South East Regional Final
London Victoria Rileys, Sunday 25th November 2012
Before the commencement of play, Pub Champions’ trophies were presented to the many deserving pub champions present on the day.
The 32 man draw was made and the best of 5 first round matches got under way at 3pm with Porters Lodge’s Darren Peetoom sailing through his match with a 100 plus average in 13, 14 and 12 dart legs: incredible standard.
12 year-old Jack Warner from Rileys Gillingham also impressed in his first round victory with plenty of ton-plus scores.
With 8 places in the National Final in Leeds up for grabs, the last 16 players knew that one more victory would have meant qualification for the prestigious final. Unfortunately for young Jack, it was one victory too many as he came up against one of the best players on the day, Mr Angry himself Simon Cassidy. Everyone could see that there is a very bright future for Jack, despite the heart-breaking exit.
The last eight was littered with incredible Darts talent, from the youngest member, 23 year-old Michael Stevens, representing Rileys Colchester, who won his quarter final convincingly against the Fox and Hounds’ James Watson, to a player many will be familiar with who is now in his sixth decade, ex-PDC star Lionel ‘The Lion’ Sams representing the Sir John Barleycorn in Hitchin.
As we arrived at Rileys Victoria at around midday, Lionel was hard at it practising – clearly, as is the case with our National Skills league winner and ex PDC star Chris Mason, Lionel sees Redtooth Darts as a pathway back to the top of the sport.
Lionel was joined by Paul Amos in the final on the day and it proved to be a cracking affair.
The first 6 legs were shared with Lionel hitting two maximum 180s to the delight of the crowd and his travelling entourage; alas, it was steady scoring and accuracy on the doubles that won the day and Bellingham Ex-servicemen’s Club’s Paul Amos was a worthy Regional final winner, emerging as a 5-3 victor.
