Tough choices were taken as to which event I attended this past weekend, PDC or England trial & WDF. I chose the latter due to missing the first few events of the PDC Women's series already there would be to much ground to make up there and headway had already been gained in the EDO and WDF.
As many people know my outstanding dream is to play for my country and despite previously being up there in the rankings, playing well at county I missed out on my only true chance a couple of years ago but I thought I would give it one last try. This dream will not come true but at least I can say I gave it my all.
Arriving early Friday morning I had about 1 hour to check in to our hotel and get ready for the England trials. The trials were played over 3 sets and I set off really well in my first game only to lose out to fellow Lancashire team mate and fantastic young lady Eleanor Cairns 2 sets to 1, with the doubles being my nemesis. My trials days are done but glad to see the youth coming through.
To continue a long tiring day, Friday evening saw myself and partner Vicky Pruim start our pairs campaign. Vicky was by far the most consistent player and despite us setting off really well, as the evening went on the wheels completely fell off with neither of us being able to hit anything in our final match. Narrowly pipped (and what a stage to get pipped at) in the semi final stages - again double trouble. But another nice result for our pairing and a semi final to add to our achievements.
On to the British Open & Classic competitions. As per normal comps there is a lot of waiting around. Unfortunately it seemed more so this time in Bridlington due to the absence of markers and players not getting to their boards when notified. A digital darts system called Dartsconnect was used to send players email notifications of their games, what boards and times to attend but despite the technology there was still quite an excess of calling over the microphone (which can make you jump when throwing your darts if you're not expecting it) to get people to their required areas, also to keep the comp running smoothly.
I set off storming again in the British Classic taking out a very dangerous player in Jackie Maiden (however she would get her revenge).
The classic ended quite quickly for me. Ending up in the last 16 ladies I went back to the hotel and relaxed for a nice family meal out before an early night ready for the British Open on Sunday.
The final day of competition beckoned and nice a fresh I headed down to the beautiful Bridlington Spa to start my crusade to better the previous days achievements. I'd like to say I played well but it was a real scrap for everything. Sometimes so accurate taking out a nice 122 on the bull and other times barely getting 3 in a bed. My over thinking was back with a vengeance!
After some really tight but scrappy games I faced Scotland's Christine Hyde. This was such a yoyo of a match which was highly supported by people gathered round. It was not one for the faint hearted as we battled away. Narrowly, and luckily for me I won 4.2 and moved that one step closer that the previous day....into the last 8 ladies and the quarter final position.
This is where Jackie the "Ice Maiden" sought her revenge. After I had waited over 2 hours between games I was called to play Jackie for a place in the semi finals. My energy levels had gone, there were no boards available to practise on so after a few practise darts I just had to give it everything I could. It just wasn't good enough. Jackie, on a high, yet tired from winning her last 2 back-to-back games was running on a high and was nice and warmed up ready for our game. It was a very tight game but Jackie held on the tightest and stopped my run in the Quarter final spot.
I left Bridlington with more ranking points and the feeling that I was happy with some aspects of my game, I can see there is something still there. However there are some area's I really need to get a grip on like:
My throw - at times it feels so comfortable/natural yet other times it feels all wrong
My doubles - I take out great, high checkouts but seem to wire 3 darts at a single double
My"Drop Off" - I need to stop the parts of my game where I drop off, as is often costly
Back on the pratise board to iron out the kinks before my next travels to Bruge in Belgium.
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