Bidd'ing For a Win at the Halfway Point

Captain's Log: Dart Date: 5 - 5 - 08

"Pikeless 'Bags Secure Numerous Points, Tacos."

Final Score: Big Triple Hunters: 13 - Dartbags: 11

(Note: This is a remote update from Hutchinson Island, Florida. Less detail than usual.)

Biddy's is a friendly pub. You can't beat the service of JJ and Barry, and the place just has a friendly feel to it. Biddy's has the added benefit of close proximity to "Taco Taco!", one of Colin O'Donnell's (and now the Dartbags') favorite eateries.

Fueled on burritos and quesadillas the Most Drinkin'est and Friendliest Dart Team in New York City (TM) faced off against friendly rivals, Big Triple Hunters. When last we saw BTH, they were called The Tavern Revisited, shooting out of The Tempest.

And they were kicking our arse.

We would need a strong effort to avoid that fate this time, especially without Glenn Pike who is presently in Roma, Italy on his honeymoon presumably spending romantic evenings with Nelly, drawing stares from the locals ("Enzo, look... eetsa Micka-Dreamy!", "No, Micka-Dreamy izza taller") and assiduously trying to keep them from pinching his wife's butt.

In addition, Edna was in Vegas at a show (he didn't specify what kind of show, so I'm assuming "burlesque") and the enigmatic known as The Microwave was mysteriously absent. It would be a skeleton crew of Cuppa, Vince, a conscripted Gins and Baguette, Hope.

And Cup was playing with a heavy heart. He had lost his Grandmother just a couple of days earlier. After attending the funeral and taking care of family business he joined us at Biddy's. Most people reading this blog have had the experience of losing a grandma, and know how difficult it is.

Feel free to say a prayer on that one.

Back to darts.

Here's what happened.

SINGLES

Frank (3) vs Tom Gray (0): It would be Frank, batting in Pike's slot. During pregrame warmups, Frank and Tom are shooting the breeze when Africa, by Toto comes on the jukebox.

Frank: What's this song about anyway? Is he singing about the continent of Africa or he is singing about a girl? "Gonna take a lot to drag me away from you..." It sounds sort of like it's about a girl to me. Pretty romantic. Actually, it sounds like it could be both. Maybe it's a metaphor. What's the deal there?

Tom (shaking his head): I don't know what Toto sings about, Frank.

(Frank nodding)

Tom: I'm not sure I want to know.

Frank: Well, yeah... me neither.

It was the captain batting in Pike's slot. A couple of rounds of rather nondescript darts by both players. Neither player could really get comfortable.

I blame Toto.

It would be Frank getting the double first. In the last game, out of nowhere, Frank simply caught fire. He turned in a 16 darter, tying a Dartbag record set earlier this year by Cuppa Joe. (Had a shot at a 15 darter, but his attempt at D-18 hit a D-4). 530 ASPs along the way. Yowza.

Cup (1) vs Eric Matern (2): These were all close games. Eric was solid, nailing 60 at a time. Cup was hot on the 19s, turning in 295 ASPs. Eric would take the first. And Cup would let a lead slip away in the 2nd. But sitting on 10, Joey Pep turned in a neat finish going, 5, T-1, D-1 to take the final point.

Vince (1) vs Christian Wirth (2): These were good matches as well. The Hornet's Nest carried the momentum by taking the first leg in 9 rounds securing consecutive points. (A rare occurence on this night for the 'Bags.). In the next two games, Christian began to heat up and won a pair of nip and tuck contests.

Gins (1) vs Scott (2): Give credit to Gins he hung around in each game and shot respectable darts. In the last game, staring at a sweep, he dialed it up a notch. He took advantage of his breaks and took out a 40 (20, miss, D-10) to get us a point.

CRICKET

VincenCuppa (1) vs. Chrustian and Ed Lewis (2): These were well-played games. I thought Vince and Cup threw some of the best cricket we've thrown all year (althought that's not exactly a powerful statement this year for the 'Bags, sort of like claiming to be "The World's Tallest Midget!"). Nonetheless, they shot very well. Solid scoring, clutch closes, Vince even mixed in an R-6 worth of 18s. But it was Christian and Ed who shot just a little better. Three hard fought, tense matches. The Big Trip Hunters taking the first two, the 'Bags salvaged the last. Legit A-2 quality darts. Just gotta tip your cap sometimes.


Franken'Berg (1) vs Eric and Tom (2): Eric and Tom -who popped 6 corks the other night at The Gaf - didn't have any crazy rounds (unless you consider R-4s and R-5s crazy, in which case they were freakin' lunatics). It was Tom and Eric firing out of the gate en route to a "don't blink or you'll miss it" win in game 1. The second game was closer. Sort of. (Gins had some splashy heroics to make the score look better). But I think 8 Belles was closer to Big Brown than the 'Bags were to victory.
The 3rd game appeared to be the same story when Tom popped an R-5 on 19s to go up 114 points and go up 11 marks to 2. Double-edge sword. Big points on the pro side. Lights a fire on the con side. The 'Bags had lost the high ground, but stayed on the attack striking from 17s before making their stand on bulls. The first volley was a C-4 from Frank and both 'Bags kept hammering away. Before you know it, the 'Bags had pulled in front. With two 15s (for a close) separating the 'Bags from victory/defeat, Gins stepped to the line. This is a pressure moment for any dart player. He missed low on the first. (Dang.) Then he stepped back from the line and collected hiimself. Next dart... T-15. Wow! Superclutch darts to seal a big time comeback. Very proud of the Ginsberg.

DOUBLE '01

Franken'Berg (1) vs Ed and Scott (2): Frank's mojo had left the building. It was Gins who kept the 'Bags in it by seemingly he hitting above 60 every round. Twice he left Frank a shot (albeit a brief shot) at an out. No dice. Ed and Scott shot well by getting on early and keeping the pressure on. (Ed mixing in 240 ASPs). In the third game it was Gins blessedly getting the 'Bags on the dance floor and Frank taking out 50 with a 32 on the last dart (Whew!). One point. So be it.

CupnVince (2) vs Eric and Christian (1): Frank's mojo had the left building but it seemed to meet Cup's mojo on the way in. Joey Pep stepped up his game and Vince had stayed sharp. Eric and Christian got in early and stayed a step ahead to take the first point. But Cup pounded the 19s (en route to 228 ASPs) in game 2. It was Vince nearly nailing a 106 out in one game and taking out a 71 with a two dart flourish T-19, D-7 for the final point of the night. Again, more terrific darts from Cup and Vincenzo to beat a very tough pair of opponents.

The 'Bags just found a way to hang in there all night. There are 8 sets of games in any given night. The 'Bags only "won" 2 of those sets. But by not giving darts away and gutting out single points, they managed to lose just 13 - 11 against a dangerous team.

I think the hero of the night was Ginsberg. We normally don't expect too much from him. Just good company, a lot of laughs and perhaps a new stain on his tennis shirt. But when pressed into service, he takes it seriously and competes. And he actually secured a point in every set he played. More than that, he shot quite well.

A tip of the cap to Big Triple Hunters. We've played these guys for years (though it had been a while) and they're always good company and good shots. We wish them good darts until we seem them again, 7 or so weeks @ GK.

Hat tip to Hopi as well. It's always a better night when she's around.

Lastly, kudos to Joe. He lost a loved one, but - after doing what a good grandson should do - still made the scene and shot well.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

All Star Recap:

Furious: 655
Cup: 518
Vince: 220
Gins: RANGERS WIN!