I'm
pleased to report the 17th "Darts Across the
Atlantic" was a tremendous success! Held in Daytona
Beach at the Chance Lounge ADA members accepted the
challenge and played England in a darts match by
telephone!
In short
review, I started this match back in 1982 while
President of the Western MA Darting Association
(WMDA). I
continued it until founding the ADA & moving to St.
Louis. It
continued under the direction of the WMDA until
1997. My English counterpart, Horace Handley convinced
me to work with him to continue it.
So on
Saturday, May 13th our six man teams played
three 501 doubles, followed by six 501 singles, ending
with two 601 triples. Each set had a one-point
value with the first team to reach 6 of the 11 points
declared the winner. Scores from darts thrown were
announced over amplifiers to spectators on both sides of
the Atlantic. A large scoreboard kept both
competitors & fans abreast of what was
happening.
To get
the event started Northampton Radio personality, John
Griff from Classic Radio and Daytona Beach City
Commissioner, Rob Gilliland competed in a 12 dart high
score match. Even though this "ceremonial" contest
had no influence over the final score the winner
determined which team started the first leg. John
defeated Rob 203 to 140 setting the stage for England to
throw first.
I've
competed in this match many times and playing against an
opponent over 3000 miles away is not any easy task! Once underway
our ADA team members shot well winning 2 of the 3
doubles & the first singles with the large Chance
Lounge crowd cheering each win! Leading 3-1
after the first four matches it appeared we were well on
our way to victory. Unfortunately from that point
it was all England as they won the next five singles to
win the match! It wasn't a blow out, with three of
the singles going all three legs. The remaining
triples were split so the final score was England 7, ADA
4.
I
announced the match here stateside with Horace relaying
the scores from across the Atlantic. Incidentally
Horace is also the Town Crier for the city of
Northampton. To the best of our knowledge this
match is the longest running international darts match
in the world.
For the first time we employed the services of
Eagle Teleconferencing who provided 1000 telephone lines
for ADA members & guests worldwide to listen in as
it was being played! The match lasted
just over three hours.
Even
though the scores and players have changed over the
years, the camaraderie does not. We had some
fun! Plans are already underway for next year's
match. Listed are the ADA/England team members
& the scores:
USA
England
501 Doubles
Ryan Cavanaugh
(1)
Trevor Brittain (0)
John
Craig
Brian Adams
Darren Frantz
(1)
Bob Newbury (0)
Keith
Switzer Jeff
Billingham
Ray Jenot
(0)
Dave Dorman (1)
Ott
McNeely
Andy Tee
501
Singles
Ryan Cavanaugh (1)
Brian Adams
(0)
Darren Frantz (0) Jeff
Billingham (1)
Ott McNeely (0)
Dave Dorman (1)
Keith Switzer (0) Andy
Tee (1)
John Craig (0)
Trevor Brittain (1)
Ray Jenot (0) Bob
Newbury
(1)
601
Triples
Ryan Cavanaugh
(1)
Trevor Brittain (0)
Keith
Switzer
Dave Dorman
John
Craig
Bob Newbury
Ray Jenot (0) Brian
Adams (1)
Ott
McNeely
Andy Tee
Darren
Frantz
Jeff Billingham
A
special thanks to Anheuser-Busch and the Budweiser
Select & Bud Light brands for sponsoring the
match. Also
to Daytona Representative, Pete Musslewhite our Daytona
Beach members and Gerry & Cindy at the Chance Lounge
for making this event a success.