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Blog Entry #17 - 21st May 2013
Friday arrived and it was the qualifier for EPT4 in Vienna, after a good practise for once! the draw went up and I drew Connie Finnan, this was a good quality game! I went into a 2-0 lead but Connie responded taking the next 3 however I too fought back taking the next 4 legs to take the win 6-3. In my game to qualify for Vienna I continue in decent form and win 6-2 ensuring my spot at EPT4 where I have drawn Ronnie Baxter! Saturday and players champ 1, I draw a tough board but play very well in my first game, scoring and doubles going in nicely and I take a good win over Mark Dudbridge. My second game and I continue a decent level of scoring but my doubles let me down, some were bad darts others were on the wire but just didn't go in and the first leg just about summed this match up when I missed 9 darts at the double! Rob was steady as always and won easily and he also cruised to victory taking the days tournament! Sunday and I draw Steve McNally who I had played on Friday night, this time I won 6-1 with a good solid display. My second round game and I play James Wade, I start of slow enough and James takes a 3-0 lead but I fight back to trail just 4-3. In the end James takes victory 6-4 in a match that could have gone either way but for a double here and there and the odd bit of luck, think James ended with a 97avg and me about 95 - 96avg. Overall I was Dissapointed not to get further but I picked up money both Saturday and Sunday, only losing to two premier league players one of whom won Saturdays comp and I qualified for Vienna! My performances were good in all games except for a few doubles and legs against Mr Thornton. On to Wigan in two weeks time now quickly followed by Austria and Bolton.
Blog Entry #16 - 30th April 2013
Home from a miserable weekend in Wigan, miserable not only coz my results were bad but miserable because my performance was terrible, it was really really bad, it was like I was learning to play darts from start, just awful, got what I deserved!!!!! The week leading up to Wigan I had been playing well which included a comp win on Tuesday, this made my performances even more of a head scratcher.
Friday and the euro qualifier and I draw Denis Ovens, I start off with a 13 darter and then apart from a 120 finish later this was as good as it got and after a terrible performance I lost 6-4, was awful.
Saturday and UK OPEN 7 qualifying, I won my first 2 games against Stephen Hardy and Kentaro Sizuki 6-1. These games are easy to sum up, my opponents were below par and my scoring wasn't great but my doubles were very good and got me through. I then play Richie Howson, I was 2-0 and 3-1 up but it was a game littered with mistakes and my bad scoring continued but my doubles faltered as well and I dissapointingly lost 6-3.
Sunday and I draw Jim Walker in a prelim, my scoring was a bit in and out but hit a few 177's and 174's but my doubles were great in this game and after being 4-0 up I eventually win 6-2. I then play Gino Vos and while my scoring to not be great my doubles were also poor in this one and after being 2-2 when I should have been 3-1 up I eventually lost 6-2, gutted to say the least.
So another UK OPEN qualifying campaign has once again come and gone, I finished on £1400 and although I didn't quite finish in the top 32 I finished in the next 32 so on the Thursday night I only have to play one game, starting off in round 2 which hopefully ill win and be in the draw for Friday's 3rd round and of course the money stages. This year hasn't started off great for me results wise, the Friday euro qualifiers have been a nightmare and the Saturdays and Sundays have been ok rather than great. Performance wise this weekend and the euro qualifiers have poor to say the least, the other 3 Saturday and Sundays have been decent though and I have played better than my results would suggest. In general I feel I'm playing ok but my year hasn't caught fire yet albeit we have only had 4 weekends but I'll be doing my best to put things right in the coming months as I look forward to the players champs, Euro events and of course the UK OPEN. Until next time
Peter Hudson.
Blog Entry #15 - 25th January 2013
Back home from Crawley now, still feeling like crap and was most of the weekend, not great timing for the start of the new season but there's a lot of it going about!
Steady weekend of darts, played J Haines ( W6-2 ), A Jenkins ( W6-2 ) in the EPT1 qualifier before J Walker beat me last game ( 6-3 ).
Saturday I had tough games against J Hubbard ( W6-4 95avg ), J Caven ( W6-5 ) was 5-2 down in this game, Jamie was 3-0 up in 12, 10 and 15 darts so a good comeback, no averages for this game but must have been 100+, D Copley ( W6-2 ) before Mr Baxter took me out ( 6-3, me 91avg to Ronnie's 87) my worst game of the day, missed a few doubles but fair play to Ronnie who made the Semi's.
Sunday was tough day, feeling really rough and tired by now, played Gino Vos ( W6-3 ) and Dave Pallet ( W6-5 ) before Kevin Thomas beat me( 6-4 ) in a match where he hit a 9 dart finish, well done fella! So home now, feet up after a tired old weekend but all in all a steady start results wise with £600 in the uk open order of merit and I played ok especially considering it was the first weekend, qualifying for minehead would have topped it off nicely. It felt good to be back up and running again on the PDC roadshow!
Blog Entry #14 - 12th September 2012
After a mix up (or should I say cock up!) with my flight arrangements I ended up going to Germany by car and ferry with my dad driving. We left home on Wednesday evening and after a long and tiresome journey we arrived at our hotel in Sindelfingen, Germany on Thursday afternoon.
After resting up for the remainder of Thursday and the Friday morning, we headed to the venue at around 9:30 am for my match against Alan Tabern, our game was scheduled for 3pm-ish. The first hour or so of practice was patchy, but as the afternoon matches commenced I started to feel ok.
Then it was game time, we were on board number two, it took about 10 throws at the bull to determine who went first but eventually I won it! I started off the better player and quickly raced into a 2-0 lead but Alan is such a tough and dogged competitor and he levelled at 2-2. I again open up a 2 leg lead at 4-2 but once more Alan levelled at 4-4, I felt like I was in control but needed to keep my concentration and I did, I won the last 2 legs to run out a 6-4 winner! It was a bit of an in and out game for both of us, from my point of view my scoring wasn't at its best but my doubles were ok, I end up with a 89.56 average, not great and far from my best but it was a steady effort in a big pressure game, with this win my first and main aim for the weekend was achieved, it was an important win with such a big difference in prize money of £200 - £1000 to help in the rankings.
After a bite to eat Friday evening and watching the night session we headed back for a good nights sleep. Saturday was a long day, I woke early but was not due on until about 8:30 that night, it dragged on forever but eventually we headed to the venue just after 4pm on Saturday evening and there was a great crowd in:
The atmosphere was great and I was looking forward to my game against Adrian Lewis, I'd only played Adrian once before and was just edged out 6-5. Game time arrived dead on 8:30, it was a completely different feeling to my game the day before, that was in a small room with a couple of people in it but this was more like it!
I won the bull and kicked off first, I won the first leg and was playing well and feeling confident, Adrian then held to level at 1-1, he then threw a top leg to break and lead 2-1. I knew I had to reply quickly and against the throw I was sat on 80 with Adrian left on 124, I threw for the treble 20 then double 10, game shot I thought but no! The treble wasn’t in, I was about to take my darts out but George noble informed me off my fate, damn it - it was laying tight to the treble but not in, even Adrian thought it was in but no,
I had to try and recompose and hit double top but I missed and then Adrian did what a world champ does, with me sat on tops he stepped in and hit a brilliant 124 finish on the bull, ouch!!!!! My head was in a bit of a spin, I was not best pleased, from playing ok and looking like going 2-2 with my throw I was 3-1 down, I kicked off with 60 and then Adrian a 180 and that was that. Adrian played superb after that and hit me with some great darts and did a job on me but I let that leg affect me and I shouldn’t have done and started to play really poor, take nothing away from the champ though, the last few legs were a blur as Adrian went 180 mad and hit doubles with ease, well played Mr Lewis!
So my weekend was over but I picked up good ranking money and kept my hopes alive of qualifying for the world championships - yet was still disappointed, not that I got beat but with the manner of my performance in the last few legs and the fact that I let a little mix up affect me so much. It's gone now though and I am looking forward to the rest of the year starting off with Barnsley this weekend. Until next time
Blog Entry #13 - 2nd July 2012
Friday morning and the time was upon us once again to head for the k2 and the darts, my dad was on driving duty as usual. We picked up Joe Murnan and Ross smith from the local train station and set of on the long journey down south to Crawley, leaving at 10:30am and arriving shortly after 2:30pm.
Saturday
We arrived at the venue at 9:00am, giving Kevin Painter a lift from the hotel, I had a good throw and was looking forward to the day, the draw is put up and I am against Micheal Barnard. The game ends in defeat but i now I'm biased but I thought I did more than enough to be a deserving winner. I was 4-1 and 5-3 up and then bent the wire on d14 for a 148 finish to win 6-3 and then in the next leg I wired d16 for a 131 finish to win 6-4 and then in my last leg I had a bounce out with my first three darts and then hit 180, 140 but in the last 3 legs my opponent hit his double with the 3rd dart with his first 2 not close, end averages from sportstat was me 101.9avg, Micheal 98avg, gutted!
Sunday
Again I was looking forward to the day but just hoping for a better result, the draw delivers a first round game against Denis Ovens, I should win the first leg but frustratingly lose it then find myself 3-0 down, I win 6 legs on the trot though and run out a 6-3 winner. Round 2 time now and I am up against Steve Farmer, this is an in and out game with some great legs and some average ones but in the end I win 6 legs to 4 and include a 10 darter in my triumph. Andrew Gilding awaits me in the board final after he beat Wes Newton in the previous round, I take a 4-0 lead before Andrew takes his first leg, we then share the next 2 and with the score at 5-2 I throw a good last leg to win the game by 6 legs to 2. Last 16 time and I am up against Kim Huybrechts, Kim beat me in Bolton so I was after a turn around here. Kim wins the bull and promptly takes the first leg but I fireback and take the next 3 to lead 3-1. Kim responds to level at 3-3, I throw a good leg and break to go 4-3 up however I open up with a poor score in the next leg and am broken back, 4-4 then becomes 5-4 when kim holds, I take out a 120 checkout to level up at 5-5. In the last leg we both score well and I am not far behind when Kim checks out to win 6-5, dissapointed to lose but a steady enough day.
So overall an in and out weekend results wise but performance wise I was satisfied, been playing ok recently, just a shame there is a bit of a break now but not to worry.
Until next time
Peter Hudson.
Blog Entry #12 - 26th June 2012
Thursday morning and it is time to head to Liverpool airport for the 14:15 flight to Berlin, also on this flight are R Baxter, W Newton, D Chisnall, D Winstanley A Tabern, R Robinson, D Johnson and D Ladley. We arrive in Berlin at 4pm UK time / 5pm Berlin time and I jump in a taxi from the airport with Tabern, Ladley, Johnson and Robinson, I drop them off at their hotel ( holiday inn ) and carry on to my hotel to meet up with my roommate for the weekend - Darren Webster. After a quick wash and a settle in myself and Darren decide to head to the venue for a practice however this is not possible as the practice boards are not available due to a concert taking place at the venue that night. We decide to head off and have a walk round Berlin and take in a bite to eat before heading back to our hotel for a good nights sleep.
Friday.
Myself and Darren get a taxi to the venue at 8:45am and are the first to arrive, Darren was scheduled first on the main stage with myself being on fourth. After a decent practice the event started and I was ready for my game against Mervyn King, I knew I would be in for a tough game against such a great player like Mervyn but was confident of a result though as I had beaten Mervyn the week before in birmingham. I won the bull but Merv proceeded to break me with the help of 3 140's, I responded and broke back and then the legs went with throw until 3-3. In the next two legs I was sat on a double and Merv took out two finishes including a 121 to take a 5-3 lead, in the next leg I left myself on 50-ish if I remember rightly and again Mr King checked out this time for victory. I was obviously disappointed to get beat but I didn't do an awful lot wrong, i didn’t play as good as when I played Mervyn in Birmingham but I didn't play too bad and Mervyn played well. The legs were won in 13, 15, 15, 15, 15, 17, 14,18 and 16 darts. The averages were Mervyn 98avg and me 95avg. So the day was over and I headed back to the hotel and packed ready for my flight home the next morning, Darren and I picked up Mr and Mrs Hamilton from their hotel early on Saturday morning and headed off to the airport, their flight was earlier than mine back to Luton and I waited for mine meeting up with Darren Johnson who was on the same flight back to Liverpool with me. So overall to sum things up, I was disappointed to get beat but played ok-ish without playing my best but I certainly enjoyed the experience even though it was short lived, well played Mervyn as well.
Until next time
Peter Hudson.
Blog Entry #11 - 22nd June 2012
Reebok time and I arrived at the venue at 3:00pm on the Thursday and had a good practice and chat with Stephen Bunting and Kevin Simm. Jamie Lewis had beaten Steve farmer and Mark Stephenson so I was up against the young man, to be honest against Jamie I didn't score my best, I was hitting more tons than 180's but I hit my doubles! I was 4/4 on my finishing including a bull outshot and a 143 checkout to wrap up a 4-1 victory. Friday now and I am up against the very talented Kim Huybrechts. In this match I scored a lot better than against jamie but was unable to get the victory due to my doubles. At 4-4 I really should have been 6-2 up but for the odd shot at a double and then in the second half of the match Kim got confident and I got more agitated as doubles affected me and Kim ran out a 9-4 winner. I was disappointed, Kim is a great player but for the odd double I could of ran out a 9-4 winner quite easily myself, still Bolton was a great experience once again and the £1000 was a help.
Birmingham.
Euro tour 3 qualifier - I avoided a first round game and was due to play the winner of joe Cullen 6-3 and Tony West. I started off the match slowly going 2-1 down but quickly went into a 4-2 lead, Joe levelled up at 4-4 but I broke throw to lead 5-4 and on my throw I kicked of 137, 180. I then wired and I mean wired 4 darts at double top but then threw 3 bad darts at double 10 to win 6-4 and ended up getting beat 6-5, damn!!!!
Saturday.
I am drawn against Andy Jenkins, Andy plays pretty steady taking a 3-1 lead but I fight back to win 6-4. I am up next against a top player and guy in Terry Temple, I take a 5-0 lead in this one and end up winning by 6 legs to 2. Onto the board final now against Mervyn King, the first 6 legs are shared but at 3-3. I power away to win 6-3 and move on to the last 16. There I am up against Uk open champ Robert Thornton! I am in real good form by now and race in to a 5-0 lead however a drop in concentration allows Bob back into the match but I soon regain my composure and run out a 6-3 winner. I am ready for my quarter final match now but have to wait almost 40 minutes as Ronnie Baxter is still playing his board final and then his last 16 game. In the game against Ronnie I don't get going at all, that break did me no good at all, it's easy to say I should be ok with a break but when you’re in a good rhythm a break that long is a bit off putting, fair play to Ronnie though, he ran out a comfortable winner and ended up winning the comp.
Sunday.
I lost my first game to Gary Butcher, the first 9 legs went with throw as I took a lead 5-4. In the legs I won I won fairly easily but in his winning legs Gary was hanging on a bit but he took out some great outshouts so fair play Gary. At 5-4 I missed 2 darts to win 6-4 and ended up getting beat 6-5!!!!! So the weekend was over once again, I had a decent Saturday and picked up good money, on Sunday I didn't play as good as the day before yet played more than good enough to win but couldn't get over the line. Onwards to Berlin now where I know I will be in for a real tough game on the main stage against Mervyn King.
Until next time
Peter Hudson.
Blog Entry #10 - 28th May 2012
The time was on us once again to descend on Crawley, this time for the euro tour 2 qualifier as well as the usual pro tour events. We left home at around 9:45am and arrived at our premier inn in Crawley at 1:30pm, after unpacking, relaxing and having an ice cold shower we arrive at the K2 for 4pm. After a steady practice the draw goes up for the Euro Tour 2 qualifier and i am up against Keith Stephen. I do not know Keith personally, nor have i seen him play before so I have no experience or memories to call on so I just try to focus my mind for the nights play. Keith hit a 180 with his first 3 darts and I knew then that i was in for a toughie! I played really good though and ran out a 6-1 winner, hitting a couple of 11 darters, a 12 and a 13, infact my worst leg was 15 darts ( i think ). Keith played better than the scoreline suggests, he hit at least 4 or 5 180's and 177's and his one winning leg was a 12 darter if memory serves me right. Onto the game to qualify now and I have Mark Hylton as my next opponent, I start off slow but Mark is playing well and takes early leads of 2-0 and 3-1 but I regain my form and take the next 5 legs to win 6-3 and book my place for Berlin and euro tour 2, was more than satisfied with the way I played, I played really solid darts.
Saturday
We arrive at the K2 at 9am on Saturday morning in confident mood after a successful Friday evening, after the usual practice the draw is up at 11:20 am and i am up against Steve West. I am expecting a tough game against Steve and i play well but Steve doesn’t really turn up and i am able to run out an easy 6-0 winner. Next up is " THE PIEMAN " Andy Smith, this was a real tough and exciting game, Andy takes a 2-0 lead but i level up at 3-3, Andy again extends his lead to 5-3, I hit a good leg and the score is now 5-4. Andy then misses 4 darts ( i think ) to win 6-4 and i step in to level at 5-5 with a double top. In the last leg Andy has the throw and is sitting on 60 with me on 201, i hit a 177 to leave 24 but would i get a shot? Fortunately the answer is yes, Andy hits 20 but then missed double top and 10 and I step in and hit double 12 with my first dart to take a 6-5 win. I know everyone says this but i just want to say myself what a fantastic bloke Andy Smith is, cheers Andy! Another top bloke and top player is up next - Mark Walsh, this game is another see-saw battle but I eventually take a 5-3 lead but Mark chips away and levels up at 5-5, I kick off the last leg and this is a nervy affair for us both but I manage to sneak a 6-5 victory. Last 16 now and i have the TACHELESS Terry Jenkins, I was hoping the former mustached darter may have lost some of his powers after his close shave for charity but it was not to be! I should have been 2-1 up but found myself 2-1 down after missing doubles, from this point I start to play real bad, to be fair also from this point " THE BULL " relaxes and plays some great darts and runs out an easy 6-1 winner, well played Terry. Last 16 though and £600 in my bin was a steady effort.
Sunday
Again arriving at the K2 at 9am in the sweltering heat, practice goes ok and this time i am drawn against Jamie Lewis, i take a 3-0 lead and then with a 170 finish go 4-0 up. At this point I seem to lose concentration and Jamie throws some fantastic darts and before i know it the score is level at 4-4. I soon regain my composure though and take a 5-4 lead, in the last leg i am on 164, i step up and think i hit T20 T18 and the bull, I turn around to shake Jamie's hand but to my shock and embarrassment the T20 is not in, instead it is glued to the wire just underneath, oops!!!!!! lol. Jamie misses one dart at double and i have to try and sort my head out for double top, my mood is not helped as the first dart goes in the corner of double 1 but luckily for me my next dart goes straight in the middle of double 19 to take a 6-4 victory, PHEW!!!!! lol. Onto Mr Huybrechts and i knew this would be a tough game but to be honest i blew it, Kim is a fantastic scorer but i outscored him in 5 out of 7 legs but infuriatingly my doubles were not going in, instead hitting lots of wires, disappointed really coz they were really good all weekend. Kim too missed a few doubles, normally with his first 2 darts but sneaking the double in with his 3rd and final dart, fair play Kim, well played, well won.
Well the weekend was now over but reflecting on it i have to be satisfied, £800 to the coffers and qualification for Berlin with £200 guaranteed there with the hope of further riches. Onwards now to Bolton and the UK OPEN at the Reebok Stadium.
Until next time Peter Hudson.
Blog Entry #9 - 8th May 2012
Well after leaving home just before 7:30 I arrived at the venue at 8:45, practice went ok and I was then drawn out in a prelim against Reece Robinson, this was a bit of an in and out game, I took a 3-1 lead but fell 5-3 behind but fought back and managed to win 6-5, my first round game followed a similar pattern and I also won 6-5. Onto the board semi now and I was up against Simon Whitlock, this was not a great game, I played very poorly and Simon was not at his best either but Simon ran out a 6-3 winner!
Sunday now and I again am drawn in a prelim, this time against Ian jopling. This is a nervy encounter but I manage to sneak a first round win 6-2. Next up is Matt Clark, I play decent to take a 3-1 lead but then lose my way and Matt takes advantage to take a 5-3 lead, I recover my composure however and comeback to win 6-5. Next up is Alan Tabern, this is an inconsistent game with some good scores and legs but it is also littered with mistakes from both, I am 2-0 up then 4-3 down and end up winning 6-4. Board final now and I am up against Mark Hylton, our last encounter was a 6-5 thriller but this was a bad game, for me at least, lol. I miss doubles in the first 3 legs and Mark punishes me and then runs out a comfortable winner, really dissapointed with the performance but well played Mark.
And so the uk open qualifiers come to an end and I finish 46 in the uk order of merit, gutted not to get to the 32 but am looking forward to the reebok now, roll on Bolton!
Until next time
Peter Hudson.
Blog Entry #8 - 2nd Apr 2012
Uk open qualifiers 3 and 4 time now, and I am looking to build on a good weekend at the first 2 events in Crawley and cement my position in the top 32 of the uk open order of merit.
After the usual practice on the Saturday, I am drawn in a prelim against Dave Smith, this is a bit of an in and out game with myself and Dave throwing good and bad legs of equal measure. I take a 5-2 lead but Dave pulls back to 5-4, however I regain my composure and play a good last leg to win 6-4.
Onto my next game against Stuart white, I am looking to improve my form after my first game but this was to be quite possibly one of the worst games I have ever played, first and foremost I will say well played Stuart but my scoring was terrible and yet in 4 of the 6 legs I still had a shot at a double, this game turned into a nightmare and ended 6-0, one to forget.
Sunday now and I decide to take it easier on the practice board and just try and get my focus on for the day and try and play like I can. I am once again drawn in a prelim, this time against Matthew Dicken, I have never seen Matthew play before or indeed heard of him, this was soon to change though. I was 2-1 up but struggling to shake Matthew off, he then went 4-2 up but I go through the gears and run out a 6-4 winner with some good darts, I was delighted with the win because this game was hard work and Matthew is one to watch for sure.
First round time now and I am against Stephen Clews, this is an equally tough game but I run out a 6-4 winner in a good quality game. John part awaits now in the board semi final, I score really good in this game, out-scoring John in the majority of the legs and with the help of some good finishing including a 141 checkout, I win 6-3.
Colin Osbourne is my opponent in the board final and I make the best possible start by breaking throw and taking the lead, this is to become the norm though and frustratingly the scores reach 3-3 with all 6 legs going against the throw, on Colin's throw I was great and a bit dodgy on my own, this was the same for Colin as well. 3 holds of throw later and the scores stand at 5-4 to Colin, I wire one dart at double and Colin takes out a clinical finish to win 6-4.
Overall in terms of results it was a steady weekend, my performance especially on the Sunday was good with the exception of the previous days debacle against Stuart, I once again picked up valuable money and am of course assured of my place at the Reebok but halfway through the qualifying events I am still in the top 32 and have a fighting chance to qualify for the Friday at Bolton.
Until next time, Peter Hudson.
Blog Entry #7 - 12th Mar 2012
After a decent nights sleep at the Reading central Premier Inn, my dad and I arrived at the Rivermead leisure complex at around 9:15am.
Practice went pretty good and I was feeling optimistic about how the day would unfold. The draw goes up and I learn I am up against Daniel Starkey, someone who I don't know but is obviously a good player after coming through this years Q school. After saying I felt good in practice and was looking forward to the day but for no apparent reason I felt a bit flat during the first game, Daniel was far from his best and while I too did not score great I was able to come away with a 6-1 victory thanks to some decent finishing.
Second round time now and I am up against Mark Webster, I knew I would have to play better than I did in my first game, however if anything I played worse, Mark won 6-2. Mark scored ok but was very good on his finishing, my scoring was poor yet I still had the odd dart at a double in 3 or 4 losing legs, they were destined not to go in and Day 1 came to an early and frustrating end.
Day 2 time now and practice was not great but I was determined to do better than Saturday. Draw time and I am first on against Phil Taylor. Last time I played Phil I got beat 6-5 in a first round match in a cracking game. Phil started of strongly and raced into a 2-0 lead, I responded though and the scores were level at 2-2 and then 3-3. I then broke the throw again to go 4-3 up, my throw now and I am thinking a hold here in 15 darts and I will be one away from victory at 5-3 although this is Phil and the hold would probably have to be in 12 darts. I was not to get a chance to go out in 12 however as Phil levelled up at 4-4 with a 9 darter which included scores of 180, 180 and a 141 checkout.
Phil then held to lead 5-4 and in the tenth leg I had 2 darts at double to level up at 5-5 but wired them both, I could not believe they did not go in, they were so close but not to be and Phil stepped in to win 6-4, well played Phil.
So an early end again but at least I played a bit more like myself this time, overall though it was a disappointing weekend especially on the Saturday in terms of the way I played and indeed on both days results wise. Onwards to Barnsley now, my form will come together very soon and when it does I am sure I will go very deep into a tournament.
Until next time, Peter Hudson.
Blog Entry #6 - 25th Feb 2012
Crawley report.
Friday morning comes around and once again my dad is on driving duty and this time we have a passenger in our car as Lee Whitworth is in need of a lift. We set off at around 10:00 am and make good progress only stopping the once for the loo and for lee to have a McDonalds and duly arrive at the premier inn in Crawley at 2pm. After a quick freshen up the three of us have a couple of jars in the bar while watching the previous nights premier league action in the company of Peter Wright, Jamie Caven, Mick Todd and Micheal Smith,
I head up to my room at about 7pm and try and get an early night however this is not achievable due to the fact that the heating was broken in the room and it was freezing, the plug in heater provided was not much use as well because it took forever to warm up, whining over now to the darts, lol. Saturday morning - We arrive at the venue at 9:10am and after a dodgy practice the draw is revealed and thankfully I have avoided a prelim however I am given a tough game in the form of fellow DF thrower Dave " The Rhino " Smith.
I make a good start in this one and take a 2-0 lead before Dave gets his first leg on the board but I then respond and take the next three to lead 5-1, Dave never gives in though and pulls it back to 5-3 however I always just have the edge and run out a 6-3 winner, this was a steady performance and nothing more. Second round time now and I have Chris Mason as my opponent, this is a scrappy and inconsistent affair with some great and also awful darts, the best thing to say about this game is that I won 6-2.
Board final time and I am up against the solid Mark Walsh, I continue my form from the previous game and mark ruthlessly punishes me and in fairness played well and strolled to a 6-1 victory, it was a bad performance from myself, indeed I did not play at my best all day however I was reasonably happy with the results considering the way I played. Sunday - Arrival at the venue is once again 9 ish and after a good practice this time I am drawn in a prelim against Paul Nicholson. Paul wins the opening leg but then I begin to hit good form and take the next 5 and lead 5-1, Paul wins the next but I am playing fantastic and win 6-2.
After an excellent performance against Paul I continue in the same vain against Steve Beaton, I again lose the first leg however I respond by winning the next 6 legs to record a 6-1 victory again playing great. Onto the next game now and I am up against kirk Shepherd, kirk beat me in Benidorm in not the best of games but this one was to be very different as I once again play good and run out a 6-1 winner.
Andy Smith next and this is a decent game, I take a 2-0 lead thanks to winning legs of 11 and 12 darts however Andy responds and takes 6 legs on the trot to win 6-2, my scoring did not drop of that much really, in fact in 4 of Andy's winning legs I am sat on a double waiting for a shot and Andy takes out 64 in 2 darts twice, 97 in 2 darts and a 145 checkout. In one of his other two legs I miss one dart at double top but fair play to Andy he played fantastic especially on his doubles and thoroughly deserved his victory and I must also say what a gentleman he is as well, great guy.
So the weekend had come to an end and I had quite possibly already done enough to qualify for the reebok but will try and make sure over the coming weeks and maybe even try and see if a can sneak a place to the Friday of Bolton as to avoid the Thursday. Was reasonably satisfied with my results but was happy about the way I played on Sunday, not so much who I beat, although they are top players it was the way I played and how I beat them that pleased me.
Onwards now to Reading for the next players championships and I am hoping for further and indeed improved results there.
Sorry for this report being a couple of weeks after the event, my apologies not getting it to you sooner.
Until next time, Peter Hudson.
Blog Entry #5- 15th Dec 2011
Well my darting year in the PDC has come to an end, it has been a good year yet ultimately a rather frustrating one with the highlight probably being my comeback win at the uk open against Magnus Caris, which included a 10 darter in the last leg.
I have enjoyed some decent runs on the pro tour and gained some wins against established players such as, Gary Anderson, James Wade, Jamie Caven, Mark Dudbridge, Paul Nicholson, John Henderson, Colin Lloyd, Jelle Klaasen, Andy Hamilton, Tony Eccles, Robert Thornton, Kevin Mcdine, Peter Manley, Dennis Smith and many more and i came close to qualifying for the Grand Slam of Darts.
However. I would say ultimately it has been a disappointing year because i have not got further up in the rankings than I would have wanted to and of course the biggest heart-ache was not qualifying for the world championship. I have struggled this year to get to many of the pro tour events especially those that were held overseas, I think i played in 17 pro tour events out of 31, missing 14 - nearly half of the events is just no good when your hoping to qualify for TV majors but hey, that's just the way things were.
I am looking for more sponsorship next year to enable me to get to more events and am confident that if i can participate in more than i have done this year i can and will qualify for the world championships and be knocking on the door of other TV majors. I would like to thank my current sponsors and other people who have helped me out this year, doublefinsh.com ( Mark, the rest of the guys and girls and the forum members ), the Ellesmere inn ( Anthony Hudson ), Chris Billam, Bill Lennard trophies and latterly A180 darts, your support has been very much appreciated.
I am looking forward to the tour next year and already planning certain things, i will leave no stone unturned to reach my goals and fingers crossed 2012 will be the year of " THE ROCK ".
Have a great Christmas and a happy new year,
until next time, happy darting
Peter Hudson.
Second round time now and i have the seeded Colin Osborne. This game
Sunday.
I again arrive at the venue at around 9:00am and have a really good
Onto the board semi-final now and i have " The Asset " Paul Nicholson
Last 16 time now and i am up against former world champ " The Bronzed
Monday - world qualifier.
Monday comes around and we arrive at the venue for about 9:30am, i was
There was a strange atmosphere at the venue, it seemed quite weird
Draw time and i am up against fellow doublefinish player Louis Blundell,
Andy plugged away and played steady even though he was far from his
Until next time
Blog Entry #3 - 10th November 2011
Friday morning comes around and it is time for the trip to Crawley. After waking at 7:00am we set of at around 9:15, my dad is once again on driving duty. We make good progress and arrive at the Premier Inn at about 1:00pm. We check inn and have a bit of a freshen up and head down to the K2 at 3:30pm. After a decent practise and a light ale the draw goes up at 5:30, i learn i have doublefinish.com's Nathan Davies, AKA “Redman”
We don't play that game until about 8:00pm and in the 2 hours from the draw going up Nathan assures me that i will have no trouble in disposing of him, if anything this makes me even more nervous and i try not to think about playing another forum member too much. The game comes around and i win 4-0 but in all fairness he threw some good scores and was not as half as bad as he made out. I win my next game 4-3 but did not throw great, then i have a tough match against Kevin Mcdine, i play ok in this one winning 4-1 and finish the last leg with a 144 checkout.
In my next game a have a young man called Keegan Brown, i did not know anything about Keegan before we played but could soon see he is a proper player and definitely one for the future. In a good quality game i win 4-0 but every leg was down to the finishes. Last 16 time now and i have the steady, dependable and never flustered Mark Jones, this is probably the highest quality game i am involved in on the day. I win 4-2 with some good finishing but mark was tough to shake off. Nearly there now, the grand slam is within touching distance and yet still is along way off.
I then play Ian White, this is another decent quality game without reaching the standard of the Mark Jones game, i break Ian's throw to lead 1-0 and then have 3 darts at double 8 to take a 2-0 lead however with my first dart of the 3 the dart slips for my grip and goes in the 16 bed and of course i bust. Ian wins that leg and then the legs go with throw up to 3-3 and the deciding leg. After some nervy scoring from us both, Ian leaves 20 and i hit a score of 133 to leave 32. Ian to have a shot at the double first and his first 2 darts are off target, the double 10 bed is now seemingly blocked but after a steadying pause Ian moves a couple of feet to his left and slots in the double 10. It was a great shot from Ian but obviously i was gutted, i was sat waiting on 32 and who know's what would have happened, i am not saying i would have hit it but it would have been nice at least to have had a shot for the game. It was not to be though, so close and yet so far, good look to Ian, Nigel and Magnus in the grand slam. Back to the hotel for 1:00am and asleep for 2:00am.
Saturday.
I awaken at 8:00am and head to the K2 for 9:00am. There is not much to say about this day other than i was really really knackered from the day before and i was feeling the effects. I had a bad practise but hoped i would be able to sort myself out for my game, this however was not to be. To my astonishment even though i was not playing good i take a 4-2 lead against the steady Dennis Smith - Smiffy, from then on though i miss double after double and lose 6-4. I decide to head straight back to the hotel and rest up for the Sunday.
Sunday.
We head to the K2 at 9:00am as usual but this time in a more confident and relaxed mood, a good nights sleep was had and i was refreshed for the day's action. After a good Practise with Mark Jones, John Walton, Paul Rowley and Kevin Dowling the draw goes up and i get BIG DADDY Darin Young, i play steady in this one rather than spectacular and run out a 6-2 winner. On to round 2 and i get the ever consistent Wayne Jones, this is the first time we have ever met in competition and i manage to sneak this one 6-4 with the aid of some big finishes. Up next in the board final it's Vincent Van de Voort, i knew to expect a tough game, obviously because Vincent is one of the best player's in the world but also because he had got to the final the day before. This became a rather frustrating game in the end, Vincent won the bull and threw first however on three occasions i broke his throw to take the lead but then infuriatingly i would put in a bad leg on my own throw or Vincent would put in a big finish, which is fair enough. The score stood at 4-4 and then in the last 2 legs i was sat on double in both of them but Vincent won them each time with his final dart at the double, final score 6-4.
So the weekend had come to an end and all in all it was a decent weekend that could have been so much better if the odd dart had gone my way. We left the K2 and arrived home about 7:30pm for a much needed rest. I would like to say a big thank you to the DF guy's and girls that were at the K2 for your support over the weekend especially on the Friday, it was much appreciated, it was also nice to put a few names to faces, i wont mention who as there were to many there to mention but thanks all.
Until next time
Peter.
Saturday morning came around and i was really looking forward to the weekends action in Derby as it had been a long wait since my last pdc event in Holland in the middle of June. My dad was not on chauffeur duty this weekend that responsibility fell to my uncle Anthony, he picked me up at my house at 7:45am and we made good progress en route to derby and arrived at the Moorways centre at around 9:10am. After a strong cup of coffee practise started well and i was feeling good ahead of my first game.
Day 1.
The draw goes up and i see that i have got " THE HAMMER " Andy Hamilton, I have played Andy a few times over the last few months and i know to expect a great game as he is such a solid and dependable player, however after his exploits in the World Matchplay I am expecting even more from him. The game kicks off and I win a solid rather than spectacular first leg, i then move 2-0 up with a good checkout before Andy pulls back to 2-1. At this point i start to get into the groove a bit more, i hit double 9 for a 14 darter to go 3-1 up followed by a 2 dart 41 checkout for an 11 darter. It’s now 4-1 then i hit double 16 first dart for a 13 darter to go one away from victory at 5-1. Andy then shows his class and never say die attitude and comes back with a 13 darter of his own and makes the score 5-2, i am keen at this point not to give Andy anymore opportunities as i know he would sniff a comeback, Andy leaves himself on double and i take out a 116 checkout to secure a 6-2 victory. I end the game with 5 180's and a good checkout percentage that included that 116.
After defeating Andy i am in confident mood and looking forward to my next game against James Richardson however this is the start of a nightmare two days. After a bit more practise i sit down and wait for my game, as i can see the game before us on our board is coming to an end i get ready to go on. I pick up my drink and before i know it i am lying face down to the floor with a shirt full of lager, the room is in hysterics and i get the usual sympathy from the lads - Not! lol. I then hear the shout your on, well i should have asked for a time out but my head was in a scramble and i head to my board shirt drenched and stuck to me and my ego bruised, the first 4 legs are scrappy as we both score OK but miss many doubles and a score that could have quite easily been 4-0 either way or 2-2 ends up 3-1 James. That becomes 4-2 but by now my head is gone, i am still thinking of the incident, my shirt is glued to me still and i am upset at missing many doubles. All that said though i must say after a scrappy start from James his last two or three legs were superb as he relaxed and threw some great darts to win 6-2. Nightmare over i make a quick exit and head back to the hotel.
Day 2.
I am up for 8:00am and after a quick shower we head back to the Moorways Centre for the second days activities. On the way there in the car i say to Anthony trust that to happen to me yesterday and watch it happen again, he says know it wont it was just a freak incident, mmmmmm........ we will see!
Practise goes OK and I am keen to make amends for Saturday and have a real good run, the draw goes up and i draw Mr Co Stompe. Things are going good and again i am getting ready to go on when the inevitable happened, yes you guessed it, i am once again face down on the floor, if the room found it funny the day before well you can imagine what they were like now, bloody nightmare! I stand up barely able to look at anyone through the embarrassment and try to hide the pain of landing awkwardly on my arm, i must say a thank you to Mrs Heydon and Nigel's daughter who went and got me a new seat from the bar area. Still red faced before you know it i am on and in a scrappy game with only the occasional good leg i go down 6-4 to Co, you can imagine the mood i was in, it was not good to say the least. Home time now and it could not come soon enough, the car was quiet on the way home and i was only hoping we did not get a flat tyre, that would have topped the weekend off, fortunately the car was OK.
Summary.
All in all it was a disappointing and extremely frustrating weekend. I was really looking forward to it before hand, i felt i was playing OK and backed that up with a good win over Andy Hamilton in my first game but from then on it became a bit of a nightmare, it feels like a weekend of missed opportunities as i felt i could have had a good run both days and could have picked up some good money and in turn good ranking points but it was not to be, fair play to James and Co though.
Until next time.....
Peter
Blog Entry #2 - 25th August 2011
I played in the Little Hulton Open on Sunday 21st, just gone. It was a last minute decision to go along and participate really. I was not planning on attending but deciding late on it would be worth the practice with the pro tour coming up!
I got off to a good start in round 1, with a narrow 3-2 win. I then played Alan Tabern Junior in the last 64- better known as "Spud". Then in the third round I came up against Robbie "Kong" Green and won that game 3-2! I was really up against it in the next round - as I came up against Dave "Chizzy" Chisnall, fellow PDC pro. Annoyingly I missed a couple of crucial doubles and Dave ran out 3-1 winner. Dave went on to win the competition, beating fellow PDC pro Michael Smith 6-0 in the final!
All in all I did not play my best but was happy to be participating again after not having had a match for two weeks. Hopefully it was good preperation for the upcoming Derby Pro Tour events on Sep 3rd/4th!
Cheers,
Peter.
Blog Entry #1 - 20th July 2011
Hello and welcome to my site, I am Peter Hudson " THE ROCK ". I am a Professional darts player currently playing in The Professional Darts Corporation ( PDC ). I have been playing darts for just over 10 years, firstly on the Manchester log-end board and over the last 5 years on the more traditional 501 board.
I joined the PDC in February 2010 and after a steady first year in January 2011 i secured my tour card for a further 2 years at the PDC Q SCHOOL. My time in the pdc has been fantastic so far, the players and officials are great to get on with, all are very approachable, it is fantastically well run and of course the standard is unbelievable.
My aims for the rest of the year are to try and climb the world rankings as much as i can so i can push on next year and be in a position where i can challenge for regular tv tournament appearances and the best way of doing that is by qualifying for the world championships, which is my biggest aim.
Peter.
