After a two-week hiatus due to a bye and cup week, Lickey End A were back in Bromsgrove Darts League Division1 action last night away to Catshill Club. Lickey End B team had another bye.
Lickey new it was going to be a close match, and it did not disappoint. A win would lift them off the foot of the table.
In Game 1, Geoff Nokes lost leg 1 but ground out a 1-2 win in a scrappy match which was to be the theme of the night for both sides. Captain Jason Evans was next up and snatched his match at the death 1-2. In Game 3, Ed Mcmanus took Lickey into a 0-3 lead winning 1-2 with a 96 away and 108 score. It couldn’t have been a better start for Lickey and then Catshill began their comeback.
In Game 4, Paul Prince took leg 1 but despite darts to close out the match, the wheels came off and he let the game go despite a nice 97 away and 123 score. Game 4 was the best match of the night. Steve Groves went toe-to-toe against Catshill’s best. The 2-0 score did not reflect how close Steve was to winning both legs. Tiny margins but was Steve saving something for the doubles later? Game 6 saw Catshill complete the comeback, levelling the match at 3-3. Gaz Troth took a leg but another scrappy match, which could have gone either way, went against Lickey. It was now down to the doubles. Either side needing two wins from three matches.
In Game 7 Ed and Geoff lost 2-1 despite some power scoring. Geoff banged out a 180, 140 and 70 away. Ed a 100 and we saw a 180 from Catshill too. Game 8 with Steve and Paul was a must-win for Lickey. In Leg1, Steve got Lickey away quickly but fumbled his finish to leave Paul a nasty double 3 finish which he took out in 2. Catshill came back strong in leg 2 to draw level then surged away again in leg 3. It was looking a tall order for Lickey on 112 after Catshill missed Tops to take it. Steve, who missed his finish in the singles stepped up and took out the 112 for the highest finish of the night. It was a sigh of relief but now it was down to the last game. Winner takes all.
With a 160 away backed up by a ton and 85, Catshill made their intentions very clear in leg 1. Gaz and Jason looked like they were going to get blown away. Leg 1 to Catshill. In Leg 2, Jason and Gaz stuck to their guns and ground it out to take the leg just as it looked like the wheels were beginning to come off for Catshill. 1-1, it was now a last leg decider. Lickey were away quickly but Catshill just couldn’t hit a double. As Lickey’s score tumbled, Catshill’s frustration grew. With a simple 32 left, the leg should have been done and dusted but Jason and Gaz stumbled closing out the match and let Catshill back in. Lickey needed double 2 and Catshill were now on a finish, it had to go and as cool as you like Gaz stepped up and took it out. WIN for Lickey!
Our first win in Division 1 this season which, given the nature of that match, should settle a few nerves and hopefully kick us on to some more wins in the coming weeks.
Special mention to Jim Mildner too who turns out for the team every week and doesn’t always get picked. A real team player.
