The
Smooth Running Of Knockouts.
Several players have
criticised the lack of smooth running of recent knockouts by posting unsavoury
comments on the Guest book. One or two pointed out that things would go better
if Graham were offered a little help on the night and the night of the doubles
at the Mansefield saw a couple of people really making the effort to help out.
One was Aaron Taylor who did a great job helping Graham with the paper work and the other
was Jacky McFarlane from the Miners Arms.
Half of the problem in running Knockouts is getting people to mark the boards even though it is normal practice for the loser to mark the board after competition games. Several players were seen to disappear in shame or annoyance after losing instead of taking their turn on the scoreboard. This slowed up the proceedings until another marker could be found often in the shape of the ever-obliging Jacky who marked many games without being asked to. If it hadn’t been for her help the night would have been drawn out even longer. Some players did mark, but they had to be badgered into doing their duty, while only a few were ready and quick to get up and keep score.
Another criticism
that Graham made of some players was that they were going outside for a smoke
when they should have been on the board. Others went quickly to the board when
it was their turn and then took ages warming up before they were ready to play.
Graham said that if players got to the venue early instead of arriving at the
last minute they could have a proper warm up while the draw was being made
before everything started. Some might respond that as it was such a long time
between games they needed extra warm up and this is probably true, but there is
no reason why they couldn’t have had an extra warm up out of the way on the
board in the other bar. Graham said that he would propose a rule for next season
to say that players can only have 9 darts practice before starting their games.
I understand that the pro’s don’t get any more on the stage.
Lastly, Graham would like it pointed out that there were exactly the same numbers of entrants in one of the Singles knockouts a few weeks ago, but that competition had finished an hour quicker because people hadn’t messed about.