WRITE UP FOR WEEK #5: HEAVYWEIGHT SLUGFEST

CAPTAIN'S LOG: DART DATE: 10 - 22 - 07

We circled the wagons.

We battened down the hatches (which was difficult because we had limited battening experience).

And Katie barred the door. (Thanks, Katie!).

We had to. We were preparing for an onslaught we knew was coming. Bullistics, the first place team in A-3 was coming to the Geek to face the Dartbags (Most Drinkin'est and Friendliest Dart Team in NYC TM) and come 7:30... we knew we were in for 3 (to 3 1/2) hours of Dart War. Five points back in the standing, we knew every point was crucial. There are limited opportunities to make up ground on teams like this.

But tonight was one.

The 'Bags rallied the troops and got a solid turnout. Every bag was on hand save Colin "The Microwave" O'Donnell who was in Saginaw, Michigan for the National Semifinals of the American Armwrestling Association. (Make us proud, big guy!). But Gins was there. Big Friendly Tim was there. The Dartbaguettes, Hope, Nell and Jess, were there. And there was even a rare Lillian appearance. (Which the Captain always appreciates because he hates looking bad in front of his girlfriend.)

As if that wasn't enough, Lou Henry and his Starving Dartists (The Terror of C-3) showed up to lend their support after their opponent inexplicably failed to show up at their match downtown.

Yep. All the pieces were in place for a big night.

Here's what happened.

SINGLE '01: 8 -4 Dartbags.

IYH vs. Liam Keane

Piker shot just fine. But Liam shot even better. LK took the first with an 8 rounder. But Piker struck back on the back of multiple T-33s and took the second game in 9 rounds himself. The final game was a sprint to the finish. But Liam went out first dart to break the tape a split second before Glenn. Damn. Good darts all around. Acknowledge. And move on. 1-2 'Bags.

Captain Furious vs. Joe Taras

These two have been going at it since the C finals 4 years ago. And it's always a good battle. Joe threw bombs but Frank hit his out first (D-4) and stole the first point. It was Joe stealing back in game 2. The rubber match was another nail biter in which they answered each other's big rounds, but both men put themselves on crappy outs and ended up on X. Fortunately, Frank loves X. (He must. Or he wouldn't end up there so often.) The Captain struck it first. Big darts by Joe (640 ASPs), and petty larceny from Frank. 3-3.

The Hornet's Nest vs. James Eugenia

Vince's game has been picking up speed all season and would reach 5th gear on Monday night. Facing off against a tough foe meant he would need it. He took the first on the back of two tons to put us in the lead. James reponded by taking the 2nd leg. 'Cenzo had a Ton-40 in his pocket and broke it out in leg 3 to take the rubber match in a 9 round nailbiter. Nice! 5-4 'Bags

Cuppa Joe vs. Paul "The Quiz" Quisenberry

You know Cup is on when he's "funneling" (i.e., grouping his darts in a V-shaped pattern around the T-19.) Cup was funneling like Frank the Tank on Hell Night. He smacked a Ton-14 and a whole mess of 70/80+ combinations en route to victory 1. In game two he continued the strong play. A T-21, and a bunch of 80s. Paul hung right with him, but Cup never let up. He was methodical. And when he nailed his D-20... he was gone in 20 darts. Wow! Are you kidding me? Huge sweep from Cuppa. He. Yuge.

Paul was a gentleman afterwards.

Paul: He shot great. Sometimes you don't lose. You just get beat.

Cuppa's heroics (there would be more) gave the 'Bags a huge 8-4 lead going into cricket. That's really saying something, considering this is the first place team. In fact, I can guarantee you two things: 1) Bullistics is not used to losing singles matches (they were like 75% on the season, and 2) They didn't like it very much. They would get there revenge in cricket.

CRICKET 5-1 Bullistics

Cup and Glenn vs. Joe T. and Nikola Simic

That singles beating must not have been sitting well, because Bullistics just bum-rushed us on this one. Glenn and Cup were fine. Not great. But not noticably off. The difference was that Joe was just sick. He hit two R-6s and a bushel of R-5s and R-4s. Nick was pretty damn sharp too. It seemed like they never threw more than one dart at a 16 or 15 all game. Bullistics took the first, the second and the third. Ouch. That hasn't happened in a while. 8-7 'Bags

Vince and Frank vs. Paul and James

The 'Bags were looking to right the ship. It didn't happen. Vince was his usual solid self. Frank was okay. But again, mediocre darts just weren't going to get it done against these guys. Paul, in particular was filthy. The 'Bags built up a lead in game one thanks in part to a big R-6 from Vince. Bu 6 16s from Paul began to turn the tide. The 'Bags were pointing on 20s and Bullistics on 16s. But we were losing ground. After going up in points Paul saved his last darts for the still wide open 20s. He nailed a triple. He and James seemed to hit every big dart. They took the first two in impressive fashion. The third game was also close until a an R-7 from Frank opened the lead. It was Vince closing out bull to salvage the last point.

Wow. Nearly double swept TWICE in cricket. On our home board no less. We didn't even play badly. But Bullistics were unbelievable. Some of the best cricket we've seen in years. And like that, we were all tied 9-9.

Double '01 3 -3

Frank and Glenn vs. Liam and Joe

Important darts factoid. You can't win a "Double-In, Double-Out" game of 501 if you don't &#*$#@! DOUBLE IN!!! This seeminglty obvious principle seemed to be lost on Frank and Glenn hacked away at the board like who spotted Liam and Joe 200+ points every stinkin' game. It wouldn't cost them in the first game, when the 'Bags rallied to steal it. But it was too much to overcome in the final 2 legs. Some late heroics by Frank fell short when tried his hands at a 94 out and went T-4... T-14 and juuuust missed a D-40 for the win. (Glenn had a case of premature jocularity when he mistakenly cheered the last dart). But Liam slammed the door next round. A DS-96 by Frank in the final game and 96 more from Pike made for some good catch up darts. But Bullistics had built a lead to big to overcome and they took the final frame. Gotta tip your cap. Those guys shot well. 399 ASPs between them (Joe cleared 1079 for the evening).

Cuppa Joe and Vince vs. Dean McCarthy and Paul.

Bullistics are a deep team. They're introducing new players in the last D '01 who shoot like all stars. Such was it with Dean. Dean and Paul jumped out to a lead in game 1 and all of a sudden we were down 12-10. Damn. Now we needed both points to avoid a loss. But with our backs to the wall, the 'Bags stepped up big time. It was Vince supplying the fire power (2 tons and 95) and Cup providing the clutch outs. In the second game he nailed a D-4 to win a squeaker and it he pulled our fat out of the fire once again in leg 3. With both team missing chances at outs, the pressure seemed to rise with each turn. It was one of those intense, playoff type games that had both teams cheering and groaning with every throw. But Cuppa Joe (bless his heart) saved the final dagger for the last dart of the evening. He calmly stepped up and stuck a fat D-1 to take the final point. Leading to a collective cheer from the Dartbag faithful.

Dartbag Faithful: Hooray!

FINAL SCORE: DARTBAGS 12 - BULLISTICS 12T

This wasn't just darts. It was drama. And it unfolded like a Three Act play. Act I was us jumping out to an improbable 8-4 lead. Act II was us losing it all in cricket. And Act III was about redemption when we fought back to make it a standstill for the evening. So we walk away with a tie and run our unbeaten streak to 16 consecutive weeks. (Thanks, guy.)

Sure, we would have liked to have gotten more points here. Especially with such a great start. Fact is, there are limited opportunity to make up points on a team like this. But considering the way they played, we have no complaints. They were great shots and class acts as well. Both teams left with a lot of respect for the other. It was a great night. We'll look forward to seeing them down the road.

And now, The Furious One is going to sign off (with apologies for being more abrupt than usual). He is nursing his Halloween party hangover. Speaking of which; Monday @ Barfly is Halloween Darts. That means costumes, people. Feel free to come join in the fun.

All Star Recap:

Vince: 755 (Way to light it up, guy.)

Frank: 566 (And high on.)

Pike: 477 (Shot well. Deserved a better fate.)

Cuppa: 333 (Clutch. Effing. Darts.)