WRITE UP FOR WEEK #7: EDGE OF SEVENTEEN
CAPTAIN'S LOG: DART DATE: 04 - 30 - 07
The 'Bags were coming off a nice little streak when they entered The Gaf (89th and 1st.) The Gaf is one of those friendly, safe haven type of places that just feel good to play in. There are friendly, familiar faces, good bartenders and the proprietor, Tom "The White Hawk" Lally always makes you feel at home. The crew from Keeley's seemed to be coming around the last few weeks with big guns like Pike finding the range, but we knew we would have our work cut out for us because Nomads No More feature dangerous shots, including two of A-3's best, Dave Smith and Joe Murray.
There was no Colin and Gins on hand, but Dartbaguettes, Nellie and Hope were there, once again making us look good. Tonight also featured a special guest, Pike's little (or should I say younger?) brother, Brad.
Pike started out against old friend, Steve Sterns. Glenn came out gunning with a T-33. But Steve didn't let him get out of view. When Glenn had a brainfart and mistook the number he shot (59) for the number he had left himself (48) it was a near disaster. But Pike was able to recoup in time to pull out a squeaker. In the second game Glenn ordered up some 95s on his way to victory. It was Steve's turn to throw big numbers in the final leg. After just his 7th round he had a shot to go out, before leaving himself on 10. But Glenn took out a 55 (15-20-D-10) to win a humdinger. Excellent darts all around. (and 513 ASPs for Glennjamin) 3-0 'Bags.
Frank played Rico in the 2nd set. Frankly, it was a pretty ugly display. Some nice rounds here or there, but a shaky short game and dreadful putting. Each player gave the other far too many chances, but Frank managed to convert the first two games with D-4, D-2. The final game was more of the same futility. With the baneful chorus of a Joe Jackson tune repeating in the background "Something going wrong around here... Something going wrong around here" neither player could hit the last dart. Finally the song changed to "That Smell" by Skynyrd and Frank was able to get unstuck with a D-5. 6-0 'Bags
But the biggest challenges lay ahead.
Vince took on Joe in the third leg of singles. Both players shot well in game 1, each hitting a Ton on the way down. With Joe sitting on a nice out and Vince on 80, he went 20... 20... D-20 for a very sweet out that gave us a 7-0 lead. But Joe would come back strong in the second match and win a close one. The third game was more of the same -- good, competitive darts, but it was once again Joe (528 singles ASPs) finding the double first. 7-2 'Bags
Tim drew the heavy artillery in the final leg, Dave Smith. When Tim draws the big guns, he usually fires back himself and takes one out himself. But Dave, who had plenty of time to watch his team fall behind, was highly motivated and focused. BFT came out swinging with a 90+ and an 80+, but Dave was on his game. He went out in 7 or 8 turns each time, and racking up 529 ASPs. Not much you can do about that, but tip your cap 7-5 'Bags heading into cricket.
So after a 7-0 start for the 'Bags, the Nomads No More responded with a 5-0 run of their own and momentum on their side heading into cricket.
Vince and Frank would face off against Dave and Joe. Vince and Frank were in an uncommon state of agitation. For once thing they were fired up because they knew it would be major challenge. Simply put, Dave and Joe are as good as it gets in A-3, (in fact, they'd swept Vince and Frank out the door of a double tournament as B players a couple of seasons ago on their way to the City Finals).
But, also, in much the same automobiles run on gasoline and Rosie O'Donnell runs on doughnuts, Captain Furious is powered by long, bitter quaffs drawn from his bottomless well of rageful self-recrimination. His shoddy singles play and (an overheard critique of that play) would provide plenty of fuel for the rest of the evening. And If you consider that Vince, (i.e., The Hornet's Nest) responds to a loss with as much vigor as anyone, it made for a fired up pair. And it showed. Vince started the game off with Five 20s. Game one. The 'Bags used some timely darts to keep a lead. Later in the game the Ex-Nomads switched to Bull, closing it in two turns and beginning to put up points. With the 20s still wide open, the 'Bags went back to the biggest number, hitting 4 at a time. Glenn didn't like it.
Pike: It was a McKenna.
Frank: Guy, they had bulls closed! They were 3 darts from winning.
Pike: All right, then. It's was a Semi-McKenna.
When I see that two dangerous players already have the bull closed, my experience tells me guys like these tend to pop a triple 20 and continue pounding the bull. T-20 and two bulls = 4-3 game at that point. In my book, pointing there is not a McKenna, it's just pure respect. (When you're up 8 bullseyes on an clearly overmatched opponent and THEN you point, that's a McKenna.)
Gentleman can disagree.
We won the first.
The second game Dave and Joe came out strong closing 20s, pointing then closing 19s and were up 39 points with 20s and 19s closed. The 'Bags had managed only 2 19s, 1 20 and zero 18s. Vince goes, single 19.. DOUBLE 20... single 18. Wow. Frank had to ask:
Frank: Were you going for that double 20.
Vince (slightly bemused): Of course.
Hey, no guts, no glory.
Frank responded with 6 18s. Vince closed 17 in response to their closing of the 17s and when Frank went T-16, T-15, Bull for an R-7, we'd created some breathing room. The 'Bags would take the second. In the last game, the former Nomads came out with renewed purpose. You need to do a lot better than rounds of 2 to win games like this, but that's what the 'Bags did. Vince and Frank fell behind and never got within striking distance. 9-6 'Bags.
Pike and Tim took on Steve 'n Rico in the second set of cricket. The hot shooting for the 'Bags continued. Glenn was finding the triple every 4 darts or so. Tim seemed to close a number every time he stepped to the oche. Respectable darts by Steve and Rico, but 3+ per round is hard to beat. 12-6 'Bags.
It was at this point, the A-1 game had actually ended. Now, granted, we got a late start, but to have one team be done while the other is still in cricket? It shows the difference between A1 and A-3. Wow.
On to doubles. Once again it would be Vince and Frank vs. Joe and Dave. Frank and Vince followed a familiar pattern with Frank doubling on and Vince doubling out (D-4 and D-2). In the last game, the 'Bags stepped up their game, a 121 from Frank was followed by a 101 by Vincenzo. It was Frank (454 ASPs) taking a 16 with 8... D-4 for a 23 darter and the sweep. 15-6.
By this point it was 12:30. Tom couldn't believe we were still playing.
Tom: You guys are still playing? We were done at 11:00!
Vince: We're still on singles.
And I have to tell you, the change of expression on The White Hawk's face in that brief, horrifying moment when he thought Vince was serious was just priceless.
But Tom showed he could joke around too. Earlier in the match Steve had threatened to put on "Leaving Las Vegas" by Sheryl Crow (EASILY one of the worst songs of all time). But Steve was too much of a gentleman.
Steve: I wouldn't do that to you guys.
Unfortunately, Tom is not above such petty torture and put Carly Simon on the box. Carly was warbling about... about what? A relationship?... unrequited love?... unrequited love that doomed a relationship?... "It's Too Late" or some godawful crap. All I know is that if there were an oven at The Gaf next to the juke box, there'd have been a line of people waiting to stick their heads in it.
Gaf Patron: Are you guys waiting to play music?
Dartbag: No. We're waiting for the sweet release of death. But feel free to put on some AC DC in the meantime.
Crappy song; crappy darts. The 'Bags could not double on. Five Rounds later they were down 250 points. It was the only game we'd lose in doubles.
In game two, Rico started strong with a big 106-On. But Pike 'n Tim stayed close. It was Uberbag, Pike smacking taking out 56 16 - 20 = D-10. In game 3, It was Big Friendly Tim's darts finding their mark with his telltale, "KaTHUNK" including a sweet 20-20-57 round. He put Pike on 16 and Glenn took it out out a D-8 to take the rubber match and the final point of the night. 17-7 'Bags
So the final was 17-7 in one of our best team efforts of the year. Everybody contributed. Everybody had a good time. We knew we'd need big darts if we were going to walk away with a good result and we got them. The people at The Gaf were, as usual, good sports and good company. That is not always easy to do when you're on the losing end of a score, but they did it anyway. We hope to return the hospitality when they come to our place. Thanks to The White Hawk for treating us right. Meanwhile, the slow crawl up the standings continues. (Hopefully, unnoticed to most.) Next Monday, the gentlemen of Foley's granted our postponement request because we were going to be shorthanded. We play Wednesday at the GeKe.
All Star Recap:
Frank: 1008 (New Dartbag record... you gonna break it next week, Pike?)
Pike: 608
Vince: 301
BFT: 192
That is all.
-Captain Furious
The 'Bags were coming off a nice little streak when they entered The Gaf (89th and 1st.) The Gaf is one of those friendly, safe haven type of places that just feel good to play in. There are friendly, familiar faces, good bartenders and the proprietor, Tom "The White Hawk" Lally always makes you feel at home. The crew from Keeley's seemed to be coming around the last few weeks with big guns like Pike finding the range, but we knew we would have our work cut out for us because Nomads No More feature dangerous shots, including two of A-3's best, Dave Smith and Joe Murray.
There was no Colin and Gins on hand, but Dartbaguettes, Nellie and Hope were there, once again making us look good. Tonight also featured a special guest, Pike's little (or should I say younger?) brother, Brad.
Pike started out against old friend, Steve Sterns. Glenn came out gunning with a T-33. But Steve didn't let him get out of view. When Glenn had a brainfart and mistook the number he shot (59) for the number he had left himself (48) it was a near disaster. But Pike was able to recoup in time to pull out a squeaker. In the second game Glenn ordered up some 95s on his way to victory. It was Steve's turn to throw big numbers in the final leg. After just his 7th round he had a shot to go out, before leaving himself on 10. But Glenn took out a 55 (15-20-D-10) to win a humdinger. Excellent darts all around. (and 513 ASPs for Glennjamin) 3-0 'Bags.
Frank played Rico in the 2nd set. Frankly, it was a pretty ugly display. Some nice rounds here or there, but a shaky short game and dreadful putting. Each player gave the other far too many chances, but Frank managed to convert the first two games with D-4, D-2. The final game was more of the same futility. With the baneful chorus of a Joe Jackson tune repeating in the background "Something going wrong around here... Something going wrong around here" neither player could hit the last dart. Finally the song changed to "That Smell" by Skynyrd and Frank was able to get unstuck with a D-5. 6-0 'Bags
But the biggest challenges lay ahead.
Vince took on Joe in the third leg of singles. Both players shot well in game 1, each hitting a Ton on the way down. With Joe sitting on a nice out and Vince on 80, he went 20... 20... D-20 for a very sweet out that gave us a 7-0 lead. But Joe would come back strong in the second match and win a close one. The third game was more of the same -- good, competitive darts, but it was once again Joe (528 singles ASPs) finding the double first. 7-2 'Bags
Tim drew the heavy artillery in the final leg, Dave Smith. When Tim draws the big guns, he usually fires back himself and takes one out himself. But Dave, who had plenty of time to watch his team fall behind, was highly motivated and focused. BFT came out swinging with a 90+ and an 80+, but Dave was on his game. He went out in 7 or 8 turns each time, and racking up 529 ASPs. Not much you can do about that, but tip your cap 7-5 'Bags heading into cricket.
So after a 7-0 start for the 'Bags, the Nomads No More responded with a 5-0 run of their own and momentum on their side heading into cricket.
Vince and Frank would face off against Dave and Joe. Vince and Frank were in an uncommon state of agitation. For once thing they were fired up because they knew it would be major challenge. Simply put, Dave and Joe are as good as it gets in A-3, (in fact, they'd swept Vince and Frank out the door of a double tournament as B players a couple of seasons ago on their way to the City Finals).
But, also, in much the same automobiles run on gasoline and Rosie O'Donnell runs on doughnuts, Captain Furious is powered by long, bitter quaffs drawn from his bottomless well of rageful self-recrimination. His shoddy singles play and (an overheard critique of that play) would provide plenty of fuel for the rest of the evening. And If you consider that Vince, (i.e., The Hornet's Nest) responds to a loss with as much vigor as anyone, it made for a fired up pair. And it showed. Vince started the game off with Five 20s. Game one. The 'Bags used some timely darts to keep a lead. Later in the game the Ex-Nomads switched to Bull, closing it in two turns and beginning to put up points. With the 20s still wide open, the 'Bags went back to the biggest number, hitting 4 at a time. Glenn didn't like it.
Pike: It was a McKenna.
Frank: Guy, they had bulls closed! They were 3 darts from winning.
Pike: All right, then. It's was a Semi-McKenna.
When I see that two dangerous players already have the bull closed, my experience tells me guys like these tend to pop a triple 20 and continue pounding the bull. T-20 and two bulls = 4-3 game at that point. In my book, pointing there is not a McKenna, it's just pure respect. (When you're up 8 bullseyes on an clearly overmatched opponent and THEN you point, that's a McKenna.)
Gentleman can disagree.
We won the first.
The second game Dave and Joe came out strong closing 20s, pointing then closing 19s and were up 39 points with 20s and 19s closed. The 'Bags had managed only 2 19s, 1 20 and zero 18s. Vince goes, single 19.. DOUBLE 20... single 18. Wow. Frank had to ask:
Frank: Were you going for that double 20.
Vince (slightly bemused): Of course.
Hey, no guts, no glory.
Frank responded with 6 18s. Vince closed 17 in response to their closing of the 17s and when Frank went T-16, T-15, Bull for an R-7, we'd created some breathing room. The 'Bags would take the second. In the last game, the former Nomads came out with renewed purpose. You need to do a lot better than rounds of 2 to win games like this, but that's what the 'Bags did. Vince and Frank fell behind and never got within striking distance. 9-6 'Bags.
Pike and Tim took on Steve 'n Rico in the second set of cricket. The hot shooting for the 'Bags continued. Glenn was finding the triple every 4 darts or so. Tim seemed to close a number every time he stepped to the oche. Respectable darts by Steve and Rico, but 3+ per round is hard to beat. 12-6 'Bags.
It was at this point, the A-1 game had actually ended. Now, granted, we got a late start, but to have one team be done while the other is still in cricket? It shows the difference between A1 and A-3. Wow.
On to doubles. Once again it would be Vince and Frank vs. Joe and Dave. Frank and Vince followed a familiar pattern with Frank doubling on and Vince doubling out (D-4 and D-2). In the last game, the 'Bags stepped up their game, a 121 from Frank was followed by a 101 by Vincenzo. It was Frank (454 ASPs) taking a 16 with 8... D-4 for a 23 darter and the sweep. 15-6.
By this point it was 12:30. Tom couldn't believe we were still playing.
Tom: You guys are still playing? We were done at 11:00!
Vince: We're still on singles.
And I have to tell you, the change of expression on The White Hawk's face in that brief, horrifying moment when he thought Vince was serious was just priceless.
But Tom showed he could joke around too. Earlier in the match Steve had threatened to put on "Leaving Las Vegas" by Sheryl Crow (EASILY one of the worst songs of all time). But Steve was too much of a gentleman.
Steve: I wouldn't do that to you guys.
Unfortunately, Tom is not above such petty torture and put Carly Simon on the box. Carly was warbling about... about what? A relationship?... unrequited love?... unrequited love that doomed a relationship?... "It's Too Late" or some godawful crap. All I know is that if there were an oven at The Gaf next to the juke box, there'd have been a line of people waiting to stick their heads in it.
Gaf Patron: Are you guys waiting to play music?
Dartbag: No. We're waiting for the sweet release of death. But feel free to put on some AC DC in the meantime.
Crappy song; crappy darts. The 'Bags could not double on. Five Rounds later they were down 250 points. It was the only game we'd lose in doubles.
In game two, Rico started strong with a big 106-On. But Pike 'n Tim stayed close. It was Uberbag, Pike smacking taking out 56 16 - 20 = D-10. In game 3, It was Big Friendly Tim's darts finding their mark with his telltale, "KaTHUNK" including a sweet 20-20-57 round. He put Pike on 16 and Glenn took it out out a D-8 to take the rubber match and the final point of the night. 17-7 'Bags
So the final was 17-7 in one of our best team efforts of the year. Everybody contributed. Everybody had a good time. We knew we'd need big darts if we were going to walk away with a good result and we got them. The people at The Gaf were, as usual, good sports and good company. That is not always easy to do when you're on the losing end of a score, but they did it anyway. We hope to return the hospitality when they come to our place. Thanks to The White Hawk for treating us right. Meanwhile, the slow crawl up the standings continues. (Hopefully, unnoticed to most.) Next Monday, the gentlemen of Foley's granted our postponement request because we were going to be shorthanded. We play Wednesday at the GeKe.
All Star Recap:
Frank: 1008 (New Dartbag record... you gonna break it next week, Pike?)
Pike: 608
Vince: 301
BFT: 192
That is all.
-Captain Furious
posted by Captain Furious at 2:25 AM
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