Greenside Social Club

London Pride

with Ian Dawson   

Emotions Run High As London Miss Out!

            Richie Buckell wins on his debut along with Ian Dawson and Luke Langley!!

SUSSEX 19-17 LONDON

Once again London came so close to getting something from their latest BICC match away to Sussex.

            The Ladies B team have done well so far this season with 2 victories, but luck ran out this time as they were defeated 4-2. Andrea Walker (14.12) and June Murphy (13.98) both lost 3-1 in the opening 2 sets, but Wendy Church (16.18), after having darts to win her match 3-0, ended up just winning 3-2 and Joanne Deamer (15.99) got London level at 2-2 with some good scoring to win 3-0. Unfortunately, Tina Hamilton (17.91) was beaten 3-1 and finally Kelly Bobby (13.99) also lost out 3-2 to give the Sussex girls a 4-2 victory.

            Dave Etherington (26.81) got London’s Men’s B side off to a good start with a Man Of The Match performance in his 3-1 win. Then a very emotional moment for friends and relatives of Ian Dawson. Ian had lost his 44 year old brother Kevin to a terrible accident the previous Saturday within the Terminal 5 complex at Heathrow Airport. Ian wore a black armband as a tribute to his late brother during his match. The support Ian received from everyone was tremendous as he powered his way to a 3-1 victory over the undefeated Mark Davis (23.61) of Sussex. Ian (24.33) also hit a 180 in leg 2, with a 129 finish for a 15 darter. Mark won leg 3 before Ian checked out on 74 in leg 4 with Mark sitting on double top. As Ian left the stage a few tears were shed by some in what was a very emotional moment. 3 wins from 3 now for Ian. Next up was another Battersea player, Luke Langley. Luke (25.05) played a very steady game and always looked comfortable as he stormed to a 3-0 victory. London’s fine run came to a halt when the luckless Paul Hackett (21.17) was beaten 3-0, but Rob Edwards (23.28) got London back on track with a 3-2 win before Dave Goodwin (20.37) was beaten 3-1. Dave Harris (24.34) returned to the side with a 3-1 win and Paul Bedward (23.91) also won by the same score. Robby Morris (23.28) was beaten 3-1 before debutant Richie Buckell (26.59) won 3-2 including a smashing 156 finish along the way, of which meant the Men’s B had won the match with 2 games to play. Dan Day (21.62) wasn’t his usual self as he was beaten 3-0, but Paul Killington (25.63) gave London the final set with a 3-2 victory to give the Men’s B an 8-4 victory, and a 10-8 lead going into the Sunday.

London Pride

by Ian Dawson     

London So Close To Victory

LONDON 18-18 WEST MIDLANDS

            With London’s new Greenside’s venue looking superb thanks to the hard work put in by Stage Manager Dave Goodwin and his brother Billy (not to mention all the Greenside’s staff who worked really hard all weekend), the scene was set for a new era for London.          

Dave Goodwin ~ Stage Manager

            After just missing out on a draw in the first BICC match of the season with Derbyshire (19-17 to Derbyshire), London were determined to get back to winning ways in the new surroundings, and how close they came.

            The Ladies B team got London off to a flyer, recording their second win in two games. Tina Hamilton (15.21), Andrea Walker (10.89) (who struggled on her doubles but still managed to win as her opponent did the same), Lady Of The Match Angie Graham (18.69), June Murphy (13.71) and Joanne Deamer (17.20) all victorious with just Wendy Church (15.41) missing out this time. 5-1 to London going into the Men’s games.

            Dave Etherington (23.21) was first up but was just edged out 3-2 for the second month running. Luke Langley’s (24.18) fine recent form came to an end as he was beaten 3-1 as the West Midlands began to peg London back. Rob Edwards (24.25), and Man Of The Match for the second month running Robbie Hain (24.74) opened the lead back up for London before, after all his hard work getting the venue ready for the match, Dave Goodwin (20.80) was beaten by a young lad from the West Midlands named Matty Dicken (26.18), who won their Man Of The Match award for the second month running also. Definitely a name to look out for in the future. Jimmy Foster (22.03) was then beaten but Ian Dawson (21.08) had his second win in 2 starts to put London 8-5 in front.

Ian Dawson ~ 2 wins from 2 games

Paul Bedward (21.04) and John Scott (19.21) were both below par as they were both beaten, before Paul Killington (23.79) was back to winning ways. Paul Hackett (22.14) was beaten on his return to the side, but a steady performance to finish the day by Steve Dolan (23.86) meant that, although the Men’s B side were beaten 7-5, London were finishing the first days play 10-8 ahead.

            The London ladies A team got  off to a disappointing start with the West Midlands taking the first 3 sets to edge 11-10 in front of London. The unfortunate ladies who were defeated were Tammy MacKenzie (17.19), Chrissy Stubbins (13.10) and Lynne Biondini (20.08). But then a mini run for London, gave them a commanding lead. The last 3 sets for the ladies A were all taken with Dee Belcher (16.50), Jackie Saunders (15.00) and Lady Of The Match Tara Deamer (20.60) all victorious for a 3-3 draw.

Lady Of the Match ~ Tara Deamer

            The fine end to the ladies A match was carried on by the first 3 Mens A matches, with Paul Wright (21.10), John Nelson (26.67) and Man Of The Match Wayne Brown (28.19) putting London into a strong 16-11 lead. With 9 sets remaining, London needed just 3 more to be victorious. Nicky Turner (26.11) was next up but was beaten 3-1, before Robbie Hain (23.39) had his second win of the weekend to restore the 5 set lead. Ian Nicholls (26.31) was then beaten but Steve McHale (21.57) won a close match to get London to the magical 18 sets overall, and with 5 sets remaining, a victory on the cards for London? Then disaster struck the capital’s boys as the West Midlands pulled off a wonderful display of darts for which they must be congratulated to earn a 7-5 victory in the team game, but more importantly, an 18-18 draw overall. Earl Grant (21.96), Paul Reeves (22.56), Ian McNeill (26.75), Robby Morris (19.23) and finally Alan Hardy (21.19) all beaten by Lol Fraser (26.77), Mick James (25.67), Man Of The Match Steve Farmer (31.41), David Arnold (24.24) and Ian Jones (23.53) in their respective games, to leave London still without a win, but no defeat either this time, as we head to Sussex for our next match in a somewhat more confident mood.

    Congratulations to all the players who were involved over the weekend and a special well done to all the staff at Greenside’s for all the hard work put in over the weekend. Well done to you all.