 SURREY
DARTS
by Martin Cullip
As
appearing in the July Issue of Dart World
Surrey Thoroughbreds Can’t Land the Gamble
They call the UK Open “The FA Cup of Darts” but for Surrey-based
players it would seem more like the “Grand National of Darts” as all
of our ELEVEN representatives fell at differing hurdles well before
the finishing line.
However, having so many of our own featuring in a Sky Sports presentation,
some quite prominently, is hugely encouraging & a healthy reflection
on the state of darts in our County.
The jockeying for position that is the UK Open Qualifiers ensured
that a generous smattering of Surrey Super League players would comprise
the 174 that trotted up to Bolton for the televised Finals, with varying
degrees of success.
Fallers at the first: Walton’s Paul Hollis was one
of the casualties at the infamous first hurdle as he crashed out 2-4
to Gary Ellis, a player who has had a taste of Surrey competition
himself in the past. Gary Creamer was also unseated,
on this occasion losing 1-4 to Shaun Walshe, whilst Mark Tiller
was another to bow out in the 1st Round in a narrow defeat to Ken
Dobson, albeit having first beaten Mike Smith 4-2 in a Preliminary
Round.
Round 2 saw the demise of John Watson, who lost
by the odd leg to Peter Wright, and Jason Roberts,
whose 2-4 defeat by Keith Deller was a stage match & thus covered
in every detail by Sky’s cameras. They say appearing on TV puts pounds
on you … in Jason’s case it took inches off his height!
Aaron Turner was another who failed to reach the
3rd Round. After a tense full-distance victory over Jason Clark, Aaron
pulled the draw that nobody wants in Deta Hedman, with the impressive
Essex lady taking the match in the Final leg of 7. However, the ex-World
Youth Champion will have enjoyed his moment in the limelight after
post-match interviews with both Jeff Stelling and Helen Chamberlain
(I wonder which he enjoyed meeting most?). There were also rumours
of a pre-match interview with Turner that Sky apparently weren’t keen
to air … allegedly!
The 3rd Round saw Andy Nye’s dreams of UK Open success
evaporate as he lost 4-5 to Warwickshire’s Kevin Dowling. Kevin later
stated that he enjoyed playing Andy as he “is a gentleman” ... he
was rather surprised with Golden Nye’s eccentric mohican hair-style
though, but then aren’t we all? Phil Wathen also
fell at the third, but not before cracking his whip & cantering
past Arthur Griffiths & Alan Tabern. Phil’s conqueror was Dennis
Priestley, who galloped away with a 5-1 win over the two-time summer
League Champion.
There was a lot of talk about Jimmy Mann before
the tournament, as the greenkeeper from North Cheam had qualified
in third place in the Order of Merit. This lofty placing meant that
he entered the fray in the coveted 4th Round, but all the expectation
must have weighed heavy on Jimmy & the obstacle of Mark Landers
was too much for him as he fell harder than a 12 year old at Bechers
Brook, with the Essex man triumphing 8-6.
So we came to the Canal Turn of the event with just two players of
the contingent making Sunday’s matches. Lionel Sams
& Dave Askew were in the last 16 & would
be the ones to carry Surrey’s colours after hitting the hay early,
following a nourishing nose-bag.
Lionel had entered in the 3rd Round & sampled success with wins
over Glenn Moody (5-0), Dennis Smith (8-5) & Barrie Bates after
a dramatic 11-10 victory, whilst Askew had reached the Sunday with
impressive defeats of Terry Jenkins (8-5) & Darren Webster (11-8)
after joining the race in the 4th Round.
Unfortunately, both failed to reach the Quarters as the Lion failed
to roar against Colin Osbourne (6-11) & quietly-spoken Diamond
Dave lacked his sparkle in a 3-11 defeat to the brash Alex Roy in
a stark clash of differing personalities!
Still, as last year, it was a useful run-out for the Surrey stable,
with some notable successes. They may have all been handicapped
by defeat, but they’ll saddle up again for the next UK Open
Qualifiers when they come around; There is also probably a sense of
disappointment in the Surrey paddock after this, but I’m
sure it won’t last FURLONG! (Sorry!)
No Magic at Merlins
The week before the runners & riders had assembled at the Reebok,
a fair group of Surrey players had vacated the locality that would
hold this year’s Derby in favour of Merlins Club in Leysdown for the
third Sheppey Classic.
Again, our County’s players made their presence felt without managing
to take home the big prize, which was claimed by Norwich’s Andy Belton.
Jon Stephenson was to encounter eventual UK Open
Finalist Mark Walsh in his first game & Jimmy Mann also fell to
Walshie after seeming to be in for a great run with a highly-impressive
first round match.
 Anthony
Hopkins, Jim Cullip & Andy Gillam had unsuccessful initial
games, as did Apylee Jones, who suffered at the hands
of Kent’s Bob Linton in her first foray into the male environment
of PDC competition after reaching the Quarters of the Pairs with Jim
Cullip the day before; she at least had the consolation of winning
the Ladies Open Singles, beating Sally Dowell in the Final for a profitable
weekend. Carshalton’s Darren Everett fared a little
better in the main event before being beaten by Wesley Newton despite
taking an impressive first leg.
One of the most dramatic matches of the weekend was Garry
Bravery’s (pictured left) defeat to Ronnie Baxter.
The Croydon player had put himself in a great position at 3-2 up to
beat the Rocket, but failed to kill Baxter off, and he repeated that
in the Final leg when in an almost identical situation. Garry’s darting
exploits seem full of ‘could-have-beens’ after twice coming within
one dart of the perfect 9-darter last year. One day the door will
open welcomingly for Garry if he keeps knocking as heavily as he proved
he can in this event.
Kingston’s Alex Rolph made a surprise appearance
after about a year of absence & performed admirably. Alex hasn’t
been seen for so long owing to the Kingston local league’s policy
of banning Super League players, which is a shame. It seems that an
appearance in a PDC event packed full of professionals, in which Rolph
acquitted himself very well, is preferable to Kingstonians than trying
to better oneself against far inferior opposition in the Super League.
It always seemed strange that a conurbation as large as Kingston,
Surrey’s County Administrative Centre, should have no team in the
Super League & no players involved at County level … now we know!
Jason Roberts & Dave Askew reached the last
16 only to be edged out by the odd leg. Roberts, who had narrowly
beaten Rolph in the previous round, went out in a tense 4-3 defeat
to eventual Finalist Baxter, whilst Askew also took his match to 7
legs before bowing out to a resurgent Dave Whitcombe.
In only its third staging, Sheppey has become something of a draw
for Surrey players and, as it’s only a quick jaunt down the M20 from
home, I’m sure there will be interest again next year from our neck
of the woods.
Mary Tate
It’s been a sad year for Surrey with the loss of long-serving player
Mark Gawley in January & former Youth Team organiser Pat Dean
in February, and I am sad to report that we have lost another friend
to the County in Mary Tate, who died on the evening of 9th June.
Mary was always a very bubbly character & was highly-regarded
in our County, gaining many personal friends in her time as a Surrey
player. In later years, she was more involved in Berkshire where her
son, Clive, is a current A team player, but she always brightened
up the room with her warmth & humour on the occasions that her
path crossed with Surrey players & supporters.
We will always cherish the fond memories we have of Mary & our
thoughts are with her family. She will be sorely missed by all those
in Surrey that knew her & had enjoyed her warm & friendly
personality.
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