The eighth meeting between Paddy’s Irish Bar darts team and Ryan’s Resort produced an afternoon of high drama and a stunning comeback by the home side.
The teams gathered for pre-match drinks at the Irish Bar before play got under way around 1.15pm. There were 12 players on each team, so there were to be 12 singles games and 6 doubles games, all 301. The final match was to be a game beween the two captains, landlord Rod Young for Paddy’s and Colin Bradwell for Ryan’s.
The singles followed an all too familiar pattern with Ryan’s taking an 8-4 lead. A number of the Paddy’s team scored well but were unable to hit the elusive double. (Double 1 proved to be a particular pain in the you know what , as the writer can testify !!)
There then followed a break for refreshments and the players enjoyed a superb buffet. Landlord Rod served up some perfectly cooked meats and Dutchman Jack prepared some beautifully presented chicken curry and tuna salads which were delicious. Thanks to both of them and Rod’s staff who looked after us so well throughout the afternoon.
Back to the action. Paddy’s needed to win five of the six doubles matches to draw level, a tall order to say the least. They made a good start by taking the first game but Ryan’s hit back to restore their their four point advantage in the second match.
However, the darts gods had something special in mind as Paddy’s won the remaining four doubles matches to level the score at 9-9.
That meant it was all down to the captains’ match and it produced some outstanding darts from both Rod and Colin. This game was to be 501.
Colin started with a 98 but Rod soon responded with 120 and shortly after he threw the first 180 of the series. Colin hit back with some good scores but Rod raced down to a double to finish the game on double 12.
This unbelievably left the match score Paddy’s 10, Ryan’s 9.
It was a thoroughly entertaining afternoon for both players and spectators alike. As ever, the camaraderie between the two teams was always to the fore and it was handshakes all round at the end of proceedings.
So with Ryan’s series lead cut to 5-3, the Paddy’s boys are looking forward to continuing the comeback at Ryan’s Resort later in the year . (Doubles practice fellas ???)