Stevie B
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Marlborough v Vic Report 15/09/2008The Vic went in search of real opponents following last week's no show from the Lord Byron, still missing Tommy Cummings due to holiday, Martyn Cooke due to early retirement and Craig Greenfield who was on 2-10 shift this week.
Last year the Vic lost 6-1 at the hands of The Marlborough and our only winner was Bobby Balls so it was no surprise to see Bobby lining up alongside George Jennings, Stevie Burton, Kev Cunningham, Stevie Kell, Ian Graham and Norman McKenna.
The dominoes continued to select an unchanged line up and last weeks 5-0 victory must have been a huge confidence booster 
Stevie Kell had the darts in leg 1 against John Olley and an opening 85 from Stevie followed by an 81 suggested that he was on his was to an easy win. John stayed in touch though and after a poor few opening throws a ton late in the game put pressure on Kell and both players had chances to take the leg. Stevie held firm though and double 1 came to his rescue to put the away side 1 up.
Kev Cunningham played the snakehipped P Kirby in the next leg and a dart into tops was an unconventional way to begin for the home player. Kev tried his best to keep in touch but Kirby produced some good solid darts on his way to a deserved victory although Kev will be rueing missed darts at double top.
At 1 apiece Mick Doggett played Bobby Balls and Mick started with an 81 which eclipsed Ballsys first 2 visits to the board. Doggett, taking some good natured stick from the Vic lads, mainly about his ever increasing collection of Fathers Day cards, played well and a ton plus another 80 odd sent him well ahead of Bobby. The end came after a few missed darts at a double by Mick but he ran out an easy winner with Bob back on a big 3 dart finish.
Stevie Burton played Brian Newby Jr in the next leg and Brian got underway with a disappointing score of 21 which Stevie responded to win an 82. A 98 from Stevie followed by a 60 seemed to give him a good lead but Brian came back with a 123 and an 80+ score to keep the leg wide open in what was turning out to be a decent standard by both players. A poor score by Burton gave Brian the lead and he took the leg with double 1 after Stevie had missed 3 darts at doubles.
3-1 down now and Norman McKenna played "Mr Consistent" Brian Newby Sr in leg 5. Norman, sipping coca cola tonight instead of his usual poison of poison gave Brian a fright as both players threw similar scores and Newby was first to go with both needing 70. Brian left himself double 10 and Norman left himself on a bogey after failing to get a shot at a double. Newby never looked like missing double 10 though and he sealed the match for the home side with his next visit.
George Jennings played Sandy Pattison in the next leg and and it was a vintage Jennings performance that gave the Vic our second leg of the night. George hit a flurry of good scores to leave Sandy hitting some single digit scores of his own and Geordie took a deserved win with double 16 as Sandy got annoyed with himself.
Ian Graham, tonights only winner in the dominoes, came back to a heroes return, but before he could lap up the adulation of the rest of the team had to play Alan Brown in the last leg of darts. A tight affair saw both lads throw some average darts each and a nervy game came down to the double. Ian narrowly missed double 14 then double 7 which enabled Brown to take out double 2 to complete the win for the Marlborough.
The dominoes got a right old tanking with Bobby Balls losing to John Olley, Tucker Muncaster then lost to S Marrin, Norman McKenna had a mare against K Freak and the game was lost in no time. Les Graham also wilted under the home teams onslaught and he lost to A Brown befor Iggy restored some respectability by defeating A Steele in the last leg.
Friday night is a 5 a side domino Cup Match (which the Vic won last season) and we kick off against Engineers B. Captain Les Graham is unavailable, Bobby Balls will be working til late and Tucker Muncaster threatened to retire after tonights defeat. So hopes were high of a win without the big 3 
However, Tucker's quit decision lasted for all of 30 seconds and Bobby declared himself available for selection. George, Ian and Norman should all be available to secure the 3 wins needed to progress to the quarter finals with The Dominator warming the bench.
Next weeks league game is a home tie against The Mallard and we should welcome Tommy and Craig back to the starting line up but Kev Cunningham may be missing due to holiday.
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