Well, I would like to report on a fantastic start to my darts year in 2022. I’d like to, but sadly things did not go the way I had hoped. I am not sure why and will be looking into it before next year’s attempt.
I had a few decent performances but they seemed to come at the wrong times and did not really help me to progress.
Moving swiftly on, as they say, the Challenge Tour for 2022 began almost immediately. Sometimes it is very good for another playing opportunity to come along so soon. The first two events seemed like an extension of Q-School, a win followed by a loss, two wins followed by a loss. In event 3 I finally began to show a bit of the form I know is just below the surface. Three good wins in which I averaged 93-95 and defeated the in-form Josh Payne amongst others. Sadly I allowed my momentum to drop and was halted by old friend Rocky Jenkins in the L32.
A slight reversal in the fourth event meant that the fifth was important to end the weekend on a positive note.
Three comfortable wins and my first 100+ average of the weekend ensured that I was in good shape to face Wayne Jones in the L32. Wayne and I go back a long way and its ironic to face him again in this arena. Over the years, I remember playing The Wanderer in 2007, it’s been nip and tuck between Wayne and I. I recall a huge UK Open win for me in 2009 and a World Matchplay defeat in 2010, for example. On this occasion though the momentum was with me and I ran out a 5-1 winner with a 96+ average.
Sadly, I lost out (L16) to Jim McEwan. We have battled regularly at the Live League and previously in the latter stages of the Challenge Tour. This time Jim gained a 5-3 win by taking his chances in both the good legs and the bad. The UK Open qualifiers have yet to prove a happy hunting ground but we shall see. There may be another attempt yet!
The Teeside Open is always a great event and it was great to be doing well in my home area. A semifinal win over Adam Hunt was a good form indication. However, Graham Usher took out three 100+ finishes and won the scrappy legs to ensure he won the final! There are so many opportunities out there now that I am determined to take advantage of all of them. Exhibitions are returning and I thoroughly enjoyed those in Kent recently.
The MODUS Live League is kicking back in again very soon for me! I shall also be playing as many ADC and WDF darts as I possibly can! See you all out there soon!
#UTB
The Wizard
——ENDS—–
Colin Osborne (@colozzy180) is a PDC Championship League of Darts Winner, a UK Open finalist, and multiple Pro Tour event winner.
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