me against neil and percy but a very good game, straight in straight out and with some tidy scoring on the way. A new pairing on last with Glynn and Moysie which looked exciting on paper, but only on paper. A bit of a struggle but they came through with hard work to take us 3-1 up. A magoo moment from me cheering one of Moysie’s darts that wasn’t in was followed by more of the same from Glynn and Bungle. This is starting to get worrying, I didn’t realise myopia was contagious but us old farts seem to be on the verge of an epidemic!
They pulled the next one back thanks to a resurgent Barry Cook hitting three tons to beat Moysie, before the Legend, who always seemed in control, lost to an excellent 108 bull finish. Bungle was the next to go under and we were 4-3 down. In the next game I was up against percy and knew it was going to be tough but I wasn’t quite prepared for such a bizarre game. He went off like a train, 120 start, 134, 135 to leave him only wanting 112 with me languishing on 348 and only lacking a convenient towel to throw in. A 140 made it look respectable and a minor wobble from perc only scoring 24 was followed by a 125 from me. Somehow I was back in it. Another slight wobble and he didn’t leave a double leaving me 3 darts at 83 which I managed to bugger up. He missed his 52 finish and I took out 48 to snatch a ridiculous victory. I apologise for the bit of indulgence as I do not like going on about my own games but this one really was bizarre and we were back to level. Hos then got us in front after another group short sighted moment – he was the only one in the pub who realised he had hit the double. Ozzie then had an excellent chance to secure the draw and played superb with three tons but unfortunately the old finishing demons struck again and he let it slip. 5-5 with two games left and it was left to Glynn to secure us the draw with a strong second half to his game. All down to the last game of the night and who would you want going on late? Yep, Clint was comfortably in his time zone and secured us a fine 7-5 win. Another good match and we are pleased with our form at the moment.
Conversation of the week
Now some of you may have noticed that themes of conversation tend to repeat themselves a little bit each week with one of the main subjects being football, not surprising with the much publicised pundit and expert (ex means has been, spurt is a drip under pressure) Bungle, in our team. Whilst most of us are keen and able to contribute to these conversations, we appreciate that it may not appeal to everyone. Most noticeably, our favourite legend, Goochy, is not a particular fan of our national sport and prefers to follow oversized yanks in crash helmets and three tons of body armour throwing an odd shaped object that can’t even really be called a ball around a field. Now we like to give due consideration to all and felt it was only fair that we did some research in order that dear old Trev could feel included talking about his beloved packers who had a good 9-0 away win last time out (see, I told you we had been researching). You should have seen his little face light up as he walked in to find me, Hos bros and Bungle discussing the game, tactics and name dropping. Referring to the tactics of the coach, Mike McCarthy (had to think of Wolves manager Mick to remember that one) the release of players like Montgomery (think of Colin, you get the idea by now) and the skills of players like Donald (the Duck) Driver (more golf) Trev thought he had died and gone to heaven. At this point we wondered if any more players were named after golf clubs and Ready suggested Reg Wedge. We think he was kidding but if that is not someones name it really should be. We might have got a bit confused with some of the names (Al Habsi or something equally terrorist sounding and Clay Pigeon) but we certainly made the effort. Billy in particular deserves special praise for attempting to fully understand the finer points of the game although he did seem to get a
bit confused when thinking about being taken from behind because he was worried about his tight end. Apparently he would have felt more comfortable if he had a wide receiver! Anyway, let it not be said that we are not prepared to go out of our way to ensure everyone is happy in the b team.
Away next week to the Ole Frank, I’ll see you soon.
Atko.
