Practise has been going well at home. I'm much more relaxed and I'm finding more straight darts. I've also changed my points, which seems to be helping - I'm now using 41mm, which is giving me a little more room in the board. I was on shorter points for the recent tournaments, but will be using the longer ones for a big tournament on 28th December.
Wednesday 18th Tournament Under 55 Average
I felt quite good going into this tournament and thought I could go deep if I finished well in my group. I started off well, scoring wise, hitting a 53 average. However my opponent hit a 60+ average, so I lost that 2-0. I wasn't worried, as the darts felt good. I had lots of chances in the second game, but blew my lead with bad doubles and lost 2-1. No panic yet, as I thought I had a good chance against my third opponent. I played solid darts and got a 2-1 win, although again, doubles were an issue. I knew I had to win my last game, and scored well. My opponent did let me off a few times, but I kept my nerve for once, to get a 2-0 win and qualify for the knockout stages.
The dreaded nerves came into play in my last 16 game, I felt I could, and should, have won this, but I couldn't quite relax, and my opponent kept hitting solid scores, giving them first crack at the double each leg. I lost 2-0, but learned a lot in that game. And feel I can overcome these nerves.
Stats: Avg 46.43: First 9 52.08: 100+ 7: 140+ 0: 180 0
Thursday 19th Tournament (Open)
I had quite a tough group, as is expected on a Thursday night, including former top 20 tour player, Steve Brown. I had chances in several games though, and just the doubles were affecting me. My scoring seems to be on the up, and as long as I can consistently hit good scores, I can give myself a little bit more time at the doubles. In one game I hit a 65 average, which is definitely where I would like to be consistently. Two of my games, I had real chances to win, but I didn't take my chances. As the levels are quite high on a Thursday, there isn't the luxury of missing doubles. But it was a good night and things felt good.
Stats: Avg 50.07: First 9 50.97: 100+ 4: 140+ 2: 180 0
