It has to be said that the previous week probably will not be remembered for the darts match it’s self but more perhaps for the pre match warm up which usually involves the St.Michael’s game of tactics. A game that over the years has seen Tony Scott excel time and time again, and even more so after the famous cry of “I’ll play with Tom” echoed around the walls of the Blue Anchor public bar. But it has to be said of late Mr. Scott has not had it all his own way and with a shake up amongst the team after the departure of Chris Wilson that saw Paul Mullins transferred across the public bar divide, it could be said the pendulum has swung. Trailing by three games and £1.50 out of pocket the arrival of doubles partner Tom Wilson prompted the cry of “double or quits” Ming was having none of it and before you could say “turn the music down” “Scotty” was in for three quid!!
Tonight’s match saw the Rose and Crown visit the London Road Club, who in recent weeks had dumped them out of the challenge cup after trailing four- one. Tony Scott described it as the worst feeling he had experienced in darts in forty years. Neil Crosby decided that throwing darts he couldn’t beat so he’d use his mobile phone instead!!
After two epic encounters already this season this looked like being another mouth watering occasion. Having undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years the London Road Club was no longer a dark and dingy shell with nicotine stained glasses and carpets that you wiped your feet after you had left. This was now a bright vibrant looking establishment that had seemed to even reflect upon the dart players themselves. Gone were the days of Liam Kennedy and to with them the hostilities that surrounded them.
This now was an evenly matched eagerly awaited tie of two teams of players with the up most respect for one another. This is how darts should be played, competitively and fairly.
For The Rose & Crown skipper Alan Turner deserves great credit for the way the doubles partnerships have worked out this season. The loss of Chris Wilson was a big blow and his fruitful partnership with “The Dude” would be difficult to replace. But the re-emergence of Paul Mullins and the resurrection of his partnership with John Goode which took them to the quarter finals of the St. Albans doubles in two consecutive years has helped ease the blow of Chris’s loss and it has been on very few occasions that they have not gone into the singles on an even keel. Last night was no exception and although Paul and John could not continue there amazing season, succumbing on this occasion to an inform Kim Wiffen, the Rose & Crown still went in level after the pairs. Neil Crosby returning after two weeks in exile and Carl Bolding scraping home in a game that would not be described as a classic and Tom and Tony once again chalking up another impressive victory.
So it was down to the singles. Having been four- one up against the home side in the cup the Rose & Crown went on to crash out of the competition five – four losing the last four singles and when “The Dude” succumbed in the first it was looking ominous for the visitors once more. Tony Scott was looking in fine form even after losing the first leg he looked in good touch and hitting a maximum in the second looked to have set him up to level the game but some quite brilliant darts from his opponent tore it away from him in spectacular style, replying with his own maximum and then checking out 150 left “Scotty shell shocked and the team trailing four – two.
Tom Wilson produced a trade mark performance to put the visitors back in the frame with just one to play leaving it up to Paul Mullins to try and salvage a point.
In what was a classic encounter thus far the final match up lived up every bit to what had preceded it but alas it was a bridge to far for both Paul and the Rose & Crown as Kim Wiffen kept a cool a cool head to seal victory for the home side
Friday 22 February 2008
Sandridge Rovers February 14th 2007
So it was back to the relative comfort and homely surroundings of the Rose & Crown and without a win in the last two matches pressure was beginning to mount and what many regarded as a home banker had now turned into a must win game for the home side.
Under strength in recent weeks due to the unexplained absence of Neil “The Dude” Crosby, who had not been seen since yet another defeat at the hands of Kim Wiffen, The Rose & Crown had it all to do. But once again Tom Wilson and Tony Scott and Paul Mullins and John Goode provided the springboard from which the home side could launch it’s recovery and after going in three – one ahead after the doubles the game was there for the taking.
It was left up to Tony Scott to seal a well earned victory in a match that was not without controversy, gamesmanship and bad sporting conduct.
Under strength in recent weeks due to the unexplained absence of Neil “The Dude” Crosby, who had not been seen since yet another defeat at the hands of Kim Wiffen, The Rose & Crown had it all to do. But once again Tom Wilson and Tony Scott and Paul Mullins and John Goode provided the springboard from which the home side could launch it’s recovery and after going in three – one ahead after the doubles the game was there for the taking.
It was left up to Tony Scott to seal a well earned victory in a match that was not without controversy, gamesmanship and bad sporting conduct.
Bricketwood Club 7th February 2007
Plagued in recent weeks by the inadequacies of the telecommunications giants we have been unable to bring you all up to date with the very latest news from the Rose & Crown.
However being back online now we can report that the last couple of weeks have been full of high drama and tension and not without incident.
Going back to a fortnight ago The Rose and Crown visited the Bricketwood social club, a salubrious establishment that the visitors have, certainly in recent times struggled to come away from with a result. The home side started much the brighter and the hangover from last weeks exit from the cup looked like it was still weighing heavy on the visitors minds as they surrendered the first two pairings and once again looked in danger of travelling home from the outer limits with nothing to show for their efforts except perhaps for a few bails of straw and couple of baskets of root vegetables!!
But if nothing else the Rose & Crown have proved to be resilient over the years and with Tony Scott and Tom Wilson once again in inspiring form and John Goode and Paul Mullins continuing to confound the critics the tie was once again level.
The sandwiches arrived and with them a local government health inspector and after a short interlude and the discovery of some 1940’s ration books under the trays the game was allowed to continue!!
The in form duo of Paul Mullins and Tom Wilson swept to victory in their respective singles encounters and thus ensuring the visitors a point from a notoriously tough place to visit. Neither Tony Scott or Dave Noble could wrap up the victory but the visitors were more than happy with a well earned point.
However being back online now we can report that the last couple of weeks have been full of high drama and tension and not without incident.
Going back to a fortnight ago The Rose and Crown visited the Bricketwood social club, a salubrious establishment that the visitors have, certainly in recent times struggled to come away from with a result. The home side started much the brighter and the hangover from last weeks exit from the cup looked like it was still weighing heavy on the visitors minds as they surrendered the first two pairings and once again looked in danger of travelling home from the outer limits with nothing to show for their efforts except perhaps for a few bails of straw and couple of baskets of root vegetables!!
But if nothing else the Rose & Crown have proved to be resilient over the years and with Tony Scott and Tom Wilson once again in inspiring form and John Goode and Paul Mullins continuing to confound the critics the tie was once again level.
The sandwiches arrived and with them a local government health inspector and after a short interlude and the discovery of some 1940’s ration books under the trays the game was allowed to continue!!
The in form duo of Paul Mullins and Tom Wilson swept to victory in their respective singles encounters and thus ensuring the visitors a point from a notoriously tough place to visit. Neither Tony Scott or Dave Noble could wrap up the victory but the visitors were more than happy with a well earned point.
Saturday 2 February 2008
Fly Tying by Carl Bolding
Carl Bolding, ex communications worker and not just a dart player is also a fly tyer in his spare time, and not just any fly tyer. Carl is a member of the fly tyers guild which is a legitimate guild for people "who either tied, or were interested in fly tying and tying their own flys". Make of that what you will.
Fly tying apparently is a real art and you can, as Carl does, sign up to become members of various fly tyers guilds up and down the country, where you can meet fortnightly (as in Carl's case) and tie each others flys!! (above right, members hone their skills)
Far from meeting and tying each others flys these guilds have guest speakers, who can forget the legendary Stoyan Filipov!! They also have competent instructors who will help you to untagle any difficult flys!
Social days are the high point of any fly tyer and a recent trip to internationally reknowned Ravensthorpe went down a storm with local members of Carl's guild!! With the BBQ being the highlight of the day. (above left)
But it's not just hardened fly tyers that can turn up. A funny handshake and a reel of cotton will admit novices too and they can take part in reagular classes that will help them tie flys in years to come.
London Road A January 31st Challenge Cup
After a week of controvasy and anonymous tip off's to the local darting authority who saw fit dispatch Bill Conners to supervise proceedings during last weeks home match against the Inn On The Green it was back to relative normality for the Rose & Crown. Many positives however, have surfaced from recent events and perhaps the local darting authority may even begin to embrace modern communication aids to help bring the game into the modern era and keep in touch with the many reigistered players that support the organisation year after year!
So unsupervised for the first time in two weeks the Rose & Crown played host to London Road 'a' in the challenge cup, who found themselves visiting what many in the darting world believe to be one of the most "intimidating" venues in the St. Albans district!!
London Road seemed to endorse this recent train of thought and were far from their usual vocal selves, almost to the point of subdued, clearly missing the vocal talents of "Taff" the visitors struggled early on to make an impact.
Despite losing the first match the home side bounced back strongly when Neil Crosby and Carl Bolding levelled the match with arguably some of their best darts of the season. Next up was probably the Rose & Crown's most improved pairing of the season John Goode and Paul Mullins who continue to take on all comers and once again proved they were more than a match for the best in the business Paul Mullins throwing yet another maximum as they strolled to victory to steel a march over the visitors sending the home side into a well deserved 2-1 lead. "Scotty" who didn't so much look like he'd walked to the south pole but was now a permanent resident with a few thousand emperor penguins as neighbours took to the oche with Tom wilson and almost in the blink of an eye the Rose & Crown were 3-1 up at the interval.
Once again Ruth out done herself and both side were soon gorging themselves on rounds of freshly made sandwiches and bowls of piping hot chips and even "Scotty" slipped a few layers off and began to warm himself inforn of the roaring fire.
After the interval there was no let up for the visitors as the Rose & Crown sent on Tom Wilson in the first single and with yet another almost faultless display of tungsten throwing the home side found themselves four, one up and heading into dreamland. The vsitors however, had other ideas and this match was far from over. Paul Mullins failed to capitalise after taking the first leg and lost the next two to give some hope for London Road. Tony Scott, taking on his 'nemesis' Derek Ralph appeared to have surrendered the game after just one leg and never recovered as Derek pegged the side back once again.
Neil 'The Dude' Crosby who missed his eagerley awaited match up with Gary Roche due to a combination of bladder trouble and the new winter sport of mobile phone throwing faced up to his own nemesis, Kim Wiffen and was once again second best as the visitors drew level.
Dave Noble was the Rose & Crown's last hope to gain a place in the next round but his recent lack of match practice showed, butdespite putting up a brave fight Dave could not clinch the final game and the home side managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
So unsupervised for the first time in two weeks the Rose & Crown played host to London Road 'a' in the challenge cup, who found themselves visiting what many in the darting world believe to be one of the most "intimidating" venues in the St. Albans district!!
London Road seemed to endorse this recent train of thought and were far from their usual vocal selves, almost to the point of subdued, clearly missing the vocal talents of "Taff" the visitors struggled early on to make an impact.
Despite losing the first match the home side bounced back strongly when Neil Crosby and Carl Bolding levelled the match with arguably some of their best darts of the season. Next up was probably the Rose & Crown's most improved pairing of the season John Goode and Paul Mullins who continue to take on all comers and once again proved they were more than a match for the best in the business Paul Mullins throwing yet another maximum as they strolled to victory to steel a march over the visitors sending the home side into a well deserved 2-1 lead. "Scotty" who didn't so much look like he'd walked to the south pole but was now a permanent resident with a few thousand emperor penguins as neighbours took to the oche with Tom wilson and almost in the blink of an eye the Rose & Crown were 3-1 up at the interval.
Once again Ruth out done herself and both side were soon gorging themselves on rounds of freshly made sandwiches and bowls of piping hot chips and even "Scotty" slipped a few layers off and began to warm himself inforn of the roaring fire.
After the interval there was no let up for the visitors as the Rose & Crown sent on Tom Wilson in the first single and with yet another almost faultless display of tungsten throwing the home side found themselves four, one up and heading into dreamland. The vsitors however, had other ideas and this match was far from over. Paul Mullins failed to capitalise after taking the first leg and lost the next two to give some hope for London Road. Tony Scott, taking on his 'nemesis' Derek Ralph appeared to have surrendered the game after just one leg and never recovered as Derek pegged the side back once again.
Neil 'The Dude' Crosby who missed his eagerley awaited match up with Gary Roche due to a combination of bladder trouble and the new winter sport of mobile phone throwing faced up to his own nemesis, Kim Wiffen and was once again second best as the visitors drew level.
Dave Noble was the Rose & Crown's last hope to gain a place in the next round but his recent lack of match practice showed, butdespite putting up a brave fight Dave could not clinch the final game and the home side managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
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