Leeds Darts team checkout early

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By Dave Tuer

After a 9-6 friendly win over Liverpool John Moores earlier in the week, the Leeds University darts team travelled to the chilly surroundings of the Derwent Bar at York University, for their first ever foray into the UK University Darts Cup. Joining them and the hosts were Newcastle and Durham.

First up for Leeds was a Newcastle team formed less than a year previously. After a nervous opening, Andrew Fothergill and Mitch Travers took advantage of some poor Newcastle finishing to claim the first leg. This set the tone for the doubles matches, as Leeds eased into a 4-0 lead.
    The first of the best-of-3 singles rubbers saw Fothergill extend the lead, courtesy of a 72 finish. Newcastle finally found a foothold in the match, taking three of the next four rubbers as the Leeds players struggled. Ben Cushlow clinched the tie with a double 16, though, and the remaining legs also went to Leeds; despite none of the Leeds players really finding form, they were comfortable 9-

3 winners.
    Up next were a York team who had battled to a 7-5 win over Durham, and were expected to provide Leeds’ toughest opposition. York had the better of the doubles, gaining a 3-1 advantage through more consistent scoring. In an increasingly vocal atmosphere, the singles matches became a matter of who would produce the strong darts under pressure.
    Fothergill won the first singles rubber, but York captain Andy Myhill dominated the next with 16- and 19-dart legs. Gareth Davies closed the gap, and the scores were level when Dan Banks hit a 60 finish to defeat Ze Zhou. York pulled away again, with solid play putting them on the brink of victory.
    After Myhill’s heroics for York, Dane Percival played a captain’s knock of his own, with checkouts of 52 and 56 forcing the match into a decider. Despite this, Leeds’ hopes of a draw were dashed by a nerveless Danny Diamond, who beat Josh Powell with legs of 23 and 25 darts to clinch a 7-5 win.
    Leeds and Durham had identical records after two games each, making their match a straight shootout for the second qualifying spot after York topped the group.
    Leeds started well, with Fothergill and Travers claiming their third doubles success of the day, but finished level at 2-2.
    Brumfield showed more impressive finishing in the first singles match, while Travers provided undoubtedly the finest moment of the day from a Leeds player; he finished 192 in 4 darts, hitting Leeds’ sole 180 of the day before taking out double 6 at the first attempt.
    This was as good as it got for Leeds, for greater consistency allowed Durham to ease into a 6-3 lead.
    Although Leeds came close to qualifying for the knockout stages of the cup, they ultimately missed too many chances at doubles. Inexperience also showed, with too many players struggling for form on the day.
However, there are grounds for optimism for next year, as the experience gained should aid an improved showing, which could well provide a better outcome.