So, despite the chaotic scenes and severe overcrowding in the University Arms which could only mean our harassment at the Activities and Sports Fairs had actually paid off, the main room once again hosted a fantastic night of darts in the Sheffield Franchise League.
The visitors this week were the Woodbourne Wolves who were probably some of the most laid back and chilled characters to ever enter the pub. It was an absolute pleasure to host them. And following some banter and Brad winding Danny up as per usual during the warm up, the first game was underway.
GAME 1: Declan Parsons 2 - 3 R. Cruz;
The first game was one of the best matches of the night. Dec threw very well for the first leg, averaging just below 70 and throwing some really classy darts including a 140. A solid 22 darts opened up the proceedings for the night. Unfortunately, he struggled to maintain this level and despite scoring a total of 8 100+ scores throughout the 5 legs, his opponent improved significantly as the game wore on. Doubles (as is so often the case with us University lot) cost Dec and a ruthless last leg from R. Cruz secured the win and point for Woodbourne. Dec was frustrated with the missed doubles but a cuddle from Connor and more alcohol soon cheered him up.
GAME 2: Danny Hall(pic) 3 - 2 J. Smethurst;
It's not all about 100 averages and 12-dart legs as this match showed. In truth, neither play reached close to the capabilities that they can play at and that of course meant a very scrappy game of darts. Regardless, it was a very entertaining watch mainly for the exceptional amount of missed doubles. The first leg totaled around the 50-dart leg mark before dramatically being finished off on D1. But it actually made for some real entertainment. As the scrappiest game of the night ploughed on, the scores level at 2 - 2 a last leg decider was edged by "The Winner takes it Hall" and finished off a titanic tussle which leveled the match up for the Academicals.
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| Danny Hall |
GAME 3: Jonathon Kirk 1 - 3 P. Finney;
In true University style Captain Kirk, Captain Bounce Out or just Jonny stylishly smashed in a 22 darter coupled with a handful of 85's and a 140 in the first leg to lay down a marker to his opponent. Again though, Kirk just couldn't keep up with the level that he set in his first leg. Too many scores in the range of 30 - 45 would prove costly as his opponent hit some solid scores to level the second leg and gain a stranglehold on the game. Unfortunately for the Academicals, Kirk never recovered from losing the second leg and the Wolves raced into the lead once again.
GAME 4: Thomas Wright (I'm going to tag myself in this) 1 - 3 J. Edwards;
This was a game that involved two people who had been laughing at pretty much everything and on my side drinking too much. I made a good start to the match and swooped in on D4 with my last dart in hand to take the first leg in a solid 25 darts. (I think) but after my fast start my brilliant inconsistency roared its ugly head again. Whilst I knocked back two 140's, a 121 and a handful of 100's I also threw some classic scores of 9 and 11. Still, credit has to go to J. Edwards who threw some really solid darts and rarely strayed from hitting 60's + on a consistent basis. An excellent 70 checkout whilst I sat on 66 ended my resistance but it was a good game of darts with both players averaging in the high 50's and evenly matched throughout with Edwards
GAME 5: Brad Clowery 3 - 2 S. Nesbitt;
With the Academicals trailing by 3 legs to 1, it was up to the man who won #Dartsity2016, Brad no buttons, no shirt and too much alcohol to save the day for us. He did, but only just. His opponent started well and took the first two legs with some clinical finishing. It was a scrappy affair with good darts mixed in with some...not so good ones. Credit to Brad though as he kept plugging away and got his rewards with an excellent finish with his last dart at D20, whilst his opponent was sat on a double to win the game. It was a close call but the win meant we were going into the last game with a chance to salvage a third consecutive Franchise league draw.
GAME 6: Connor Bowler 3 - 1 A. Cruz;
And we did. Connor overcame a determined opponent to gain another draw for the Aston Villa of the Franchise League. The match itself was played at a pretty good standard. Connor never really reached the standard that he can play at but he always looked composed with the task at hand. His opponent did threaten a comeback with a quite brilliant 100 checkout, 20, D20, D20 in the second leg but once Connor got his nose in front again following a few missed doubles from both players, he never looked too concerned. His fourth leg was excellent as he blitzed in a 19-dart leg to complete a solid match of darts from both, and polish off a point apiece for the Academicals and Wolves.
The match brought to an end another game in the Franchise League's most challenging arena for darts. Every game was close and well-fought with the match being played in terrific spirits. We're continuing to develop (or at least tell ourselves anyway) as darts players and are thoroughly enjoying the challenges the league is putting in front of us.
It was an absolute pleasure to host the Wolves who were a great bunch and we're very much looking forward to traveling to play them in the reverse fixture later on in the year. All the best.
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