(Match Report written by Daniel Park and John Hammersley)

Biannual Darts Tournament

This was to be the fifth time the sides would have met and little did we know that it would turn into an epic. Southampton arrived in high spirits, confident the new and improved team they were bringing would lead to victory. However, the team we were fielding was also the strongest it has ever been. This was certainly going to be a match to test the nerves; the atmosphere in the graduate could be felt by all. Despite the tension, there was the good sportsmanship and the typical friendly behaviour throughout, which has become synonymous with this event. The lights were low and the playing order was placed on the blackboard:

Southampton	-	Warwick
Automator	vs	Hannibal
Kiddie Smuggler	vs	Mike
Big German	vs	The Druid
First Lady	vs	The Fury
Porsche	vs	The Hammer
Soprano	vs	Weedkiller
Spunky	vs	Tiny Tyke
Trav	vs	Disco Stu
Kareoke	vs	Otta
Marky Boy	vs	Stalker
Lego	vs	N. Lepper
1st Ladies Bitch	vs	Sharky

With the battle lines drawn the matches could begin: Warwick started at an absolute sprint, taking the first four games without dropping a leg. The president, Hannibal, led the way with some impressive scoring, including a 180, much to the delight of the home team. However any thoughts that moved towards a whitewash were swiftly removed as Southampton dug in and pulled it back to 4-4, as the Hammer failed to capitalise on some decent scoring with woeful attempts at the double 3. Other usually solid players also came unstuck on the doubles, and despite playing the better darts, after 8 games the scores were back level.

We were left reeling by these losses; it seemed everything was not going to go our way, at least not without a fight. In this situation up stepped Otta, who battled bravely against the legendary (!) Kareoke and won his match 2-1 to allow Warwick to regain the rhythm and take a 5-4 lead. We were back on track until Marky Boy pulled back the next game for Southampton. At this point the match could have gone either way, but Warwick were left with two of their ace cards, saved for the final games. So it would prove as Lepper pounced to take his game 2-1 and place Warwick in the position that meant we could not be beaten.

With the night almost over the tension was at its premium; only Sharky left to play for Warwick. If he won the team would win, otherwise Southampton would grab a slice of the glory. With a steady nerve and the aid of a 140, Sharky took the game 2-1, to give Warwick the match 7-5. A brave performance from all concerned and a well fought victory. This was the tensest match to ever grace the oche of the Graduate, with the night topped off by the result favouring the home team.

RESULTS

Southampton	-	Warwick
Automator	0 - 2	Hannibal
Kiddie Smuggler	0 - 2	Mike
Big German	0 - 2	The Druid
First Lady	0 - 2	The Fury
Porsche	2 - 1	The Hammer
Soprano	2 - 0	Weedkiller
Spunky	2 - 0	Tiny Tyke
Trav	2 - 1	Disco Stu
Kareoke	1 - 2	Otta
Marky Boy	2 - 0	Stalker
Lego	1 - 2	N. Lepper
1st Ladies Bitch	1 - 2	Sharky

SOUTHAMPTON 5 - 7 WARWICK