
After getting in Tuesday afternoon we chilled out in London before renting a car and driving up to the event on Wednesday morning for the players early check-in. We usually go over earlier and try to get acclamated to the time change and rest up a bit from the long flight but that just wasn't possible this early since the event was in December during Sandy's busy season at work.
She played fairly well and after a first round "BYE" in the Lakeside Qualifier she bested Italy's Marzia Catino 3-0 to advance the the third round to play Canada's Patricia Farrell. Sandy had chances but just wasn't sharp on her doubles in this match and that will get your beat here. Patricia won 3-0 and went on to earn one of the spots for next month's Lakeside event on the day.
We checked into our local hotel and she recharged quite a bit, throwing much better in the Masters the next day. With another pass to the second round she was very effective and efficent in dispatching Russia's Valentina Vasilyeva 4-0 to start the day. Next up was the bracket's top seed and the World Ranked #9 player, Sharon Prins of the Netherlands. They would have an epic duel with both players on top of their games. Sharon beat Sandy down the board but blinked on the double and Sandy claimed the 1st leg. Sharon would win the next two legs to led 2-1 but then Sandy tossed a sweet 14 dart game which included a "180". She again threw a perfect score in the 5th leg and went up 3-2 and Sandy had a look at a double in the 6th leg but could convert. The talented Dutch player closed her out in the last leg with an impressive 15 dart game to earn a hard fought 4-3 win.
This is always the toughest tournament in Ladies dart's, year after year, with world class competition everywhere you look. Sandy always looks to compete with the best and wants thank thank her sponsor Winmau for all they do for her and for sponsoring this beautiful event. This was the first time playing on the new Blade 5 Dual Core boards as well, just an amazing board from the industry leader.
She was proud to play in front of her Winmau and L-Style sponsors, what a treat. L-Style shows their strong commitment and always brings a large contigent of players and supporters to this event. She is so lucky to have these amazing people supporting her and also wishes to thank Spider Tech, Flying Bull Darts and Dutchman Darts for all they do to keep the storm churning. This was her last event of the rollercoaster season and she looks forward to starting it up again in January where she will return to Las Vegas and defend her ADO Cricket National Championship and chase her dart dreams.