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July 2007

(31/7/07) All the favourites win in the Super Summer Singles, Hoocheye stays top with "The Cream of Cheam" Jimmy Mann so close up his backside that the Scotsman is getting the vaseline ready..... just in case.

(29/7/07) The new county team shirts have arrived, for those of you have paid in advance contact Ian Long to arrange collection.

(28/7/07) The superleague and county season is almost upon us, and for some this might be a trigger for you to practice, for others it might mean practicing with a little more purpose, whilst for the remainder this will make little difference to you - whatever floats your boat. 

As county chairman Dave Bateman will be able to keep you up to date through this web site, through Darts World, and now also via DartsHome.com. Once the superleague fixtures have been announced for the men and the ladies, a representative from each can keep you abreast of all things superleague. 

As a player you can set your DartsHome.com homepage to have Middlesex County (news/fixtures/results/match reports), Mens Superleague (news/fixtures/results/match reports), and your own Superleague Team (news/fixtures/results/match reports) - for further information go follow this link. If you would like to register your superleague team, or for that matter local league or team register at DartsHome.com.

(27/7/07) The following is an article that I received a few days ago from Dave Bateman - apologies for the lateness.

At a meeting held at Tithe Farm yesterday it was agreed that a "youth committee" should be formed. Following a discussion and exchange of ideas, the following posts were filled:

Team Manager: Mel Robertson, Asst Manager: Roy Peacock, Secretary: Hayleigh Shaw, Treasurer: Steve Cole, All appointments were unopposed.

The committee will be meeting shortly to discuss individual responsibilities before our first game of the season at home to Essex on 23-Sept-07.

Other fixtures are: 21-10-07 Away to Berkshire, 25-11-07 Home to Oxfordshire, 10-02-08 Home to Kent, 24-02-08 Away to Essex, 16-03-08 Home to Berkshire, 06-04-08 Away to Oxfordshire, 25-05-08 Away to Kent.

Jennie Rooney has kindly agreed to provide reports from the matches for the Web-site so hopefully we can get the Youth Section up and running this season.

Denise didn't reply in words to the article below, but she knew that I understood her.

(25/7/07) I am sure most of you know that Gary Lewis and Denise Burton are getting married on the 25th August, and I am sure that most of you also know that there is to be a competition played at the Tithe Farm on the same day. The competition sponsored by KP Nuts and Fullers Brewery in support of the Save Our Darts Campaign has a top prize of £900 for the winner. 

I have heard a little whisper that Gary is hoping to play in the competition before leaving for the matrimonial ceremony, but I will check with Denise tonight at the Grand Prix. Tickets are available from Andy Holland and Gary Cooke both of whom are expected at the Royal Oak later this evening.

(24/7/07) George McKie tops the table in the Super Summer Singles.

(23/7/07) Ian Long and Maggie "I have done Scuba diving in Hawaii and Barbados" Sutton are championing individual players sponsorship. The idea being that players try to obtain sponsorship for themselves in order to cover all or some of their travelling costs for the away games. The sponsors will be get their names in the Middlesex program alongside the players name, and may have an advert on the display system dependant on the value raised. Here is a draft sponsorship form that is subject to Ian and Maggie's approval.

Are there any ladies teams out there that would like to enter a team in the Ladies Superleague? If you have a team, or would like to join a team please email Maggie or Fifi and they will head you in the right direction.

(22/7/07) The competitions page has been updated.

Two of the  Middlesex based PDC players have qualified from the World Darts Trophy competition and has won places into the final stages.

John Scott, Peter Evison, Jason Clark, and Vern Shephard did not progress beyond the first round, Gary Noonan lost in the second round. Mark Walsh and Alan Caves have qualified through to the World Darts Trophy. The picture is from a game of golf with myself Alan and Clarky from last year, believe it or not Alan's ball is in there.

In the Bobby Bourne Vern Vegas Shepard went out 3-0 to Mervyn King, also falling at the first hurdle was Johnny Scott. Peter Evison and Gary Noonan bit the dust in round 2, whilst Alan Caves went out in round 3. Peter Manley dispatched Mark Walsh in round 4, and eventual winner Phil Taylor felled Jason Clark in round 3.

(20/7/07) Adam Simpson wins week 9 in the Grand Prix and now tops the table.

(18/7/07) Anyone for tennis??? Me neither, however George McKie has come up with the idea of Golf...read on.

SUMMER GOLF SUPER LEAGUE DARTS - GENTLEMEN, (I am sure he means ladies too?) FANCY A DAY OUT PLAYING GOLF( I bet Maggie's already played at Wentworth?)

IF YOU CAN GET A TEAM OF FOUR/ASIDE TO COMPETE IN A GOLF TOURNAMENT I WILL BE ONLY TO HAPPY TO ARRANGE SOMETHING FOR YOU ALL. MY CLUB AT WINDLESHAM ARE RUNNING SOME GOOD OFFERS AT THE MOMENT.

I HAPPEN TO KNOW THAT A LOT OF DART PLAYERS PLAY GOLF IT WOULD BE VERY INTERESTING TO SEE HOW YOU PERFORM ON THE COURSE INSTEAD OF THE OCHE. IT WOULD BE NICE IF WE COULD MAKE IT COUNTY V COUNTY FOR THE BRAGGING RITES. IF THERE ARE ANY INTERESTED PARTIES OUT THERE THAT ARE UP FOR THE CHALLENGE PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND I WILL ARRANGE IT YOU CAN CONTACT ME AT HOOCHEYE@AOL.COM  OR ON 07786365173.

(17/7/07)At the Gold Cup over the weekend John Walton had a chat with me about the display system, and amongst other things we discussed his visit to play Middlesex next year. John is willing to play an exhibition on the Friday evening at a cut down price as there will be no travelling for him. If anyone is interested in this please contact me initially and I will pass on your info so that you can deal with him directly. 

Gold Cup Report by Dave Bateman - Scott Roberston got off to a flyer with one of the results of the day beating World Professional Runner-up Phill Nixon 3-2 after going 0-2 down. Unfortunately his run ended in the next round losing in the last 32, 1-3 to his opponent from the West Midlands. Sonia Duffy fared a bit better getting through to the last 16 winning 3-0 & 3-1 before losing 0-3 to Sue Biddle in a game that was closer than the scoreline suggests.

In the pairs Sonia and Maggie Sutton won their 1st Round game 3-0 but lost in the last 32 1-3.Jamie Sadler and Andy Tomkins could not get going in their 1st game and lost 2-4. Overall a good day out, apart from the usual gripes about the cost to get in, £6.00, and the price of the food, £7.10 for sausage & chips, still, the chippie down the road did a lovely cod and chips at £8.20 for two!. See you there next year. Follow the link to see some footage of the Gold Cup Mens Pairs Final.

(16/7/07) The London Darts School opening appeared to be a great success, loads of kids having loads of fun. The opening day was less about education and more of a getting to know you process. I had to leave early on in order to  get to the Gold Cup so I hope to have a report from the organiser of the London Darts School shortly. 

The picture to the left shows a 'student' learning the ropes from trainer Paul James, the one to the right is of Gary Cooke with his eldest son opposite, with Matthew, and little Liam all registering for the school.

Incidentally DartsHome.com recorded the Gold Cup for the BDO, so keep an eye on the other web site over the next week when I hope to launch DartsHome TV - this will be the minimum format that will be used for the Middlesex home games (so long as I am not dropped). I am sure that Terry Andrews and Chris Hill would prefer a public thank you rather than a monetary reward for their sterling efforts on Friday and Saturday - thanks chaps.

The Inter-county tournament in Surrey went well although the it was muggy outside and double muggy inside. Middlesex beat Buckinghamshire in the first round and the were beaten at the semi-final stage by a powerful Surrey team that included Dave Askew, Aaron Turner and Jason Roberts. 

Unbelievably our ladies got done 5-0....., yep that what I said, 5-0. However the men fought back with a 4-4 draw with a notable performance by Gary Lewis once again beating Dave Askew (4-2). I hope to get the full results form Surrey Shortly.

(14/7/07) Dave Bateman will be reporting soon on the Gold Cup, however I will give you one piece of information - Phil Nixon was beaten in the first round by Scot Robertson. 

Shown below is a précis of a letter from Dave re the Youth Team. 

Hi all, I am sorry that I have not been in touch sooner due to circumstances beyond my control.

As discussed at the County AGM, a meeting of all interested parties has been arranged [details below] to discuss the running of the Middlesex Youth Team for the forthcoming season. The general consensus was that the team needed a more structured hierarchy along the lines of the adult county in order to spread the burden. This meeting will give everyone a chance to put forward their ideas of the make up of the "committee" to ensure that the Youth Team can continue to flourish and provide the talent that will keep the senior side successful in the years ahead. 

The meeting will be at Tithe Farm Social Club on Sunday 22nd July 2007 at 11.30.

(12/7/07) I have received a new link from Jason yesterday evening re Talking Tungsten, it seems that the old link that we had no longer works, but the new one gets you there - happy posting.

(11/7/07) Ian Long is selling polo shirts on behalf of the county with the logo to the left embroidered on the left breast area - they are going like hot cakes so talk to Ian to make sure you reserve one. 

Week 8 in the Grand Prix, 8 different winners? We will find out  at the Royal Oak tonight. 

For those travelling to the Surrey Invitational tournament on Sunday 15th of July, the address is The Epsom British Legion, Federation House, West Street, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 7RL. Tel: 01372  720064.

Also this weekend coming is the opening of the London Darts School (see below) and the finals of the Gold Cup at Lakeside.

(10/7/07) The Super Summer Singles has been updated for the British Legion, Caesars to follow - for Middlesex supporters you will be delighted to know that Hoocheye remains unbeaten.

As yet we have not received a report from last weeks Grand Prix.

(9/7/07) There has been a slightly disappointing response to the Inter-county Invitational Tournament in Surrey as the hosts have to field 1/2 of the teams themselves. For more details follow the link.

I have a lot of competitions to update you with, if I get a few moments this evening I will get them all up to date.

(8/7/07) Well done Dave, £2000ish straight to the Marie Curie cancer research fund. 

The London Darts School is opening next weekend at 14th July 2007 at St Augustine’s Hall in Hammersmith W6, the school had a dry run yesterday and although there are some serious aims and goals for the school, it was clear from watching that it is also fun as well. It starts at 10.00 in the morning so try to get there on time as there will be a lot going on and you don't want to miss out. All county players are asked to wear their county shirt for the publicity pictures, and to set a good example for the kids (shiny shoes preferred, polished will be just about acceptable).

Although some Middlesex players are supporting the school, players who play for other counties and indeed non county players are welcome.

(7/7/07) Carrying on with the Essex theme.....Bobby George I like, he has had years of abuse from my dad calling him Eric (as in Bristow) and BoBo (as he used to be known) smiles as if to say "you silly old sod", but he carries on chatting anyway. 

My wife Lesley used to do the electronic dartboard as did her father Jim Sweeney at some of his early exhibitions, and Bobby has always been nothing but a gentleman when I have been in or around his company. Also despite extremely late notice Bobby turned up to a fund raising event in 1986 in aid of Help a London Child in which myself, Graham "Dr Who" Parker, Graham Miller, and Richie "Graham" Davis were doing a 24 hour marathon.

Talking about marathons I popped down to Father Teds for an hour at 10.00 p.m. last night to give Dave Bateman a little support. He has done really well and has raised over £1000 already, so I thought I would help out a little by bidding on a number of items in a bidding book thinking I would pop back the next day at the end of the marathon to see the Dave looking dishevelled and to see what I had won (if anything). 

Slowly I became aware that the bidding was to close at 11.00 p.m. and didn't have enough money to pay for half of the items I bid on. Nervously I listened to Johnny Scott saying in his best Jim Bowen voice "Graham, this is what you could have won", followed by the name of the item and the name of the winning bidder. I did win 3 items though so I did contribute, item 1, a Bobby George signed autograph, item 2 a Bobby George signed autograph, and item 3..... a Bobby George signed autograph - I like Bobby George, but........ 

If you want a piece of darts memorabilia besides Bobby George autographed pictured go to DartsHome.com and look under features.

(6/7/07) Fatal Error! - This will put shivers down the spine of computer users, but this time its not so bad. I did not mention all of the Middlesex players in The  Las Vegas Vern Shephard Desert Classic - I should have mentioned that although Alan Taylor went out early on in Mondays qualifiers, he lost to Mark Dudbridge in the 4th round in the Tuesday qualifier, and John Hussey lost to Bob Anderson in the 3rd round!

Father Ted's tonight ladies and Gentlemen for an honourable cause and an honourable man who is indeed the County Chairman.

(5/7/07) The results of Mondays Supper Summer Singles are on DartsHome.com, as is a brief report on last nights Grand Prix.

On behalf of Andy Holland and Gary Cook I have created a leaflet for The London Darts Masters to be held at the home of Middlesex County Darts Organisation. 

(4/7/07)  One of next seasons opponents is Essex, I have had a peep at their site and its really good. Some of the faces we will recognise such as Mark Landers who played in our superleague recently, and other players such as Michael Barnard, and Al Headman - have a peep yourself.

Dave Bateman is doing a charity marathon on Friday at Father Teds's, "Training going really well, I have managed to stay in the pub till closing time every day this week! Hope to see you at the weekend along with loads of others" - Dave. For further information about the cause select this link. 

I have just had a quick peep at the planet darts site to see how 'our boys' had done on the final qualification day for the Las Vegas Desert Classic. Losing against Andy Jenkins in what was the last 8 position for a qualifying place was Steve Dolan! Jason Clark lost in the semi final position to eventual qualifier Andy Smith, and Alan Caves (in the other half of the draw to Jason) missed out in the final of the qualifiers to Alan Tabern who also went through to the next stage.

(3/7/07) Did you guess?..... It was Maggie Sutton who played football at Wembley,.......... its not fair and its not right. 

My son (he knows a bit about computers) has made us a banner for www.darts100.com, we are often featured between 35-50 on the listing.  I have asked David to fill the space under the text with images of Middlesex dart players, if he can do it I will let you all know.

The results and tables for the Super Summer Singles will be on DartsHome.com shortly.

(2/7/07) I am no good at quizzes but I suspect even if you are you will not get this. Indeed I suspect that only one other person other than myself will know which current Middlesex county player has played football and won a match on the hallowed turf that is/was Wembley Stadium? I was going to give you a clue saying 'think out of the box', but maybe you should be thinking in the box as the player was the goalie.....

Does anyone else have any pictures from the presentation that they want publishing? I like Babs and her mates... but enough is enough!

(1/7/07) The good news is there is no change at the top table at the County AGM, no-one stood down and all positions previously filled were kept as was. Roy Peacock proposed that the lady in his life Tina was given the role of Security Manager for the trip away to Cheshire and there was a cue of people to second the motion (Tina, Roy will explain this over the phone to you later - he wouldn't dare in person).

The eight man five women team for the county competition in Surrey has been announced and is as follows. Ladies before gentleman as always, Karen Daly, Deneice Burton, Sharon Heaffey, Malika Lucas, Lisa Norton, and Lisa Brosnan, and for the men Gary Lewis, Ian Long, Mark Haggerty, Jamie Sadler, Peter Barnes, John Maudsley, Graham Inniss, and Roy Peacock.

The ladies are allowed one reserve and the men two. Rather than select  players to turn up without a guarantee of a game it has been suggested that county players wishing to participate should turn up and to support and also be available to play.