August roundup for Mile High^ Mark Hylton - 4 Titles, 2 Close Calls & 2 Quality Exhibitions
Well since the inevitable come down, from The World Matchplay, Mile High has been kept busy in a variety of ways and is building nicely toward the next stop on the PDC Tour - London Ontario.
A few days rest and domestic bliss (decorating I believe!) followed the narrow defeat to The Power. Following the finalising of the field for the Euro^s, Mark was in the position to accept the generous invitation of old friend Frank and pop over to Dusseldorf for a special Exhibition/Competition. A superb weekend was enjoyed by all and the review can be seen in the darts chat thread. Certainly interesting to see that German fans have exactly the same impression of Mark as those here who have met him.
August has seen a structured return with practise sessions followed by: Thurs 4th :The Chase Social Open, a solid win with a 112 average in the final. Saturday was a trip to an old favourite The Cannock Open (Saturday 11th) with old travelling buddies John Brindly and Ryan Herrington amongst others. A runner up enough to get the juices flowing again and a trip to The St Helens Open on Sunday 12th resulted in a fine win with a great game in the last 8 over Gary Welding and a 5-0 win over Eddie Dookson in the final. As ever a nice day with great darting folk in that part of the country.
Keep an eye out in Dublin as Mark will make his exhibition bow in your fine city during October!
As ever it is important to stay sharp but to also rest up and relax before what will be a very tough 2nd half of the season 2011/12. The fixture list includes huge travelling time and back to back events at times.
Mile High is therefore enjoying a nice combination of quality practise with good friends, Ian White and The Hammer amongst them. Whilst remaining loyal to league commitments and as ever the Open Events . This weekend saw a combination of these and a 5th exhibition of 2011.
Thursday 11th:
The White eagle Club in Stafford hosted The annual pre Stafford super league singles, this year open to all. Despite the unfortunate draw ( having to play Rhino in last 16) Mark earned a win in the event with a good win over Neil Poynton in the final.
Saturday 13th : Stirchley WMC in Birmingham and Double16.com provided another good day on the Open Tour! A very heavy field including Nigel Heydon, Kirk Shepherd, James Richardson , Nick Fullwell & Mick Todd amongst many others. Aparenbtly there was almost a 1 in 3 chance of drawing a PDC regular or major finalist (Kirk & Paul Cook) in round 1! Mark played very well all day and a narrow 6-5 win over Johnny Haines in the final was a just reward.
Saturday Evening : Mile High vs The Black Dog (Southam, Warwicks)
This was a quality evening with a superb bunch of young enthusiastic darters from Warwickshire, Led by Howard Childs they put up a great show and even broke a world record or 2 in the process! A 9 darter in the 401 double start format was enjoyable from Mark. Leaving Southam at 11.30 with the thought of Bully^s Boardroom The following morning after such a long day must have been interesting?
Sunday 14th:
This venue has one of the best actual throwing set ups around and, despite being a long day for all, a quality event staged for the 2nd year.
Mile High was in a very tough section of the draw, Dennis Smith 1st game, Kevin Painter, Matt Padgett and Mick Todd one after another is no ones idea of an easy ride. Red Dragon Colleague Peter Wright then in the Semi was just a step too far for Mark after a crunching weekend of quality darts. Well in to Peter who continues to go from success to success and is always a pleasure to see.
So the quiet time in the PDC Calendar has proved anything but with 4 Titles, 1 Runner up and a semi final spot in addition to a first international exhibition and a superb grass roots exhibition for youth players. Oh the easy life of a Red Dragon Pro Darter!
For more about Mile High - Check out : mark-mile-high-hylton.com & Double16.com (Pro Player Section)