Jersey Open
Jersey Open was from Wednesday 14th to Saturday 17th November. Lots of talk about this one as the finals on the Saturday ran over on to Cat A Sunparks on the same weekend Belgium. Flew out from Southampton with Sam Head, Gary Stafford and my Wife Sharon. When Sharon and I got married 21 years ago she wanted to Jersey on Honeymoon. But unfortunately the Weymouth Beach motocross event fell in the weekend after wedding in 1991. I was racing in the biggest event of our season, we never ended up going to Jersey. If I remember Peter Vroom actor who played Lance in Home and Away was the celebrity starter of my race that day. Anyhow Sharon was coming to Jersey Open probably 21 years late !!!
The 1st event was a double in double out best of 5x 501 non ranking singles event. I got through a couple of rounds without dropping a leg. So in last 16 played Glen Durrant. Three attempts at the bull which Glen won was deciding point of the game. at 2-2 and both hitting doubles 1st dart to get in Glen shot out in 14 with me sat on a not to shabby 120 after 12. Jimmy Hendricks was eventual winner beating Tony Eccles in the final.
Thursday during the day was mens pairs. I played with Dorset County player Greame Platt but double trouble saw us loose in last 16. Winmau^s Darryl Fitton and Mike Waterworth beat Hampshires Sam Head and Tony Martin in the Final to take the title. In the evening was the Darts corner Jersey Mens Open and was ranked Cat B. The last 8 would progress through to finals day on Saturday. I managed that feat but had to come from 2-1 against Jersey entrant Steve Eusebini and in 6th a 14 dart leg to win it 4-2.
Friday during day was mixed Pairs. As usual my partner was Sue Gulliver. We had tough little run but won 1st 2 matches. Second match beating Sam Head and Fallon Sherock 3-0. We then played Deta Hedman and Glen Durrant. They flew out of blocks to take a 2-0 lead but missed doubles ment we got back to 2-1. 2 darts at double top missed by myself saw Deta and Glen take match 3-1. The evening saw Target Jersey classic mens Got through my 1st couple of matches against Ryan Carver and Chris Smith and found myself in the last 16 v Darryl Fitton. I lost to Darryl 4-2 which I can only describe as one of those scrappy matches where both had opportunities to win legs and didn^t. I did not deserve anything from that match and I would still be there now trying to hit a double. Just one of those matches.
On Saturday finals day I had Darryl again in the quarter finals of the of The Jersey Open. Totally different match than the night before as 91 av for me and 90 for Darryl. I had chance to break in leg 3 missing 3 darts at tops and 10s and then 2 darts at double 16 to hold last and lost 4-2. An earlier end to the weekend than I^d hoped for but themselves the breaks. Another 30 points to my ranking tally and over night on thurs I was sat at joint no1 In BDO rankings with Darryl Fitton which is another 1st for me. But by Friday and a loss to Darryl saw me fall off top spot.
Although poorly attended through no fault of Jersey Darts, the organisers or Hotel. This was a really good tournament to have been resurrected. I hope there will be another next year. All reports of event can be found on jersey darts.co.uk. Next stop Prague and the Czech open 2324/25 November.
The 1st event was a double in double out best of 5x 501 non ranking singles event. I got through a couple of rounds without dropping a leg. So in last 16 played Glen Durrant. Three attempts at the bull which Glen won was deciding point of the game. at 2-2 and both hitting doubles 1st dart to get in Glen shot out in 14 with me sat on a not to shabby 120 after 12. Jimmy Hendricks was eventual winner beating Tony Eccles in the final.
Thursday during the day was mens pairs. I played with Dorset County player Greame Platt but double trouble saw us loose in last 16. Winmau^s Darryl Fitton and Mike Waterworth beat Hampshires Sam Head and Tony Martin in the Final to take the title. In the evening was the Darts corner Jersey Mens Open and was ranked Cat B. The last 8 would progress through to finals day on Saturday. I managed that feat but had to come from 2-1 against Jersey entrant Steve Eusebini and in 6th a 14 dart leg to win it 4-2.
Friday during day was mixed Pairs. As usual my partner was Sue Gulliver. We had tough little run but won 1st 2 matches. Second match beating Sam Head and Fallon Sherock 3-0. We then played Deta Hedman and Glen Durrant. They flew out of blocks to take a 2-0 lead but missed doubles ment we got back to 2-1. 2 darts at double top missed by myself saw Deta and Glen take match 3-1. The evening saw Target Jersey classic mens Got through my 1st couple of matches against Ryan Carver and Chris Smith and found myself in the last 16 v Darryl Fitton. I lost to Darryl 4-2 which I can only describe as one of those scrappy matches where both had opportunities to win legs and didn^t. I did not deserve anything from that match and I would still be there now trying to hit a double. Just one of those matches.
On Saturday finals day I had Darryl again in the quarter finals of the of The Jersey Open. Totally different match than the night before as 91 av for me and 90 for Darryl. I had chance to break in leg 3 missing 3 darts at tops and 10s and then 2 darts at double 16 to hold last and lost 4-2. An earlier end to the weekend than I^d hoped for but themselves the breaks. Another 30 points to my ranking tally and over night on thurs I was sat at joint no1 In BDO rankings with Darryl Fitton which is another 1st for me. But by Friday and a loss to Darryl saw me fall off top spot.
Although poorly attended through no fault of Jersey Darts, the organisers or Hotel. This was a really good tournament to have been resurrected. I hope there will be another next year. All reports of event can be found on jersey darts.co.uk. Next stop Prague and the Czech open 2324/25 November.