Well, what a game our second home game turned out to be!
When the opposition finally decided to turn up we got underway and Shane, making his debut for the Mill, was called to the oche:
Joff / Shane: Some steady but slightly below par scoring in the opener but both legs were close but saw 'The Legion' take the upper hand with a 2-0 win. 1-0 down
Joe: Looking for his first win in the Winter League, the ever improving 'Talk to Frank' stole the first leg with some great darts. Setting up a miscounted 28 he took out his first leg EVER. Unfortunately Rob the young 'un took out the next 2 legs with some good arras. They needed to be to beat Joe in that form. 2-0 down
Emma / Longy: The rekindled couple looked like cruising through, against the skipper Ian partnered by Steph, as some solid scoring took place. Longy left Emma on her favourite, D19. She was nervous but took it out with ease. Our steadiness slipped and 1 too many 'Gary Brindleys' (26's) saw us lose the lead and the game. 3-0 down
Joe / Gaz: The 2 in form players of the season paired up and cruised through the game against Baz and Steph 2-0 with Joe setting Gaz up to take out D8 and D16 to win. 3-1 down
Shane: Stepping to the oche for his first singles game for the Mill was Shane. The pub echoed 'Bowled Shane' in a crap Australian accent from Longy, Joe and Gaz. Would we will be yelling it at the end?? Of course. Shane won 2-1 and scored well. Although Lewis had his chances with Shane missing more doubles than he smoked spliffs today he still took out D1 and D4 to win his legs. 3-2 down
Gaz: After winning his doubles game the money wsa on Gazza to deliver and he never failed. Never have I seen a player hit so many doubles in a leg (when he didn't need them though). He took out 51 with 11 D20 followed in the decider with 2 and D1 for the leveller. 3-3
Right, the grub came out and all I heard one of the ladies from Shoreham British Legion say was 'I really fancy a cheese sandwich'. Well, she was obviously the only dissappointed player in the pub when Gemma and Emma brought the chunky bread with beef stew and dumplings out. Although Emma swears blind it was all home made I saw 2 Aunt Bessies dumpling packets and what looked like the remains of the neighbours 2 cats in the kitchen, who knows???
Emma: Although the scoring was solid just couldn't take any doubles out against Ant. Definitely their best player on the night, looked in good form and his eye was well in. He won 2-0 (notice I didn't say Emma lost, oh I have now ha ha). 4-3 down
Longy: Needing to win to stay in the match and give us the opportunity to win Longy is pitched against Ian for the second time tonight. Kicking off with T20, T20 and 1 (I swear it was a 180 from 7ft 9 1/4" away, oh well. Solid scoring saw Longy left with 90 and he comfortable took out T18 followed it with a D18. The finger pointed to the board as he retrieved his darts. Longy slams in T20, T20 T5 to start the second but even with solid scoring he coul;dn't get this leg won and Ian took it away. The decider. No pressure Longy..... Although the leg was tight with both players on form Ian nicked it at the death and can you believe he stung me for half a lager! Unbelievable ha ha. 5-3 down
James: With the game over James cruised to a 2-0 win in his singles game against Aaron who, despite throwing from every place on the oche, couldn't find his rhythm. 5-4 down
Despite us not winning this game, it was good to have Shane on board (and playing well). We all played well and maybe deserved to win and I think with a bit more focus in the 2 doubles games we lost, we would have won the match.
Food was lovely, thanks for all of you that scored and cheers to the Legion for coming up, playing well and having a good laugh.
Look forward to playing you down at your place!
