The Isle of Apes

Posted: 15.03.11 in Anthony Urmston-Toft Blog category

BDO player Anthony Urmston-Toft reports back from the Isle of Man Open. He explains how he hit 9 treble 20`s during 4 consecutive throws without busting his score and a spot of "monkey" business that halted his progress in the tournament.

Hello, good evening and welcome.

No, this isn’t the Frost Report. That was last week. At the weekend I travelled with the BDO tour to the Isle of Man, an island that can be driven between its two furthest points in two hours (Fact of the day).  This was my first visit and I was really looking forward to it. I also had a travelling companion, my good-friend and occasional practice partner Shaun Davies, he came along for the “BDO Experience”. After just a forty five minute flight we were soon at the hotel, it was nice and most adequate for a weekend of darts

I then set off to the venue primarily for a practice session but a mixed pair’s tournament had been scheduled for Friday night. I was fortunate enough to find a lady player with no pair’s partner and we decided to form a team and have a go in the tournament, a spot of competitive darts is a great way to warm up for the main singles event.

Our hastily formed partnership got off to a good start and we win our first match 2-1, it was close but once I found the treble it was one-way traffic. Our form continued, for the next few rounds it was a similar story, 2-0 each time. We were now feeling confident and we “won our board” and found ourselves in the last 32. The next game we are off again, forget “red hot” this was "white hot"; I tapped into something I’ve never brought into a proper match. It scared everyone, me included, I hit 9 treble 20’s in a row! I’ll explain:

180, Mary hit 90, 180, Mary hit 32, I Hit double 10. Second leg, 180, Mary hits 76 I hit 100. Mary hits 45. I leave Mary with 53, she hits in three. What a team, what a Game!  I feel weird; this was quite honestly the best I have ever played in front of people (30-50 approx). Next up we play Jamie Lewis and Julie Gore. Perhaps the heights of the previous match had an effect and burnt out was the expression I would use. It was a scrappy affair Team JJ won 2-0 with both teams missing chances aplenty. Julie and Jamie went on to win the event, well played to the both you!

After the game, at 12:17 am we realised that neither of us had eaten since breakfast in the morning. So we find a place that serves lamb with salad in flat bread ;-)

Saturday morning and it is the day for the main event. . A good hearty breakfast and a couple of stiff cups of tea, Lol, and I am back at the venue.  Shaun’s, who as well as supporting me had also entered the singles competition woke to find his foot is the worse for wear. He has previously suffered from torn tendons in his right ankle but a Salford Soldier never gives up. 

We register and practice but the white-hot form from Friday night is not there yet but I’m smouldering. First round match and I nearly blow it. I am 2-0 down with friends watching and then the form hits in, it’s scrappy but I win 3-2. Next 3 games are 3-0 and I feel I still could do better. I make it through to the board Final and it’s a certain Mr O’ Shea waiting for me, “The Silverback”, a famous name and always in good form. My form steadily improves and I win the first the first leg. He wins the next two, crumbs! I pull it together and get the 4th leg 2-2. Nearest the bull, I win. 100 first 3 and then it goes “Pete Tong” 45, 60 43. All near the wire. I hit a 100+ to leave tops but a nice checkout and Tony goes through.

Although I am disappointed Tony is very complimentary after the game and thinks I could do something in the darts world. I feel down if I am being totally honest but I have also got plenty of positives to take back, I have got the game so to speak, I just need to bring it all in I suppose.

Well next on the list is Holland for the Mariflex Open. This could be the one where I get into the last 16! I will be trying very hard anyway!

Anthony Urmston-Toft is a dart player who competes on the BDO circuit. He also has his own range of darts and is a key member of The Darts Performance Centre team.