New Greens Club, typical of so many clubs in the aera, dying institutions that have been, over the years pillaged by many management committee's who's legacies are reduced memberships, 1980's furniture and the obligatory cheesey disco every Saturday night. The fruit machines still rattle but not nearly as much as they used to, on line gambling has seen to that, these establishments simply can not cope with change and the very people who have the power to change, have been living in their own little bubble for the last 25 years, always sitting in the same seat, with the same friends, in fact all that has changed is their hair colour and waistline.
So you could be forgiven for thinking that the dart team would be very much along the same lines.
For a number of years now the Evergreen's have been niggling away at the mid-lower end of the table. They are a team of wily characters who, on their day are more than a match for anyone in the division and were indeed more than a match for the depleted Rose & Crown, who found their backs to the wall before even the first dart was thrown in anger. Injury this week took its toll, as once again Carl Bolding was unavailable for selection. But perhaps more surprisingly the late withdrawal of Paul Mullins due to illness was a big blow to the Rose & Crown. Mullins has been ever-present this season and his partnership with John Goode is still unbeaten and would surely be missed against the Evergreen's.
The early exchanges went as skipper Alan Turner would have predicted in so much as the Rose & Crown found themselves 1-0 down, the skipper once again partnering the Director of Darts who was unable to repeat last weeks heroics, the pair eventually slipping to an inevitable defeat.
But this has all been part of the master plan in recent weeks, so when the "Dude" and stand-in player "Badger" levelled the scoreline it was looking very much like another day at the office for the skipper and his team. But the next four games yielded nothing for the visitors and the Evergreen's had gained what was for them a first league win and a rather comfortable one at that, only Tony Scott was able to find a way though in what was a consolation only as the Rose & Crown crashed to a 6-2 defeat, their heaviest of the season.
Monday, 17 November 2008
Thursday, 6 November 2008
Challenge Cup (Home) Colney Heath FC
Barack Obama becomes the first black president of the United States on November 4th 2008, relegating the lipstick and senility of the Republican campaign to the political wilderness for the next four years. But what next for the defeated candidates, well it’s rumoured that Sarah Palin will be putting the pain of defeat behind her by heading to the Canadian north for a spot of seal culling with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, “sounds like fun” she told a Canadian comedian masquerading as the French supremo, whilst John McCain, so often plagued with bouts of involuntary dementia that was previously considered a pre-requisite for the job will cast his vote next Tuesday urging all America to get behind presidential candidate Ronald Reagan !!
So the fireworks of the American Presidential campaign fizzle out, as do the fireworks that celebrated the 403rd anniversary of the gunpowder plot (an attempt by Guy Fawkes in his own words “to blow the Scotch beggars back to their own mountains”). The weather having put paid to many local displays when traditionally the English public take to their wellington boots and brave the elements, quite often up to their knees in muddy fields and gardens all over country just to celebrate the foiling of this daring plot and to welcome their Celtic cousins to England.
The fireworks did however burn brightly in the Rose & Crown this week as they enjoyed a week off from the rigors of the league and were able to turn their attention to the challenge cup, playing host to third division mid table side Colney Heath Football Club.
Some of the players seemed to be firing more than fireworks, “He Do Jog On” evicting the visitors from their original vantage point relegating them to a back table with views only of the outside door and the well trudged route to the toilet, not a dartboard in sight. While others seemed only to be firing blanks, “Sonic Beryl” about as exciting in the pre-match tactics as a guided tour of Stevenage on wet Tuesday night!!
Castigated last week for the inaccuracies in the reporting of the pairings and duly admonished, the administrator of the blog is taking no chances this week and fear of further reprisals in the future has prompted, that any reporting pertaining to names of players this week will feature as aliases. The administrator hopes that these issues will be resolved for next week.
They say it’s a sign of a good side when you can win when playing well below par. This was certainly the case tonight as the Rose & Crown ,flying high in the first division were taken right to the wire by third division mid-table side Colney heath Football Club in the first round of the challenge cup.
The early signs were good when the home side once again without key players took an early 1-0 lead when stand in player Mark and “A Lank Lush” played out a marathon first pairing before finally holding their nerve to clinch what was to become a priceless victory by two legs to one, putting the home side into unfamiliar territory after the first game of the evening.
“That Stony Con” and “I wonks Dove” who have had almost unparalleled success this season continued their impressive start with a not so impressive display that just about did enough to put the Rose & Crown into what should have been a comfortable position against their lower league rivals. But when “Natal Rerun” and the resurgent if erratic “Sonic Beryl” came back empty handed the visitors could sense a possible shock in the making.
“He Do Jog On” who earlier had assumed the role of bouncer having swiftly removed the visitors from their preferred spot in the bar, was unable to reproduce anywhere near the same fearless level of aggression on the dartboard, as he and “Pull a Muslin” just about limped to a 2-1 victory to restore the home side’s two game advantage.
Leading 3-1 going into the singles surely the Rose & Crown would close the game out swiftly, the visitors however had other ideas and those that were so impressive the week before when taking a point from league leaders the Crooked Billet just couldn’t reproduce the form or character to bring a swift conclusion to this 1st round cup tie. Both “I Wonk Doves” and “Sonic Beryl” looked just mere shadows of themselves from last week as their meek displays enabled the visitors to draw level at three a piece. The visitors were now beginning to believe that this could be their night, a true giant killing in the making, the home side in contrast had much to contemplate, the skipper was looking a worried man as the thought of another year in the challenge trophy looked a distinct possibility. “That Stony Con” a stalwart who’s career has spanned four decades was spurred on by the ignominy of such thoughts and was quick to restore the home sides lead with another solid performance, continuing a run of form that has helped propel his side to the higher reaches of the league table that were for so many years out of reach to the village side. Long time skipper “Natal Rerun” who so often overlooks himself for such games stepped forward to the oche for a rare singles appearance looking to finally seal what would have been hard fought victory, but the visitors had yet another surprise up their sleeve that sent this encounter right to the wire as “Natal Rerun” failed in his bid to secure a victory that would surelyhave gone down as a collectors item!!
The tension in the bar was boiling over, the visitors having arrived by the coach load to support their side in hope more than belief did now believe and dared to cross the boundary that was drawn up by “He Do Jog On” earlier in the night, who could now, only suck the night air in through his teeth and bare the defiance shown towards him. The bar now had become swollen with the influx of regulars who come rain or shine to sample the local ales, each one of them unwittingly drawn into the night’s action, embroiled just by their mere presence in this local village pub. Could “Pull a Muslin” handle the pressure and put the tension to the back of his mind and send the home side through to the second round?
An unimpressive first leg went the way of the home side, “Pull a Muslin” playing well below his usual standard just about doing enough but offering some hope to the visitors. The away support had now encroached into the playing area, the high pitched whistle of “He Do Jog On” as he continued sucking the cold night air through his teeth bemoaning the defiance shown by the visitors could be heard above all as the players took to the oche for the second leg. After a steady start to the leg “Pull a Muslin” was left with 212 he produced probably the best three darts of the night as each one glided with unerring accuracy into the treble twenty, the first maximum of the night. A maximum is not always considered the best throw of the night but in the context of this epic encounter it’s timing was perfection ,leaving “Pull a Muslin” with double sixteen to seal the victory. The opposition, much to the annoyance of “He Do Jog On” had now well and truly invaded the playing area and each one was eager to shake hands and congratulate their opponent. Two darts later the green bed that encircled the double sixteen was pierced and the home side, after giving all a shock finally came through to book their passage into the next round.
So the fireworks of the American Presidential campaign fizzle out, as do the fireworks that celebrated the 403rd anniversary of the gunpowder plot (an attempt by Guy Fawkes in his own words “to blow the Scotch beggars back to their own mountains”). The weather having put paid to many local displays when traditionally the English public take to their wellington boots and brave the elements, quite often up to their knees in muddy fields and gardens all over country just to celebrate the foiling of this daring plot and to welcome their Celtic cousins to England.
The fireworks did however burn brightly in the Rose & Crown this week as they enjoyed a week off from the rigors of the league and were able to turn their attention to the challenge cup, playing host to third division mid table side Colney Heath Football Club.
Some of the players seemed to be firing more than fireworks, “He Do Jog On” evicting the visitors from their original vantage point relegating them to a back table with views only of the outside door and the well trudged route to the toilet, not a dartboard in sight. While others seemed only to be firing blanks, “Sonic Beryl” about as exciting in the pre-match tactics as a guided tour of Stevenage on wet Tuesday night!!
Castigated last week for the inaccuracies in the reporting of the pairings and duly admonished, the administrator of the blog is taking no chances this week and fear of further reprisals in the future has prompted, that any reporting pertaining to names of players this week will feature as aliases. The administrator hopes that these issues will be resolved for next week.
They say it’s a sign of a good side when you can win when playing well below par. This was certainly the case tonight as the Rose & Crown ,flying high in the first division were taken right to the wire by third division mid-table side Colney heath Football Club in the first round of the challenge cup.
The early signs were good when the home side once again without key players took an early 1-0 lead when stand in player Mark and “A Lank Lush” played out a marathon first pairing before finally holding their nerve to clinch what was to become a priceless victory by two legs to one, putting the home side into unfamiliar territory after the first game of the evening.
“That Stony Con” and “I wonks Dove” who have had almost unparalleled success this season continued their impressive start with a not so impressive display that just about did enough to put the Rose & Crown into what should have been a comfortable position against their lower league rivals. But when “Natal Rerun” and the resurgent if erratic “Sonic Beryl” came back empty handed the visitors could sense a possible shock in the making.
“He Do Jog On” who earlier had assumed the role of bouncer having swiftly removed the visitors from their preferred spot in the bar, was unable to reproduce anywhere near the same fearless level of aggression on the dartboard, as he and “Pull a Muslin” just about limped to a 2-1 victory to restore the home side’s two game advantage.
Leading 3-1 going into the singles surely the Rose & Crown would close the game out swiftly, the visitors however had other ideas and those that were so impressive the week before when taking a point from league leaders the Crooked Billet just couldn’t reproduce the form or character to bring a swift conclusion to this 1st round cup tie. Both “I Wonk Doves” and “Sonic Beryl” looked just mere shadows of themselves from last week as their meek displays enabled the visitors to draw level at three a piece. The visitors were now beginning to believe that this could be their night, a true giant killing in the making, the home side in contrast had much to contemplate, the skipper was looking a worried man as the thought of another year in the challenge trophy looked a distinct possibility. “That Stony Con” a stalwart who’s career has spanned four decades was spurred on by the ignominy of such thoughts and was quick to restore the home sides lead with another solid performance, continuing a run of form that has helped propel his side to the higher reaches of the league table that were for so many years out of reach to the village side. Long time skipper “Natal Rerun” who so often overlooks himself for such games stepped forward to the oche for a rare singles appearance looking to finally seal what would have been hard fought victory, but the visitors had yet another surprise up their sleeve that sent this encounter right to the wire as “Natal Rerun” failed in his bid to secure a victory that would surelyhave gone down as a collectors item!!
The tension in the bar was boiling over, the visitors having arrived by the coach load to support their side in hope more than belief did now believe and dared to cross the boundary that was drawn up by “He Do Jog On” earlier in the night, who could now, only suck the night air in through his teeth and bare the defiance shown towards him. The bar now had become swollen with the influx of regulars who come rain or shine to sample the local ales, each one of them unwittingly drawn into the night’s action, embroiled just by their mere presence in this local village pub. Could “Pull a Muslin” handle the pressure and put the tension to the back of his mind and send the home side through to the second round?
An unimpressive first leg went the way of the home side, “Pull a Muslin” playing well below his usual standard just about doing enough but offering some hope to the visitors. The away support had now encroached into the playing area, the high pitched whistle of “He Do Jog On” as he continued sucking the cold night air through his teeth bemoaning the defiance shown by the visitors could be heard above all as the players took to the oche for the second leg. After a steady start to the leg “Pull a Muslin” was left with 212 he produced probably the best three darts of the night as each one glided with unerring accuracy into the treble twenty, the first maximum of the night. A maximum is not always considered the best throw of the night but in the context of this epic encounter it’s timing was perfection ,leaving “Pull a Muslin” with double sixteen to seal the victory. The opposition, much to the annoyance of “He Do Jog On” had now well and truly invaded the playing area and each one was eager to shake hands and congratulate their opponent. Two darts later the green bed that encircled the double sixteen was pierced and the home side, after giving all a shock finally came through to book their passage into the next round.
Monday, 3 November 2008
Crooked Billet (home) 30.10.08
It’s been a week of shocks, an inch of snow covered the ground for less than 2 days, almost bringing the country to its knees once more, prompting the statisticians to rifle through the archives in search of yet more useless facts that can be coupled to the weatherman’s immortal line of “since records began”.
Harry Redknapp signs for Tottenham sending them on an unbeaten 3 match run prompting the statisticians once more to proclaim that it’s their longest unbeaten run since the early spring of 2008!!
Lewis Hamilton wins the F1 drivers championship by nothing more than a width of a tyre tread and the ECB pimp out the England cricket team to an American billionaire. Who like Jack the Ripper, slits the underbelly and lets the contents of English cricket spill out under the dim lights onto the half o’ dozen or so American TV sets who have tuned in thinking it’s John McCain's latest campaign ralley
Perhaps though, the most shocking of all events this week was the visit of league leaders The Crooked Billet to the darting outpost of the Rose & Crown in St. Michael’s.
The Crooked Billet had previously dropped only 4 games as they laid their title credentials on the line, sweeping aside all before them with the most consummate of ease. They must surely have fancied their chances of inflicting a heavy defeat upon one of their main title rivals after the Rose & Crown suffered the indignity of defeat against the leagues whipping boys (albeit with only 5 recognised players) the previous week.
The away side were soon into their stride, dispatching skipper Alan Turner and the “Director of Darts” in two straight legs to take an early lead but this is a situation the home side have found themselves in all of their previous contests this season. But when the pairings of Neil Crosby and Dave Noble and Tony Scott and Kevin Woods both came back empty handed without so much as a leg to show for it, the alarm bells started ringing and even the statisticians were struggling to dredge up comparable facts.
Trailing 3-0 John Goode and Paul Mullins (who themselves) are undefeated as a pairing this season) were faced with the task of at least getting the home side on the board and with it saving some face. Two legs later the Rose & Crown were back in it, Mullins and Goode coasting to victory offering a glimmer of hope in an otherwise black start to the evening going into the singles.
Special mention here must go to the refreshments; yet again Ruth has outdone all other venues with her culinary delights with not one venue getting even close in the tasting stakes. A wide range of fillings complimented by the freshest bread in the league make this one of the most eagerly awaited points of the evening.
Now, Neil “The Dude” Crosby from somewhere has acquired a different outlook on the game this season and his cool exterior most certainly is alien to not only those of the Rose & Crown, but indeed all that know him. His cool exterior though, only masks what is boiling away underneath ready to be unleashed and this was perhaps the “Dude’s” finest hour this season if not his finest game. For once Neil showed a maturity that most had thought long since extinct and whilst the BBC toiled with those overpaid egos that did their talking over the phone, Neil most certainly did his talking on the oche, the wolfram said it all for him, its own words as crude and vulgar to the visitors as those of a BBC prime time entertainer. The final shaft of tungsten unerringly made its way into the double and the home side were well and truly back in the match, one down with three to play.
For Woodsie, his debut season for the Rose & Crown has somewhat been a baptism of fire. But as each week passes the confidence grows and grows and the latest in the long line of darting progeny that have been born from the Rose & Crown’s “Youth Academy” (which in the past has produced such legends as John Goode ad the self styled “Director of Darts) sits on the edge of Rose and Crown greatness and but for one dart on Thursday would surely have achieved this status earlier than could ever have been expected as he pushed The Crooked Billets very own darting superstar Linda Searle all the way in a nail biting three leg contest that ultimately secured the visitors a point. But it was a gallant effort from the “youngster” and the contest could easily have gone his way and perhaps on another day would have done so.
Trailing 4-2 you may have thought that the Rose & Crown would have folded but there is a steely determination and a never say die attitude that has emerged in recent weeks epitomised no more so than by stalwart Tony Scott who, in is own words on Thursday night was not feeling the full schilling but apart from a request for a glass of water mid way through this no nonsense contest you would never have guessed. A picture of concentration and focus, Scotty delivered an almost faultless display that drew as many gasps from the crowd as the request for water did earlier. His hapless opponent could only look on despairingly as Scotty pulled the Rose & Crown back within striking distance, one down one to play.
The home side thus became the first team this season to take more than two games against the league leaders but they harboured much grander aspirations than this and a point from this encounter was well within their grasp.
Once again it was down to Paul Mullins, who along with everyone else (the Badger not included) was so disappointing the previous week, but Mullins was quick to put that disappointment behind him and emerged victorious in two straight legs to secure a deserved point for the home side.
So the visitors leave the picture postcard part of St. Albans their tail between their legs having dropped their first point of the season the inquests may well have started before they left but for the Rose & Crown can they keep on going upsetting the odds and mount a serious title challenge?
Harry Redknapp signs for Tottenham sending them on an unbeaten 3 match run prompting the statisticians once more to proclaim that it’s their longest unbeaten run since the early spring of 2008!!
Lewis Hamilton wins the F1 drivers championship by nothing more than a width of a tyre tread and the ECB pimp out the England cricket team to an American billionaire. Who like Jack the Ripper, slits the underbelly and lets the contents of English cricket spill out under the dim lights onto the half o’ dozen or so American TV sets who have tuned in thinking it’s John McCain's latest campaign ralley
Perhaps though, the most shocking of all events this week was the visit of league leaders The Crooked Billet to the darting outpost of the Rose & Crown in St. Michael’s.
The Crooked Billet had previously dropped only 4 games as they laid their title credentials on the line, sweeping aside all before them with the most consummate of ease. They must surely have fancied their chances of inflicting a heavy defeat upon one of their main title rivals after the Rose & Crown suffered the indignity of defeat against the leagues whipping boys (albeit with only 5 recognised players) the previous week.
The away side were soon into their stride, dispatching skipper Alan Turner and the “Director of Darts” in two straight legs to take an early lead but this is a situation the home side have found themselves in all of their previous contests this season. But when the pairings of Neil Crosby and Dave Noble and Tony Scott and Kevin Woods both came back empty handed without so much as a leg to show for it, the alarm bells started ringing and even the statisticians were struggling to dredge up comparable facts.
Trailing 3-0 John Goode and Paul Mullins (who themselves) are undefeated as a pairing this season) were faced with the task of at least getting the home side on the board and with it saving some face. Two legs later the Rose & Crown were back in it, Mullins and Goode coasting to victory offering a glimmer of hope in an otherwise black start to the evening going into the singles.
Special mention here must go to the refreshments; yet again Ruth has outdone all other venues with her culinary delights with not one venue getting even close in the tasting stakes. A wide range of fillings complimented by the freshest bread in the league make this one of the most eagerly awaited points of the evening.
Now, Neil “The Dude” Crosby from somewhere has acquired a different outlook on the game this season and his cool exterior most certainly is alien to not only those of the Rose & Crown, but indeed all that know him. His cool exterior though, only masks what is boiling away underneath ready to be unleashed and this was perhaps the “Dude’s” finest hour this season if not his finest game. For once Neil showed a maturity that most had thought long since extinct and whilst the BBC toiled with those overpaid egos that did their talking over the phone, Neil most certainly did his talking on the oche, the wolfram said it all for him, its own words as crude and vulgar to the visitors as those of a BBC prime time entertainer. The final shaft of tungsten unerringly made its way into the double and the home side were well and truly back in the match, one down with three to play.
For Woodsie, his debut season for the Rose & Crown has somewhat been a baptism of fire. But as each week passes the confidence grows and grows and the latest in the long line of darting progeny that have been born from the Rose & Crown’s “Youth Academy” (which in the past has produced such legends as John Goode ad the self styled “Director of Darts) sits on the edge of Rose and Crown greatness and but for one dart on Thursday would surely have achieved this status earlier than could ever have been expected as he pushed The Crooked Billets very own darting superstar Linda Searle all the way in a nail biting three leg contest that ultimately secured the visitors a point. But it was a gallant effort from the “youngster” and the contest could easily have gone his way and perhaps on another day would have done so.
Trailing 4-2 you may have thought that the Rose & Crown would have folded but there is a steely determination and a never say die attitude that has emerged in recent weeks epitomised no more so than by stalwart Tony Scott who, in is own words on Thursday night was not feeling the full schilling but apart from a request for a glass of water mid way through this no nonsense contest you would never have guessed. A picture of concentration and focus, Scotty delivered an almost faultless display that drew as many gasps from the crowd as the request for water did earlier. His hapless opponent could only look on despairingly as Scotty pulled the Rose & Crown back within striking distance, one down one to play.
The home side thus became the first team this season to take more than two games against the league leaders but they harboured much grander aspirations than this and a point from this encounter was well within their grasp.
Once again it was down to Paul Mullins, who along with everyone else (the Badger not included) was so disappointing the previous week, but Mullins was quick to put that disappointment behind him and emerged victorious in two straight legs to secure a deserved point for the home side.
So the visitors leave the picture postcard part of St. Albans their tail between their legs having dropped their first point of the season the inquests may well have started before they left but for the Rose & Crown can they keep on going upsetting the odds and mount a serious title challenge?
Sunday, 26 October 2008
Sandridge Rovers (away) 23.10.08
In a time when the stock market has seen its spectacular fall matched only by that of the decline of Tottenham Hotspur, the Rose & Crown have found themselves rather unusually challenging for the top spot in the division and had high hopes of securing such a dizzying position at the pinnacle against Sandridge Rovers on Thursday night.
But a spectacular high as seen so often can be followed by a fall equally, if not more spectacular. This was the case on Thursday night as the Rose & Crown crashed to their first defeat of season.
The team found themselves with fewer players for this encounter than willing investors of an Icelandic bank. In fact such was the state of play that the villain of “Fugitive” could have counted all the players on his non prosthetic.
Never the less the team rallied and after securing the services of Paul “Badger” Smith they went with high hopes and a low carbon tyre print.
Already trailing one to nothing by default, the Rose & Crown without Kevin Woods, Dave Noble, Carl Bolding, “the Director of Darts” and Tom Wilson were forced to juggle things about and it looked as if things may well pay off when skipper Alan Turner and new signing “Badger” secured a two leg to one victory to put the Rose & Crown level after the doubles.
It was not to be however, and just like the Northern Rock there was nothing else they could borrow and the collapse came sooner rather than later with only Tony Scott offering any resistance on their way to a 5-3 defeat against a side favoured by many for relegation. At times it was painful to watch as the away team not only struggled against their opponents but also against themselves , one suspects a case of trying to hard. A collective case of not wanting to let each other down in the end resulted in a case of letting themselves down but that’s just inexperience of being in such a lofty position and something from which they must learn if they are now to go on and get anything out of the rest of the season.
Focus must now switch to a home encounter against the Crooked Billet a team they are more than capable of beating, and one can only hope that the Rose & Crown have more players than Tottenham have points for this encounter.
But a spectacular high as seen so often can be followed by a fall equally, if not more spectacular. This was the case on Thursday night as the Rose & Crown crashed to their first defeat of season.
The team found themselves with fewer players for this encounter than willing investors of an Icelandic bank. In fact such was the state of play that the villain of “Fugitive” could have counted all the players on his non prosthetic.
Never the less the team rallied and after securing the services of Paul “Badger” Smith they went with high hopes and a low carbon tyre print.
Already trailing one to nothing by default, the Rose & Crown without Kevin Woods, Dave Noble, Carl Bolding, “the Director of Darts” and Tom Wilson were forced to juggle things about and it looked as if things may well pay off when skipper Alan Turner and new signing “Badger” secured a two leg to one victory to put the Rose & Crown level after the doubles.
It was not to be however, and just like the Northern Rock there was nothing else they could borrow and the collapse came sooner rather than later with only Tony Scott offering any resistance on their way to a 5-3 defeat against a side favoured by many for relegation. At times it was painful to watch as the away team not only struggled against their opponents but also against themselves , one suspects a case of trying to hard. A collective case of not wanting to let each other down in the end resulted in a case of letting themselves down but that’s just inexperience of being in such a lofty position and something from which they must learn if they are now to go on and get anything out of the rest of the season.
Focus must now switch to a home encounter against the Crooked Billet a team they are more than capable of beating, and one can only hope that the Rose & Crown have more players than Tottenham have points for this encounter.
Friday, 17 October 2008
Royston Club (Home) 16.10.08
Despite the "credit crunch" the Rose & Crown continue to field a near full strength side every week and this week was certainly no exception. With most of the big names on show the Rose & Crown were able to dispatch the 1st division newcomers the Royston Club if not with ease but with a functional performance of tungsten hurling.
Before i go any further I should explain perhaps what "credit crunch" is.
A credit crunch is often caused by a sustained period of careless and inappropriate lending which results in losses for lending institutions and investors in debt when the loans turn sour and the full extent of bad debts becomes known. These institutions may then reduce the availability of credit, and increase the cost of accessing credit by raising interest rates. In some cases lenders may be unable to lend further, even if they wish, as a result of earlier losses.
The real reason for this however is not what is outlined above, a more likely cause for the worlds current financial status is in the most part due to Carl Bolding being unable to bend down and pick his wallet up off the floor thus leading to a lack of revenue flow into the largest of the worlds financial institutions.
Anyway on with the darts.
It is often said that the hallmark of a good side is that of a team that wins when playing badly. This could certainly be said of the Rose & Crown this week and the 6-2 scoreline may have flattered them ever so slightly.
Brimming with confidence after recent performances the home side looked complacent for the first time this season and perhaps should have been made to pay for the hesitancy in finishing the newcomers of.
Carl Bolding replacing the the Director of Darts was unable to help the in form skipper Alan Turner in the first of the doubles. the pair eventually going down in a tense third leg that perhaps they should have won and indeed skipper Alan Turner would have be bemoaning the fact that they really aught to have won it.
At this stage it's worth noting that the Rose & Crown have surrendered the first game of each of this seasons matches so far and gone on to record some impressive results.
Woodsie and Scotty levelled the match but again it was a tense third leg that could easily have gone either way but in the end to the delight of the home side the chalkboard had a mark for each side.
Now, the “Dude” has often been accused of petulance during his time at the Rose & Crown and the Blue Anchor before that but perhaps fatherhood has put a different perspective on things for the young man from Cornwall. The tantrums do not seem as forthcoming as once they were and even seemed to have been replaced with a levelled headiness very seldom, if indeed ever seen before. Partnered by a quieter than usual Dave Noble, the “Dude would need this new found calmness. The pair toiled for three gruelling legs battling the tension and nerves before coming out with a fortuitous victory that on another day would surely have gone the other way.
Thanks to the “Dude” and Dave the home side took the lead for the first time leaving the way open for John Goode and Paul Mullins to put the Rose & Crown into an unassailable lead going into the doubles. The now reliable pairing of John and Paul were keen to oblige and, although this probably was not their most convincing of performances, (in truth it would have to be said it wasn’t the toughest of opponents for them either) the pair eased to a 2-0 win and thus opening up a two game lead going into the singles.
Not for the first time this season the Rose & Crown had put themselves into a commanding position going into the singles, good for them but for Kevin Woods this meant that the opposition have been forced to go on strong in the opening single and the Royston had to continue in the same vein if they were going to get anything at all out of this match.
In yet another hard fought encounter “Woodsie couldn’t close out the game, again going down 2-1 in the opening singles, a game that not so long ago the “Dude” would be champing at the bit for but with his new found coolness and calmness of mind. He eased himself into the second slot and again despite what was a nervy encounter for all those looking on, the “Dude” for the first time this season came away with maximum points winning both doubles and singles and at the same time earning the home side at least a point with “Scotty” and Mullins still to play.
Leading 4-2 “Scotty” strolled up to the oche with an air “undefeatability” about him when he strode back having secured the two points thoughts were now turning to the next weeks game a game that could see the Rose & Crown go clear at the top of the table for the first time this season.
Mullins was to send the visitors packing with their tails between their legs after a 6-2 defeat, but in truth it could have been different, on another day against another team earlier chances could have been taken and the result could well have been reversed. But with a 6-2 win under their belts they just send out a warning shot to those who may have thought it is all just a flash in the pan.
Before i go any further I should explain perhaps what "credit crunch" is.
A credit crunch is often caused by a sustained period of careless and inappropriate lending which results in losses for lending institutions and investors in debt when the loans turn sour and the full extent of bad debts becomes known. These institutions may then reduce the availability of credit, and increase the cost of accessing credit by raising interest rates. In some cases lenders may be unable to lend further, even if they wish, as a result of earlier losses.
The real reason for this however is not what is outlined above, a more likely cause for the worlds current financial status is in the most part due to Carl Bolding being unable to bend down and pick his wallet up off the floor thus leading to a lack of revenue flow into the largest of the worlds financial institutions.
Anyway on with the darts.
It is often said that the hallmark of a good side is that of a team that wins when playing badly. This could certainly be said of the Rose & Crown this week and the 6-2 scoreline may have flattered them ever so slightly.
Brimming with confidence after recent performances the home side looked complacent for the first time this season and perhaps should have been made to pay for the hesitancy in finishing the newcomers of.
Carl Bolding replacing the the Director of Darts was unable to help the in form skipper Alan Turner in the first of the doubles. the pair eventually going down in a tense third leg that perhaps they should have won and indeed skipper Alan Turner would have be bemoaning the fact that they really aught to have won it.
At this stage it's worth noting that the Rose & Crown have surrendered the first game of each of this seasons matches so far and gone on to record some impressive results.
Woodsie and Scotty levelled the match but again it was a tense third leg that could easily have gone either way but in the end to the delight of the home side the chalkboard had a mark for each side.
Now, the “Dude” has often been accused of petulance during his time at the Rose & Crown and the Blue Anchor before that but perhaps fatherhood has put a different perspective on things for the young man from Cornwall. The tantrums do not seem as forthcoming as once they were and even seemed to have been replaced with a levelled headiness very seldom, if indeed ever seen before. Partnered by a quieter than usual Dave Noble, the “Dude would need this new found calmness. The pair toiled for three gruelling legs battling the tension and nerves before coming out with a fortuitous victory that on another day would surely have gone the other way.
Thanks to the “Dude” and Dave the home side took the lead for the first time leaving the way open for John Goode and Paul Mullins to put the Rose & Crown into an unassailable lead going into the doubles. The now reliable pairing of John and Paul were keen to oblige and, although this probably was not their most convincing of performances, (in truth it would have to be said it wasn’t the toughest of opponents for them either) the pair eased to a 2-0 win and thus opening up a two game lead going into the singles.
Not for the first time this season the Rose & Crown had put themselves into a commanding position going into the singles, good for them but for Kevin Woods this meant that the opposition have been forced to go on strong in the opening single and the Royston had to continue in the same vein if they were going to get anything at all out of this match.
In yet another hard fought encounter “Woodsie couldn’t close out the game, again going down 2-1 in the opening singles, a game that not so long ago the “Dude” would be champing at the bit for but with his new found coolness and calmness of mind. He eased himself into the second slot and again despite what was a nervy encounter for all those looking on, the “Dude” for the first time this season came away with maximum points winning both doubles and singles and at the same time earning the home side at least a point with “Scotty” and Mullins still to play.
Leading 4-2 “Scotty” strolled up to the oche with an air “undefeatability” about him when he strode back having secured the two points thoughts were now turning to the next weeks game a game that could see the Rose & Crown go clear at the top of the table for the first time this season.
Mullins was to send the visitors packing with their tails between their legs after a 6-2 defeat, but in truth it could have been different, on another day against another team earlier chances could have been taken and the result could well have been reversed. But with a 6-2 win under their belts they just send out a warning shot to those who may have thought it is all just a flash in the pan.
Saturday, 11 October 2008
London Road away 09.10.08
"A dart shall only score if the tip of the dart remains in (or touches) the face of the dartboard within the outer double wire and, having been "called", is retrieved from the face of the dartboard by the player throwing that dart."
The definition of a scoring dart (above) as laid out by the Darts Regulation Authority, something perhaps that Kevin Woods, aka "Woodsie" should read and digest before his next visit to the oche.
Having earlier sent Carl Bolding into a blind panic with a 180 in the pre match game of tactics costing him yet another pound, Woodsie could hardly keep the tungsten in the board as the Rose and Crown came away with a deserved point at London Road on Thursday.
Confident on the back of an impressive win last week the Rose and Crown travelled to London Road, not a happy hunting ground for them in recent years, but this is a Rose and Crown side filled with confidence and a belief that on their day they are capable of inflicting defeat on anyone, and after last week who is to ague with that.
The director of Darts proved perfect foil once again as he partnered skipper Alan Turner and despite their loss the evening was set up perfectly, the skippers tactical nous once again in it's own right worth a leg.
For the Rose and Crown the game was now underway, John Goode and Paul Mullins who have been so impressive this season continued from where they left off last week. Despite gifting the opposition the first leg Mullins and Goode cranked up the heat on their hapless opponents and eased to victory in the next two legs levelling the scores at one apiece.
Enter "Woodsie" and "Scotty" a new pairing this year and a fruitful one so far for the Rose and Crown. "Scotty's ability to pick his partner of course is legendary and having partnered Tom Wilson for the last three years he was quick to snap up the emerging talent of "Woodsie" and in light of "Woodsie's" earlier 180 (which bolstered the much beleaguered lottery fund) "Scottie" appeared to have it spot on once again. "Woodsie" had other ideas and seemed to have forgotten the basic rule of darts, that of which states that a dart can only score if it is in or touching the face of the board, "Woodsie" seemed to prefer his darts on the carpet and must surely be nursing a sore back this weekend from the constant bending down to retrieve them from the floor. Even with so many points scored on the floor "Scottie" and "Woodsie" did enough to put the visitors in to 2-1 lead.
The home side roared back, the impressive Kim Wiffen eased the home side level dispatching "Daddy Dude" and "Wavey Davey" with ease.
"Woodsie" once again had the task of taking the first single, and once again found himself up against stiff opposition and against what appeared to be a schizophrenic attitude towards the dartboard ...... "the one on the wall or the one on the floor...The one on the wall or....." it was never really clear which one he opted for and this proved to be his downfall eventually falling behind and handing the initiative to the home side who took the lead for a second time.
The once eager to play first singles, Neil Crosby was even reluctant to fill the second slot preferring to take his chance later in proceedings until his options were pointed out to him "Would you prefer to play Roache, Wiffen or Ralph" he was asked. Having been earlier dispatched by Kim Wiffen Neil picked the best option and went onto beat Gary Roache to once again level the match.
With Derek and Ralph and Kim Wiffen to play for the home side and Mullins and "Scotty" for the visitors this had all the hallmarks of another Derek Ralph , Tony Scott epic in the seventh game but when Kim Wiffen took to the oche a whisper of surprise echoed around the the now silent arena for surely Kim would be taking the last single, but not to be not on this occasion.
Kim Wiffen was soon into his stride and despite a nervy finish to the leg managed to check out with "Scotty" trailing in hi wake. "Scotty" came back well and took the second leg and for a moment looked like setting up the visitors another astonishing victory but Kim Wiffen, showed his 20 odd years of super league and county darts experience to clinch a point and set up the home side for an expected two points.
The Rose and Crown though are a different side these days and have a steely determination about them, an attitude of never say die.
Needing this one for the draw Mullins let his intention be known early in the first leg as he rattled in his first maximum of the season on his way to taking the first leg against "Big Bird" Derek Ralph. The difference in attitudes towards this latest maximum could hardly be different On the one hand Tony Scott beamed from ear to ear as the lottery fund was bolstered by a second maximum in one evening (a rule only recently relaxed to swell the lottery funds) and on the other hand, Carl Bolding, who had not only suffered at the hands of the Icelandic banking collapse but who was now also forced to cough up his second pound of the evening at a time when he would usually be at home sat by candle light counting his own stock pile of fifty pence pieces, each one carefully labelled, who payed, what date etc etc. Meanwhile the darts continued in earnest, Derek Ralph pulled a leg back to set up an intriguing final leg of the Night. Mullins went straight off with his first dart and never looked back and was on to a double before Derek was out of the 200's. Lacking his usual accuracy Mullins let Ralph back into the leg and indeed Ralph had a chance at double ten before Mullins closed out with an "understacker" into the centre of the double one to secure the point for the visitors.
The definition of a scoring dart (above) as laid out by the Darts Regulation Authority, something perhaps that Kevin Woods, aka "Woodsie" should read and digest before his next visit to the oche.
Having earlier sent Carl Bolding into a blind panic with a 180 in the pre match game of tactics costing him yet another pound, Woodsie could hardly keep the tungsten in the board as the Rose and Crown came away with a deserved point at London Road on Thursday.
Confident on the back of an impressive win last week the Rose and Crown travelled to London Road, not a happy hunting ground for them in recent years, but this is a Rose and Crown side filled with confidence and a belief that on their day they are capable of inflicting defeat on anyone, and after last week who is to ague with that.
The director of Darts proved perfect foil once again as he partnered skipper Alan Turner and despite their loss the evening was set up perfectly, the skippers tactical nous once again in it's own right worth a leg.
For the Rose and Crown the game was now underway, John Goode and Paul Mullins who have been so impressive this season continued from where they left off last week. Despite gifting the opposition the first leg Mullins and Goode cranked up the heat on their hapless opponents and eased to victory in the next two legs levelling the scores at one apiece.
Enter "Woodsie" and "Scotty" a new pairing this year and a fruitful one so far for the Rose and Crown. "Scotty's ability to pick his partner of course is legendary and having partnered Tom Wilson for the last three years he was quick to snap up the emerging talent of "Woodsie" and in light of "Woodsie's" earlier 180 (which bolstered the much beleaguered lottery fund) "Scottie" appeared to have it spot on once again. "Woodsie" had other ideas and seemed to have forgotten the basic rule of darts, that of which states that a dart can only score if it is in or touching the face of the board, "Woodsie" seemed to prefer his darts on the carpet and must surely be nursing a sore back this weekend from the constant bending down to retrieve them from the floor. Even with so many points scored on the floor "Scottie" and "Woodsie" did enough to put the visitors in to 2-1 lead.
The home side roared back, the impressive Kim Wiffen eased the home side level dispatching "Daddy Dude" and "Wavey Davey" with ease.
"Woodsie" once again had the task of taking the first single, and once again found himself up against stiff opposition and against what appeared to be a schizophrenic attitude towards the dartboard ...... "the one on the wall or the one on the floor...The one on the wall or....." it was never really clear which one he opted for and this proved to be his downfall eventually falling behind and handing the initiative to the home side who took the lead for a second time.
The once eager to play first singles, Neil Crosby was even reluctant to fill the second slot preferring to take his chance later in proceedings until his options were pointed out to him "Would you prefer to play Roache, Wiffen or Ralph" he was asked. Having been earlier dispatched by Kim Wiffen Neil picked the best option and went onto beat Gary Roache to once again level the match.
With Derek and Ralph and Kim Wiffen to play for the home side and Mullins and "Scotty" for the visitors this had all the hallmarks of another Derek Ralph , Tony Scott epic in the seventh game but when Kim Wiffen took to the oche a whisper of surprise echoed around the the now silent arena for surely Kim would be taking the last single, but not to be not on this occasion.
Kim Wiffen was soon into his stride and despite a nervy finish to the leg managed to check out with "Scotty" trailing in hi wake. "Scotty" came back well and took the second leg and for a moment looked like setting up the visitors another astonishing victory but Kim Wiffen, showed his 20 odd years of super league and county darts experience to clinch a point and set up the home side for an expected two points.
The Rose and Crown though are a different side these days and have a steely determination about them, an attitude of never say die.
Needing this one for the draw Mullins let his intention be known early in the first leg as he rattled in his first maximum of the season on his way to taking the first leg against "Big Bird" Derek Ralph. The difference in attitudes towards this latest maximum could hardly be different On the one hand Tony Scott beamed from ear to ear as the lottery fund was bolstered by a second maximum in one evening (a rule only recently relaxed to swell the lottery funds) and on the other hand, Carl Bolding, who had not only suffered at the hands of the Icelandic banking collapse but who was now also forced to cough up his second pound of the evening at a time when he would usually be at home sat by candle light counting his own stock pile of fifty pence pieces, each one carefully labelled, who payed, what date etc etc. Meanwhile the darts continued in earnest, Derek Ralph pulled a leg back to set up an intriguing final leg of the Night. Mullins went straight off with his first dart and never looked back and was on to a double before Derek was out of the 200's. Lacking his usual accuracy Mullins let Ralph back into the leg and indeed Ralph had a chance at double ten before Mullins closed out with an "understacker" into the centre of the double one to secure the point for the visitors.
A sign of the times
A week after upsetting the odds with a win against the Inn on The Green, it only gets tougher for the Rose and Crown who's next opponents were the London Road Club, it has to be said at this stage that the standard of the St. Albans Darts league has improved dramatically in recent years but as to what this can be attributed to is any ones guess. Could it be the untold "riches" of what the 1st division offers that has seen an influx of both players and teams from outside the area ply their trade here in St. Albans.
Teams such as "The Black Boy" who were filled with darting superstars such as Chris Mason and of course more recently Mark Walsh aka "Walshie". Then there is "The Inn on The Green" largely made up of those from the surrounding leagues of Watford and Luton. All have come here from more familiar surroundings to seek further fame and fortune amongst the throngs of local tungsten hurlers here in St. Albans.
Well whatever it is it certainly has brought the best out of some of the more local players and the Rose and Crown is no exception to this.
If you were to say at the beginning of this season that the Rose and Crown would have five points from a possible six after after games against the Inn on The Green, Bricketwood and London Road, all of whom are packed to the rafters of superleague and county payers, I'm sure this would have been met with much scepticism, especially in view of the fact that the Rose and Crown have achieved this without Tom Wilson, (who has been sorely missed, not just for his darting abilities but for his all round contribution to the team), but achieved it they have and everyone of them has stepped up to the plate when called and raised their game.
In recent years players such as John Goode has come from nowhere to be a regular member of the team and his partnership with Paul Mullins has certainly accounted for many more notable scalps than that of themselves. Then there is the "Director of Darts" who seems to strike "fear" in to the heart of the opposition with his off the oche antics but provides perfect foil for the likes of Tony Scott and Neil Crosby and the emerging talent of Kevin Woods that follow him onto the oche.
As the standard of those coming into the league from all around improves so does that of the local players and for this there is no substitute, as was demonstrated last Thursday as the Inn on The Green imploded, unable to accommodate the egotistical personalities that made for a disfunctional and disjointed outfit that could only fight amongst themselves, a team of little equilibrium unbalanced and out of tune. Compare that to their victors that night who, in stark contrast to them have no such egos to feed, each slipping into his place in the side, guided effortlessly by the skipper, standing as one and supporting each other.
Four maybe Five years ago virtually the same group of players just about avoided relegation, over the last couple of seasons John Goode has found himself beating the likes of Kim Wiffen and Gary Roache as the Rose and Crown mix it with their more illustrious counterparts.
Teams such as "The Black Boy" who were filled with darting superstars such as Chris Mason and of course more recently Mark Walsh aka "Walshie". Then there is "The Inn on The Green" largely made up of those from the surrounding leagues of Watford and Luton. All have come here from more familiar surroundings to seek further fame and fortune amongst the throngs of local tungsten hurlers here in St. Albans.
Well whatever it is it certainly has brought the best out of some of the more local players and the Rose and Crown is no exception to this.
If you were to say at the beginning of this season that the Rose and Crown would have five points from a possible six after after games against the Inn on The Green, Bricketwood and London Road, all of whom are packed to the rafters of superleague and county payers, I'm sure this would have been met with much scepticism, especially in view of the fact that the Rose and Crown have achieved this without Tom Wilson, (who has been sorely missed, not just for his darting abilities but for his all round contribution to the team), but achieved it they have and everyone of them has stepped up to the plate when called and raised their game.
In recent years players such as John Goode has come from nowhere to be a regular member of the team and his partnership with Paul Mullins has certainly accounted for many more notable scalps than that of themselves. Then there is the "Director of Darts" who seems to strike "fear" in to the heart of the opposition with his off the oche antics but provides perfect foil for the likes of Tony Scott and Neil Crosby and the emerging talent of Kevin Woods that follow him onto the oche.
As the standard of those coming into the league from all around improves so does that of the local players and for this there is no substitute, as was demonstrated last Thursday as the Inn on The Green imploded, unable to accommodate the egotistical personalities that made for a disfunctional and disjointed outfit that could only fight amongst themselves, a team of little equilibrium unbalanced and out of tune. Compare that to their victors that night who, in stark contrast to them have no such egos to feed, each slipping into his place in the side, guided effortlessly by the skipper, standing as one and supporting each other.
Four maybe Five years ago virtually the same group of players just about avoided relegation, over the last couple of seasons John Goode has found himself beating the likes of Kim Wiffen and Gary Roache as the Rose and Crown mix it with their more illustrious counterparts.
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