World Series of Darts May 19-21 2006 cont

The Match
Wayne had won the bull earlier in the practice room. He got to throw first and hit a double while I could only manage a single. No idea how they choose who throws first at the cork, it just was that way. So anyway he had the darts throughout the match and I knew I needed to break him at least once to win.

In the first leg he had first throw, and I forget his first shot. But I opened with a 137 and was relieved that the nerves hadn’t come. I definitely felt intensity and adrenaline but no shakes. I scored pretty steady but was at 110 after 12 darts when he took the first leg. This didn’t worry me at all and I expected him to play that way.

The second leg was my start and after 12 darts I was sitting at 109 when he wrapped up a 12darter. I don’t remember his exact scores but it was obviously a good leg. This was a big blow I was now down 2-0 and he had the darts in the next leg. I knew I could not afford to lose the next leg or I risk the match slipping away very fast.

The third leg I won against the darts. Again I scored about the same, just steady tons. And rested at 106 after 12 darts. I shot S20, T18, and missed the double. I don’t believe he was on a finish and I cleaned up the remainder on the first dart of the next throw.

The fourth leg was my throw and I tossed in a 60 finish to tie up the match. At this point, the crowd got loud and I felt like the momentum had shifted.

The fifth leg is pretty close until Wayne pops a 174 setup shot to leave 32 which he cleaned up the next throw. He’s up 3-2 but it’s my throw and I’m still just one break down. At this point, I feel I just need to hold my throw and get one 12/15 dart leg on one of his starts and the match is mine.

The sixth leg is what really lost the match for me. Wayne outscores me down the board and I believe hit one of his maximums in this leg. With 200 left and behind on score I hit 140 to leave 60. Wayne missed shots at a double and leaves me an easy 2 putt to tie the match. I shoot S20, high, then wired the D20 low leaving 20 remaining. I couldn’t believe that D20 didn’t go in, he cleaned up his double and the score went to 4-2. This was a huge mistake on my part and they key shot of the match.

The seventh leg is Wayne’s start and he scores nicely. With 158 left I feel that I have to finish or I’m in real jeopardy. I shoot T20, Deflect into S20, and a T18 to leave 24 remaining. Pressuring Wayne's shot wasn’t enough and he takes the 3rd straight game to go 5-2.

The eighth leg was my start and Wayne tossed in another of his four 180's in his first throw. I hold it together okay and manage to pull the game out. The match score moves to 5-3 and I’m still in it but I think I will need a 12 darter to save the match against the throw in the next leg.

The ninth leg Wayne's start and he kicks with a 180. I started soft and could only watch as he nearly missed 121 for another 12darter and cleaned up the balance on his next throw. Wayne wins 6-3.