Tactics

It would have to be said the Rose & Crown in recent years owes it's success not just to the deadly aim of the Wilson's oh no, but to an age old tradition dating back to those earlier days at the Blue Anchor.
This is not to cast doubt over the father and son combination of Tom and Chris who have taken the team to a new level of darts previously never seen on the oche's of St.Michael's. Indeed one would have to ask themselves that without Tom Wilson (who effortlessly glides to the oche and releases his arrows with unerring accuracy) just how would the lottery syndicate be funded or for that matter without the competitive edge of Chris Wilson would the tantrums of Neil "the dude" Crosby be the closest we come to an outpouring of competitive emotion. Well, pertinent questions maybe but what can not be denied is the Rose and Crown's uncanny knack of out-witting and out-foxing it's opponents almost to the point of intimidation at times.

In years gone by, back in the public bar of the Blue Anchor when a pint of creamy was under two quid and the discerning landlord or landlady would gladly join you for a half and darts was but a mere twinkle in the directors eye "Ming the Merciless" reigned supreme at tactics and reign supreme he did. Such was his vice like grip on this colloquial version of the game that it is said his early retirement from the post office was spawned from his gains after many an evening in the public bar. His neighbours are said to have seen him silhouetted from behind his curtains late on Thursday nights counting out his booty, some are said to have heard a shrill cackle wringing round the neighbourhood before he'd extinguished his candle and after he'd accounted for every last penny that had made the journey home with him that evening. Ming plundered the pockets of all around him and not even his mustachioed top lip could hide his smiles of delight as each 50p swelled his coffers even further beyond breaking point. But the part time trout fisherman was soon to realise that he wasn't going to have it all his own way for much longer and I can still hear the words of Tony Scott echoing around the now lifeless walls of that public bar on Fishpool Street "I'll play with Tom".

With that one sentence the dynamics of the game had changed for ever, far from plundering others the once great Ming was now being plundered himself. "The Ming is dead, long live the King".

Tony Scott has now proved himself to be the master of tactics I would even go as far as to say he is the "Herbert von Karajan" of tactics. For he truly conducts this orchestra, each member clearly knows where they should be and when to come in. Impartiality and fairness are paramount,the weaker players will be alongside the stronger soloists, Tony then winds himself up and brings the players together and effortlessly they perform as if one. A full 90 minute concert then plays it's self out as the audience look on in awe. It is this very essence of fairness and impartiality that has instilled it's self in the team through the years and served them so incredibly well against all that have played them And it is this same essence of fairness and impartiality that has ensured that Tony Scott has remained unbeaten for the last 4 years, a truly remarkable performance.

All that said, tactics has given back to darts the art of thinking, the ability to outwit ones opponent now ranks alongside the ability to outscore him. The thinking dart player now has his crumpet and even the most unlikely of players are buttering it!!