The Lone Tungsten

Well last night the Enders foundered in the Southern Derby (South Eastern pub players versus South Australian pub players) 5-6. A hard fought contest perhaps but, despite turning down 2-3 after the teams, a result I previously voiced as all-important, the colours were hoisted high in the midst of battle. Playing in the #1 spot I've made a house of pain for opponents after promising the ol' man that if he put me #1 I would be merciless to my opposition, the great JK drew deep for a 2-1 victory against the SA's best player in Paul Medhurst. After being taken to the cleaners in the first leg, unfortunately for the second time in a row, I rallied my tungsten troops and rocketed down to a professional 24 dart finish with a nice n clean d20 peg. This caused yound Medhurst to waver and break in the face of a fine start from yours truly. Unfortunately my darts began to wander as I approached the 200 and Paul displayed why he plays #1 (and occasionally A-grade) with a 135 (three trebles!) then a 95 to put him in the box seat. However again I steadied under pressure and left an ominous 40 whilst the hotseat got all to much for poor Paul. Sweating profusely, panting like Banjo after a 20km ride and snatching like the long-offloaded Bhudda, poor Paul cocked up two integral opportunities for a double in a row. With that extra 6 darts granted to moi I first narrowly missed my 40 before leaving the precentage option of 20 (last dart off the board to avoid hitting 10, 6 or 15) and then duly pegging in the next turn at the oche. A luxurious 36 darts for me and only 30 for El Pablo the steadier nerves prevailing in the end.

Whilst all this high drama was occuring Ant, eager to leave early, easily accounted for his opponent in a 2-0 flogging. Our two victories were followed up by Martin's return to his stellar form of last year with 23 and 26 dart victories that were beautiful to watch, and in my case, score.

Thus the call to arms in desperate times was heeded by the gallant 1, 2 and 3 of the Enders, flipping the tables on the SA's to put the score at 5-3. One more match for victory! Unfortunately it proved an oche too far as one by one Ralph, then Ron and finally Chris succumbed to the tungsten thrown by the South Aussies. The tragedy of the night was Ron, again failing against the 'fairer' sex, his first loss coming in a 45 darter! Ma could have knocked over his opponent with her left hand whilst cooking a chick-pea curry I reckon so the Scot has every reason to be ashamed. Again he scored well but refused to play percentage darts, a methodology trumpteted by JK and adopted by all of the EE's except Ron who stubbonly refuses to admit his mistake in throwing the last dart at a d10 (risk of leaving 5, which he did twice in his singles and once in the doubles), d6, or any other double which leaves an odd if halved. No doubt Captain Baldy McTungsten will punish the errant Scotsman by leaving him out of the singles next week. At least in triples and doubles there's someone to force Ronald back onto a good peg! As for Ron's partner in crime, in terms of losing when he should be winning, having failed to pick up anything other than a triple (and that with yours truly involved) in the last two weeks, Ralph, is set to miss the whole shebang next week.

Actually our intrepid leader was kicking himself for choosing tonight to take his singles off but as I pointed out to him, the team he selected on the night SHOULD have won. It ain't his fault we have a couple o players underperforming. Next week will see a stronger showing for sure.

Now of course to the crux and title of this story. The only person to be undefeated on the night, having a win in triples, doubles and singles was your most dedicated author, and capital darts thrower, ME! Admittedly bit of a slow ride in triples n doubles but when I'm scoring repeated 45's and kicking myself to others that would be steady darts. Once again it must be said I did my all for the team, have yet to drop a leg in triples, and STILL the bastard team lost. Oh wells at least beer was drunk, fun was had and darts were thrown. And JK won. THAT'S the main thing!

PG (aka JK) Out.