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This year’s game was eagerly anticipated and was a first in that we linked up via Skype so we were able to see and hear our friends in the USA, which added an extra bit of spice to the event. After a bit of tweaking by moving the router and a short break whist one computer was dried out after having a beer thrown over it we finally got a good connection and were able to enjoy the game without too much interruption. Still we learn from these things and anticipate a much smoother connection next time around.
Team England was made up of the winners and runners up of qualifying competitions held during the previous month or so and all the players were keen to do well for their country.
Several of the England team opted for their nicknames on their shirts, I stuck with “Scorcher” which has now become my established darts nickname since my antics with last year’s shirt, (Note: This year I opted for shirts that did not require ironing)
The England team line up:
Jeff “Scorcher” Billingham
Don “The Don” Ward
Dan “1st Round” Eaton (you can work out why yourselves!)
Kev “Big Gun” Brown
Simon “Brizzle” Welch (He says this translates to Bristol in the West country)
Craig “The Claw” Douglas
Ian “Sonic” Garratt.
Martin Gamble
Rosie Gamble, At 16yrs old becomes Darts Across The Sea’s youngest competitor
Julia Childs also known as “Jules”.
To get the event started the Princess Alex Landlord Dave Dorman threw the first 9 darts to determine which team had the opening throw. The USA scored higher and reversed last years result and as winners started all the odd numbered games.
Format for this year was the same as last year, Six Singles games, Three Pairs games and Two Triples games comprised the match with one Ladies Singles and one Ladies Pairs included in the format and with the teams playing for a total of 11 points.
Match commentary game by game
- England’s “Brizzle”, “Sonic” and “1st Round” opened the 901 one leg triples match with a close, hard fought win over their USA counterparts Tim Sopp, Joe Allen and Dale LaBine, USA being left on double 8, just being denied what could have been a morale boosting lead. 1-0 England.
- USA’s Mike Nolen produced some very good darts to restore the USA’s position with a 2-0 win over Ian “Sonic” Garratt. Honours even 1-1.
- Next up was the Ladies singles with “Jules” taking on USA’s Shawna Sopp. Julia took the first leg with Shawna taking the second leg in 24 darts to take it to the wire. Jules overcame Shawna in the third leg with an nice 26 dart leg to make it 2-1 to England
- England’s Don Ward and Dan Eaton took on USA’s Joerg Fetzer and Mike Bergevin in the first men’s pairs, with England coming out 2-0 winners despite being put under pressure by a late rally by the USA. 3-1 to England
- This game had all the ingredients for a classic, England’s Don Ward up against my namesake Jeff Ford (For some reason every time that I play Don he up’s his game, so to come up against another Jeff was likely to inspire him). However Jeff took the first leg comfortably and was poised on a 32 finish when Don checked out a 70 finish to set up the third leg which he started with a 140 to put the pressure back on Jeff. Don sealed the win, with Jeff again on a double having missed his checkout on double 16. Oh! what might have been, the ammunition I would have had against my buddy Don being beaten by Jeff.. England 4- USA 1
- England’s Martin Gamble was next up, drawn against the USA’s James Grant. Although Martin won the first leg comfortably the second could have gone either way with both players having their opportunity for a double to take the leg. As it turned out Martin eventually found double two to win 2-0. England lead by 5 games to 1
- Ladies pairs - The USA’s Martha Garcia and Shawna Sopp took this 2-0 from Jules and Rosie in 2 very close legs both being decided on the doubles. Thanks to Martha and Shawna the USA were still in this but 5 games to 2 down
- Looks ominous now for the USA, England roll out the “ Big Gun”, Kev Brown, He takes centre stage on his Team England debut against the USA’s Joe Allen. A 17 dart leg followed by a 19 dart leg seal the game for Team England with Kev winning2-0. England 6 - USA 2
- England’s Simon Welch took the first leg after some initial double trouble but lost 2-1 to Tim Sopp after Tim had threw some fine darts hitting 4 tons and 3 ton plus shots in the course of the 3 legs. England 6 - USA 3
- Jeff Billingham & Craig Douglas in the final men’s pairs won 2-0, taking the first leg comfortably against Mike Nolen and Dale Labine, and the second by skin of their teeth after USA missed 32 finish in a very close 2nd leg England 7 USA -3
- Kev Brown, Martin Gamble anf Jeff Billingham wrapped up proceedings with a victory in the final 901 Triples game beating USA’s James Grant, Jeff Ford and Joerg Fetzer to make it England 8 USA 3
England’s man of the match was Kev “ Big Gun” Brown averaging over 27.8 per dart.
Team England are very much looking forward to the next game and would like to extend a hand of friendship across the Atlantic and shake all of the Team USA’s players and supporters hands.
Also big thank you to:
The Princess Alexandra Public House, Northampton, Mr Dave Dorman
Our hosts in USA – CJ’s Bar & Grill, The Colony, Texas
The Remick family & all of the members of the ADA
Jeff Billingham
Team England
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