Beaton’s Grandslam of Darts 2011

My wife Nanette, myself and my mate Rob travelled to the Wolverhampton civic on Sunday for the first of my round robin games in the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts.  I’m in group E along with Phil Taylor, Merv King and youth finalist James Hubbard.
I knew I had to win my first game against Merv to be in with a chance of qualifying from the group stages.
I was feeling good and I hit a 174 with my first visit to the oche and the first leg in 13 darts breaking Merv’s throw.
I missed six darts at a double in the second to let Merv break back and he also took the third in 13 darts.
Merv missed double 12 for a 141 checkout, so I punished him by taking out a 66 pressure finish to level.
Merv took out a 90 finish to lead again but I took the sixth leg on double 14 to complete a 14 darter to level once again.
I won the seventh leg against the darts with an 84 finish on bull and then closed the game in the next by hitting double 14  for the second time to win 5-3.
I thought I had blown it when I missed all those chances to go  2-0 ahead but I dug deep and am very pleased to come out the winner on this one.
So we travelled back home and went for a curry at our local Indian Restaurant "The Goa” in Earl Shilton, they do a great meal.

In my second round robin game I was up against  Phil Taylor.
Phil opened  the match with a 67 finish  but I replied with double 10 for the second leg.
Phil missed double 16 in the third and I capitalised by hitting  a 120 finish to lead 2-1 with a break of throw.
Phil then landed double 16 to break back in the fourth and also won the fifth in 11 darts after  hitting back to back maximums.
I won the sixth leg on double 10 and then Phil took the seventh to lead 4-3.
In the eighth leg I hit my second 180 of the game but missed double top and Phil checked out a superb 107 shot to win the match 5-3.

So I now had to win my next match against James Hubbard The PDC Unicorn Youth Finalist to progress into the second round stages.
I took  the first leg against the darts with double 10, James broke back taking the second after I missed four darts at doubles.
I took the third with an excellent 130 checkout on bull and the fourth to  lead 3-1.
I hit a 180 in the process of winning the fifth but 19 year old James showed his class to hit double nine with his third dart to keep the match alive.
James had the advantage of throw in the seventh but missed a dart  at tops and I stepped up to land double16 to win the match 5-2.
I knew James wouldn’t be a walk over, he’s impressed a lot of people this week and he has gained valuable experience.
He’s a future star in the making.

I would be playing Paul Nicholson next but I had a day off before that match, so I made the most of it, by going home, sleeping in my own bed, going to the gym and enjoying a nice relaxing meal with my wife.

I felt really good going into my match against Paul Nicholson Friday evening.
I  dominated the first half of the contest, which included a  brilliant 141 checkout.
I opened the game with a 14 dart finish and  took out 80 to break in the second leg.
Paul won the third and fourth leg to level, I took the fifth, taking out double 5.
Paul finished on 76 for the sixth, before I took out the next 3 legs to pull clear with a 141 checkout of treble 17, bull and double top.
Also a 63 finish and double nine to take me 6-3 up.
Paul took the tenth with an 82 finish on tops.
I then missed two darts at double 11 and  Paul finished on double 4.
We both scored 180’s in the next leg before Paul took out 88 for a 12 darter to level six all and then double 16 to go ahead for the first time in the match.
After missing  two darts at double 12, Paul  took out double 4 and then a 121 checkout for him to pull away 9-6.
I won the next leg in 13 darts, setting up double top with a 165 score before hitting 180 and double 5 to reduce the gap to one leg.

Paul took the next leg  in 14 darts, opening with a 180 and finishing on double 8 to secure his quarter final spot.
My congratulations to Paul, he fought back and played really well.
I was disappointed in losing the game but you have to take the positives from it.
I am playing cracking darts and a couple of missed doubles cost me this game, so I will be back on the practise board tomorrow in preparation for the Player Championship Finals at the Doncaster Dome 8th-11th Dec.

I would like to say a Big Thank You to all my fans and the amazing crowds at the Civic all week, my sponsors, WINMAU, NDL WEB DESIGN, PSR INDUSTRIAL FLOORING SPECIALISTS and SELFSTORE.INFO COVENTRY for all their support and believing in me it’s been awesome
Happy Darting Steve