Archives from April-July 2011

Little and Large

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at the Doo Club

MURRAY BAR OPEN SINGLES (31st July)
Pleasent way to spend a Sunday afternoon darts on the big telly and a competition going on at the
same time some good games on the day semi finalists were Lorne Mitchell. Stuart Bowes.
Kyle Gilmour and Jim Mitchell.
Progressing through to the final it saw Kyle Gilmour and Jim Mitchell toe the ocky.
Kyle opening up a two games to nil lead in the race to 4 in this the best of 7 final.
Only for Mitchell to wake up and reel of 15-16-18-16 dart legs to come away
with a 4-2 win.
Stuart Bowes and Lorne Mitchell both received £10 for their semi final spots
with Kyle taking home £30 for runners up place and Mitchell £50 for first.

DARTS STARTS SHINE (30th July)
Cracking day of darts with all the players coming from the West Lothian area.
The final saw two players who both played exceptionaly well all day long.
From the Tower Bar Knights in Craigshill we had Ian Stewart and from the Paraffin Lamp
Brigands there was Gordon Bruce.
Final score went to Gordon with a three games to one victory but both players gave it their all
and received a great ovation from all the spectators for a superb final.
Players recieving money were quarter finalists
Jimmy MacMillan, Matt Heeps. Chris Forsyth. John Grant all getting their entry fee back
£5 each. Semi finalists receiving £25 each were Colin Kelly & Graham Boreland.
Runner up Ian Stewart £50 for his efforts on the day and £100 to Gordon Bruce
for the winning the Grand Prix event top shooting from all these players.
Some facts and figures from the afternoon shoot out were
Maximum hitters Gordon Bruce 3x180. Kyle Gilmour 1x180. Matt Heeps 1x180.
Colin Kelly 1x180. Jimmy MacMillan 1x180.John Grant 2x180.
Ian Stewart 1x180.
Top check outs courtesy of
Kyle Gilmour 116 finish. Chris Forsyth nice 110 check out.
Grant Lyle excellent 130 shot out on the bulls eye.Matt Heeps clinical 97 finish.
Colin Kelly 91 take out.Derek Bird nice two dart 90 finish. John Grant 95 kill.
Ian Stewart 114 check out.Gordon Bruce solid 85 take out.
Fast games came from
Gordon The Bruce 15+16+4x17+2x18 darters.
Kyle Gilmour 20 darter.Chris Forsyth 16+17 dart games.
Grant Lyle 15 dart game. Jim Mitchell 20 darter.
Colin Kelly 18+19 dart games.Jimmy MacMillan 17 dart leg.John Grant 20 darter.
Ian Stewart 19+20 dart games.
Couple of special mentions Chris Forsyth misses the bulls eye for a a170 game shot
Mitchell also misses the bull for a 164 finish and of course Graham Boreland the only
player that I saw knocking in three well if Bristow can score 2 in a world championship match
why cant Graham Boreland score three!!!!

FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE MURRAY (29th July)
Friday night doubles competition this week was won by
the Knightsridge and Polbeth combination of Stuart Bowes and Kyle Gilmour.
Runners up were the much fancied team of Jamie Fleming and Craig Jack
final score was 3 games to 1 for Stuart & Kyle.
Once again an other good turnout for this weekly competition if it
gets any bigger me thinks the Murray may have to get another dartboard put up!

HOT OUT THERE AND I DON'T MEAN IN THE SUNSHINE!(25th July)
Suddenly it has dawned that the summer league is a hot place to be when points are needed to qualify
for the grand final.
As stated right at the beginning every point is valuable. Quite simply if you find your self
4-0 in front don't fall asleep as the next two points could get you into the money at the
end of the season!
Now once again some superb performances were seen on the night and quite simply one of the
best check outs so far this league season has to be Davie Nisbets 156 check out when his opponent
was sitting on a double nice take out Davie.
Other top check outs on the night were by courtesy of John Skippy Charleston finishing off on
the bullseye for a nice 84 take out.
Colin Hamilton of the Masons Arms in West Calder solid 76 finish.
The Dovehill Highway Man Colin Robertson finishing off on 100+76 game shots respectively.
From East Calder Young Gun Graham Boreland finishing with check outs of 93+90.
The quietly spoken! Big Frank Begley finishing with a 90 game shot. And our resident guest writer
the Gabby Cabby getting in on the act with a 75 take out.
Jim Mitchell finishing a 118 kill with a simple 17-51-bull game shot.
Remember dart average of 25 and above to get your game recorded on the
fast games league table.
Quick games came by way of Colin Hamilton 12 darter.
Rex Brady with the fastest of the evening cracking 9 darter. Chris Forsyth
knocking in a lovely 10 dart game and from the Dovehill Highway Men as well
we had Colin Robertson not one but 3 x 11 dart games.
And following quickly on the heels of these matches we had the man from Dechmont
the man known by only one word yes Penfold Deegan well two words really knocking in
2 x 11 darters. Man with the long shorts or is it short longs nice 12+11 dart games
theses went to Jamie Fleming of West Calder.
Top scores came from three players remembering that scores of 171 and above count as
maximums in this league we do have 19 hitters around this area.
So Frank Begley cracking 171 score Derek bird excellent 177 recorded and the only 180 of
the evening entertainment came from Old Man Mitchell
nice 180 there well they all are are'nt they!!
Other notes of interest were recorded by Sandy Coulter excellent 152 start.
Chris Forsyth also checking in on 152 and Old Man Mitchell starting on 146.
If anybody has been missed out drop me a line and it will be rectified.
Cheers
Jim M

SUMMER LEAGUE RESULTS AVAILABLE (18th July)
Top game this week and fastest recorded so far this season
goes to none other than the Mitchell the younger one!
yes Lorne Mitchell otherwise known as Mitch was on form with a scintillating
7 dart game which was started with an excellent 148 check in.
Other players making headlines were Stuart Bowes cracking 9 darter.
Big Ian Mitchell from East Calder 11 dart game.John Rooney also knocking in a 11 darter and one faster
than that was Jimmy Wood from the Bathgate hills cracking 10 dart game.
Checkouts of note were hit by Big Frank Begley 103 take out.
Stuart Bowes nice 86 kill.The stylish one himself yes that taxi driver extraordinary
Matt Purdie 118 finish.
Derek Bird of East Calder nice 100 take out.Jim Wood finishing off on the bulls eye
for a 124 check out. Maximums are like hens teeth at the moment but it
did not stop our Gabby Cabby Chris Forsyth from knocking one in along with
the Addiewell Hustler John Kirk and the man with the dancing feet Disco Dave Aitken
of West Calder all three on the magical maximum trail.

FAMILY AFFAIR (15th-July)
Well you usually relate to Double D as a alcoholic beverage found south
of Hadrian's wall (and very nice it is to if memory and taste buds serve me well)
But that is not the double D that I am referring to on Friday night
This was the Disco Dave Aitken of the fast moving feet fame blink and you miss him!
and the Polbeth Hitman Davie Aitken who is one of the counties most prolific scorers
on a dart board in the area.
They won the Friday night tournament in good style with some excellent finishing and a lot
of treble twenties running out 3-1 winners in the final.
Runners up were Scott and Jim who as some one person said with their throwing action they almost have one good set of legs between them!
Scott who is at the moment suffering from that dastardly disease
known as dartitis and Jim who has fought the same affliction for many years were not to far behind.
Scott with three double hit in four attempts certainly help put a few opponents
to bed early on the night. Once again a good crowd 18 players in all toed the ocky and some good laughs
and role on next week
Well done to the Aitkens remember to spend your winnings wisely!

SUMMER LEAGUE UPDATE(11July)
Some sizzling arrows thrown at the Paraffin Lamp Livingston on Monday night
with lot's of players staking their claim to a place on the relevant league tables.
Starting with the top checkouts we had Ian Stuart from the Tower Bar Knights finishing in fine style
with 125 & 105 check outs. John Charleston fondly known as Skippy back from holiday in the States
finishing of a nice 85 game shot. From Bathgate we had Rex Brady checking 108 finish.
Nearer home Big Wullie Jack went out on a nice 101 game shot.
Gordon Bruce from the Paraffin Lamp Brigands excellent 113 game shot. From East Calder Ian Mitchell
finishing of on 88 game shot. Matt Heeps taking out a 100 finish.Graeme Bird of East Calder finish of 80
and last but not least John Grant checking out on a rock solid 90 finish.
Fast games were thick and fast with Ian Stewart nice 12 darter. One better than that was Disco Aitken
finishing in 11 darts. Also hitting 11 darters were Gordon Bruce, Graham Boreland with 2 x 11 dart games.
And Lorne Mitchell also finishing in 11 darts. Ian Mitchell yes the Hearts supporter (yes there is one)
finishing in 12 darts along side Wullie Jack also in 12 darts.
10 darters this week were hit by Grant Lyle and Kyle Gilmour and Gordon Bruce.
But fastest recorded games of 301 this Monday night were excellent 9 dart games finished by
Matt Heeps of the golf course noteriety and young Gun Kyle Gilmour of the Murray Bar Polbeth.
Hard game is this format with the old fashioned double start so any game finished in 12 darts or under
from start to finish is good throwing.
Now only a couple of maximums this week and they went to Davie Nisbet and Bob Hall good shooting.
Special mentions go to once again Bob Hall with a nice 149 check in and Martin Deegan with a superb
opening throw of 160 check in nice starts by both players.

WEEK-END REPORT (8+9th July)
Well back once again from the home of darts! Yes just had a cracking week end down at Frimley Green
with Colin Robertson and once again it was great to meet so many dart players from
all over the U.K. A couple I would like to mention are Big Wayne Evans and his good lady with a name like Evans
you will probably already have guessed they are from the Principality.
And just when you have met big Wayne here you go and bump into an even bigger man from the home
county of John Lowe we had the good fortune to share a blether and a great game of arrows with
Andy and Jo Umney. Top players both these gentlemen Wayne and Andy hope to meet up again sometime.
And of course there were the usual suspects from this side of Hadrian's wall
the Fife contingent of messuers Rattery and Colin Feeley and the almost always present at the big events
Rab Shaw all from the Gods land the Kingdom of Fife
cat say anything bad about them (well i'm a Fifer to!)
Mixed fortunes at the darts Colin went throw his first round match by the tightest of score lines three games to two
and then disaster bowing out in the next match by the same score line and to be truthful two missed darts at tops
deprived him of a place in the last 16. However on the day Colin notched up 1x180 and a nice 94 and 88 game shots
and 2x18 darters and a 20 dart game.
The pairs was a disaster with neither myself or Colin helping each other out?
Simple put Colin knocks in a 140 I follow with 9 Colin hits 137 I muck up on 36!
I finaly hit a treble 121 Colin follows with 26 I hit 123 Colin hits 45 simply put we just never clicked as a pairs on the day
but no complaints Stewart Rattrey and Colin Feeley finished the last two games in 15&14 darts so there
were not to many chances going begging.
Also congratulations to both Stuart Rattray on being part of the Scotland four man team and
Colin Feeley who won the Granite City Open last week-end.
Always nice to mention these two stalwarts of the darts scene from the central belt of Scotland
Derek Penn and Davie Burt who is even older than I feel! Better luck next time!
Craig Baxter and Ewen Hislop were also in attendance and congratulations to both of them in also being
selected for the Scotish team.
The one good thing to come out of the week end was quite simply Ross the Boss Montgomery was in super form
taking the prestige's title of British Gold Cup Champion across the border.
Thanks agin to Stuart Tait for supplying both myself and Colin with brand new shirts class ones as well I might add
so thanks again to all who wished us well many thanks again.

MONDAY NIGHT AT THE PARAFFIN LAMP (4th July)
Superb is a word that can only start to describe the arrow's thrown in the Summer League
so far this season. First of we must congratulate our only lady player for taking to the ockey
and what a cheer went up when she took the first game from up and coming star Young Gun
Kyle Gilmour of Polbeth (he must have wondered what he was up against) But true to
recent form Kyle went on to record a five games to one win over Jillian O'Niel but well played Jillian
who stepped into a place that was left vacant by another dart player who through other commitments could
not make this seasons Summer League.
Other players making headlines came by way off Big Frank Begley, Colin Hamilton, Gordon Bruce and Graham Boreland
who were all on target in the maximum 180 league stakes.
Top checkouts were being recorded fast and furious with 104 check outs the most common with three players recording
this finish on target with 104 game shots were Graeme Bird of East Calder, Geordie Dryburgh of Old Deans Village and
wait for it a man who is usually in his nightgown and wooly bed socks by this time of the night and all tucked up in bed
yes you cant stop an old one can you! Martin Deegan of Dechmont Village was on target as well
(bet his neighbours were happy no snoring coming from his house next door)
Now talking of the older generation Bob the Silver Fox Hall from Livingston Village was showing
how to check out in style. To all the younger players watching his game
well to be truthful at 78 years of age we are all young to Bob arent we!
Bob was bang on target with a superb and also the top check out of the night with a cracking 146 game shot.
Other players finishing games well were Graham Boreland of Est Calder 116 take out.
Gordon THE Bruce 112+90 finishes. Sandy the Candy Man Coulter nice game shot on the bulls eye
with an 84 game shot. Also Big Wullie Jack of the Paraffin Lamp Ruffnecks
finishing off on 108 kill.
From the Bathgate Hills we had Jimmy Wood checking out on a nice solid 100 game shot.
Now for some top darts remembering from the first dart you throw if it is in the double or not as the case
may be the games must be finished in 12 darts or less to get that 25 dart average.
Gordon Bruce with the quickest game of the night a nice 9darter followed quickly by 11-12 dart games.
Bob Hall 12 darter. Graham Boreland 3 x 12 darters.
Lorne Mitchell 11 dart game. John Grant from the Tower Bar Knights nice 12 darter.
Man on form this past season Est Calders very own Graeme Bird 12 darts.
Chris Forsyth otherwise known as the Gabby Cabby who writes our view from the cab page on the
web site (always worth a read topical stuff!)11 dart game.
Matt Heeps a night off from the golf course knocking in nice finishes in 11+12 dart games.
That man who should have been asleep!in his Hobbit home Martin Deegan 12 darter.
Pete the Interesting one Hastings (yawn) nice 12 dart game.
From Old Deans Village the Stylish One himself Matt Purdie 11 darter.
Also from the Village Big Geordie Dryburgh 11+12 dart legs.
Now for three players all hitting 10 darters we had from the
Dovehill Highway Men John Rooney, Next up was Colin the Outlaw Kelly from the Paraffin Lamp Ruffnecks
and last but hopefully not least Old Man Mitchell all three players recording fast games
with 10 darters but not the quickest that honour went to Gordon THE Bruce with a 9 darter.
Interesting facts of the night but not going onto the league tables
We had Colin Hamilton nice check in with a cracking 160 start, Mitchell also on target with a 146 kick in
BUT
Our hats go of to the one and only yes he who makes baseball boots look in vogue
the man who still thinks he is in the playground
I think you will all have allready guessed his name affectionately known as
THE
yep Gordon Bruce makes the headlines with
a fantastic 176 BUST ah the idea Gordon is to try and leave a finish you don't get the game
for scoring to many!

ANNIVERSARY MAN! (2nd July)
Yes that man the one and only Polbeth Hitman Davie Aitken celebrates in style with his brand new
set of darts that his good lady wife bought him-for their anniversary!
In the final of the Murray Bar Open Singles it saw a real cliff hanger of a match with
Jamie Fleming of West Calder just having to settle for second place losing by the odd leg in
seven 4-3 to Davie Aitken was the final score.
And talking of legs! some very natty apparel was being sported by our gallant runner up
havent quite figured out if they are long shorts or short longs (that is some pair of knees though?)
Making the semi finals it had yet another two polbeth darters Micheal Meek losing out by the odd game in five
to he of the long shorts!
And Kyle Gilmour going down by three games to one from the man with the new hairstyle Davie Aitken
we all took a vote and believe he go'es back for the final sitting/cut next week!
Couple of good games on the day Davie Aitken 2 x 180's, Followed by Kyle Gilmour 19 darter.
Mitchell 17 darter. Ducket 18 darts and an excellent 14 dart game without a doubt best of the day.
Friday night at the Murray saw The Big Deal Ross Burnside and his youthful partner Big Bob let a
two games to nothing lead slip away when their opponents Kyle Gilmor and Davie!!!!
came back strong to take this weeks pairs competition in style with a nice 3 games to 2 victory.

WEEK-END NEWS! (25th +26th June)
Well an other good night down at the Murray Bar in Polbeth
with some top players in attendance it saw the weekly doubles
competition come to a climax with Stevie Stryker of Fauldhouse
and his partner Jim Mitchell of Dedridge up against Polbeth's Kyle Gilmour
and Chris Size in the final.
Stryker and Mitchell managed to get to a double first and went out 3-1 victors over a good
young team in Kyle and Chris two of the young bloods who are coming through the
dart ranks with alarming pace!
Masons Arms competition on Saturday was a strange affair not one of the Masons Arms team bothered
to turn up and it was left to the East Calder players and Dedridge players to have some fun.
Best of the day was Graeme Bird of East Calder 3 x 180's Graham Boreland also of East Calder nice
114 game shot and Old Man Mitchell of Dedridge 2 x 180 + 2 X 102 check outs and 108 finish
along with 3 x 15 dart games and top game 12 darter with a conventional 126 take out on the bullseye.
Now who can forget Stevie Scott this is a man if we lived in olden day's
would be the league's bard! Well who else would sport a beard like his?
Ever since Stevie saw ZZTOP on tele he has had to have a beard just like theirs
some would even say that when they were first sighted he thought the Gods had descended form that fabled
land the deep south of the U.S.of A!
Some good laughs and a lot of singing along to the juke box and one or two tall tall stories
exchanged over a dram or two!
And who knows we might even be millionaires with out lucky lottery ticket
must hurray off now and check the numbers then get my passport oops delete the
passport bit (sorry)
Sunday saw the Dovehill Highway men travel to the thriving metropolis of Falkirk
for a Punch Tavern competition and with Pete Hastings captain he lead his band
of West Lothian troupers in fine style up against the Railway Tavern final score in this the first leg of
a home and away competition 9-2 to the Highway Men.
Jim Mitchell,Martin Deegan, Chris Forsyth,
Davie Nisbet and last but not least John Rooney, Players missing from this squad were
Shaun Robertson, Colin Robertson who were on Bowling duty!!!! George Thorburn otherwise known as
Jukebox George world wide well Leith area really! and of course the one and only
Gordon THE Bruce who made the last 16 in the Riley's tournament in Edinburgh on Saturday
our furthest player in this competition.

SEASONS FINALE (20th June)
And once again a man who has been playing superbly well all season long
Yes (THE) man called Gordon THE Bruce from the Paraffin Lamp Brigands was
At it again annexing the coveted Champion of Champions title.
Gordon this season has been quite outstanding winning the 301 double start competition along with
the Christmas Singles and to make a nice triple he has Added the C.O.C Trophy
to his collection as well.
A gallant runner up was none other than the man who is to be seen on the banks of the
river Almond at some strange times of Day and night coaxing the fish onto his hook yes
Ian the Fisherman Stewart sometimes known as Salmon!
Who quite simply hooked all his doubles against the seven times winner of this title Jim Mitchell in the
semi finals who sank without Trace when it came to doubling out time.
Colin Robertson the Defending champion went out to this years eventual winner Gordon Bruce in yet
another high scoring encounter in the other semi final.
Once again well played to both players Gordon and Ian they did what no one else did
all night and that was hit doubles!
The Delegates title changed hands for the first time in nine years with a new name being added
to the trophy A cracking final which saw Colin the Marshall Robertson of the Dove hill Highwaymen
take a 3 games to 1 lead. But his opponent from John Kirk from Addiewell was in no mood to surrender
the final up without a fight and fight he did And four winning games of 19-19-19-15 saw
John the Hustler Kirk take the title in style over a very good opponent
In Colin Robertson of the Dove hill Highwaymen.
The Bird clan were at it again with Avril Bird taking the Ladies singles title from the
Tower Bar Knights Lena Gallagher by two games to one in an exciting match which saw both ladies
being cheered on all the way. Great excitement and played in great spirit and friendship
both on and off the ockey.
Top scores and checkouts and maximums from the nights entertainment go like this
From the Dovehill Highwaymen Davie Nisbet knocking in 2 x 180's along with an 85 checkout and games
finished in 14&18 darts. Colin Robertson also a Highwayman firing out 15-16-18-19 dart legs
and a cracking 140 game shot followed shortly later by a 112 take out.
The Birds were at it again? Graeme Bird showing that the darts he has been throwing all season
are no flash in the pan was at it yet again knocking in 18-18-19-20-20 dart games
excellent throwing from the East Calder darter and quite simply with the form he has been showing
all season long must I believe be the most improved darter in the region this year.
Murray Bar Strollers player Big Davie Cluness nice 118 game shot.
From the Paraffin Lamp Brigands Gordon THE Bruce finishing games in 16-17-20 darts.
Paraffin Lamp Ruffneck Scott Cameron knocking in 17-20 dart games.
The Tower Bar Knights were playing well with Ladies runner up Lena Gallagher taking out a
classy 88 game shot. And her brother Knights were in on the action as well Ian Stewart the Fisherman
also going under the alias of Salmon nice 17 darter and a maximum 180 and a rock solid 92 take out.
Old Man Mitchell falling over the ockey still recorded 16-16-17 dart games and a wee maximum 180
to add to this seasons maximum total of 11 for the season.
And that as they say was that for the season 2011
Hopefully all the dart players who should be mentioned on the league tables
have been but if you think there a few game shots etc missing drop me a line and it will be rectified
Cheers
Jim

SCOTTISH MASTERS (18th June)
Congratulations go to Derek Cunningham on winning the Masters title
in Bannockburn runner up was George Dalglish score 4-2 to Derek.
Furthest West Lothian player on the day was the Dovehill Highway Man
And this seasons Gold Cup representitive for the county,
Colin the Marshall Robertson
reaching the last 32 before bowing out in a fighting 3 games to 2 to International
Alan Souter.
Ladies championship final went to the evergreen Anne Kirk of Dumfries
defeating Francis Lawson of Edinburgh in the ladies final.
West Lothian players results from the day go as
Colin Robertson W3-0 W3-0 W3-2 L2-3
Grant Lyle L0-3, Wullie Bryce L2-3,Jimmy MacMillanL1-3,
Arron Edwards L0-3,Colin Hamilton L1-3,Shuggie Rice 0-3,Jamie Bishop W3-3, L2-3.
Top games came by way of Wullie Bryce fabulous 160 check out.
Colin Hamilton 15 darter and 81 take out.Colin Hamilton 3 x 180 plus 17-18-18-20- dart games.

CONGRATULATIONS
Go To
Darren Tiffney & Ryan Murray (18th June)
On winning the Riley's Doubles tournament down in Bolton to-day
Saturday the 18th June
Darren and Ryan qualified through the Riley's qualifier at Jocks Lodge in Edinburgh.
Where myself and lorne had a real good view of how well they were playing going down by
3-2 and 3-1 in sets to Ryan and Darren who were playing superbly well.
And it looks like they carried that they carried that form through to the Grand Finals
I believe two thousand pounds was their take home pay!
Not bad for a game of arrows is it?

NEWS FLASH
Thanks to Mr Chris Forsyth the Summer League has been redrawn after no fewer than seven players
had withdrawn it left quite a few gaps to refill. But thanks to some players who had not entered these
have mostly now been filled.
The league was redrawn using Chris Foryths Darts for Windows program
which did a round robin jumbled draw.
And that as they say is that.
The league will still start on the 27th June there will be still 6 leagues but looks like there will be
2 leagues of seven and 4 leagues of eight.
Draw is available to see now.
Now the format will still be the same and the same dates will still apply but after much thought
there will be 4 players from each league going through to the finals night.
And to be honest I am pinching an idea from the Edinburgh money leagues.
The top 16 players with the most points will go into the main draw and the next eight players
will go into a consolation tournament with a prize fund as well. So yes you have guessed it
football cards will be sold!
Hopefully now that the draw is done (again) there will be no more with-drawls.
Takes time to get these leagues up and running and the starting date
is ever closer!

Planning on having a prize fund roughly at around £730 for the Silver Cup Trophy top 16
£250-£120-£60-£60-4X£30-8 X £15 = £730
The 8 players making the last 24 but with the lowest points will play for a Plate competition.
£40-£20-4x£10-4x £5= £120
And GENTLEMEN as they say that is that.
All we need now is for ALL you dart players to turn up (is'nt it)
And if you are still not sure there are rules! on the 301 page?

FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE MURRAY(17th June)
Yes another good turnout at the Murray Bar pairs tournament
with players from Polbeth, West Calder,East Calder,Dedridge,Carmondean,
and Knightsridge in attendance.
Some good quality pairs were teamed up remembering the names are drawn out the hat!
Craig Jack and Blacky the Butcher had to settle for runners up spot with
Graeme Bird of East Calder and Old Man Mitchell from Dedridge just edging them
out in the final game of the evening as usual the Murray once again put up
the £40 to the winning pair, And when the competition was over there were
still at least 6/7 players-all bulling up to play bounce games this pub certainly seems to be
able to attract the dart players , Been a long time since you walked into a bar
and had to wait to mark the board!

PENULTIMATE NIGHT (13th June)
And what a night of high drama and tension!
With so many top quality players in field it was anybody’s League singles championship.
On the night players were hitting the big scores and top checkouts with consummate ease
here are the ones that were recorded.
Young Kyle Gilmour from Polbeth knocking in 16 & 20 dart games in his first league singles championship match.
Colin the Marshall Robertson the defending champion finishing two matches on superb 121 game shots
and knocking in two 12 dart games plus 16+20 dart legs.
John Two Hands Hanlon from Deepest Darkest Mid Calder 17+20 dart games.
Davie Nisbet from the Dovehill Highway Men 19 darter to his tally for the season.
Big Davie Cluness from the Murray Bar Strollers superb 154 take out.
Stuart Russell from the land that time forgot otherwise known as the Stoneyburn Wizard finishing
two games in 18+20 darts.
Big Wullie Jack captain of the Paraffin Lamp Ruffnecks showing his team the way with
16+19+20 dart games.
John Rooney nice 18 dart game. Gordon THE Bruce 17+18 dart games and a maximum 180.
From West Calder the man with the dancing feet Disco Aitken 17and 20 dart games and a nice 85 check out.
From East Calder we had Graham Boreland hitting 17+17+19 dart games and a maximum 180 as well.
The Outlaw Colin Kelly still without a ticket for his passage back to the Antipodeans
maximum 180 and a 17 dart game. Scott Killer Cameron 20 darter quickly followed by a 14 + 17 dart
legs and another maximum 180.
Graeme Bird of the East Calder Fanciers had the home crowd cheering a fantastic 12 dart game finished in
real style 60-51-bulls eye lovely 161 take out.
Now when the dust had settled there were four men left standing at the semi final stages and all of them
had fought hard to be there, from the Paraffin Lamp Ruffnecks their captain Wullie Jack was at the ocky.
From the Celtic Masons in West Calder Davie The Polbeth Hitman was still standing.
Graeme Bird of East Calder was taking no prisoners on the night and had the home crowd cheering him
on all the way. From the wilderness one of the Nomadic tribesmen of darters otherwise known as
the Highlanders saw Old Man Mitchell taking his place in the last four line up.
On board 4 it saw Davie Aitken put Big Wullie Jack out in a high scoring encounter and on
board 6 the drama was unfolding and with Graeme Bird knocking in a magnificent 161
at the end of a 12 dart game to take a two games to one advantage it was dig deep time
and both Mitchell and Graeme shared the following legs to have the score tied at three apiece.
Deciding game was a tense fought out affair with both players missing many darts at a double
but eventually Old Man Mitchell stumbled over the winning line score real tight 4-3.

The final saw two players who had annexed the West Calder Singles title seven times between them
Davie the Polbeth Hitman champion in 1979 & 1983 and with Old Man Mitchell champion
five times 2002-04-06-08-09 there was a real sense of expectation about this match
with a good size crowd staying back to support their favourite player the watching
spectators were not disappointed.
The final Saw Davie Aitken knock in 18 & 20 dart games
with Mitchell finishing his games in 17-20-20-21 darts final score was four games to two
in favour of the Nomad Jim Mitchell.
On the night Davie Aitken produced 14-15-16-18-20-20 dart games plus maximum 180.
Old Man Mitchell knocked in 4x180’s and finished games in 16-17-17-18-19-19-20-20 darts.
Some terrific shooting from the old guard but they had better beware because there is without
a doubt a new breed of dart players coming through and they don’t half look hungry!

FRIDAY NIGHT REPORT (10th June)
Our very own Gabby Cabby playing in the Leith Premier league singles
showed all his fighting skills obviously inherited from his Celtic ancestry!
At 4-0 down some players might be thinking throw in the towel but no Chris
upped the anti and went on to record a fine 7-5 victory well played young sir.
Other news this time from closer to home it saw the local dart players
gathering in the Murray Bar in Polbeth for the Friday night jumble pairs.
Finalists on the night were Davie Aitken and Stuart Bowes up against last week-ends
two singles finalists Gilmour and Mitchell with Kyle hitting the scores and Mitchell helping out
now and again it saw the Davie and Stuart have to settle for the runners up spot this time!
Picking up the £40 saw Kyle Gilmour and Old Man Mitchell who almost smiled strange how
bank notes have that impression on some people?
But more news to follow looks like the Murray Bar management are coming up
with yet another competition for the local dart enthusiasts.
As most readers of this site have probably guessed by now the Murray has a growing reputation
in darting circles around the area and the Management have come up with the Idea of
still holding their weekly Friday night competitions BUT on four weekly time table
what this meens is if you play in two or more of these competitions in that four week period
you will be able to come along on the Saturday of the fourth week and play as we did for
last week for a very good prize fund!
If you check the news from last week you will See what I mean.
Not bad from a pub that gives free entry into it's competitions is it?

MONDAY NIGHT REPORT (6th June)
Well with the league just about all wound up and I believe there are only two teams still to play
we can safely say that the Dovehill Highway Men are champions and the team from Polbeth
the Murray Bar Strollers (with a game still to play) and last seasons champions the Paraffin Lamp Brigands
are still in the hunt for the leagues second place spot! If my calculations are right?
To say the league has been a hard fought affair is not an understatement!
With so many teams playing well we have had a few teams at certain times of the season
sharing top spot.
John Brutons Masons Arms team early leaders and just a few costly slip ups towards the end of the season
cost these Celtic Warriors a top two finish.
Paraffin Lamp Ruffnecks under the leadership of Big Wullie Jack and Kirk Gordon
certainly ruffled a few feathers this season (long may it continue) always in the top three
through out the season.
Big Frank Begleys Paraffin Lamp Brigands fought tooth and nail to try and keep the title
they won last season but it was not to be this year.
The quiet team of the league the Murray Bar came up the league table very steadily indeed
and are in pole position to take a superb second place at the moment
(but only if they win their last game?) and they play the Masons Arms you can bet John Bruton will have
his boys all on top form for that match,
Any way when all said and dusted the champions are a very talented side indeed
hats off to The Dovehill Highwaymen.
Now last night may have seen most off the league matches come to a conclusion but their were still
a few players making headlines.
From the Paraffin Lamp Ruffnecks Scott Cameron otherwise known affectionately as Killer
was strutting his stuff and took out a fantastic 160 game shot
excellent shooting from a player who has impressed all season long and boy was it a long season.
Also firing out the big scores we had the Quiet Man of the Murray Bar Brian Mairs
on target with a maximum 180 his fourth of the campaign.
Also from the Murray Bar Garry Finlayson was on target going out on a nice
two dart 78 game shot.
Brian Mairs also finished his match off with a 17 dart game one dart behind saw the Highlanders/Nomads
Jim Mitchell going out on a 107 kill on the bulls eye for an 18 darter.
Top pairs saw John Kirk from Addiewell and another Mitchell this time
the junior one! Lorne (Mitch) Mitchell finishing a cracking leg of darts in 16 arrows.
Polbeth Hitman Davie Aitken firing out all the big shots with a superb maximu 180
and to top that a cracking 120 finish.

Here are the results of last nights matches.
Paraffin Lamp Ruffnecks 5 Doo Club Fanciers 4.
Murray Bar Strollers 5 Highland Nomads! 4.
Paraffin Lamp Brigands 8 Doo Club Flyers 1
Masons Arms 7 Murray Bar Wanderers 2

OUT WITH THE OLD IN WITH THE NEW! (4th June)
Murray Bar Open Singles held on Saturday the 4th June saw some top shooting by the players in
attendance. The semi final line up saw Old Man Mitchell just edge out the Polbeth Hitman Davie Aitken
in a tight match by the odd game in five. Disco Aitken found Young Gun Kyle Gilmour just a wee bit
to hot to hold onto and it saw Kyle go through by three games to nil.
Final saw Old Man Mitchell go down by four games to one with Kyle hitting the all important doubles.
Top check outs on the day were 126+116 by Old Man Mitchll, Maximum 180's went to Old Man Mitchell
with 2 x 180. Fastest games came by way of Davie Aitken 18+19 darters and Mitchell
with 15+18+19 dart games.
Prize fund was
Winner Young Gun Kyle Gilmour £40, R/Up Old Man Mitchell £20,
Losing semi finalists Polbeth Hitman Davie Aitken and Dave Disco Aitken
both receiving a case of beer.
Many thanks once again to the Management team of the Murray Bar for holding this competition.
Once again this public house is doing its utmost to encourage dart players to play
with this competition having a free entry just as they have been doing on a Friday night.
What more could you ask for the pub even put on
free grub during the afternoon as well (lovely stuff)

BEST WISHES
I believe that I can speak for all the players in the area when I say
Good Luck
to none other than our very own Kirk Gordon a Paraffin Lamp Ruffneck player
who is playing at the Reebok Stadium
this Thursday in the U.K.OPEN
SO BE SURE TO WATCH THE TELLY
and cheer Kirk on all the way.

W.C.D.D.L.(30thMay)
League doubles
Champions Stuart Russel & Alan Wilson
R/Up John Rooney & John Charleston
Semi FINALISTS WERE Wullie Jacj and Ross Burnside of the Paraffin Lamp Ruffnecks
and Colin Robertson and Davie Nisbet of the Dovehill HighwayMen.
Here are a few stats for your perusal ,
Scott Cameron was on fire early doors knocking in two excellent check outs
with a cracking 100 finish 20-40-40 he followed that with a rock solid 85 game shot.
Gordon The Bruce and John Two Hands Hanlon from Deepest Darkest Mid Calder
finish a 19 dart game. As were Colin Hamilton and team mate the Polbeth Hitman
Davie Aitken 19 darts also and as we say in groundhog day they followed that with
another 19 dart game. Also on target early doors it saw Nisbet and Robertson firing in
18 and 20 dart games.
Davie Aitken also on target with a maximum 180 for the Mason Arms team.
John Skippy Charleston and John Rooney of the Highwaymen knocking a smashing 17 dart leg.
And once again the Masons Arms team of Hamilton and Aitken were doing that as well
17 dart leg to these two players to go along with their brace of 19 darters.
Alao on target on the night were John Rooney knocking in two maximum 180's
in the final. From the Highwaymen as well it saw Colin Robertson doing his
thing on the treble 19 bed and hitting a stunning 171 maximum.
George Thorburn otherwise known as Jukebox George was also on target with a 114 take out.

NEWS FROM THE MERRY MONTH OF MAY(30thMay)
Some good games to report from the past week and top of the shop
os none other than the Candy Man Sandy Coulter of the Paraffin Lamp Ruffnecks
knocking in a cracking 15 dart game which if my sources are correct
could have been less!
From the Doo Club in East Calder we had Derek Bird finishing a nice 76 game shot.
Also from the Doo Club Fanciers Graham Boreland hitting the red lipstick
with a superb 180.
Colin Robertson of the Dovehill Highway Men on target with a nice 18 dart game.
Compatriot John Skippy Charleston one dart better with a nice 17 darter.
From the Murray Bar Strollers in Polbeth the quiet man with a deadly eye
Brian Mairs finishing his game on a classy 92 game shot.

A PLEASURE TO REPORT! (27th May)
MURRAY BAR
POLBETH.
Some times when you are down and ready to call it a day and you think how bad can it get!
A small ray of sunshine appears through the deepening gloom.
In Polbeth there is a wee public house that has been been an inspiration to me.
When bigger establishments have been out to get what ever they can and give very little back
to our sport of arrow throwing there comes a ray of sunshine.
Yes once again the MURRAY BAR in Polbeth is showing the bigger venues the way.
Next Saturday the 4th June they are having a darts competition.
With a guaranteed £40 to the winner £20 to the runner up and wait for it
a case of beer each to the two losing semi finalists.
Now this pub has over the past three or four months have run a Friday night doubles tournament
with a prize fund of £40 to the winners
REMEMBER IT IS FREE ENTRY.
(remember you don't need a partner you just turn up as all names
are put into the hat and doubles are picked at random)
And with the response from local players the Murray Bar management team have been
very happy with the response of the local darting community.
So have decided to put up this singles competition
and I for one am very happy to publicise this event.
So hope to see a few of you guys and girls
there?
In the continuing saga of Friday night darts
last weeks Friday night tournament winners were Craig Jack from Polbeth and
Graham Boreland of East Calder.
With runners up being the up and coming young player Chris Size from Polbeth
and Derk Bird of East Calder

SLOW NEWS WEEK - THIS WEEK (23rd May)
Not much news coming in this week so far but here is what I have managed to gleen so far.
John Brutons Masons Arms team were hosts to the that tribe of Nomadic dart players
otherwise known as the Highlanders who have been playing out of the Masons Arms themselves for
the past few weeks (many thanks to John and his team)
This was a good friendly match with lots of banter and one or two good shots thrown
in for good measure. Top games came by way of the Mason's team with
Colin Hamilton knocking in a a nice 17 dart game. Jamie Fleming also from the Masons checking out
on a cracking 86 game shot which cumulated with a bullseye finish. But top shot was by the Captain
of the Masons Arms John Bruton showing how it should be done excellent finish with two darts
treble 20 double 20 thats the way to check a 100 kill.
But sometimes it does not matter how well you play and with the Nomadic Highlanders hitting
not a lot! but they did hit doubles? and the final score was
six games to three for the Highlanders in a very friendly game.

Now a team that has been flying high all season came down with a bump very unusual-this season for
the ParaffinLamp Ruffnecks to be on the end of a losing game but the Doo Club Flyers looked like
they have hit a bit of form and took the points with a six games to three victory.

Semi Finals Winter Classic III

webassets/darts1.jpg

Paul Weir/Jim Mitchell/John Hanlon/Derek Penn

Chris Forsyth explaining the rules

Andy Boulton & Alan Norris

Kirk Gordon in shorts!

Letting nothing get in the way as he heads of to the Darts match!

ARRAN EDWARDS (21st May)
Wakes up this morning finding himself the toast of West Lothian darts with some
superb shooting it saw him annex both the under18 and under 21 youth titles at
Bannockburn yesterday Saturday the 21st May.
This young man has certainly been on form adding yet another two excellent titles
to his ever growing C.V.

Masons Arms Singles (21st May)
First match on saw home crowd favourite Jamie Flemming up against one
Of the few players in the league who have checked the maximum 170 finish John Brett.
And it saw John just have the finishing touch to win by the score line of three games to one.
Next game up saw the Jacks up against each other and it saw Craig Jack just manage a three games to one
victory over his name sake Frank.
Two good checks in this match Craig taking out a superb 126 on the bullseye
and Frank going out on a rock solid 98 finish.
The Stoneyburn wizard Stewart Russell got the better of up and coming dart player Chris Small
One of the Murray Bars young team good player for the future this young man (mind my words)
Stewart knocking in 2 x 20 dart games.
Next up saw Dean the Mean Machine Hamilton go out to home town favourite none other than the
Hitman form Polbeth Davie Aitken by a score line of three games to nil.

Quarter finals saw John Brett waltzing round the Disco King young Davie Aitken by three games to nil.

Grant Lyle from the Paraffin Lamp Ruffnecks took out Craig the Hit-man Jack also from the Ruffnecks
by the score line of three games to one.
Next up one of the league’s new stars was on fire knocking in a maximum 180 on the way to his win
over the Stoneyburn Wizard, Kyle Gilmour taking this match in style.
Family affair up next and Pamela Aitken losing out to her dad which may be just as well or maybe Pamela
would have come home to a locked door!
First semi final saw Grant Lyle just get the better of John Brett and in the second semi final
It saw Davie Aitken get the better of Kyle Gilmour.
The grand final saw Davie Aitken take the final from Grant Lyle with some very consistent dart throwing.
Top shots from the day were by Davie Aitken with fast games throughout the day
1x15 ,1x17,2x20 2x180 and 80c/o topsx2 .
Grant Lyle hitting 1x19 darts.
Riley's Pairs (21st MAY)
Rileys Doubles in Edinburgh saw some of central Scotlands top players come together, players from
Fife,Lanarkshire,West Lothian and Mid Lothian, for a fantastic
game of arrows it saw West Lothian have two teams of Shuggie Rice and Mick Burke of Armadale and
Lorne Mitch Mitchell and his partner Old Man Mitchell both bow out in the semi final stages.
Both teams of pairs won through three rounds of the competition in a format of best of three sets
best of five games of 501.
Top check not much to report here Old Man 100 game shot and a maximum 180.
But without a doubt it was a competition where both players had to play as a team
The Mitchells won their sets by the score line of
W3-2/W3-0/W3-2/L0-3/W3-1/L2-3/W3-2/W3-1/L2-3 /L1-3.
The Armadale pairing of Mick and Shug went through if memory is still working by score of
W3-1/W3-0/W3-2/W3-1/W3-0/W3-2/L1-3/L1-3.
Other top players from the West Lothian and Lanarkshire areas were player's who without a doubt
could walk into any county ‘A’ team in the country two such player's Andy Fallon along with Dougie Hogg.
now I must apologise here as a few beers to many and a memory loss means I Cannot for the life of me
remember the other names please forgive this lapse and I will remedy the names of the players shortly!
When I wake up tomorrow?
AH I can now reliably inform you that the team of Darren Tiffney & Ryan Murray
won the Rily's pairs tournament in Edinburgh this now puts Darren and Ryan into the
last 32 in Britain, Wish them all the best for Bolton on the 18th June.

WEST LOTHIAN WINNERS (20th May)
Well it did not take to long did it our first winners of the week-end.
From Gladstones in Edinburgh in their handicap k.o. singles
(looks like West Lothian players are dangerous anywhere!)
we have Davie (Daisy) Nisbet winning the event, Not far behind Chris (Gabby Cabby) Forsyth
bowing out in the quarter final stage.
Nearer home we had the pairing of two East Calder players
Graeme Bird and Stevie Scott winning the Murray bar Open Pairs
with Craig Jack and Kyle Gilmour in the runners ups position.
Question on everybodies mind is when will Stevie Scott ask Old Man Mitchell
the real question on every ones mind?
How to grow a real beard!
Off to Asda then coffee then yippee
Darts in Edinburgh for the Riley's Pairs.

HOT NEWS
Could it be that next season will see the return of the Highlanders to there
original venue.
Could be that the McMillan's Highlanders may yet wander the streets of Old Deans Village
once again!
These Nomadic castaways might just find a home yet!

RESULTS JUST IN (16th May)
Continuing their run of success it has seen the Dovehill Highwaymen take yet another
two points with a nine games to nil win over the Murray Bar Strollers.
Top games came by courtesy of
John Skippy Charleston 20 darts also hitting a twenty dart game was our very own Gabby Cabby Chris Forsyth.
Peter I'm not Boring Hasting and the Marshall Colin Robertson finished of their pairs in 18 darts.
David Daisy Nisbet and Skippy Charleston had two excellent legs in the doubles going out in 18 and 16 darts.

Big daddy's Frank Begley's Paraffin Lamp Brigands came away with the points at the home of the
Almondvale Pirates with a score line of seven games to two.
Top shooting by way off
John Two Hands Hanlon nice 18 dart leg as did Marvelous Lee Holland knocking in a 18 darter as well.
In the doubles it saw John Hanlon teaming up with Lee Holland and finishing in a 19 dart leg.
Gordon THE Bruce and Outlaw Colin Kelly only one dart slower going out in 20 darts.

Highland Nomads! playing out of the Masons Arms in West Calder hosted the Stirrup Stane 'A'
and somehow wandered over the winning line by the score line of seven games to two.
Top shots were by Lorne Mitch Mitchell rounding off a nice 20 dart leg with an 85 game shot.
Eddie from the Stirrup checking out on a 96 finish. Old Man Mitchell going out in 17 darts.

Masons and the Murray game was cancelled due to a bereavement and will be played at a later date.

YOUNG GUN & INVISIBLE MAN (13th May)
Yes making it two on the trot has seen Polbeths up and coming Kyle the Young Gun Gilmour
and his partner for the evening Craig some times you see me sometimes you don't yes
Craig the Invisible man Agnew has returned teeming up with Kyle to win the
Murray Bar Doubles tournament on Friday night.
(free entry you cant get better than that can you)
The runners up were Craig the Hitman Jack and Bob Carol final score line read 3-1 to Kyle and Craig.
Now this little tournament is starting to attract quite a few dart players from around the league.
And the Murray Bar's boss spoke to me last night and would like to put up a singles tournament
on a Saturday looking like the 4th June at the moment (to be confirmed)
With a £60 first prize.
Looks like this is one pub manager who is really trying to get darts back in a big way.
All we have to do is turn up and play, easy is'nt it!

MONDAY NIGHT REPORT (9th May)
Well congratulations are now in order quite simply the best team in the league this season
have dotted the I's and crossed the T's.
League Champions are the Dove hill Highwaymen for 2010-2011 season.
And there are still a couple of weeks to go in the league fixtures!

Monday night saw the Dovehill Highwaymen away to the Paraffin Lamp Ruffnecks
their closest challangers to the championship this season I have no reports for fast games etc.
But can tell you the score was seven games to two for the visiting Highwaymen.
(Grant Lyle knocking out a cracking finish on 100 in this match and Sandy The Candy Man Coulter
hitting the magic 180 button along with an 18 dart leg Grant Lyle just one dart behind
finishing in 19 Darts!)

Tower Bar Knights hosted the Masons Arms from West Calder and they have kept up the standard
of play that they showed last week wiping aside a team that had for so long challenged
for the league title themselves! With a five games to one score line in the singles it saw the visiting team
of the Masons Arms take only three legs in the singles matches Colin Hamilton being their only winner.
Colin knocked in a maximum 180 and finished a 19 dart game. John Grant of the Knights was also on
target hitting a magical maximum 180 for himself and Ian the Fisherman Stewart knocked in a superb 177
and finished of in 20 darts.
Now who knows but if the Tower had started the season off the same way they seem to be finishing it
they would without a doubt have been up there challenging for the top positions in the league !

Now the Saltire Highlanders are no more What you might say has happened well the story go'es
something like this.
It was never a happy marriage in the Saltire so feelers were put out and the Livingston Inn was approached.
First converstation seemed to prove good they wanted a dart team.
But to make sure Fin Drummond of the Highlanders went to check just to make certain, this seemed
to go well and permission to fix a light make a ocky was to go ahead.
But hold your horses on the Monday that the Highlanders were going to christen the board a phone call was
received by Bob Hall saying that they now no longer wanted a dart team?
And of course the Saltire had been told we were leaving so it left the Highlanders in a real quandary
where to play.
But thanks to the generosity of the Masons Arms in West Calder we were allowed to play our home? match there.
Not a good home match as the Highlanders were put to the sword by Big Daddy Frank Begley's Paraffin Lamp
Brigands three games each after the singles but the Brigands were by far the better team in the doubles securing all
three matches to take a way a well deserved two points by the score line of six games to three.
Top pairs on the night saw John Two Hands Hanlon and Stuart Lefty Tait finish the match in style
with not one but two 19 dart games.
But the biggest question now is will the Highlanders now be known as the Nomads
cause they sure don't have a home to go to do they!!!!!!

NEWS JUST IN FROM (9th May)
Players knocking in top shots are from the Paraffin Lamp Ruffnecks
Grant Lyle finishing off in style with a clinical 100 game shot.
Not to be outdone captain of the Ruffnecks Big Wullie Jack was firing out some
quality shooting of his own with a 76 game shot and an 18 dart game.
From the Dovehill Highwaymen we had John Skippy Charleston finishing on a
superb take out of 138. Colin Blyth on form with two excellent games 18 darter then going two darts
better and going out in 16 darts.
Denise Bird of the Doo Club Fanciers was also playing well finishing off her game in 20 darts.
On the Maximum trail we had two Murray Bar players Gary Finlayson with a magical maximum
and team mate Brian Mairs knocking in two maximum 180's.

DARTS COALITION (6th May)
Murray Bar Open Doubles
What happens when you put a Polbethian and an East Caldrian together
yes you get a winning team unlike our government!
From Polbeth we had rising star of the ocky Kyle Gilmour and from East Calder Graeme Bird
making their darts count on the dartboard with some excellent scoring and most
of all checking out their doubles. In the final their opponents were Mr 170 himself John Brett
from Polbeth and from East Calder that man himself Stevie the Biker Scott.
With Graeme and Kyle missing very little on the night it saw them win by
three games to nil in the final.
Top scores through out the evening including bounce games saw Stuart Bowes taking out a superb
164 in the early part of the nights entertainment followed by Bird and Mitchell knocking in maximum 180's.
Some good darts thrown through out the night but most spectacular was the entertainment given by
the Sheep himself Shaun Robertson! BOY CAN HE DANCE (NOT)
All for now
Jim

KNIGHTS CHARGE DOWN HIGHLANDERS (2nd May)
The Tower Bar Knights ran amok. Charging down the Saltire Highlanders in
a match that had only one outcome with the knights meaning business early on
the hapless Highlanders were trampled aside.
Score on the stable door was seven games to two for a rampant Tower Bar Knights team.
No individual information available at this time. But will update when it gets to me!

HIGHWAYMEN PUT THE SWORD TO PIRATES (2nd May)
Dovehill Highway men came away convincing winners over the Almondvale Pirates
with score line of eight games to one.
This should now without a doubt make them the league champions elect
for the season 2010/2011.
But you never know so will wait untill the next league match to crown them Champions.
Mentions of note
Derek Carmicheal 2x20darters
Peter (I am Not Boring) Hastings 20dart game
John Rooney 19dart game

PARAFFIN LAMP TEAMS DO THE DOUBLE (2nd May)
The Paraffin Lamp Ruffnecks cracking eight games to one win over
The Fat Controler's team (Fred Hamilton) the Stirrup Stane Indians.
While away from home it saw the Paraffin Lamp Brigands come away with
a solid eight games to one victory over the Stirrup Stane Cowboys.
Not a good night for the Craigshill teams.

COWBOYS V BRIGANDS
Top shooting came by way of for the Stirrup Stane Cowboys with a rock solid
performance from ex county player Rab Main taking out a cracking 124 game shot on the bull.
John Two Hands Hanlon from deepest darkest Mid Calder for the Brigand's finishing on 102 kill.
Gordon THE Bruce going out in a tidy 16 darter was closely followed by Rab Main finishing in 19 darts.

RUFFNECKS V INDIANS
Sandy 'The Candy Man' Coulter an old star of the ocky finishing with a brilliant 101 via 57-12-32.
Then Scott 'Killer' Cameron stepped upto the mark and showed how doubles should be hit with
consumate ease Scott went out on a superb 132 by way off 60-60-12
and he then topped the bill with a classy 80 finish Tops-Tops.
Kirk 'Captain Flash' Gordon was also getting on the band wagon for big check out finishing in style
with a 105 take out Bulls-eye-15-40.
Top doubles game came from the Ruffnecks pairing of Shaun the Sheep Robertson & Kirk Gordon
going out in a 20 darter which I am reliably told should have been much less!

TOP SHOTS (2nd May)
Some reports just in of players playing well over the past couple of Monday's.
From the Murray Bar Wanderers we have young Kyle Gilmour finishing games off in 15-16-18 darts
from his lasat two league matches.
From the Murray Bar Strollers we have had some exceptional checking out with the Stoneyburn Wizard
Stuart Russell going out on 118-116 checks and a nice 18 darter
quickly followed by The leagues Quiet man Derek Mairs finishing off his match in 19 darts.

NEWS JUST IN
From Monday the 18th April two Tower Bar Knights players
both with excellent check outs Joe the Devil Devlin and
Ian the Fisherman Stewart checking 104 game shots.

MURRAY BAR (29th April)
Usual good Friday night darts free entry £40 to winning pairs!
This week it saw Big Craig Jack and young gun Kyle Gilmour both past winners of this competition
reach the final drawn out together.
Their opponents were none other than David Black otherwise known as
The Butcher not because that is what he does for a living (that is what he does fdor a living)
but on the night he butchered the
treble twenty bed leaving his partner in crime Old Man Mitchell just the job of filling in the gaps!
Cracking game of darts first blood went to Butcher and the Old Man but then some excellent
throwing from Kyle and Craig saw them take a two games to one lead.
But a double ten last dart attempt saw the game draw level at two - two.
And with-advantage of throw it saw Davie Butcher Black and Old Man Mitchell just hang on
to the throw to give them the slight advantage needed.
Final score on the door 3-2 to Davy and Jim.
Good game of darts and after the competition was finished nice to see most of the guys having
a bounce game and with so many young players playing darts in this hostelry.
If they all stick together who knows in days to come
what they might achieve?

HIGHWAY MEN CONTINUE RUN OF FORM (25th April)
This week it saw the Almondvale Pirates come under the cosh of the Highway Men
a nine games to nil win gave the Dovehill men another two valuable points on their way to claim
the League title!
Some superb shooting on the night from both sets of players.
David Nisbet 15 darts with a nice 78 check and a magical maximum 180.
John Skippy Charelston 20 darter. Derek Carmicheal from the Pirates making sure the Dovehill boys
did not get it all their own way cracking 19 dart game.
The Marshall Colin Robertson 17 and 18 darts said he would be back on form soon!
Big Dave Smith and John Tannock knocked in a superb 17 darts pairs game
with 100 check out by Dave Smith.
Many thanks to Gabby Cabby Chris Forsyth for the report
cheers
See you Saturday
Jim M

NEWS FROM MONDAY (25th April)
Just In!
Paraffin Lamp Brigands claim the points from the Doo Club Flyer's
by seven games to two. Some top games played in the doubles matches.
John Two Hands Hanlon under the wing of team captain Big Daddy Frank Begley
knocking in a nice 19 dart leg.
Going one better it saw team mates Gordon THE Bruce and Brian Tosh MacIntyre finish in 18 darts.
And faster still it saw the Outlaw Colin Kelly and Mr Lefty himself Stewart Tait finish off
with a superb 17 dart game.
Brian MacIntyre cracking 100 checkout on the night and the Outlaw himself Colin Kelly
hitting the only maximum 180 of the game.

REARRANGED VENUE !(25thApril)
Saw the Saltire Highlanders host the Tower Bar Knights from Craigshill.
Good match with both teams encouraging their players on when at the ocky
tightest of scores with Tower taking an early lead only for the Highlanders to go four games
to one up but back came the Tower Knights and at the-end of the singles we had the
score line of four games to two in favour of the Saltire. But not for long?
Start of the doubles and it saw the Knights come storming back taking both of the first and second doubles
to leave the match all square going into the final ninth and deciding match of the night.
Tight as they come this game and some how the Saltire managed to claim the last pairs to take
a very hard fought two points from a very talented Tower Team final score on the door Saltire 5 Tower 4.

GLADSTONES OPEN
Sponsored by John Swanson
Organizer Ryan Murray

The best of the best turned up on the day all the champions of the eight qualifying weeks were present to do battle
for the grand prize of £500.
To be told there was £1600.00 up for grabs when the entire prize fund was put together collectively.

From the Plains and outback’s of Falkirk, from Western boundaries of our great nation Ayrshire,
And of course from the civilisation of West Lothian and all areas surrounding Auld Reekie (Edinburgh)
for the untutored minds among us they came champion all.
First up for West Lothian was Jim Mitchell otherwise known as Old Man Mitchell unfortunately for him
the outside ring of the dartboard where the doubles are stored were like trying to find Hen’s Teeth
and when up against an opponent of John Eyre’s calibre that isn’t the time to be missing John a former
Scotland player and top county darter went through a worthy 4- 1 winner but truth be told
Mitchell could have stolen this game 4-0 but that ladies and gents is darts well played John Ayres
a Worthy winner.
Next up we had the high scoring Dovehill Marshall Colin Robertson now many of us have been on the end
of one of Colin’s high scoring games but this time the dart was on the other hand!
With his opponent John Stewart finishing his games off in style 14-15-18 and wait for it 12 darts
which was finished on a magnificent 170 game shot for a 4-0 win but I believe that very shortly
someone is going to get a backlash from Colin after this rare defeat.
Our Gabby Cabby Chris Forsyth was next to the ocky and what a wonderful performance right from the start.
His opponent Ryan Murray was straight into high scoring mode.
But when it came to the finishing shots it was Chris who put Ryan to bed with four doubles to Ryan’s three
fine victory for the Gabby Cabby by the score line of 4-3.
Chris’s next opponent to toe the mark was none other than Colin Robertson’s victor John Stewart.
And once again Chris was up to the challenge with John Stewart hitting treble twenties as if there was
no to-morrow it saw a cracking match but once again when doubling out time came.
It was our very own Celtic Warrior who was putting the big finishes in.
The match came to the deciding leg of seven and to be fair both players did not deserve to lose Chris had
chances eight darts in all to win this quarterfinal game.
A great match to watch but in the end he went down fighting like a Welsh Prince from the olden days
cracking game of archery I mean arrows final score read 4-3 to John
. Chris on the day hit 2x18 +19 dart games a cracking maximum 180 and two superb finishes of 107+116
and wired the bulls-eye for a 167. Oh would that check not have put the cat amongst the pigeons!
With the loser marks in operation I volunteered to mark for Chris as was the least I could do after watching
such a captivating game and did I not get a cracker to mark.
Rab Ritchie son of our very own Mr Tam Ritchie of the Craigshill mob from the Stirrup Stane
up against Scotland captain Mike Veitch. Rab went two up in this best of nine encounter with 17+18 darters
only to see Mike come back with a fabulous run of games Mike hit 13-15-14-14-dart games
Rab came back with a 14 darter and Mike then finished the match off with wait for it a long 19 dart leg
there were four darts wasted at a double though? What a superb match.

Well on the day there were so many great games I can only say that it was a real champions of champion event.
Below I am now going to put the games in order of the way they were played
and alongside each name the prize monies awarded.

Mike Veitch beat Bob Currie £35. John Eyre beat Jim Mitchell £35. Gus Santana beat Lee Raeburn £35.
Rab Ritchie beat Kevin Phaup £35. John Stewart beat Colin Robertson £35.
Chris Forsyth beat Ryan Murray £35. Andy Boulton beat Davie Burt £35. Harry Todman beat Joe Bata £35.
Quarter Finals

Mike Veitch beat John Eyre £60. Rab Ritchie beat Gus Santana £60.
John Stewart beat Chris Forsyth £60. Andy Boulton beat Harry Todman £60.
Semi finals
Mike Veitch beat Rab Ritchie £120. John Stewart beat Andy Boulton £120 Andy missed two darts at double 16
to go through to the final.

Grand Final
John Stewart beat Mike Veitch £250.

Champion
John Stewart £500.

Fabulous day of darts and many thanks to the owner John Swanston of Gladstone’s Bar for providing such
a tremendous amount of prize money this is certainly a darts pub many thanks again.
And of course to Ryan Murray who ran the competition and is a player who keeps this web site informed of competitions
from the Lothian’s area.

And to finish on a personnel note with no malice or underlying motive rather than I believe it to be true.
Chris Forsyth and I have travelled the country both north and south of Hadrian’s Wall.
Many times I have been grateful for a lift and the good crack (Chris can talk you know!)
Anyway sounds a bit daft but I believe that Chris Forsyth has become of age quite simply there appears a much more
mature and very definitely a deadly player here under pressure.
Chris Forsyth if he can keep this standard of play up is going to be a force to be reckoned with in the years ahead.

Long may it continue?
(just try and not do it against me please?)

MURRAY BAR PAIRS (22nd April)
Good turn out once again for this weekly competition with all entries
put into a draw and your doubles partner picked at random it makes for some
interesting games.
This week in the final it saw county player John Skippy Charleston and his partner in crime for the
evening Craig the Hit Man Jack take on local up and rising star of the ockey
Young Gun Kyle Gilmour of Polbeth and his partner Old Man Mitchell of Dedridge.
Cracking final with once again a winners take all competition.
Skippy Charleston had a terrific check out in the third leg of the match with a cracking 20-54-36 110 G.S.
To take a two games to one lead in the best of five final.
But Kyle and the Old Man were not finished yet! And back it came to the deciding game of the night.
And a good scoring game but with the advantage of first throw it saw Kyle and partner secure the
first prize of £40.00.
And when you consider that there is no entry fee you have to ask why is there not a queue at the door
waiting to enter a free competition with a winners take all.
It cant be bad can it?

MASONS ARMS CEMENT POINTS FROM THE MURRAY BAR (18thApril)
Once again and back on tract it saw John Brutons Masons Arms claim a whitewash over
the young Murray Bar Strollers team.
Top game came by way of a very young man who is starting to take the local darts scene to town
Kyle Gilmour going out in 20 darts. But it is doubles that win matches and that is what the
Masons Arms build their games on and to show what I mean it saw one of Old Deans Villages favourite sons
that man that game keepers are paid to keep out and fathers hide their daughters from!
The Pheasent Plucker himself Stevie Duncan finishing his match in style with a superb 102 kill for the Masons.

HIGHLANDERS COLLAPSE TO VISITING WANDERERS (18th April)
Yes the Saltire Highlanders once again failed to produce anything like the form they
used to show only last season but with four of their starting line up from only a year ago
now permanently missing it is a wonder they have secured any points this season!
Quite simply the visiting team from Polbeth the Murray Bar Wanderers were far to good for the Highlanders
and a resounding 7 games to 2 win plus a valuable two winning points keeps the Murray team right in the hunt
at the top of the leader board.
Good games on the evening came by way of Old Man Mitchell 17 darts. Stuart Russell 19 darter.
Davie Cluness 19 dart game.John Brett also with a 19 darter. Alan Wilson otherwise known as ZOKO
claimed the only maximum of the evening. Top pairs match went to Mitchell & Kirk with a 15 darter
but to little to late and as they say thats that.

TOWER BAR KNIGHTS STORM STIRRUP STANE INDIANS (18th April)
The Tower Bar Knights claimed a resounding seven games to two victory over the
Stirrup Stane Indians. Players hitting top form were
Tower knights beat Stirrup Stane A team 7-2 last night.
Knights player Ian The Fisherman Stewart hitting the red-lipstick with a cracking maximum 180.
Joe Devlin the Craigshill Devil was also in on the action knocking in a superb maximum as well 180.
And in the doubles Ian Stewart and Joe Devlin recorded a cracking 15 dart game.
Many thanks to Stuart Bowes for the information.
Speak Soon.

BRIGANDS PLUCK POINTS FROM FLYERS (18th April)
The holders of the league title the Paraffin Lamp Brigands for a while yet anyway ?
seem to have come back to winning ways with a solid seven games to two win over the
East Calder Doo Club Flyer's. Can only suggest that Big Daddy Frank Begley has been reading the riot act
as his team are now starting to play like the team they were last season!
Top games recorded belonged to Brian McIntrye 19 dart leg in the singles and
John Two Hands Hanlon from Deepest Darkest Mid Calder and Brian Tosh McIntyre a man certainly showing
good form this season with yet another good game under his belt 18 dart leg

PUMPHERSTON BOWLING CLUB OPEN (Sunday 17th April)
Youth over experience was the order of the day!
Yes making it a double celebration saw youth International Arran Edwards
keeping his good run of form going not only annexing the youth tournament on the Saturday which
qualifies him for the Youth World Masters.
Arran on the Sunday took the Pumpherston Open darts competition by storm beating a former
Scotland man Gordon Bruce in the final to claim the first prize of £100.
On the day 28 top marksmen took to the ocky the last eight men standing in the quarter finals
were
Arran Edwards beating Graham Boreland- Colin Robertson beating James Cumming.
Grant Lyle beating Graeme Bird- Gordon Bruce beating Shug Rice.
Semi final line up saw Arran Edwards take out Colin Robertson
and Gordon Bruce finishing Grant Lyle's good run.
The final saw Arran claim the first prize making it a double celebration for this young
West Lothian dartsman on the week-end.
Prize monies presented went to
Graham Boreland £5. James Cumming £5.Graeme Bird £5. Shug Rice £5.
C Robertson £20. G Lyle £20.
Runner up G Bruce £50. Champion A Edwards £100.

Top shooting on the day came by way of
The Tower Bar's John Grant finishing of a superb 156 game shot.
Close on the heels of that game shot we had Graeme Bird of East Calder going out on 141
Graeme also had a 112 takeout as well.Gordon Bruce from the Paraffin Lamp Brigands
finishing on 101 take out.From the land that time forgot yes the gates were left open on the
way out of Stoneyburn we had Stuart Russell knocking in a nice 96 game shot.
Grant Lyle finishing on a rock solid 83 was the last big shot out. Remember only scores of 75
and above are recorded on the league tables that is a 25 dart average.
Maximum hitters were from the wilds of West Lothian it saw from the Breich Plains we had our very
own Jamie the Reverand Bishop hitting 2x180 maximums.
Grant Lyle from the Paraffin Lamp Ruffnecks and Arran Edwards were also on the maximum 180 score sheet.
Top games and once again games must be finished in 20 darts or less that 25 dart average
being the cut of point.
Gordon Bruce 16+18 dart games. Jamie Bishop 14+16+20 dart games. Graeme Bird nice 18 darter.
Scott Cameron of the Paraffin Lamp Ruffnecks finishing in 19 darts.
East Calders Graham Boreland 2x17 dart legs.
Colin Robertson from the Dovehill Highwaymen 16&19 darters to put onto his tally sheet for the season.
Grant Lyle nice shooting with 18+19+20+20 dart games. Mick Burke Lanarkshire county player
who hails from Armadale finishing in 17+19 darts.
Mick Rice from Whitburn out in 16 darts. Arran Edwards games finished in 17+19+20 darts.

And to finish off we have a couple of very big thank you's to say.

To Gary Russell from Wright&MacLennan for helping promote this event by
putting up the first prize of £100 (many thanks) without this sponsorship
this event might not have taken place many thanks again.

Independant Mercedes & B.M.W. Specialists for
a free car M.O.T. Cracking prize that one was.

To Hudson Barnett of IT'S Photographic
for a free Family Portrait .
(This is a nice prize to keep for prosperity)
And of course our hosts on the day the Pumpherston Bowling club
who gave permmission for this event to take place.

And let us not forget the man who had the idea in the first place
Chris Barnett
A lot of work go'es into running these events and Chris on the day also
secured £100 for charity. Marvellous achievement and hopefully we will see
Chris back on the ocky with a brand new dart team in the league next season!

WEST LOTHIAN YOUTH COMPETITION (16th April)
The Breich Club was the venue this week end for a Scottish youth tournament
and Local player Arran 'k' Edwards did the business. Taking the title and
guaranteeing himself a place in the Youth World Masters later on in the year.
Congratulations to this young darter who is certainly doing himself and the
county of West Lothian proud.

MURRAY BAR DARTS (15th April)
Once again a pub that is keeping darts going in the local area the Murray Bar
held their weekly competition. Good format all names going into the hat and your partner
is picked at random!
Free entry and £35 to winners cant grumble at that can you.
Final this week saw Davie Aitken the Polbeth Hit man and his partner (Dean) !
Now I have probably got the name wrong so can some one help me out here please.
Were up against Micheal and Old Man Mitchell tough game Davie and Dean went 2-0 in front only to see
there opponents some how scramble the next three legs to win the money good match with plenty of good
natured banter going on.
The one thing that was clear was both Davie Aitken and Jim Mitchell could half their ages and they
would probably still be two of the oldest dart players in the pub?
Good to see so many young players trying their arm at the darts long may it continue.
Belive that the only maximum 180 hitter on the night was Kyle Gilmour.
Other winners from the past couple of weeks have been the
Jacks family
Craig & Wullie Jack were drawn out together and took the prize money.
Good format you just dont know who you will partner.

U.K OPEN (15th April)
Well folks looks like there was a competition yesterday for the U.k. Open in Glasgow and local man
Kirk Gordon qualified (well done)
Have no news how many games were won but as the information comes in it will be posted
so if you have info-news please send it in.
Cheers.

U.K. OPEN QUALIFIER
Rileys Snooker Club Edinburgh
Sunday the 10th April.
This competition was played out to a winner with the champion going through to the Grand Finals
at the Reebok stadium and a chance to play live in front of the T.V. cameras.
With professional, semi professional and internationals from both sides of the border in attendance
this was going to be an exciting game of arrows.
From West Lothian we had only one entry and that was myself so I take this opportunity to a apologise if
the report seems one sided!
First up it saw (me myself I) up against former Scottish Internationalist John Donaldson from Falkirk
cracking match with 3 x 180's recorded final score in a real tight match was three games to one
for Old Man Mitchell and it could have gone either way!
Next game up saw this match go all the way before a final leg checkout saw Mitchell take the match
by three games to two.
Board semi final saw Mitchell once again go through with a three games to one victory.
Well final of the board last eight or quarter finals saw English semi pro and International player Davy Boy Prins
step up to the ocky and this was a humdinger of a match Davy wins the bull to throw first
and go'es out in 15 darts Mitchell replies with a 17 dart game. Mitchell breaks the throw in the next leg with a 15 dart kill
finishing on 101 to go two games to one up. And the drama doesn't stop there up steps Davy and takes out a 105 game shot
with Mitchell sitting on double 8. And that is why the bulls eye is so all important in theses games
Davy Prins scores 140-140-100-85 to leave 36 Mitchell records 85-100-60-140 and that as thew saying go'es is that
Davy Prins three games to two victory over the Old Man Mitchell all in all an enjoyable match played in good spirit.
In the semi finals it saw Derek Penn from Falkirk go down fighting to Davy by a score line of three games to one.
The other semi final saw Ian Gleeson former Merseyside player take out Alec Lister by three games to nil.
The final was a real high scoring match with both players hitting the red lipstick with consumate ease
but at two games each and with Davy Prins sitting on 88 it saw Ian Gleeson take out a superb 101 finish
to stake his claim to a chance to shine on the televised event at the Reebok.
Stats for Mitchell on the day were 3x180-101 +85 check outs and games finished in 15-17-17-19-19
and quite simply it was'nt enough so roll on next year and we will try again.
Hopefully there will be one or two more players from West Lothian entering after-all it is on our doorstep!

BRIGANDS CLAIM THE PRIZE
League four man team competition finals were held last night
Monday the 11th April.
Last four teams standing were from the Murray Bar in Polbeth both their 'A' & 'B'
Teams were in the final as were the Dovehill Arms from Uphall and the Paraffin Lamp from Livingston.
Final saw Big Daddy's Paraffin Lamp Brigands claim the title from the Murray Bar Strollers.
Some facts and figures from the evenings darts are as follows.
Brian MacIntyre 16 dart leg. Gordon Bruce 19 darter. John Rooney 19 dart leg. John Hanlon 19 dart leg
John was also hitting the treble twenty with consummate ease recording not one but two 2 x 180.

Colin Robertson and Davy Nisbet on fire in the doubles with 16 and 18 dart legs
Davy also clocking out on a cracking 129 checkout.
Gordon Bruce and Colin Kelly were not far behind finishing in 19 darts with Gordon checking a rock solid 98.
Any other news will be added as and when it reaches me hopefully soon!
Cheers to John Two Hands Hanlon from Deepest Darkest Mid Calder for the info.

DOVEHILL HIGHWAY MEN EXTEND LEAD! (4th April)
Yes the Highwaymen have extended their lead at the top of the table with
both the joint second place teams loosing!
The Masons from West Calder went down by a scoreline of eight games to one
to the rampant Highwaymen.
Paraffin Lamp Ruffnecks lost by the odd game in nine score line was five games to four
for their pub sharing opponents the Paraffin Lamp Brigands.
Saltire Highlanders managed a home win over the Murray Bar Strollers by eight games to one.
So at the top of the table we still have the Dovehill Highway men topping the league
but changes to the second and third
positions both these teams lost but this is when goal difference comes into play and the Ruffnecks
go second and have a game in hand over the chasing West Calder Masons.
Still lots to play for should be an exciting couple of weeks coming up.
And lets not forget the Murray Bar Wanderers they cannot be ruled out of contention yet either!

4th April top games!
From the Murray Bar in Polbeth we have a young man who is making an impact in the local dart
scene Kyle Gilmour finishing in 18 darts and hitting a nice (they always are!) magical 180 maximum.
Also on target was Matt Heeps of the Highlanders with a maximum 180 to add to his ally for the season
and a rock solid 20 dart game.
On-target for the Masons was the Polbeth Hitman Davie Aitken finishing in 18 darts.
Colin Robertson went one better for the Highway men with a nice 17 dart game.
Also hitting form for the Dovehill Highway Men were Davie Nisbet finishing in 20 darts.
John Rooney keeping his good run of form going with another good match going out in 18 darts.
Chris Forsyth or resident Gabby Cabby was on the score sheet with a solid 20 dart game as well.
From the dark reaches of the outback our very own tame Antipodean Colin the Outlaw Kell
going out in 17 darts. Gordon THE Bruce on target with 18 darter as was Ross B.D.Burnside yet another
18 dart game. Some good scoring came courtesy of Shaun Robertson with his second maximum 171 this season.
Followed quickly by the Candy Man Sandy Coulter with a 180 for the Ruffnecks.
Colin Kelly finished on a nice two dart 97 game shot. Brian McIntyre cracking 89 out on the bulls eye.
And as far as I know that is it for Monday the 4th April.
Perhaps someone from the other teams will enlighten us shortly of any other good games etc.
Can only report on what is sent in so PLEASE keep the info coming otherwise I will have to write about myself
and that would be a bit boring would'nt it?