On Friday night, we played away at The Globe – though Billy went to watch Newcastle play Cardiff so Roger Snr stood in for him. Simon and Claire were my escorts to the pub, and Paul played the role of “husband” for the evening (going to the bar for me etc.)

Don’t know what we were on that night, but we were great! We won – by five clear games!

Photo courtesy of Paul:

Unfortunately for Simon, he played the other team’s strongest player, though his own darts were not poor, and Claire had half a chance of nicking her game, but alas, it wasn’t to be. My own darts got steadily better as the night wore on and by my singles game I just knew the darts were going to go where I aimed and twice I scored 100 (one at a timely moment in mine and Roger’s doubles and once in my singles.) (Roger Snr eclipsed this by scoring 140 three times!) Roger got the finish in our doubles, thankfully, and he also did all the maths since Billy wasn’t there, so he could tell me where to aim. My opponent and I were neck and neck throughout in our singles game, and it was the fastest game of the night – happily, I just beat him to the double to win.

The player on this team who tends to be a bit of a pain and whom we always want to beat, was playing last, against Paul. (Strangely, though, this player was making efforts to be pleasant this time though which took some getting used to, but fair play to him!) Paul said he could just relax as there was no pressure, but I told him he couldn’t and that he had to win. And he did – despite making hard work of it.

At the end of the game, after eating the rather tasty food on offer, we decamped to The Heart and Billy joined us when he arrived back from his match. He was in a good mood having seen Newcastle win 5 – 1 and we all had a good time.

I wish I could bottle the confidence and ability I’d had this week! Thanks also to my lovely team mates, I’d had a great night, despite earlier wishing I didn’t have to go out, and it did me good. Roger Snr said we should all go out together at the end of the season, and the idea gets my vote