Exclusive Markers Eye from The Eddie Cox Memorial Trophy 11-06-2011

After the usual 11.30 scrum surrounding the draw going up I am allocated board 5 and make my way over.

It’s always interesting the number of players that are already at the board for the first game.

I presume they see the board allocations and make there way at 11.30 for a practice on the match board before the official start time of 12.00.

Round 1 Mark Jones 6-4 Ashley Holgate

I have said it before and make no apology for saying it again the standard of these lesser known names just goes to show the strength in depth of the PDC. The game was littered with sub 16 dart legs and it was Mark that made the better start racing into a 4-1 lead helped by a 13 darter and a 121 Bullseye finish. Ashley managed to rally a little again aided by a 121 finish of his own in breaking throw and then holding to reduce the arrears to 4-3. However with still having the advantage of throw Mark was able to quite comfortably win the 2 legs he had with throw to close the game out and secure the win 6-4.

Mark Hylton 6-1 Adam Hunt

My first opportunity to officiate for Mark and hopefully another chance will come along very soon. Mark was outstanding after a nervy first 2 legs that were shared. From recollection Red Dragon’s own Mark Hylton had x6 180’s in the game and 2 100+ outshots with young Adam hot on his heels in every leg.

Adam is certainly one for the future but today was to be Marks day with the greater experience counting in this match.

The score line flattered Mark a little and he was very complimentary to his young opponent after the game. Always nice to see, well done Mark.

Chris Thompson 6-3 Steve Evans

This was without doubt the best standard of the three first round games. Ton followed ton followed clean checkout . Chris has one of the hardest throws on the circuit (certainly that I have seen ) but his accuracy is up there with the best. On this performance I wonder why he has not won more , lets hope that big win is just around the corner. Highlight of the game was Chris’s 11 dart leg to break in leg 8 which was ultimately the game decider.

Round 2 Mark Walsh 6-1 Mark Jones

Easy to see why Walsh is described as one of the best floor players around. He broke the heart of Jones in the second leg taking out 112 with Jones waiting on 40 and this was a blow that the “little mon” was not to recover from. Walsh was 5-0 up having missed only 1 dart at a double before Jones took a leg but this was merely a hiccup in what was to turn out to be a routine win for Walsh.

Mark Hylton 6-3 Chris Thompson

Mark again continued with his 180 hitting. The guy does it for fun he really does. The scoreline I feel was a fair reflection on the game and the legs that Chris took were all sub 17 dart legs. Mark was clinical on his own throw never really affording his opponent the opportunity for the all important break.

Round 3 Mark Walsh 6-4 Mark Hylton

This was sound familiar ! Mark Hylton in the first 6 legs started 5 of them with a 180. However on this occasion it was not enough as he found himself 4-2 behind to Walsh who was consistently hitting 100 – 140. In leg 7 Walsh with the darts went 100,100,100,100, 101 check out and on hitting the finish looked at me and declared “well at least it was more than a ton” . 15 dart legs and these guys are still not happy ! On a side note Hylton was sat on 80 after 12. Mark rallied to take the next 2 but ultimately it was Walsh that closed out a high quality match wit a 13 dart leg for the 6-4 win to advance to round 4.

Round 4 John Part 6-3 Roland Scholten

These 2 guys are extremely good friends off the oche and that was apparent as they were sorting out travel arrangements for Holland rather than concentrating on getting ready for an important game. As the game started the standard was as low as I have chalked on the pro tour . It was still a level most of us could only wish to achieve but after 7 legs with John leading 4-3 I had not seen a 180 and the best leg was 17 darts. At this point John put his head down stopped chatting and enjoying himself and got on with the serious matter of the game. Two 15 darters where what followed. It always amazes me how these top players can change gear at will but they do it so often. Roland and John were still chatting as they left the board and Roland in particular was very complimentary to me and the other volunteer officials.

That was me done for the day but I settled in to watch the rest of the competition that saw Paul Nicholson edge out Steve Brown 6-4 in a very high quality final. Then it was off to the hotel for a bite to eat and an early night ready to be back at the Metrodome for Sundays Bobby Bourne Trophy of which my report will follow …

Many thanks for reading

Adie