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Peoples Power Sends Lee to Lakeside

With Titles aplenty up for grabs at this time of year, Surrey players were fighting on all fronts this month to claim their own personal piece of the glory, and Sutton player Lee Williams has done precisely that by booking a berth in the Quarter Finals of the John Smiths People’s Darts Championship.

Having only recently graduated from local league to the lower echelons of the Surrey Super League, becoming South of England Champion is quite an achievement for 43 year old Lee, who was rewarded with a £1,000 cheque for his chosen charity, hospital radio station Radio Lollipop, plus 3 hours of tutoring from one of the event’s chosen ‘mentors’ prior to the National Quarter Finals.

Lee’s mentor is none other than the King of Bling himself, Bobby George (both pictured left), who will be visiting Lee’s nominated local, the Royal British Legion club in Worcester Park, to give his personal tuition. The club is, of course, home to the Surrey county side and locals were recently treated to a visit from Martin Adams when Cambridgeshire came to call (more further down), and will now be further pleasantly startled when the walking Elizabeth Duke display case swaggers boisterously into their midst.

For Lee Williams, the dream of an appearance on the world famous Lakeside stage, just before the World Championship Final, is still alive, along with the possibility of earning a further £14,000 for charity and £1,000 of sports equipment for the club. Oh, and the Title of inaugural John Smiths People’s Darts Champion, of course.

Lee will attempt to battle through from the Quarter Finals at Lakeside on Tuesday 6th January during the early rounds of the World Pro tournament. Best of luck Lee, from all in Surrey darts.

Worlds Disappointment

Surrey players were prominently represented in the qualifiers for the World Championships of both codes in December, but unfortunately, for the first time for many years, there won’t be a Surrey presence in the main events this Christmas and New Year.

In the PDC qualifiers, Dave Askew came closest to making it to Ally Pally, finally being edged out of a Worlds appearance in the deciding leg of 9 by Michael Barnard. On the way, Diamond Dave had also put paid to another Surrey player’s hopes, by beating Richard ‘Jugs’ McLaughlin in another tense 9 legs. Jugs is Dave’s regular practice partner at his home in Redhill, so it wasn’t a match which either would have relished, especially after Jugs had shown some great form, particularly in beating Dave Honey, a former PDC World Championship qualifier, earlier in the event.

John Jenkinson knocked out the experienced Steve Cusick before losing to eventual qualifier Steve Grubb, as had Jimmy Mann in the previous round. Lionel Sams, Ben Burton, Mark Tiller, Danny King and Aaron Turner were unable to get past their first opponent in what was a quality field at the Telford International Centre.

In the BDO version, Steve Lovett travelled to Bridlington but the ex-Gold Cup Pairs Champion was unable to produce top form and went out in the early rounds. Apylee Jones, a Ladies World Championship semi-finalist in 2007, reached the last 8 in the Ladies playoff without dropping a set before going down to eventual Qualifier Ann Kirk.

A Relegation Battle

Surrey find themselves at the foot of the BICC Premier Division after a disappointing 21-15 defeat at home to Cambridgeshire at the end of November. Some costly doubles misses halted a spirited Sunday comeback in pursuit of a draw and what could prove to be vital bonus points.

Surrey trailed 11-7 on Saturday evening despite a spirited 4-2 victory for the Ladies B side. Julie Hopkins (19.44) took her first ever Lady of the Match award, closely followed by youngster Lauren Hitchens (19.04) who is still unbeaten in her debut season. The Mens B struggled for any sort of form in a 3-9 defeat, with Darryl Pilgrim (26.17) taking the match award. Team Manager Tony Cartwright gave a full senior call-up to youth players Ryan Hitchens (24.25), who won in a thrilling last point of the day, and Kurtis Atkins (24.60) who drew the dreaded first match, checking out 164, before going down 3-2. It was a brave move but the lads acquitted themselves very well and look to be great future assets for Surrey.

The Ladies A drew 3-3, with Apylee Jones (24.05) taking Lady of the Match after a superb battle with Sandra Greatbatch (22.84). It was only a 148 checkout from Apylee, while her opponent was perched on 20, that stopped it going to a final leg with Sandra fighting back from 2-0 and improving throw by throw. The Mens A were edged out 5-7 but will be disappointed not to have done better after losing the last 4 matches, 3 of which after the Surrey player had spurned chances at match-winning doubles. Alan Yates (30.06) took the match award with some faultless finishing, whilst Ronnie Godbeer (28.08) and Ian Long (26.84) also particularly impressed.

Cain is Able

Could the small town of North Cheam be about to produce yet another darts star to follow in the footsteps of Jimmy Mann, and former residents Peter Manley and John Ferrell? Little Kynan Cain (pictured right) is only 8 years old but was recently featured in the local Guardian newspaper for the incredible feat of already having hit three 180s. Surrey invited Kynan and his dad, Jeff, to the recent Cambridgeshire BICC match where the youngster revealed he had since hit a fourth maximum!

Jeff reports that Ky has to be torn away from the oche at bedtime, such is his love for the game, so he was thrilled to add Martin Adams’ signature to his bulging darts autograph book, as well as having his picture taken with the England Captain. Kynan was invited to join the Surrey Youth set-up and will soon be making his first steps on what will hopefully be a successful darting career. Welcome aboard Kynan.

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