Week 2: Great Start + Great Finish = Good Day

(CUP)TAIN'S LOG: DART DATE: 09 - 24(28) -07

cup-tain's-log [kup-tuh nz, log], n - blog entry, wherein the
captain, Cpt. Furious, begins the writeup, but cannot finish
in time, either due to business or health issues, and the
co-editor/writer, Cuppa, is forced to abruptly finish and post the
aforementioned blog entry.

The Dartbags returned to George Keeley for the home opener, after a lacklustre 12-12 effort to start the season. It felt good to be back in the cozy confines. We had our favorite beers on tap, our favorite people (All 7 Dartbags -hooray! As well as Nell, Jessie and Ginsberg's crew) and a new, super sweet "Blade III" board purchased by Frank for the sole use of Dartbag home games.

We would square off against a team from Stout, The Alleymen. We had never faced this crew before, but their reputation preceded them. They romped through B league to become Champions, they whipped up on the other George Keeley team on 2 occasions, and they feature a number of Irishmen. All this adds up to one inescapable conclusion: The Alleymen are dangerous. And their 18-6 thumping of Flight Risk in week 1 was further proof.

Here's what happened.

SINGLES 501:

We sent out Pike vs. old friend (and fellow Tartan) Andre Glenn. Andre wasted no time setting the pace, by putting up a Ton. But Pike hung in there. Neither man was at his best and it became a dogfight. It was Glenn finding ol' reliable XX for the winner in 30 darts. Game two went to Andre on the back of his T-33 round and strong finish. Game 3 looked more like the first, a head to head slog. Andre opened a lead, but couldn't quite find the range on the double. Pike overcame the mathematics (and his own frustration) and once again nailed a D-1 winner to take the point. Fine comeback. 2-1 'Bags

It was Frank vs. Tim Tully in the second slot. The Captain came out gunning in this one with an early T-40 and a Ton. He seemed to find a T-20 every turn and turned in a crisp 21 Darter. Game 2 also featured vintage furious who took out a 64 with T-8, D-20 to turn in a 23 Darter. The last game was a contest with both men having a shot an out. Frank eventually found a D-4 to take the last point. 440 ASPs and 3 Ws. This was probably the sharpest the Furious one has looked in his A league career. And like that we were off to a great start 5-1 'Bags.

(ahem...)

Basically, here's what happened in general (it's friday, for crying out....):

Frank was on fire....the whole night as a matter of fact. En fuego...I think he had something like 800 asp's. Solid. Carried us most of the night. He won 8/9 also, which is....speaks for itself, quite Frankly.

To summarize the night...because it's already friday (dead horse)....we won the match, 14-10, against a really solid team. Overall, we should be happy. Our 'not losing' streak is now at 12 regular-season matches. Decent.

Notable Notes:

The Hornet's Nest made its season debut. It had been dormant since last season, so it's opener here in week 2 lacked a little bit of 'sting'. However (point is), I feel sorry for whoever we're playing monday. This is the type of thing that can smack The Nest like a pinata.....and we know how deadly that can be. Prediction?

Pain...

Cuppa's performance was about a 5. Was pretty darn accurate in singles, hitting 380 asp's, and a bunch of 70-somethings, triple 3's and 7's. He....I.....let an easy one slip away, so 1/3 ain't good.

Glenn was pretty solid. Especially in cricket. Between cricket and doubles 501, IYH and Furious took 5/6 against some pretty good shots, in Mark Collins, Tim Tully, and Andre Glenn, in varied combinations.

Cuppacenz got swept in cricket.....ouch. I think thats a first. We had leads in 2 games, but couldn't close out. Team 'Learyan' was also very solid. Including a devastating R7 by Leary in game 2, that fortified their comeback. Kudos to them...but we blew our chances there.

Cuppacenz did however get revenge on Gerry and Ryan in doubles 501, winning 2/3. They were all pretty close games. Cuppa was able to hit 2 pressure packed, much needed closes, including a d16, and a d2. Vince was solid, including a big ton, and gettin' on. Good finish, taking the last 2.

Overall, the night was fun. I, Cuppa, got stupid angry at one point, and I apologize. Thats not the Way of the Cup. An aberration. Won't happen again. The Cup will be half-full, at least, next time.

And The Hornet's Nest will be raging.....bank on it.

Kudos to Frank (8/9), and IYH (7/9), for solid darts, and carrying much of the load.

I have a feeling the 'Bags and the Alleyman will be duking it out 'til the end of the season.

Dont have the sheets, but here's my ASP recap...best guess:
(actually, I just checked the NYDO site, so here are the exact totals)

Frank - 775 (turning it back up a notch....just gettin' warmed up)
Cuppa - 380 (get your head on straight, guy...ok, I will)
Glenn - 291 (way below average, but who cares: 7 wins)
Vince - 100 (BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!)

Busy week this week. Sorry about the writeup delay, and resulting abbreviatto.

Thats right: abbreviatto.

Ciao.

Cuppa Giuseppe