They don’t like it up ‘em
They certainly didn’t like it up ‘em! The division 1 champions quiet literally kicked off their season with a shock defeat at the Rose and Crown.
Trailing 3-1 after the doubles the visitors rallied to 3-3 before an inspired Tony Scott set up this victory for the home side with a 100 checkout to edge The below strength Rose and Crown in front by one with one game to go. And with Paul Mullins well on his way to sealing an impressive win, the visitors imploded, Mullins could only look on as scenes more akin to the playground of the local primary school some 400 yards down the road unfurled themselves in the public bar.
The visiting side arrived with an arrogance that bordered on cockiness as they asserted their presence in the bar . A Side comprising of the best that Watford has to offer with a smattering from neighbouring county Bedfordshire and with the odd home grown individual somewhere in their midst have certainly been what you describe politely as nomadic in their ways and these nomadic tendencies were plenty evident in this picturesque part of St. Albans on Thursday night. A chorus of loud and abusive language played itself out accompanied with lewd comments that pertained to their previous visit to these parts which was so evidently fresh in their minds.
Heightened by taking the first doubles of the night the champions were in a boisterous mood and the cockiness had now spilled into complacency and the talk was turned to last Mondays “Super League” exploits The fact that Tony Scott and Kevin Woods had levelled the match with another impressive performance went barely un-noticed and when Neil “The Daddy Dude” Crosby and Dave noble edged the home side in front for the first time, heads barely turned. But when the “evergreen” John Goode and Paul Mullins took the final doubles encounter of the evening without affording their more illustrious opponents a shot at a double, heads nearly rolled.
Consigned now to the confines of history was the arrogance and cockiness that proceeded this spectacular downfall (one would usually describe it has a “fall from grace” but the Inn on the Green are anything but graceful). Desperation had now begun to manifest itself in the heart of the visiting team and despite pulling back the next two singles to level the encounter the mood had changed .
Enter Tony P Scott. With a chance to secure what would be an historic point, Tony drew on his experience to guide the wolfram into the board with unerring accuracy, each one a dagger bursting through the over inflated egos of the visitors culminating in three superfluous flighted arrows to checkout on one hundred and thus securing the point, but deep down I think everyone in the pub knew that this was going to be the Rose and Crown’s Night and Tony had set up the inevitable victory.
Mullins took to the oche very much unaware of what was about to unfold and as he was seemingly coasting to victory in the first leg the visitors heard the bell that heralded playtime.
Now Neil “The Daddy Dude” Crosby is known for his antics and almost certainly has been guilty of casting out his infantile educational tools from his perambulator a little too hastily at times, but even he was aghast as the visitors mix of egotistical arrogance and cockiness erupted into an early pantomime production of “I’m better than you” , “Oh know your not”. Followed quickly by frantic arm flapping and jostling that nearly caused them all to disappear into the fireplace and up the chimney.
Unfazed, as the visitors hurled their handbags at each other Mullins kept his cool and strolled to an easy victory to cap a wonderful evening for the home side.
Saturday, 4 October 2008
Saturday, 27 September 2008
"The Daddy"
All at the Rose & Crown Darts team would Like to congratulate "The Daddy" Neil "The Dude" Crosby and his lovely young lady Mel on the birth of their first son.
Good luck guys..wishing you all the best
Good luck guys..wishing you all the best
Bricketwood Social Club (away) 25.09.08
The Rose and Crown kicked off the 2008-09 St. Albans Darts Winter League with an impressive 6-2 win away at Bricketwood.
"Smack my Bitch up" played at 102 decibels to an all but empty venue in which it was just as difficult to hear yourself speak as it was to breach the security system to enter the venue. In fact one could argue that the security system was in place to stop those already inside from leaving rather than preventing the throngs of thirsty people outside from getting in!!
Heaven forbid that someone who is "not from round 'ere" should stumble accidentally upon this place and dare ask for half a lager. One could almost imagine the welcome from the disgruntled group of regulars and committee members who vote unanimously to sentence the hapless passer by to "death by carrot crunching"! So it was little surprise when the home side, facing defeat after impressive performances by Kevin Woods (on his winter league debut for the visitors) Paul Muliins, Tony Scott and John Goode, were forced to bring out the carrotsand celery sticks, loaded with a sour cream and chive dip in a vain attempt to salvage something from a miserable start to the season. Unfazed the below strength, the visitors dodged the crudites and romped to victory, Kevin Woods laying down his marker to the skipper and firing a warning shot to the absent Tom Wilson and Neil Crosby, with another accomplished performance in the singles to put the game beyond the home side and setting up Paul Mullins to secure the victory.
"Smack my Bitch up" played at 102 decibels to an all but empty venue in which it was just as difficult to hear yourself speak as it was to breach the security system to enter the venue. In fact one could argue that the security system was in place to stop those already inside from leaving rather than preventing the throngs of thirsty people outside from getting in!!
Heaven forbid that someone who is "not from round 'ere" should stumble accidentally upon this place and dare ask for half a lager. One could almost imagine the welcome from the disgruntled group of regulars and committee members who vote unanimously to sentence the hapless passer by to "death by carrot crunching"! So it was little surprise when the home side, facing defeat after impressive performances by Kevin Woods (on his winter league debut for the visitors) Paul Muliins, Tony Scott and John Goode, were forced to bring out the carrotsand celery sticks, loaded with a sour cream and chive dip in a vain attempt to salvage something from a miserable start to the season. Unfazed the below strength, the visitors dodged the crudites and romped to victory, Kevin Woods laying down his marker to the skipper and firing a warning shot to the absent Tom Wilson and Neil Crosby, with another accomplished performance in the singles to put the game beyond the home side and setting up Paul Mullins to secure the victory.
Friday, 22 February 2008
London Road "A" February 21st 2007
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
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
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.
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