Friday 15th June saw us set off at 7am to start the 6 hour drive to Selsey for the England National Singles & Open. After a couple of nods on the way down we arrived at the beautiful Bunn Leisure caravan site. Our van was literally 150 metres from the sea. The sun was shining and all was going well.
First evening saw the National Singles. After a closely fought first game I faced a very tough adversary in Julie Thompson. With my first game and warm up out the way I threw really steadily and well. Taking victory 4.0.
I then found myself up against the 5 time consecutive competition winner of Fallon Sherrock. Despite myself winning the bull Fallon went ahead by 2 legs to nil. The third leg my heavy scoring and accurate finishing enabled me to pull a leg back. Fallon held her throw to go 3.1 ahead. I wasn't giving up without a fight and despite Fallon being on a 2 dart finish I stepped up to take out 146.
Calmly my first dart his treble 20, second dart hit treble 18....third and final dart just inside double 16. Just millimeters away from the precious double. Fallon stepped up & took out her double to signal the end of a great cat & mouse game. Leaving me at the Last 16 ladies stage.
Saturday 16th June saw the England Open. My first game was against Dee Bateman, a class player who despite lots of personal trials and tribulations still plays some extremely high quality darts. Dee never missed a treble every visit and her finishing was pinpoint accurate. She went off with 180 & 177 leaving me fighting hard to come back. Despite trying my hardest i went no further losing 4.1. Dee was very complimentary after the game advising any of the other 90% of players I would have beat. But alas was not my day.
I loved Selsey, such a beautiful venue overlooking the sea with the Isle of Wight in the distance. I will definitely be going back again in September and again next season to try to defend the 12 points I obtained from the weekend.
Hopefully some good news on the Horizon for me......watch this space!!!!