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Jim's Dart's DiaryArchives from January - April 2012Archives from August- December 2011Archives from April-July 2011West Lothian Grand Prix League Table 2011West Lothian Grand Prix ReportsWest Lothian Top Check OutsWest Lothian Top GamesWest Lothian Maximum HittersWest Lothian County Games News + ReportsW.C.D.D.L. League & Past Team ChampionsSummer League registration pageWest Lothian 301 Summer League SinglesGabby Cabby Report From Inside the CabExhibition Nights from through out the CountyBathgate Monday Night LeagueBathgate Friday Night LeagueDarts Stories and Gossip!Pictures from Interpol.MI5 and Scotland YardMug Shots On Loan from Interpol!West Lothian's past champions in black & white!Update from the wanted posters at InterpolW.C.D.D.L. Singles ChampionsW.C.D.D.L. Top Doubles MatchesJim's Mitchell History Boring stuff
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A Wee Reminder dart players on this web site there are league tables for maximum hitters any score from 171 plus will classed as a maximum nineteens hitters are always welcome. Fast Games 20 darts or less 25 dart average being the cut off point. And Top check outs for 75 and above once again a 25 plus dart average being the starting point. Now to get your name on to these league tables is simple. Tell me all you have to do is score check out or finish in a competitive match be it league, singles tournament open tournament, and if you would like your or your team mates to be added to the league tables you will. BUT please drop me a line thats all it takes! Cheers Jim M
Congratulations to Derek Bird on reaching the
last 32 in Scotland At
the Scottish Singles championship held at Bannockburn this week end. No mean feat considering the talent of darts players in Scotland
and with over 400 entries having tried to just to qualify for this event this was an excellent run in the tournament for the
Man from East Calder. W.C.D.D.L. (Monday 14th May) Cawburn Highlanders v Almondvale
Pirates (Venue
Cawburn Inn Pumpherston) Almondvale Pirates continued their good run with
some outstanding games played against former league champions the Highlanders who play out of the Cawburn in Pumpherston. Kirk Gordon losing out 2-1 to
John Tannock with Kirk knocking in a maximum 180 and a fine 17 dart game but it was John who got the two doubles required
to win the game. Scott Bryson was on next for the Pirates up against Matt Heeps and once again it was the Pirate Scot who
secured the win even though his opponent Matt Heeps recorded the second maximum 180 of the night for the home team but to
no avail 2-0 the Almondvale Pirates. The next match could have been billed as David and Goliath as the man they call Scorpion Stevie
Duncan continued his good run of recent weeks with an excellent 2-1 win over Big Geordie Dryburgh from the Highlanders. The
score now standing at 3-0 to the visiting Pirates of Captain Alan Robinson so could the Highlanders fight back and the answer
was yes. Davie
Smith was up against Lorne Mitch Mitchell and it was Lorne who took the game 2-0 with some excellent arrows missing very little
in this match up. Matt Purdie the man they call the Stylish one then closed the gap even further securing the next game 2-1
from Big Scott Begley so with the score standing at 3-2 in favour of the visitors could John Kirk make it 3-3 going into the
doubles or would Derek Carmichael give the Pirates the advantage of a 4-2 lead after the singles games. And so it was even
Steven after the singles with former league singles champion John Kirk securing a fine win 2-0 over Derek. So thinking caps on for the captains
of both teams now as the match was for all sakes and purposes a best of three encounters. So it saw in the first pairs of the evening Stevie Duncan & Scott Bryson
up against Matt Heeps & Kirk Gordon with the Pirates securing a win by 2 games to 1. Davie Smith & John Tannock were
then up against John Kirk & Lorne Mitchell you could not have got a closer encounter with all four players having shots
at a double but it was the team from the Almondvale who secured the winning double and secured the match points with the score
now standing at 5 games to 3 for the away side. The final match of the night saw Scott Begley 7 Derek Carmichael get the better
of Geordie Dryburgh & Matt Purdie by 2 games to 0 and so the final score stood at Almondvale Pirates 6 Cawburn Highlanders
3. Volunteer Highway Men 9 -0 Tower Bar Knights. Highway
Men once again showed of their darting prowess with a superb 9-0 win over the Tower bar Knights who are a very strong dart
team themselves. The men from the Volunteer are riding high on the crest of a wave at the moment and have just about secured
their second successive league title with three league matches remaining and for points clear of their nearest opposition. Can they be beaten this season only time
will tell? Double Success Murray bar Nomads and Murray bar Y.T. Both recorded win’s this week with
the Nomads defeating the Doo Club Fanciers by the score of 8 games to 1. Paraffin Lamp Brigands V Stirrup Stane Cowboys (Venue Paraffin Lamp Livingston) Story of this match up was doubles hit and
it was the home side that came away with a 9 games to 0 win to keep their position at second place in the league. The
only points of note from this match saw Gordon THE Bruce knocking in a fine 19 dart game and Jim Be-Bad Mitchell checking
out a 150 via treble 19 treble 19 and double 18. The Brigands are six points clear of the third place team the Doo Club Flyers
from East Calder but are four points adrift of the top team the defending champions the Highway Men from the Volunteer Arms
in Uphall. So unless a major miracle arises it would seem with three games to go the Highway Men will have retained their
title. West Lothian results from the Leith Premier League. (Friday 11th May) John Charleston from Uphall recording two excellent wins in his double header matches with a 7-1 win over S Eyre and a 7-0 win over A Frame. Pete Hastings from Ladywell found life tough on the ocky when he came up against top Lothian’s county star John McGrouther losing out 7-1. Davie Nisbet on the other hand was in superb form recording the highest dart average of the night a 24.38 with a superb 7 games to 1 win over B Walker. John Rooney was also firing out the big scores recording 7 games to 2 victory over R Imrie. Uphall’s George Thorburn had a hard fight on his hands but came away with a vital win taking his match by the score of 7 games to 5 over S Rattray. Also recording 7 games to 5 win saw Knightsridge player Chris Forsyth getting the better of K McCall. Maximum hitters were George Thorburn and Davie Nisbet both hitting magical 180’s. But the fast game of the night belonged to Papa ‘J’ otherwise known as John Charleston of Uphall with a superb 13 dart game in this match John also knocked in a cracking 14 dart game as well. Change of name I
would like to suggest a new name for them. It has come to my attention that they have football connections so how about Murray bar Juniors West Lothian Grand Prix (Sat 12May)
(Venue the Volunteer Arms Uphall) The Grand Prix road trip the second competition in a series of eight open singles tournaments held throughout the year at different venues visited the Volunteer Arms in Uphall this month. This was new venue on the calendar for this season and the top players came in abundance to play not only for the top prize of £100 but more importantly the Grand Prix points that went with every match they could win. There were some absolutely top match ups in the early stages of the competition with one out standing match being the seasoned campaigner Gordon Bruce from Ladywell up against a man who has been taking the darting scene by storm this past season Polbeth’s Kyle the Hurricane Gilmour. But even with Kyle’s heavy scoring power on the treble twenties you have to hit a double and Gordon using all of his vast experience took full advantage of Kyle’s misses and came away with a fine 3-0 win. From the last 16 onwards some big names from the local area were pitted against each other and it saw Whitburn’s Micky Rice lose out to the organiser of these competitions Jim Mitchell both top West Lothian county players by 3 games to 1. Bathgate’s Jim MacMillan was in top form winning through 3-1 against up and coming new comer Rab Hutchison a man many predict will be someone to watch out for in the future. Last month’s champion Graham Anderson made no mistakes in his last 16 match up taking out local man Brian Speirs 3-0 to progress to the quarter finals. The 2011 West Lothian Grand Prix champion Colin Robertson went through 3-0 in a high scoring encounter with Shaun Rodgers from Bathgate. The 2010 champion Rab Townsend also progressed to the last eight with a fine win over another local dart star James Cumming’s 3 games to 1. Papa ‘J’ as he is known or John Charleston if you are to give him his Sunday name had a cracking 3 games to 1 victory over Bathgate man Rex Brady who is very difficult man to overcome in any league. One of the league’s top marksmen Chris Forsyth had the unenviable task of facing another top player making his first appearance at a Grand Prix event the man with a sting in his tail Stevie the Scorpion Duncan from Deans Village. And it was Stevie Duncan who claimed a place at the top table of eight. Gordon Bruce was on top form getting the better of Breich ‘s top darter Jamie Bishop winning a titanic battle of big scores by 3 games to 2 and so Gordon Bruce claimed the last quarter final place available. So results from the last eight go went like this. Battle of the Jim’s saw Dedridge’s Jim Mitchell get the better of Bathgate’s Jim MacMillan by a score of 3-0 though truth is told this was a tighter match up than the score implies! Graham Anderson went through in a tough encounter by 3 games to 1 over the reigning Grand Prix champion from last season Colin Robertson 3 games to 1. Rab Townsend was firing out big scores but his opponent John Charleston must rue the missed doubles he had and it was Rab Townsend who went into the semi finals. Last place in the semi finals which was still available saw Stevie Duncan and Gordon Bruce go head to head for that place and with valuable ranking points available it was a tough one to call but it was the man from Deans who went through with a excellent 3 games to 2 victory over Gordon Bruce. So here we had it the top four places were filled and it saw last month’s winner Graham Anderson taking care of business with a 3-0 win over Mitchell who squandered three darts at double top in the first leg of their match up and after that the heavy scoring power of Graham took over and that was the end of that match up. However drama was unfolding in the second semi final as Rab Townsend was missing doubles and Stevie Duncan was not. This match went to the wire with all five legs being played out at 2 legs apiece it saw Rab miss his double twenty Stevie then missed a shot at double 16 with his final arrow and he then shook hands as Rab Townsend took the double that counted and a final place was secured. So Graham Anderson and Rab Townsend took to the ocky to see who would claim the first prize and more importantly the points for the league table which go towards crowning the champion for the season a long way off yet. But with two of the eight matches now played in this season’s competition every point gained is vital. Last month’s champion had to settle for second place this time out as Rab Townsend showed how he won the title in 2010 with some exemplary shooting when it came to the finishing end of the match winning 3-1. Congratulations go to Rab and commiserations to Graham. Top scores form the day came from Gordon THE Bruce 93 game shot. Pete (I am proud to be a Hibee) Hastings maximum 180. Stevie (the Scorpion) Duncan 128 game shot and a cracking 171 on the treble 19’s and a 19 darter. Jimmy (MAC) MacMillan fastest recorded game of the day a superb 13 dart game in the last 16. John (Papa'J')Charleston 93 game shot. Jim (Be-Bad)Mitchell maximum 180 and a 116 take out. Graham Anderson 2 x 180’s and a 15 darter. Rab (someone show me how to dance) Townsend 94 & 117 game shot along with 2x15, 17, 18 dart games. Points and prize monies earned form the last eight places is as follows Colin Robertson £5 and 10 points, Jimmy MacMillan £5 and 10 points, Gordon Bruce £5 and 15 points, John Charleston £5 and 15 points, Jim Mitchell £15 and 15 points, Stevie Duncan £15 and 20 points, Graham Anderson £50 and 20 points, Rab Townsend £100 and 25 points, Hope to see all at the next Grand Prix which will be held at the Doo Club East Calder. Once again many thanks to the Volunteer Arms in Uphall for their sponsorship of this event and the hospitality shown to all the players involved for making this a successful event. And a big thank you for the buffet which was put on for all the participants fresh sandwiches hot pies and of course good beer served by very friendly staff. Thank you again Jim Mitchell Grand Prix organiser. Bathgate Friday night league Play-Offs (Friday 11th May) (Venue Cross Tavern Whitburn) The Bathgate league championship was finally decided on Friday night when the top two teams Coppie’s ‘A’ from Armadale and Wee Alec’s from Fauldhouse played of a winner takes all match at the Cross Tavern Whitburn. Both these teams had ended the season on the same amount of points so a play-off was called for. And a neutral venue had to be picked and so the sponsors of the Bathgate Friday night league the Cross Tavern was the appointed venue. This match had it all with Coppie’s ‘A’ taking a 4 games to 2 lead after the singles matches were played. And so to the doubles with Wee Alec’s needing all three pair’s matches to win the league title and Coppie’s requiring just one of the three games now to be played. And with the title on the line you could feel the tension in the air and the tension was increased to fever pitch when it saw Wee Alec’s claim the first two doubles to square the match at 4 games apiece. So here it was after 7 months of darting action it was down to the final game of the entire season to see where the title of Bathgate League Champions would go. And as the season had showed from day one there was absolutely nothing between these protagonists of the ocky here it was 4 games each and 1-1 in the final match. Sometimes when the chips are down and there is no turning back someone has to take the chance to be a hero and it fell after all these games for the captain of the Fauldhouse team Spence McDonald to step up to the ocky and a final dart at double 16 claimed the title for the Fauldhouse men. A fantastic match with players giving each other the utmost respect as should be when two great dart teams meet. Commiserations to Coppie’s from Armadale and Congratulations to the Fauldhouse team of Wee Alec’s. Some of the top scores recorded on the night came from Alan Gardener maximum 180. Dougie Hogg 15 &18 dart games along with 105 &126 game shots .Rab Nelson hitting a superb 15 darter and 111 finish. An excellent match and a fitting way to end the season well played all concerned. W.C.D.D.L.
(Mon 7th May)
PIRATES Loot the points from the INDIANS The Almondvale Piratescontinued their good season with an excellent 7 games to 2 win over the Stirrup Stane Indians from Craigshill this being almost a Darby match with both teams venues only a half mile apart. Scott Bryson got the Pirates of to a cracking start getting the better off Calum Wilkinson in a thriller of a game which went to the third and final leg with Scott securing the win with an excellent 97 game shot. Ian Carmichael then made it 2-0 for the Pirates with a fine win. The man with the sting in his tail Stevie the Scorpion Duncan was firing out the big scores recording a maximum 180 and finishing in 17 arrows to win his match 2 games to 0. Battle of the big men was next up and it saw the Almondvale’s Davie Wilson just get the better of Big Ronnie Marshall with a 2-0 win. Scott Begley then secured the win for the team with a great 2-0 victory over Colin Taffy Cooper in a match that could have gone either way Scott’s final leg being finished in 18 arrows. Derek Carmichael then secured a whitewash was on the cards for the Almondvale Pirates securing the sixth match with a 2-0 win over Jason the Scribe Rae from West Calder. The Craigshill team then secured the first a second doubles matches to put respectability back into the score line but to little to late and chances squandered on doubles in the singles cost them dear. Final score Almondvale Pirates 7- Stirrup Stane Indians 2. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ W.C.D.D.L.
(Venue Tower Bar Craigshill) The Tower bar Knights kept their good home record going with a Fine 7 games to 2 win over the travelling Murray bar Y.T. From Polbeth. Top scores from this match up came from Dean Hamilton of the Murray with a 92 check out and Michael Conway for the home team finishing on 82 game shot. Stirrup Stane Cowboys v Volunteer Highway Men (Venue Stirrup Stane Craigshill) The cowboys had no answer to the fire power of the visiting Highway men who have no fewer than five players who have either played at the top county level or are still playing at that level so there were no surprises in this one sided affair. Though if I know the Cowboys captain there would have been a good laugh all round. The Cowboys are a local dart team with players who all live locally to the Stirrup Stane. And they enjoy Monday nights darts. They are one of the few pubs in the area who on a very regular basis raise a lot of money for local charities and without a doubt are a credit to their community long may they continue. Top games coming from this match were the Marshall Colin Robertson finishing in 17 darts, The man they call Desperate Dan otherwise known as Davie Nisbet nice 18 dart game and a 77 game shot, And it also saw Robertson & Nisbet winning in a cracking 19 darts in their pairs match good shooting from these top county stars. Harrysmuir Warriors v Cawburn Highlanders (Venue Harrysmuir Bowling Club) The home team of Warriors had a special guest player on Monday night as young 12 year old Liam Robertson took to the ocky in the first match of the evening and up against him was veteran and I say that truthfully as 80 plus year old Bob Hall took to the ocky. And this was a close match with Bob taking the first leg of this best of three match up only to see Liam tie the match at 1-1 unfortunately Bob Halls experience then came into play and the match went to the Highlanders 2-1. Bob Wallace then made it 1-1 in scores as he claimed the second match for the home team. The visitors then took the upper hand and it was only the father of Liam, Shaun Robertson who stopped the game being over score wise in the singles. The eventual score was a 7-2 win for the visitors with top check outs coming from Matt the Stylish one Purdie checking out on 101, And Shaun Robertson taking out an 86 on the bulls eye. John Kirk knocking in the only maximum 180 of the night for his first maximum of the season an unusual occurrence from this twice league singles champion. Other results saw Paraffin Lamp Ruffnecks 4-5 Doo Club Flyers Murray bar Strollers 6-3 Murray bar Nomads Doo Club Fanciers 2-7 Paraffin Lamp Brigands
Malcolm Watson A GOOD MAN (The funeral service will be held on Thursday 17th May at Dumfermline Crematorium at 1.15) It is with great sadness that I post this report on the inter-net a man I called friend and for many years was my better half in doubles tournaments through out Scotland has left us. Malcolm Watson passed away this morning (Tuesday) in the early hours. Malcolm was a fantastic ambassador for the sport of darts he behaved impeccably and had a great respect for his fellow team mates and opponents alike. He will be sadly missed by all that knew him and many players who did not have the good fortune to share the ocky with him will undoubtedly have heard players talk of his exploits when dart players gather at the ocky. To mention one or two of his triumphs Malcolm was a member of the North East of England's top teams the Perseverance club. And was a T.V. star back in the 1960's playing in the regional competitions which in those days was held in the Newcastle area. He also just did not win titles in this country but back in the 1970's in New York U.S.A. Malcolm won their open singles title I believe it was 1977. He also won the Bathgate league Singles title in the 1980's. Malcolm was also a member of the all conquering Craigshill social club team from the 1990's where league & Scottish titles were won. And I for many seasons had the pleasure of playing with one of the finest arrow throwers in county where we won many tournaments with his big scoring type of play I just tried to hang onto his coattails. Malcolm may be gone but to his great credit his name will live on where ever top arrow players gather through out West Lothian and the Lothians as well as the North East of England. Malcolm Watson R.I.P. Gone but never forgotten. Jimmy Mitchell. (Bathgate League Pairs Champions 1987/88. Livingston League Pairs Champions 1989/90. Craigshill Open Pairs Champions 1990/91 1991/92. Portobello League Pairs Champions 1996/97. East Edinburgh League Pairs Champions 1998/99. Shotts League Pairs R/Up 1998/99. W.C.D.D.L. Pairs Champions 2000/01. W.C.D.D.L. Matchplay Champions 2001/02. Lizzie Brice Open Pairs Champions 2001/02. Bathgate League Pairs R/Up 2001/02) A man could not have asked or ever been given a better partner, And for those in the know these are only a few of the championships Malcolm graced with his presence.
FORTH COMING ATTRACTIONS THAT IS IF YOU ARE A DART PLAYER OF COURSE. Saturday 19th May Bentswood Open Singles Stoneyburn. Sunday 20th May Sottish Qualifiers Breich Social Club 12.30 Registration Saturday 26th May Murray Bar Polbeth £350 open tournament. June 3rd Scottish Qualifiers East Calder Doo Club 12.30 Registration June 3rd Gensing Casino Ocean Drive Leith. Entry is £10 and on the day must enter at 12:30 for 2:30 start Saturday June 16th Grand Prix event Doo Club East Calder register by 1.30 Saturday 21st July Grand Prix event Bathgate British Legion register by 1.30 Premier League Leith (4th May) (West Lothian Players) Chris Forsyth continued his good run of form with a cracking 7 -3 win over S Ayre.Chris who on the night had to play a double header as in two matches on the night he then followed this win with an even better result winning 7-0 over J Connolly of Leith. Scottish player Gary Scott was in top form getting the better of Uphall’s John Charleston by 7 games to 2. Knightsridge darter Davie Nisbet was on top form as he recorded a fine 7-0 win over S Swannie of Leith. Pete Hasting from Ladywell found himself on the end of 7-1 loss with Lothian county player Gus Santana hitting top form against him. And it did not get any better for Pete as he also had a double header on the night and unfortunately he lost again but did double his winning legs count losing 7 games to 2 this time to C Smith of Edinburgh. John Rooney recorded a good win over Pat Hannigan with a 7 games to 3 score line. Davie Nisbet and John Rooney both recording maximum 180’s on the night. Highest finish on the night went to Knightsridge player Davie Nisbet with a superb 156 game shot. Shotts Singles Competition
Open (Sat 5th May)
(Venue Station Hotel Shotts) This competition had players from West Lothian, Lanarkshire and Greater Glasgow In its field. When the last four players were left standing it saw brothers Micky and Shug Rice having to face off against each other in the first semi final. This was a fabulous match up with Shug Rice from Armadale taking the first two games in 16 arrows and putting himself one leg away from the final. But younger brother Micky Rice of Whitburn was in no way in awe of his older sibling and fired out 15-16-17 dart games to take the match 3 games to 2 and a place in the grand final.Alan Jamieson a top Lanarkshire player also made it through to the final at the expense of Whitburn’s dart ace Wullie Haurraughty in a tight match winning by the odd leg in five.The final match of the day saw Alan Jamieson take the final match by 3 legs to 1. Both Alan and Micky hitting maximum 180’s in the final but it was the experience of the Lanarkshire county player Alan Jamieson who took the title and the first prize of £100. Micky Rice receiving £50 for his efforts. Friday Night Bathgate Ladies Singles Championship
W.C.D.D.L. Meeting It was passed UNANIMOUSLY that trophies for this seasons presentation night on the 5th August. Have and will be picked by East Calder Doo Club delegate Mr Stevie Scott of East Calder and League secretary Mr Fin Drummond of Polbeth. So no moaning boys and girls the job has been done. So all we need now is for all perpetual trophies to be handed in for engraving so please if you have in your possession a league trophy. Please could you bring it to the next competition at the Doo Club East Calder. Thanking you all for your co-operation Jim M Chairman/Treasurer W.C.D.D.L.  Spring is in the Air and so is the Snow. But here is a wee reminder of things to come. Once again when the Winter league Brrrr finishes. There will-be a Summer mmm league starting. This will be the summer leagues eighth season and remember boys and girls it is open to one and all all you have to do is like playing darts the old fashioned way 301 double start double finish. This is a singles league and last season there were 6 leagues of 8 players playing on a Monday night. And it only takes approx 9 week to run. Names are now starting to come through. Cheers Jim ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PICTURES OF OLDEN DAY'S!
ALWAYS REMEMBER THE SITE QUOTE A day without laughter is a day wasted! WEBSITE COMMENTS Please keep the comments coming always nice to know that people take the time to write in the guest book. One writer has asked what or how much Jim Mitchell gets paid! If only this web site is paid for by Jim Mitchell all the expense for running the site is met out of the pocket of yours truly. Time spent each week updating is roughly five to six hours sometimes more depending what is happening around the county. Of course reports are sent in by other dart players and I do try to mention as many players as possible. But if the information doesn't get to me there is not a lot that can be done about it. Now should the writer in the guest book wish to help either financially or by giving of their time in sending in reports that would be very helpful indeed. All help in keeping this web site updated is gratefully received. Look forward to hearing from you sooner rather than later. Jim Mitchell web master & owner of this site.
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