WRITE UP FOR WEEK # 14: FINALE AT FOLEY'S

CAPTAIN'S LOG: DART DATE: 01 - 07 - 08

It was a good crowd @ Foley's. All 7 'Bags were there as well as Baguettes, Nellie, Jess, and even Rachel (who accompanied The Microwave.)

The last time the 'Bags were played @ Foley's we got spanked 15 - 9. It was a debacle. The Good Guys of George Keeley were hoping to get a better result this time. It wouldn't be easy, Balls and Strikes would be hungry for points as they were locked in a dogfight for the final playoff spot. The 'Bags on the other hand, were sitting 5 points in front of the 3rd place team. First place was out of reach, but the 'Bags were intent on not letting their consolation prize slip out of their grasp.

Metrosexual Monday?

It was also a night of banal, but strangely engrossing conversation. Seven regular guys, having beers, hanging out in a premium sports bar with the Sugar Bowl on the tube. So, naturally the conversation drifted from football and whether Glenn Dorsey would be the first pick in the NFL draft... to fashion faux pas and hair care.

It started innocently enough. Frank wore one of his patented J Crew rollneck sweaters. The bar was hot, so Cup suggested that Frank take off the sweater.

Frank explained that, if he were to do so, he would in fact be shirtless.

Cup was flabbergasted.

Cup: You wore a sweater with no shirt underneath it!

Frank: It's really more of a shirt than a sweater.

But that wouldn't do. Cup refused let it go, and visibly struggled to come to grips with what he considered an egregious sartorial blunder.

Cup: You CANNOT wear a sweater with no shirt underneath! Look at you, you're sweater flops whenever you shoot, you're... you're Floppy Roll Neck Guy!

Glenn: Actually, the J Crew Roll Neck is really made to be worn with out a shirt underneath it.

Frank: I'm not Floppy Roll Neck Guy.

Cup: Yes, you are.

Frank: I'm not Floppy Roll Neck Guy.

Cup: Yes, you are... Floppy.

Frank: I'm not Fl- WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?!?

But the conversation would sink even deeper into Queer EyeVille.

Cup: Look at Glenn's hair... it's perfect. How do you get your hair like? No. Seriously. It looks like it was sculpted out of clay.

Glenn: The key is not to wash it too often. Although I do use conditioner several times a week.

Frank chimed in, "I saw a werewolf drinking a Jameson's at Foley's Bar... and his hair was perfect. (Dep!)

Cup decided that Glenn was "The Werewolf" - at which point Glenn revealed that he liked this nickname much more than IYH.

So Glenn is now "The Werewolf". End of story.

But enough of fashion and and hair care. This blog is about darts.

Finale at Foley's

SINGLES: 9 - 3

Frank started out against Captain Steve, and began the evening with a Ton-40. Steve racked up 500+ ASPs and Frank compiled 441. But, neither man was sharp on the doubles. It was Frank winning the war of attrition, however, and starting the season finale with a sweep.

Up next, Piker would take on Jim "Mr." Coffey. Pike was a beast 4 AS rounds and a slew of 79+s. Jim nearly stole a game by taking out a 108. That was as close as he'd get. Back to back sweeps and the 'Bags were rolling.

Cup got his wish - to play Carlos, who took it to Cup big time in their first meeting. This time it was Cuppa coming back strong. Four AS rounds and two Ws to give the 'Bags an 8- 1 edge.

It was Vince drawing the heavy artillery in the form of Brendan Dowling. Last time we played BD, he took out an 18 darter and struck a Ton-80. This time he wasn't quite as a sharp (only had a 20 darter). But Vince withstood the onslaught and rallied to take the final point creating a 9-3 advantage heading to cricket.

CRICKET: 4 -2

Frank and Vince faced off against Brendan and Mr. Coffey. Frank and Vince were top of their game and coasted to victory in the first. Brendan and Jim would get revenge in the second set. But the 'Bags got an unexpected break - Frank's shaft snapped off and the stump got lodged in his barrel. Despite the efforts of Glenn and notable Dart Surgeon, Cuppa (who went to work with a steak knife and a cigarette lighter), the dart was done for the night. It worked out well when Frank's substitute dart (one of Glenn's 22 grams "goldies") wouldn't stop hitting triples. (Must have retained Glenn's mojo). The 'Bags took the rubber match with a slew of "golden" triples from Frank and a flurry of corks from Vince. 11-4

Pike and Cup went up against Captain Steve and Carlos. Again it was Glennjamin, en fuego. Cuppa Joe was also on top of his game. The 'Bags took the first and the last to earn two more points. 13-5

DOUBLES 01: 3 -3

Big Friendly Hero

Big Friendly Tim was not planning to come out tonight, but with only 4 appearances during the year, he needed this one to become playoff eligible. Being a "Team Guy" he agreed to scrap his restful evening and make the trek. The Hornet's Nest summed it up best.

Vince: You got called right off the couch... like Vinny Testaverde.

"Vinnie" and Glenn would go first in Double 01. The Vin-Man was his solid veteran self (lots of arm strength), hitting 57s like they Wayne Chrebet and getting us on the board in game 1. Glenn continued his white hot shooting delivering a 101-On and 5 All star (rounds including back to back T-33s in the last game). He racked up 1005 ASPS for the night (nice work, guy), but most importantly, he hit the doubles. Two more for the 'Bags.

Lastly, Cup and Vince agains battled Brendan & Jim, taking the first point. The Foley's crew, desperate for each W managed to pull out the final two points despite good efforts from the 'Bags.

FINAL SCORE: DARTBAGS - 16, BALLS 'N STRIKES 8

And that was that for the 2007 Fall Dartbags. We didn't take first, which was our main goal. (Congrats to Bullistics). But we managed to snag the 2nd prize. Less than ideal, but still, it's progress. We want to thank everyone who came out to hang with us and support us this year. It's one of the reasons we look forward to Monday Nights.

Feel free to do the same thing at Gaf East tonight for the first round of the playoffs.

Unfortunately, Captain Furious has to be out of town and will be unable to attend the match.

And he's pretty sick over it, to tell the truth. He was rooting for a snowstorm, but the Dart Gods wouldn't grant him one. So the 'Bags will have to take on "Never Shakey" Harlan Blaikie, Dax Munna and the rest of the Poison Dart Frogs.

Congrats, guys.

Give 'em hell.

And have fun.

That is all.

AS RECAP:

Pike: 1005
Frank: 441
Cup: 428
Vince: 340
"Vinnie" Sheahan: QB rating of 106.2, 237 yards, zero picks.

WEEK 10: 1209

I fell behind and didn't get to it this week.

My apologies.

We won 14-10 against Flight Risk.

We were hoping to do better, but they shot very well. Gotta tip the cap to them.

There are only a couple of things worth recapping. One was the number 1209.

That's the number of ASPs that Pike hit. It shattered the old Dartbag record held by Cuppa Joe and was good for 2nd best total in the league.

The other is that Glenn posted a High On (S-102) AND A High Out (F-97, done in 3, T-18, D-20 fashion).

Great stuff.

Slowly, but surely... the man known as In-Yer-Hole Pike is returning to form.

With Glenn there to take out the heavy artillery, and the rest of the squad playing like they can, we might just be able to shock someone come January.

Anyway, Cup will do the next write up.

And faster too.

That is all.

WRITE UP FOR WEEK #9: MOONLIGHT GINSBERG AND THE RETURN OF THE MICROWAVE

"Ginsberg Leaves Rangers For Dartbags, Ol' Rusty Makes Triumphant Return, Big Friendly Joins in Fun"

CAPTAIN'S LOG: DART DATE: 11 - 19 - 07

NOTE: This post was more substantial... but it got erased because the blogspot platform is as stable as Rosie O'Donnell going through Twinkie withdrawal. This version is shorter.
---------------
The Dartbags had been inVinceable. But Vince was in California. Thus they were inVinceable no more.

Facing a resurgent Alleymen squad who seemed to have found their footing in A league, the 'Bags would need all hands on deck in order to pick up slack. They would muster 6 of 7 'Bags as well as a surprise visit from Lillian (who has been known to wander as far south as 33rd Street in pursuit of a delicious Auntie Anne's Pretzel Dog.) With no further ado this is what happened.

Glenn Pike 2, Ryan Shane 1

Frank Murtha 2, Tim Tully 1

Cuppa Joe Gasparino 1, Mark Collins 2

Mike Ginsberg 0, Gerard Leary 3

Pike was good not great. Ditto Frank who managed 4 all star rounds. Cup shot okay, but Collins was terrific. Still Cup managed to take a game off a good shot. And Gins... well, Gins was a hero no matter what he did. Ginsberg was actually watching his Rangers take on their arch-rival Islanders around the coner at Madison Square Garden. But, being the team guy that he is, he agreed to play singles because we had no other players available. The plan, suggested by the Captain, was to have Gins show up during the first intermission and then go back to catch the rest of the game. If timed correctly, he would miss no more than 5 minutes of hockey action.

But what Gins knew - and Frank did not - is that MSG has a no re-entry policy for Rangers games. In fact, the entire scene played out like one of our favorite movies.

Field of Dartbags

Gins: What have we got here?

Frank: We fell - 2 out of 3.

Gins: Why, this team's chokin' to death! You need to lighten up, just have some fun. You'll be all right. You'll be doin' handsprings again in no time.

He borrowed a set of the Captain's 22 Widows... and promptly got swept by Leary (who was shooting sick darts, literally not missing a 20 in one game until going for his outs). So be it.

Frank: Hey, Gins. Thanks for making it. It was a good effort. Go, enjoy the rest of the hockey game.

Gins just smiled and shook his head in answer... and the Captain came to a horrible realization

Frank: Oh, my God... You can't go back. You can't go back!

Gins: It's all right-

Frank: I'm sorry.

Gins: It's all right.

Frank: But you were only there for 1 period!!! The Rangers-Islanders is like your dream night. It would kill some men to get that close to their dream and not touch it... They'd consider it a tragedy.

Gins just shook his head.

Gins: Son, if I could only have been a Dartbag for 1 period... now THAT would have been a tragedy.

He shook each Dartbag's hand one after another and each one thanked him. No Gins didn't win a game. Frankly, we never expect him to. But the way Leary was shooting, he probably would have beaten any Dartbag. We call playing such hot shooters "diving on a grenade." And it was at that point we knew that Gins one appearance was like Moonlight Graham's one at bat... it was a sacrifice. Gins gave a little salute as he made his way out of Dart Alley.

Gins: Win one for me one day, will you, boys?

He turned to leave.

Glenn: Hey, Gins...

Gins turned 'round

Glenn: ... you didn't suck.

He gave a smile and twinkle returned to his eye. Ginsberg put on his Rangers cap, and then mysteriously disappeared into the crowd at the bar.

And then he came back 2 minutes later with a Jameson's.

Love the effort.

Darts took 2nd billing to drama in the 2nd set.

Sure, Cup and Frank took 2 of 3. But the real story was the valiant effort of Glenn and the season premier of Colin "The Microwave" O'Donnell.

Though each game was a dogfight, Glenn and Colin were on the verge of being swept. Though Glenn through big darts, the team of Leary and Shane was too strong. The 'Bags actually held a 4 - 2 lead on corks, but couldn't close the deal. The Alleymen caught up and now the 'Bags were trailing 1 cork to 2 with Leary waiting on deck. This location is very close to the town of "Sh*t's Creek".

Colin missed wide right with his first dart. Then he missed wide right on his second dart. The entire team was watching intently. You could hear a pin drop on Dart Alley. If Colin didn't hit a center cork with his last dart... we were surely dead. He stepped to the line. He eyed up the board. Drew back his hand.... and then he stopped. He turned and addressed the assembled throng:

Colin: Dire straits, indeed, dear chums. And no margin for error at that! Verily, this turn of events calls ... for Ol' Rusty.

Yes, THAT Ol' Rusty! The Billy Barool of the darting world. The enchanted arrow, never known to fail!

Colin reached into his brief case and produced a small wooden box. On the box were Celtic Runes in gold inlay - a language long forgotten. Colin pressed a button on the bottom and the box sprang open, revealing a misshapen bar dart laying on a velvet bed. He held it aloft.

Colin: Old friend, I would not have roused your from the arms of Orpheus, if we were not in grave peril. We have but one chance to hit 2 marks. Should we fail, we would most assuredly lose the day -- yon Leary has a lean and hungry look. So I say to you, once more into the breach, old friend! Cry havoc, and let slip the dogs of war!!

And with a might, cross-handed swipe he let fly his volley! Ol' Rusty twisted swirled, drawn inexorably to the center bull. The blood red cork seemed almost to rise, like an expectant lover as Ol' Rusty penetrated deep into her fibers! An eruption of triumph was heard!

Dartbags: Hooray!

A miracle shot! The was much embracing (of a manly sort) and the slapping of hands could be heard!

Colin: Innkeeper, bring a round of your finest ales for all my friends!

Bartender: Huh?

Colin: Victory is ours!

At least... I think that's what happened. I know this. Colin was as cool as could be when he hit that game winning double cork. And we were as good as dead if he hadn't.

Afterward, Colin's reaction was reserved and utterly unflappable. In other words - typical.

Colin: I like the close matches best. They're more fun.

And THAT, ladies and gentlemen, is why he is The Microwave. Not only does he not feel pressure when he comes off the bench... he is literally unaware that he is even SUPPOSED to feel pressure. "I like the close matches best???"

Unreal.

And in the third set (and with considerably less drama) Big Friendly Tim got into the act by taking 2 games of Double '01.

We would finish the night with a 12-12 tie. But we would also finish the night with some serious highlights of the season. And every Dartbag got in on the fun. Winning, shminning. This was a fun night.

So the unbeaten streak stands at 20 weeks. And I'll end the recap right here because time is tight.

That is all.

WRITE UP FOR WEEK #6: SCARY GOOD COMEBACK

CAPTAIN'S LOG: DART DATE: 10 - 29 - 07

Halloween in New York. You gotta love it. People in this town are so Type A, so driven, that when an opportunity comes along when you can "play against type" and just be a goofball... you gotta embrace it. Enter The 2nd Annual Halloween Dart Night (NOTE: PICTORIAL TO FOLLOW). Sure, we were missing 28% of the 'Bags (Tim had to work late and Gins was at the Ranger game). But we enjoyed the company of Colin "The Microwave" O'Donell. We had Lou Henry and his Starving Dartists drop by on their way to their C-3 match. Always good to see those guys. And we even managed to get 2 of 3 Klopchin sisters, Hopi and Holly. In addition Nellie and (Friend of Dartbags, F.O.D) Greg were on hand. Good crew. We knew regardless of the outcome, it would be a good night.

The 'Bags would take on Hands of Doom on "The Stage" at Barfly. It had been a while since we'd faced off against this bunch. The last time we saw HOD was B league playofss back on Tuesday when Farticus, Pew Lou, and the Surgeon were on active duty.

Usually, the 'Bags send Glenn up first. But not always. Glenn's logic was the final word on the matter.

Glenn: Ladies first.

So Mother Superior would lead off.

SINGLES: 5 - 7 Dartbags

Sister Frank vs. Ross Cohen

Ross came firing out of the gate leading off with a Ton. But he was just getting started. He caught a 66 next round. Then followed that up with a Ton-20. Two rounds later, he found himself on 95. But, Frank was hanging in, just 63 points off the pace. Ross stepped up and went first dart, T-19... 2nd dart D-19. Ho. Lee. Crap. Ross racked up 315 ASPs, hit a Treble every turn, took out a 95 and was gone in 17 darts. Wow. But the Captain kept his cool and took the second game, by hitting (what else) a D-1. And in the final game put away a 32 out with Ross poised to pounce on a 40 out. 2-1 Dartbags, but tip your cap to Ross. Best damn darts we've seen since Tony Roman pulled a 14 Darter on us.

Superglenn vs. Rob Evans

Another match up of people who's been playing each other for years. You knew this would be a good battle. Both shooters were streaky. SuperPike piled up 464 ASPs. But it was Rob who was hitting his outs first, taking the first two. Personally, I think part of the problem was the music. In addition to the usual hard-rocking, upbeat music, Frank had selected a Johnny Cash song, the old spiritual "The Legend of John Henry". Frank's father used to sing this song back in the 70s and Frank recalled it as a a soulful, yet lively, recounting of a man's indominable will (as well as a neocryptic metaphor for creeping Industrialism.) Unfortunately, this version was neither. In fact, I don't know what the hell it was. Usually, Johnny Cash is a safe bet. Not this time. In fact, half the song wasn't even singing, it was Johnny doing a mock dialogue between a quarry foreman and the eponymous John Henry replete with such cringe inducing lines as "Boy! Pick up that hammer!", "Yes sir!". And it went on... For. Ever. It made Freebird look like Louie Louie. The natives at Barfly were clearly getting restless. And by restless, I mean seriously annoyed.

Frank to Jen: The Legend of John Henry isn't quite the crowd pleaser I thought it would be.

Jen: Mmmmm, nope.

Frank: Geez... How long IS this song???

Colin: I think this is the Allman Brothers version.

But Piker didn't let the tragic demise of the "steel-drivin' man" ruin the entire set. He redoubled his focus in leg 3. He popped a D-10 to turn in a 9 turner in the final frame to salvage the point. All tied at 3-3. Whew. Done and Done.

Enter Cuppa Joe featuring a number of newly drawn tattoos vs. Jared DeMarino.

Cup looked pretty tough, I must say. Evidently Barfly patrons agreed. So much so that he was mistaken for the bouncer when he stood by the front door. Always the "Method Actor", Cup submerged himeslf in his role by ID'ing several patrons as they entered the bar.

Cup: ID?

Confused Girl: Oh. Sorry. Umm... I got it in here somew-

Cup: That's all right. C'mon in.

It took Cup a little time to reach cruising altitude in this set. He got out of the gate slowly and Jared D took the first one. By the end he was hot as a freshly made Stouffer's French Bread Pizza (which, if you'll recall your childhood, is roughly the same temperature as bubbling magma). In set two he nearly took out a 152, going T-20, T-20 before missing the D-16. He hit it next dart. And in the second set he went T-19, T-20, S-16 (135) to put himself on 92. Then went S-1, T-17, D-20 to close it out. Gone in 20 darts. The Flaming Cuppa Joe tattoo on his forearm said it all. Hombre es mas en fuego. Great stuff. 5-4 'Bags

Shaggy Vince vs. Matt Heit.

Vince piled up 4 tons along the way. Usually quality rounds earn you a victory. But not this time. Matt simply shot great. He piled up 505 ASPs of his own and was gone in what seemed like 7 to 9 rounds everytime. Sometimes you just run into a buzzsaw. It happens. Another tip of the cap and - hey, wait a minute... we're freaking LOSING! First time all year we've been trailing after singles. Dang. 5-7 HOD

CRICKET: 4 -2 Dartbags

FrankenPike facedd off against Ross and Jen Lilya. Frank got it rolling with 5 20s and the 'Bags never looked back. Ross and Captain Jen stepped up their game in the 2nd leg, but the 'Bags held on. In the final leg, Frank popped a T-20, T-19 and Pike wasn't missing. They took the last one to complete the sweep. Needed that one. 8-7 'Bags

Cup'nVince faced Rob and matt in what would prove to be a tough match. Rob's rep among the D'Bags is well known and Matt seemed intent on making one. The HOD took the first one with stellar darts. But the 'Bags counterpunched in set two with Cup throwing big rounds and Vince chipping in for the win. But Cuppa Joe's broad shoulders were not enough to overcome good darts by Rob and Matt in the final set. Dang. And once again we were tied, this time 9-all.

DOUBLE '01: 6 - 0 Dartbags

It was FrankenVince in the final set taking on Matt and Jen. The Hornet's Nest did the heavy lifing here going In 2 times and Out 3 times. (Two of those outs were in the same exact spot on the board, the D-4 just over the wire of the D-13. Weird). After winning the first two in close matches, Frank offered an observation.

Frank: We gotta pick it up, guy, if we're going to take the last one.

Vince: What do you mean 'we'? I've gotten us in and out twice and I hit 2 Tons.

Frank: (pause) I see your point.

So the Cap heated up long enough to toss a couple of all stars and Vince again drove the nail to take the W - and the sweept. 12-9 'Bags

Cup and Glenn took on Matt and Rob in the finale. There were 3 points out there for the taking. The night could end up anywhere from a tie to a nice win. Cup and Glenn were terrific. Both men got on quickly and out on the first few darts. In addition, they were lighting up the ASPs with over 500 between them. Details are sketchy and viewed through Jamesons colored glasses, but sufficie it to say the Good Guys took all three points and Cup once again had a High O with a searing DS-116 in game 3. Great work from the Astorians and a great way to finish the evening.

FINAL SCORE: DARTBAGS - 15 : HANDS OF DOOM - 9

This was a good night all around. HOD were good shots and a great hosts. Rather than look down on the silliness of Halloween Darts they were on board, and we shared some hearty laughs along the way. This bunch likes to have a good time. If not for a late run by the 'Bags, this one could have gone either way. As it was, we'll consider ourselves fortunate to get 15 points and run the unbeaten streak to 17 weeks. We'll look forward to seeing them at our place in December.

All Star Recap:

Bouncer Cup: 719 (Is there anyone in A-3 playing better?)
Super Glenn: 698 (Pike-like as the night progressed)
Shaggy Vince: 600 (Carried us in D '01)
Sister Frank: 558 (Looked suprisingly good in Habit)

WRITE UP FOR WEEK #3: GETTING BACK TO OUR 'ROOTS

'Bags Roll 16-8
CAPTAIN'S LOG: DART DATE: 08 - 01 - 07

St. Mark's Place, Greenwich Village. More tattoos, piercings and Valtrex customers per square foot than any patch of land on the Eastern seaboard. Grassroots Tavern stands out like an oasis. A lone representative of a time when St. Mark's Place was not a carnival of exhibitionism and bad taste, but a gritty working class block in New York City. Two dollar beers. Saw dust on the floor. Dart boards. Old School.

The Dartbags were on hand to play Flight Risk. It was a good turn out for the George Keeley crew. Tim, Gins, Pike, Cup, Vince as well as a surprise appearance by our own Farticus and our friend, Gemma. We took our places at the rustic tables in the back room to enjoy the darts, $13 pitchers of Brooklyn (Phillies?) Pennant Ale, and one another's company.

On to darts.

But first, a comic prelude with a misunderstanding worthy of Three's Company (if Three's Company were rated R). Frank used the restroom and went to wash up afterward. But the soap wouldn't come out. It was one of those dispensers that looks like almost like a cow utter. The liquid is contained in a plastic bulb. There is a nozzle that hangs down at the bottom of it. You press upward on that nozzle with your palm and the soap is supposed to release onto your hand.

So I'm pressing up, but the pressure of my hand that moves the nozzle is also blocking the outflow. (An inherent design flaw. I've always thought the guy who designed this product was either an idiot or practical joker.) Still no soap. So the Captain gets the bright idea to squeeze the plastic container in hopes of creating some pressure. He squeezes the dispenser with his right hand and presses up on the nozzle with his left and ---

SPLAT!!!!

Too much pressure! The next thing Frank knows he's hit with a gush of milky white soap. It's on his hands. It's all over his arm. Some is on his chest. And he even caught some splatter on his trademark glasses. Now Frank is no Senator. And he's no pop star either. But this doesn't look good. He's standing in a rather run down bathroom... in the Village... on St. Mark's Place... with a handful of liquid white soap that's spattered all over him.

One second later, the door opens and this Marilyn Manson lookalike walks in. Frank turns around and they just look at each other. Marilyn looks at his face. Then down at his hands. Then back to the face. Frank opens his mouth to say something.

Frank: Uh...

And with that, Marilyn looks straight down and continues past him to the urinals. Frank wipes the soap off himself the best he can -- which smelled deliciously like marzipan by the way! -- laughs in spite of himself, and goes out to take on Damien Bishop in singles...

SINGLES: 7 - 5

Frank vs. Damien. Pike wasn't there, so the Captain led off. He took the first when Bish couldn't get it going. In the second game the Captain cruised out to a nice lead with a Ton, T-25 back to back. But then busted on 76. And then he missed his 40 out next round. And then he missed his 20 out. And Damien, who had quietly been closing in, took it out in the 10th round. Larceny. But the Captain rallied in the final frame to hit the 9 rounds. So be it. 2-1 'Bags.

It was Vince vs. John Yale in the second set. Both men started out slowly. Breakfast, 41, Blackjack. Six rounds in and still in the 300s.

Frank (to Glenn): "Let's see who wants to win this one."

And as if on cue, Vince popped a Ton-32. He followed that with 85 more. And two rounds later he was gone. Nice darts. But John kicked it into gear in the 2nd leg. He hit a Ton, and soon followed that with a fat Ton-80 (to which he got a round of applause from both teams). Top notch. And the pair were tied. Both players shot well in the 3rd game, but it was John taking it in 8 rounds.

Gotta tip your cap. 3 -3

Cuppa Joe vs. Scott DePalma. Cuppa had been chomping at the bit every since last week. And he tore into it like a dog let off a leash. Joey Pep lived up to his (74th) nickname by peppering the 19s. He popped a 97 and 95 en route to a crisp W in game one taking out a D-7, first dart. In game 2, he peppered two more 95s, including his first turn. He turned a D-10 into a D-5. D-5s are the bane of many dart players, because it's such a short trip from D-5 to XX. But Cup is different than most players.

Glenn: "First dart, guy. Cup loves D-5."

True to form. First dart, spot on.

It was Scott, pulling out the final point in a comeback squeaker. Sharp darts from Cuppa. 382 ASPs and he hit his doubles first dart each time. 5-4 'Bags

Glenn vs. Jim Stratton. Piker isn't used to batting clean up. We usually like to lead him off. He responded with an unremarkable win in game 1. (10 rounds, I think). In game 2, Jim channeled his best darts. He popped a Ton and followed that with a Ton-34 to put himself on 20. Two darts later, he was gone. Just goes to show, no lead is safe in 501. But Glenn collected himself and came out gunning in round 3. He popped a number of 70/80-Somethings and T-33 en route to a 9 rounder. Two more for the 'Bags 7-5 headed to Cricket

CRICKET: 4-2

FrankenVince took on John and Tom Ryan in cricket. Both stumbled out of the gate. Frank remaned dreadful for most of the match. But Vince picked up the slack. It was the Hornet's nest closing out, popping 4 and 5 at a time and carrying the squad to a first game win. The Bags had a lead in game two. In game two, John started with 4 and Grassroots kept up the pressure, with John popping two R-6s. Frank was inconsistent and Vince's good darts were'nt enough this time. The 'Bags took it on the chin. The 'Bags went down early in the final frame but made a stand on 18s when Frank hit 5. Grassroots popped 20s to go back up in points. Vince also hit 2 18s to put the 'Bags up, and the Point War was on. We needed one 20 to close and we needed 3 19s. They were up in points but had only 1 mark on the 18s. Tom hit a 20. Then missed. He ask John what to do next. Point on 20s, would be the expected answers... but no.

John: "Just give me one 18."

Huh? "Gimme one." Why just one? Why not get the points while you can? It was of course a completely innocuous comment. (Or was it?) Regardless, it woke up Captain Furious who interpreted it as an unintended slight of his 18-hitting abilities. He channeled his bottomless well of rage and popped 4 18s and closed 20s. Vince promptly tripped the 19s. Frank followed with an R-7. And a couple rounds later they were gone. Frank. And Vince. At their best when they're p*ssed off. 9-6.

Glenn and Cup vs. Scott and Bish in Cricket. The 'Bags roared out of the gate. With Glenn and Cup each hitting 4 marks at a time on 20s and 19s. It was the 'Bags coasting to victory 4 marks a time with IYH Pike hitting a pair of single corks to seal it. Game two was more of the same. The 'Bags had everything closed and were up 60+ points with no bulls hit yet.

Glenn: "Guy...you can hit another 17 puts us up another bull....."

Cup: "Guy, I'm just gonna go right after it -"

Glenn: "- yeah guy."

First dart, double-bull. Second dart, double-bull. Overkill...but the message was clear. Game over, in inspired fashion. Game 3 would be remarkable.

The 'roots came out smoking in game 3, on the back of an R-5 from Scott and an R-7 from Damien; 7 x 18s. The Grassroots gang had closed out 20, 19, 18 and had a mark on 17, and were also up 40 points. Cuppaglenn on the other hand had nothing closed at all. Nada. They were in a hole as big as The Grand Canyon, having hit only a 19 and a 20.

But they didn't quit. In fact, they dug in deeper, and fought harder. Cup was fired up, looked at IYH and said "you can't count us out, guy...long game" (remember the 'bull-run'). Cool-hand-Pike simply stepped up and responded with 5 17s to put the 'Bags up in points. The trench was dug.

Cup followed with 5 16s of his own. Flight Risk responded by battering the 20s. The tide was beginning to turn, however. Cup closed 19s. The other team tried to point, but didn't hit as hard as they wanted to, and were only up a few. Cup got us up again, just enough to set up 'cool-hand'. The Guy nails a trip-20 first dart. Then he pumped two in the 18s for the close. It came down to bulls or pointing. Learning from game 2, Pike told Cup to ignore the 16s and just go for the win. (Just call him "Glenn Close"). Cup went single bull, single bull.. double bull (though he only needed one) to slam the door and take what had to be one of the best cricket comebacks in Dartbags history.

A-1 quality stuff. They needed it in that last game. BIG sweep.

12-6 'bags.

DOUBLE '01: 4-2

Team Anger, Vince and Frank, took on Jim and Tom in doubles. It was Vince with a quick on and solid darts all the way down. 8 Rounds later we had a W. Frank got them in in game 2, and the 'Bags again raced out to a big lead. They cruised to a second 2nd win. Game 3 was more of the same. This time both teams got in quickly and Flight Risk pulled out to a lead. But Frank popped back to back Tons, and the 'Bags regained the upper hand. Sitting on 40. Frank missed high, missed high and then - Bang! He turned and politely shook hand with the other team. It was only after he got to the board that John said to him...

John: It was high.

Sh*t. Caught the damn wire. Coulda sworn it was in, but yet it was a case of Premature Articulation. Embarrassing. The game would turn out to be nailbiter with both teams sitting on 20. Then Frank turned his 20 out, into a 14 out. (Ugh.) But when G'Roots missed their shot, Vince came up with the clutch D-7 on his 3rd dart to pull the fat out of the fire. Whew! A sweep fo the 'Bags. 15-6

Cup and Glenn played John and Scott for the final set of the evening. Cup announced his presence with authority in game one , by sticking a 107-On. Piker took it out and were up 16-6. But John (who shot great all night long) and Scott who played his best darts of the night were tough. Both sides got in quickly in game 2. It was Flight Risk pulling out a close one. In game 3, the play wasn't quite as crisp. The old ODC again, I think. John and Scott got out in 9 turns to take the final point and end a very good day on a (slightly) sour note.

FINAL SCORE: DARTBAGS - 16: FLIGHT RISK - 8

This was a nice win for the 'Bags. The last time we faced this crew it was in A-2 at our place. They crushed us. (John was kind enough to remind us of this fact as we said goodbye for the evening, "Oh, I remember your bar... in fact we beat you there last time.") Yes. Yes, you did. We remember too. It was quite embarrassing. Of course, they had Omer at the time. Which helps. But we will look forward to seeing them on the Upper West later on and returning the hospitality that Jim (owner of Grassroots) was gracious enough to provide for us.

In the meantime, we'll see if this win is enough to boost the 'Bags to first place.

The streak is at 13 matches now. All the guys went at least 6/9. Kudos.

All Star Recap:

Frank - 785 (remains en fuego)
Cup - 587 (add a double-fisted-wall-punch...ouch)
Pike -377 (cool-hand-pike, surgical in cricket)
Vince -132 (inspired darts from the hornet's nest)