District Sports - Darts

It’s worth pointing out that being Consort to the District Governor isn’t just about  Gala Dinners and Charter celebrations. Sometimes you have to be seen at less glamorous events, attended by ordinary Rotarians. So it was, that on 28^th October I was to be found representing Shepperton Aurora in the first round of the District darts tournament, without a dignitary in sight, apart from me. The venue for our match was the Three Horseshoes pub in Shepperton. As anyone knows, the top darts players all have nicknames,  alluding to their skill and athleticism. Typical examples are Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor , or Bobby ‘Dazzler’ George. So it was with the Aurora ‘B’ team, which comprised ‘Dead-eye’ Doreen Pipe, Peter ‘Double Tops’ McDonough, Ann ‘Monsoon’ McDonough  and of course myself, the Crafty Consort.

                                                The Three Horseshoes Pub

I had been a bit surprised, to be honest, that I was only in the Aurora ‘B’ team. Surely, it would have been more appropriate for the Consort to be in the ‘A’team.  Regardless of my undoubted ability, due to having played darts for some 45 years (admittedly with a 42 year gap in the middle), the fact that I was in the team would probably have caused great nervousness in our opponents which could have been crucial when it came down to the final shoot out. I consoled myself with the knowledge that I was at least captain of the ‘B’ team, so I had some status on the evening.

                                               Aurora's 'B' Team looking forward to victory

Our opponents for the evening were Shepperton & Sunbury ‘C’ team, comprising Sandra Brassington, Pauline Knox, Joy Painter and Vivienne Leighton. Although they were a team of WAGs, I cautioned my team not to take them lightly, as I suspected some of them could play a bit, having encountered them previously on the ‘Oche’. 

                                                     A set of darts

We were a little outnumbered on the evening, as we had just one supporter, whereas they had 8, but I feel it is the quality of the support rather than the quantity that matters, and I was happy that Ken Howe would make sufficient noise to counteract our opponents. The match was to be decided by the best of three legs, each starting from 501, and we got off to a great start, with a brilliant finish by yours truly on double 2. Professional darts players pride themselves on a nine dart finish, but in our case it was just slightly higher than that, at around 200 darts.

                                       The dart that won the first leg

At this point, with Aurora ‘B’ team leading by one leg to nil, we stopped for refreshments, supplied by the pub at £4 per head. The food turned out to be incredibly good value, with great plates of sandwiches, chicken pieces, pork pies, mini pizzas and mini quiches.  Just in case that wasn’t enough, Sandra had brought in some home made scones, which were absolutely delicious. Try as we might, we couldn’t finish all the food, which was then passed around the pub and enjoyed by a group of men watching football.

                                          Excellent food supplied by the pub

Our team, particularly me, may have over-indulged with the food, as we were a bit lethargic in the second leg, and instead of finishing off our opponents, we lost the leg following an excellent double 9 from Sandra, and so the match went to the deciding leg.  It was nip and tuck all the way, with little to separate the teams, until we were both down to double 1, and after quite a long time, Shepperton and Sunbury finally broke the deadlock with the winning dart. They progress to the next round, whilst we look forward to revenge next year.

                           The winning team from Shepperton & Sunbury: Sandra, Pauline, Joy and Vivienne

The evening didn’t end there, as Peter ‘Double Tops’ McDonough and I were challenged to a charity match by Chris Leighton and John Brassington. Each team member contributed £1 and the winners got to pick the charity to benefit from it. Once again we were pipped by the Shepperton & Sunbury pair in another tight match where we had ample opportunities to win it ourselves, but squandered them. I think the winners chose End Polio Now as the charity to be supported, and that is probably what we would have chosen if we had won.

                                The Crafty Consort lines up another treble 20

There are many District Sports (not usually too energetic) and they are an excellent chance for clubs to meet socially and have a fun evening, as we did with our Mother club that evening.  Other sports played include Bridge, Cribbage, Dominoes, table tennis and ten pin bowling. All clubs have to do is get a team together, appoint a captain, then advise the District Sports Secretary, who will organise dates. It’s very easy, costs very little and is much recommended.

                                           Aurora 'B' Team with fan club