Tuesday, February 27, 2007
UK Open Regional (South West)
A couple of weeks ago was the UK Open South West Regional. The draw wasn't a bad one, as my seed Darren Williams was only really a seed due to the amount of top players absent. 10 were in the Masters of Darts tournament, and it looked like a few more were missing for various reasons. Williams is still a very good player though, but I was confident with the way I was playing.
First I had to beat Kelvin (not Kevin) Painter, who is no mug. He's a regular UK Open qualifier, and also played in the World Matchplay in 2005. I started off pretty well, and in the 1st leg took out 130 against the darts. I held in the 2nd leg comfortably, but as usual then start looking at the next game instead of making sure I win the game I'm in. Painter started hitting 2 trebles on most of his throws, and with my sloppyness and a couple of missed doubles I found myself 3-2 down. A 180 halfway through the 6th leg pulled me together, and I managed to level it at 3-3. The final leg was always going to be tough against the throw. He started with 81, I followed with 100, he hit 140, then I scored 180. This seemed to kill him off a little, and I managed to edge in front. Then needing 100 I took it out in 2 darts to win the match.
My problem in these recently seems to be what to do between the 1st game and the 2nd. Normally its around an hour wait, so I've gone to sit down and have a drink for half an hour before getting back on the practise board. As soon as I got back on the board I felt wrong, and could never get the rytham back from before. Against Williams I never got going at all. If I'd have played like I did for 3 and a half legs against Painter I think I'd have won, although its hard to tell as I never really put enough pressure on Williams for him to need to up his game. I had a few darts at doubles, but they weren't anywhere close. Another disapointing 5-0 defeat in the game that matters.
This weekend is the 6th Regional, being played in London. I have Andrew Coulter. I don't know too much about him, apart from that he's from Ireland. If I beat him, I play Matt Clark for the £75 that I desperatly need. My form is ok, so hopefully I can take it down there with me.
First I had to beat Kelvin (not Kevin) Painter, who is no mug. He's a regular UK Open qualifier, and also played in the World Matchplay in 2005. I started off pretty well, and in the 1st leg took out 130 against the darts. I held in the 2nd leg comfortably, but as usual then start looking at the next game instead of making sure I win the game I'm in. Painter started hitting 2 trebles on most of his throws, and with my sloppyness and a couple of missed doubles I found myself 3-2 down. A 180 halfway through the 6th leg pulled me together, and I managed to level it at 3-3. The final leg was always going to be tough against the throw. He started with 81, I followed with 100, he hit 140, then I scored 180. This seemed to kill him off a little, and I managed to edge in front. Then needing 100 I took it out in 2 darts to win the match.
My problem in these recently seems to be what to do between the 1st game and the 2nd. Normally its around an hour wait, so I've gone to sit down and have a drink for half an hour before getting back on the practise board. As soon as I got back on the board I felt wrong, and could never get the rytham back from before. Against Williams I never got going at all. If I'd have played like I did for 3 and a half legs against Painter I think I'd have won, although its hard to tell as I never really put enough pressure on Williams for him to need to up his game. I had a few darts at doubles, but they weren't anywhere close. Another disapointing 5-0 defeat in the game that matters.
This weekend is the 6th Regional, being played in London. I have Andrew Coulter. I don't know too much about him, apart from that he's from Ireland. If I beat him, I play Matt Clark for the £75 that I desperatly need. My form is ok, so hopefully I can take it down there with me.
