20 players toed the oche for the Winter Blind Pairs competition at the Hayward Suite. Current Singles and Blind Pairs winner Dave Moule was drawn with fellow Hampshire County player James Nicholson, and had most players eyes, put them as favourites.
Kev Parsons, also a current reigning Blind Pairs winner, was drawn with his teammate Graham Howard, and they were first up against two county players in the shape of Rob Doran and Andy Harvey. It was a close game and Kev/Graham edged it 3-2. On the other board, Rob Hayes/Sean Crysell cruised to victory over John Cost/Neil Thurston 3-0.
We started the second round of the competition with 8 pairs remaining, and up first were Andy Jurd/Claire Clackson, against Stewart Clackson/Steve Jordan, Andy/Claire winning 3-1. The next match saw favourites Dave Moule/James Nicholson taking on Colin Denyer/Bryan Laws. It was a very close game, with Colin/Bryan missing darts at the double in the 4th leg to win 3-1. However, in yet another close leg, Colin/Bryan managed to seal the win, 3-2, it could have gone either way. Kev Parsons/Graham Howard beat Ian Cairns/Mike Berntsen 3-2, and Sam Ellis/Richard Smith also won 3-2 against Rob Hayes/Sean Crysell.
In the first of the semi-finals, Kev Parsons/Graham Howard dispatched Colin Denyer/Bryan Laws 3-0. The second semi-final between Andy Jurd/Claire Clackson and Sam Ellis/Richard Smith was a much closer affair and in truth it could have gone either way. However, Sam Ellis/Richard Smith secured their place in the final with a 3-2 win.
In the final, Sam Ellis/Richard Smith beat Kev Parsons/Graham Howard 4-1, initially leading 3-0 before Kev/Graham grabbed a leg back. The averages weren’t anything to write home about and certainly didn’t compare to last season’s final, but what I can tell you, Sam/Richard hit 12 tons between them and Kev/Graham had 11 tons over 5 legs of darts. Missed doubles in the second leg by Sam/Richard seriously affected their overall average, but in all other legs, the double was hit within 3 darts. Kev/Graham had chances at a double in two legs but only hit 1.
It was another enjoyable evening. Thank you to the Wolversdene Club for hosting the event.
As it happened:
1st Round
- Kev Parsons/Graham Howard beat Rob Doran/Andy Harvey 3-2
- Rob Hayes/Sean Crysell beat John Cost/Neil Thurston 3-0
2nd Round
- Colin Denyer/Bryan Laws beat Dave Moule/James Nicholson 3-2
- Andy Jurd/Claire Clackson beat Stewart Clackson/Steve Jordan 3-1
- Kev Parsons/Graham Howard beat Ian Cairns/Mike Berntsen 3-2
- Sam Ellis/Richard Smith beat Rob Hayes/Sean Crysell 3-2
Semi-Finals
- Kev Parsons/Graham Howard beat Colin Denyer/Bryan Laws 3-0
- Sam Ellis/Richard Smith beat Andy Jurd/Claire Clackson 3-2
Final
- Sam Ellis/Richard Smith beat Kev Parsons/Graham Howard 4-1
