Submitted by Pat Walker on March 20, 2009 - 10:33am.
Tagged:

• Steel-tip
• News
• Downtown League

Its 10:15 Thursday night and my plane had just touched down. It’s the finals of the Downtown League and the Cabin Tavern is playing the Hideaway A. Since I was out-of -town this week and not able to play for the Cabin, I really wanted to know what was happening. So, I quickly called the Cabin and heard the news, Hideaway was winning 9-3 with only two doubles and a team game remaining. Not the news I wanted to hear and could not believe score. How do this happen?

Well apparently, the Cabin started strong with Chuck wining his first match against Tom and giving the Cabin a 1-0 lead. Then Hideaway sent Scott to the line against Helga and he was not to be denied. Hitting his double on with the first dart, he quickly beat Helga and tied the match 1-1. (From what I would hear latter on, Scott did not miss his double on all night and if he missed the double 20, he missed it perfectly into a double five or one.) Next up for Hideaway was Jason, another shooter with fire in the fingertips, beating Meryle and giving Hideaway a 2-1 lead. The Cabin sent Rob to the line, who played a very weak game, but managed a win against Mike who was unable to find the double. Match tied 2-2. Hideaway would win the next two singles before Meryle managed the final singles point for the Cabin. When the singles was over and done; Hideaway was in front 5-3.

Since I was out of town, Chuck stepped up as team captain and decided to shuffle the line in an effort to get the Cabin back into match. He paired himself and Rob together; and created an all women’s team of Helga and Meryle for the second match. Unfortunately, the move didn’t phase the Hideaway as they won both doubles giving them a 9-3 lead. Only one point away from the championship. The time is 10:15 and I had just heard the news. Not sure if I wanted to drive across town to talk with a defeated team, I decided to call back after I had found my luggage and then make the decision about the drive. So, at 10:30, I call; Rob and Helga had won their match giving us 2 more points and keeping our hopes alive, but Chuck and Meryle was behind in the first game and it wasn’t looking good. However, the Cabin has been down before and you don’t win league championships by getting nervous or giving up -- I decide to make the drive. It’s around 11:00 when I walk into the Cabin and the match is over. Chuck and Meryle had managed to fight back and win their match making the score 9-7 which forced a team game that is worth 3 points.

Since I missed the matches, I checked the score sheet and saw several outstanding scores turned in by both teams. Scott had a high score of 126 and Tom started a game with a 105 on. Cabin answered with Rob shooting two 140’s and Meryle adding a 121. In addition, both Rob and Chuck started a game with a 120. But enough about the score sheet, whatever happened to the team game? Well the Cabin took an early lead and never relinquished it bringing the score down to a make-able out. A double 10 that Rob hit for the win and giving the Cabin, the 3 points needed for the match. That’s right, the Cabin Tavern won with a final score of 10-9.

As I sat there with several of the Hideaway players, I heard Scott asking himself: “How do you blow a 9-3 lead to lose the match?” The only explanation he had was to blame it on Rob and Helga. Scott stated they played such a strong doubles match that it rekindled hope in the Cabin team and from then on The Hideaway just couldn’t keep up.

Let me end by saying I am extremely proud of how the Cabin never gave up and that we have now won the trophy 3 years in a row. But I am also proud of how the league is about friendship and the love of darts. Even after losing the championship, almost the entire Hideaway team stayed and enjoyed a drink with the Cabin players. The Cabin wasn’t rubbing the win in anyone’s face and the Hideaway was not mad about the lost (a little broken hearted, but that’s understandable).

Also, I wanted to remind everyone that the Downtown League awards banquet will be held on 2 April at the Hideaway Club starting at 7:30. All league players are encouraged to attend. And once again, congratulations Cabin Tavern.

Pat