Mallard v Vic Result 10/03/2008

Stevie B · Mallard v Vic Result 10/03/2008

The Vic darts lads will be shaking their heads tonight wondering how they managed to lose out 4-3 in a game that could have been 7-0 to either side. Every game proved to be full of excellent scoring although some dubious finishing was to cost the Vic the chance of an upset against the Mallard who are enjoying an excellent season. The corresponding game last season saw the Vic romp into a 5-0 lead before settling for a 5-2 victory and in truth the same scoreline was on the cards for most of tonight. Credit to the Mallard for the way they never caved in and they eventually made it a last leg double triumph as Captain Les Graham was edged out in the final chalk in the dominoes.

Ian Graham started the first leg of darts and was up against J Allan. Iggy had endured some woeful darts in practice but showed that when it comes to the match he's a different person. An excellent 135 with his opening throw saw Allan hit 85 in reply. Some further steady scoring from Ian saw him down to a double in little over 20 darts and he took an excellent opening leg by hitting double top with his first dart. Allan played just as well and was waiting on a 2 darter himself. Ian was later to take a typical win on the domino card in what has now become a guaranteed weekly result.

Stevie Burton played N Head in the 2nd leg and both players threw poorly with their opening 3 darts. Burton then threw some of his best darts of the season including scores of 125, 97, 81 and 60 leaving himself on a possible 18 darter. Head never gave up however and hit some decent scores of his own to keep in touch with Burton. Stevie's attempt at finishing on double top saw him unluckily hit double 5, followed by double 10 and his final dart just landed above the double 5. Head missed by a similar margin at his attempt at double 16 before both players agonised over their finishing double. Burton eventually lost out as Head hit double 2 to take the equalising leg.

Stevie Kell played Carlos Tevez, aka S Bolton in the 3rd leg and Steve hit a confident ton with his opening 3 darts. Bolton replied with 85 and that set the scene for the rest of the match as both players hit another ton plus plenty of 60s between them. Steve managed to make the advantage of throwing first count as hit what Burton failed to do earlier by hitting double 5.

Kev Cunningham played S Anderson in the 4th leg but Kev threw some lacklustre darts by his own high standards and he lost out in a nervy encounter with both players missing plenty of darts at doubles. Kev never got out of 2nd gear and despite a 95 and a 140 his overall game was littered with low scores which enabled Anderson to keep in touch. In a game that could have gone either way in the end, it was Anderson who held his nerve to take out double 2 to bring the match level once again.

Craig Greenfield, available due to the football being cancelled because of a waterlogged pitch played R Malarkey, a van Barneveld lookalke, in the 5th leg. Malarkey hit a couple of tons in the leg and Craig played consistently throughout including scores of 81 and 95 but it was Craig who went clear towards the finishing line. He took out tops to finish in 22 darts with Malarkey waiting on a 2 darter himself having also thrown an excellent leg of darts.

With the Vic 3-2 up and both Tommy and George still to come hopes were high of an away win which had been looking as unlikely as me watching Sunderland win an away game this season. Tommy was promoted up the order as Geordie has a rare outing in the dominoes and took on A Allan in the next leg. Tommy started with a 60 which was replied to with a 41. Both players then threw similar scores before a ton by TC had him down to a double and throwing for the match. However, the waft of sausage casserole seemed to put Tommy into some kind of double avoidance trance and he missed 3 darts to take the game. Allan stuck to his task and took out what was to be the highest finish of the night as he hit single 17, single 14 followed by tops to finish on 71 to level the match for the 3rd time.

Geordie Jennings played I Thoms in the final leg and the home player hit a couple of excellent 60s with his opening throws, both of which were around the treble 20 area. George recovered from a disappointing opening throw of 28 by firing in a 135 to try and put Thoms under a bit of pressure. Thoms responded with an excellent 140 to regain the lead before a score of 125 from George levelled matters once more. Thoms left himself on a finish as George went after 94 to seal victory. With his first dart in treble 18 Geordie has 2 darts at tops but both went over the top to allow Thoms to nip in and take the leg and the match with his next visit.

This was probably the best combined performance the Vic have had this season so to end in defeat is really disappointing and the usual hard luck story of missing doubles to win legs was once more much in evidence. As I said earlier though, credit has to go the the Mallard lads for the way that they performed tonight and they demonstrated a greater desire to win with the way in which they finished the crucial legs.

The dominoes team suffered another defeat, this time by the narrowest of margins. Tucker Muncaster gave the Vic a flying start by defeating F Everitt in the first leg before defeats for Iggy and Bobby Balls at the hands of A Thompson and P Kennedy respectively gave the home team a 2-1 lead. Geordie Jennings levelled the match by defeating A Turnbull in the penultimate leg but Captain Les Graham couldn't hold on to his down as he lost out to M McKenzie in the final leg to hand the Mallard a 3-2 win.

Friday night is the last 16 of the next cup competition which is a team game comprising 4 darts and 7 dominoes. First to take 6 chalks is the winner and the Vic will be at home to either the Albion or the Marlborough. Expected line ups are Ian Graham, Kev Cunningham, George Jennings and Stevie Burton (or Craig Greenfield if he gets a pass out) playing in the darts and dominoes with Tucker Muncaster and Bobby Balls adding to the squad to play dominoes only. If Craig is unavailable Chris Fish or Eddie Williamson should be available to play.

Next home game will be a home match next Monday against Parkside Club who defeated the Vic 4-3 earlier in the season.