Mark "Mile High" Hylton - News

Brackens K/O 21st November Results Mark Hylton 5-2 Mark WalkerNov. 2008 written by D16's Bluemoon

Prelim Round
Bezza 2-3 Tim Broadhurst
Tim Charlton 1-3 Mark Hylton
Daren Kitchen 3-1 Tony Caldwell
Andy Walsh 2-3 Alex Whyman
Emma Hines 0-3 Nogger
John Knowles 1-3 Ryan Herrington
Andy Briggs 3-0 Kev Meehan
Doug Walker 3-0 Humpa Lumpa

1st Round Tim Broadhurst 1-3 Mark Hylton (nice little 12 darter)
Daren Kitchen 3-2 Alex Whyman
Nogger 1-3 Ryan Herrington
Andy Briggs 0-3 Doug Walker
Rich Reynolds 3-0 David Hines
Gary Smith 0-3 Russ Mason
Graham Goodburn 0-3 Mark Walker
Chris West 3-1 Mick Braithwaite

2nd Round
Mark Hylton 3-0 Daren Kitchen (lucky win)
Ryan Herrington 2-3 Doug Walker
Rich Reynolds 3-2 Russ Mason
Mark Walker 3-0 Chris West

Semi Finals
Mark Hylton 4-0 Doug Walker
Rich Reynolds 1-4 Mark Walker

Final Mark Hylton 5-2 Mark Walker

Well done Mr Hylton on another fine win, although you was lucky in the quarters :lol:

Thanks to everyone who turned up, another top night with great darts and great food....thanks to Mick

MARK WINS THE CHIRK OPEN Nov. 2008 written by Joe Norton

74 players toed the oche at Chirk Parish Hall for the inaugural Chirk Open in Clwyd, North Wales. This event was sponsored by Kronospan.

The entrants, as expected, were a quality field with darting talent in abundance chasing the 400 pound winner's purse. Notable players looking for a share of the money included: former BDO Champion Richie Burnett, international professional Robbie "Kong" Green, PDC player Dickie Davis, former Welsh International player Tony Clark, Ray Guthrie and former captain John Roberts. As you can see, these were some notable names on the bill!

Mark enjoyed a first round bye and drew Dougie Smith in the second round. Smith is a well seasoned local player and after a struggle, Mark managed a 3-2 victory. With the darts a 140, 150, 135, 86 in 2 secured his place in the last 32. This match proved to be a good test for Mark and prepared him well for the remainder of the event.

Next up was a solid a 3-0 win against a Bridgenorth hotshot and put Mark into a clash with the above mentioned Ray Guthrie for a place in the quarter finals.

Ray, an experienced former Welsh international player, started strong. Mark says "Ray rather surprised me in the first leg after taking a 131 checkout against the throw and I now realised I had a real game on!" Mark took the second leg after missing a 143 checkout by hitting DOUBLE 16 on his next throw. Then a well played and well timed 12 dart third leg put Mark up 2-1. A 15 dart leg followed which meant the money round and a guaranteed payout. It surely also meant a tough game to follow!

Shropshire county player Dave Lewis stood in Mark's way to the next round. Mark had faced and, in fact, beaten Dave on the same stage during the Newtown Open and knew and respected the caliber of Dave's considerable darts skills. "I realised a tough game was inevitable" said Mark.

Having lost the bull with the score at 2 each, Mark was chasing. Dave faltered a bit during his third and fourth visits. Mark was left with a shot at 127 for the match. He duly obliged 20, 57 and bull - a fantastic finish recognized with great applause from the appreciative crowd. Mark offered this after the match "it had been a high scoring encounter. The third leg read with Dave scores of 180,125 and ton, and my shots of 180, 27, 180 and 114 finish."

On to the semi finals Mark moved, facing Colin Latham in a best of 7, as described by Mark, "war". Colin a Cheshire county player and recent last 32 finisher at the British Open was a stiff hurdle to overcome. Another high scoring match - five 180`s between them and a 136 and 120 checkout shared. Mark maintained his consistency to win 4-2 and secure his place in the final!

Standing in the way of a second consecutive title in two weekends was Robbie "Kong" Green, an experienced BDO, PDC and television player. Mark, busy with his own matches, had heard that Robbie had been on fire all day and had not lost a leg! Robbie was pre-match favourite in most peoples' eyes and Mark clearly knew he faced his toughest game of the day. Mark's confidence, though, was strong and nerves surprisingly minimal. As at the Kenilworth final, Mark raced into a 3-1 lead with a 12 darter and 14 darter consecutively and was focused on thoughts of victory. Robbie's experience and class emerged with a strong leg of 140,140,140 and 81 checkout made the difference 3-2. Mark responded with a 15 dart leg with a 120 checkout and holding his nerve not only ensured a 4-2 lead but put added and pressure on "Kong". A 14 dart leg by Robbie in the next with Mark well behind meant a 4-3 lead and "Kong's" throw. Mark felt that this was probably the leg that would decide the match. Robbie was really starting to find form! His score of 140,100,140 and 57 left 64. Mark's shots of 180,100 and 99 left him with 122. A shot for the title was missed when scoring 18, treble 4 and 60 leaving 32. Robbie stepped up and a 16 to leave 48 and then amazingly, he missed the board! Shaking his head a 16 was hit and 32 was left for both players. Mark shot and a second dart secured the match and title, taking it with a double 16! Mark, progressing through a long day and a quality field had this simple statement "what a game!"

Mark received a lovely trophy and, of course, the winner's prize was his. After the presentation, Mark said: "Today I proved to myself that I can mix it with the big players over a distance and handle the pressure." Indeed Mark did, just as he has been proving, not only to himself, but to others as well, in his recent play.

Mark wishes to say a big thank you to the organisers of this event, Mike Edwards and Keith Ashton on a well run competition. Mark also recognizes the great support by the crowd and again some real characters. Mark notes that Richie Burnett did not play his darts today and was an early round casualty.

Mark now moves onward to Coventry for the John Smiths competition on 22nd November!!!

KENILWORTH OPEN written by Joe Norton

Travelling partners John Brindley, Ryan Herrington and Mark Hylton made the drive through the very scenic and quaint town of Kenilworth in anticipation of what the day would hold for the trio at the Kenilworth Open.

The venue, Kenilworth Cricket and Rugby Club, is set in beautiful green and leafy surroundings. Inside, 16 boards and a stage set up were available to competitors. Although a 500 pound prize awaited the winner for a 10 pound entry fee, only 43 players participated. It was a small turnout in quantity, but a huge turnout in quality! The top prize would most definitely have to be earned to get through this field.

Because of the low number of entries, organisers Bertie and Dave Wykes set the order of play for the competition on four boards and over a duration of nine legs which Mark was pleased with, stating "the nine leg format gives you a bit more time to get into your rhythm, especially in the first round."

The rich field of players in attendance included many top and recognizable names: Dennis Smith a seasoned professional with the PDC and a frequent quarter and semi-finalist in major televised events was in the draw as were other PDC players Pete Allen, Chris Cooper and Kevin Dowling. Paul Cook, a former News of the World winner, Nigel "The Butcher" Heydon, and Warwickshire County regular, Tommy Ryan were some of the additional contenders looking to land the spoils of the day. A strong field indeed.

In the first round, Mark scored a 5-0 win over John Perrins. This was most welcome as Mark explains "you never really know how you are going to play at these events, therefore my performance in this first round match filled me with hope."

The second round saw a match against Mark's mate, up and coming young Ryan Herrington, which Mark admitted he knew would be a challenge. On this day, though, Ryan did not play his best darts and Mark took this match with a 5-1 score line moving him on to the third round and a clash with Mark Sedgewick. Earlier in the day, Mark bought Mark Sedgewick a pint as he had knocked his other out of his hand by accident- "...at 2.85 a pint, winning some prize money was now paramount!!!"

Mark Hylton tells the story: "Mark Sedgewick, a Warwickshire County player is a real talent and we had a very high scoring match and eventually my winning double arrived in the eighth game and a place in the quarter final was assured, as was a little prize money to ease the pain of making that long walk to the bar earlier{hobble hobble}"

Pete Allen was the next hurdle to overcome and Mark believes perhaps his hardest game of the day. Pete had previously beaten Mark 6-4 in the final of the Kineton Open in March and Mark was keen to get back on level terms. This match proved to be Mark's best performance of the day and he recorded a 5-1 victory. Mark said: "I felt the win was justified"

The semi finals were played on the stage and, as any darts player or fan knows, the stage is a totally different game than that played on the floor. Jamie Atkins, who Mark describes as a young, raw, aggressive player, stood in the path of Mark's climb. Jamie beat Paul Cook in a brilliant quarter final and Mark expected and was prepared for a real battle. Mark's expectations were certainly met and he managed a 5-3 victory. Mark offers: "...to be honest it was not the best game we have played but in a close game, I feel my greater experience just got me that winning double. Young Jamie is a name to watch out for."

In the other semi final, Dennis Smith roared into a 4-1 lead against Nigel Heydon only for Nigel to even at 4-4. Nigel, the recent winner of the Bromsgrove Open has been picking up titles often the last year and in Mark's opinion, was probably the man to beat! However, the class of Dennis Smith prevailed and it was to be a "Smiffy" and "Mile High" final!!

Mark had this to say: "I had played Dennis only once before in 1997 at the Eastbourne Open and a last 32 drubbing by "Smiffy" was still in my memory banks." Mark felt prepared and positive in his play and was determined to make amends. "Semi finals are always more pressured due to the difference in prize money between the two rounds and having guaranteed decent money, my nerves were limited, but confidence and focus high!" said Mark.

The final was a quality affair. Mark dropped a 3-1 and a 4-3 lead. He found himself in the ninth leg 4-4 and the throw was with Dennis. He did not, however, take his advantage as he would have hoped. Having missed a 122 checkout on the bull leaving 25, Mark hoped to get another shot. Dennis hit a poor score to enable Mark that very opportunity. Nerves now back, Mark shot for 25 and the title. Aiming for 17, Mark was missed and hit a fat 3. "Don't blow it now" Mark thought, and muttered inwardly: "take your time". Next dart straight in the middle of double eleven for the unconventional checkout! Mark felt a sense of relief as he took the well earned victory 5-4.

Mark managed to have a real good chat with Dennis during the day for the first time and besides a world class player, he is a very accommodating and humorous guy! Dennis is a very well liked player and always has time for everyone. Chuffed with the win it made the journey back to Rugeley in a torrential rain storm just a little more bearable!

Mark wishes to extend his thanks to all the organisers and staff responsible for the well-run Kenilworth Open. Additionally he thanks all the competitors and supporters who participated in the day.

NEXT STOP on Mark's flight plan: The Chirk Open on November 15.

Mark 'Mile High' Hylton Wins Warden's Open, Kenilworth written by D16's Big Bertie

A very disappointing turnout yesterday was made up with class games throughout the day. A field of 43 Men took to the format of best of 9 with quality darts right to the final leg ,Mark Hylton emerged as the Victor with a 5-4 win over Dennis Smith.

Quarter Finalists:

Pete Allsop (Notts) 3 Dennis Smith (Wilts) 5
Colin Laffar (Warks) 2 Nigel Heydon (Warks) 5
Pete Allen (Warks) 1 Mark Hylton (Staffs) 5
Paul Cook (Wilts) 4 Jamie Atkins (Warks) 5

Semi Finals:

Dennis Smith 5 Nigel Heydon 4
Jamie Atkins 4 Mark Hylton 5
Final

Hylton 5 Smith 4

Ladies Semi Finals:

Mary Edkins (Warks) 1 Tracey Edgecombe (Warks) 4
Louise Graham (Warks) 4 Diane Weston (Warks) 3
Final:

Graham 4 Edgecombe 1.

Bicester Open – December 21, 2008 Jan. 21 2009
- Joe Norton

Mark travelled to the Bicester Football Club on 21st December to participate in the Bicester Open, an event run by Oxon county player John Fowler. This is an event Lark looks forward to as it is always a well organised and amiable venue, not to mention it is a competition that Mark generally does quite well at!

The day saw 50 players registered including up and coming PDC players Stuart Dutton and John Jukes along with tournament hotshot Nigel “The Butcher” Heydon.

Quarter final losers were all from Oxon - Steve Skelton, Paul Cohen, Les Crawford and John Jukes who Mark took out at a score of 3-1. Semi final casualties were Martin Mileham who lost a high scoring game 4-3 to Nigel Heydon and Stuart Dutton who went out 4-1 to Mark.

The stage was set and the final was a rematch of the last clash at the semi-finals of the Kineton Open (where Mark was victorious 5-2). The result today a bit different, however, as Nigel edged past Mark 5-4, showing good darts and good nerve as Mark had led at one point 2-0 and at another point on the match 3-2.

Nigel, who Mark always recognizes and commends as a class act, justified the winning prize of £200 and was slightly the more consistent of the two finalists. Mark reports being happy with the £100 runner up prize and also the 12 bottles of Stella Artois received for his 160 finish earlier in the day – proving nice for the run up to Christmas!

Mark wishes to express his thanks to John Fowler and all concerned in making the event a success!

The next Open at this venue will be on 22 February -Bicester Football Club, Bicester 10-1130 registration for a 12:00 start with a separate ladies comp running concurrently.

Come on out and show some support for the competition and for the venue!!

Hylton aims to mix with cream of PDC Sunday, January 18, 2009, 08:00 Darren Plant from lichfield.co.uk

LONGDON darts player Mark Hylton is hoping 2009 is the year he can start to climb the professional ladder.

Hylton has enjoyed success in the local leagues and open tournaments and now wants to transfer that form onto the PDC circuit.

He said: "The introduction of the upcoming PDC tour card means I have to start attracting sponsors.

"My main sponsor has had to pull out for the time being due to the credit crunch but still hopes to help in some ways.

"I will definitely be joining the PDC shortly so I can at least enter some of the competitions in the run-up to the UK Open."

Hylton nearly made an appearance at Lakeside, where the BDO World Championships were being held, but he fell at the last four stage in the regional tournament in Coventry.

"I lost in the semi-finals at Coventry to Darren Bennett of Mansfield who I believe played at Lakeside last Tuesday," he said.

"I played well all day and really thought I would win, especially after I hit a ten darter along the way.

"I was very disappointed not to make it but missed doubles cost me and that's the name of the game!"

Hylton recently did an exhibition in Ellesmere and hopes to do more in the next few months.

He said: "My exhibition at Ellesmere went really well. I played lots of superleague players and remained undefeated.

"Former ladies World Champion Anastasia Dobromyslova was there to watch with her husband Tony Martin, who I managed to beat a few times."

As well as being top of the averages in the local leagues, Hylton has also won a couple of open tournaments such as the Kenilworth Open, where he recorded one of several wins over a PDC professional.

"When I won the Kenilworth Open a couple of months ago, I managed to beat Dennis Smith in the final, who recently reached the third round of the World Championships.

"I have also beaten world number 15 Colin Osborne in the past six months, which proves that I can beat some of the best players in the world.

"With some more sponsorship to enable me to enter more events, I am confident I can gain the results that will help further my darts career."

To contact Hylton about sponsorship or exhibitions call 07947 216665 or see www.mark-mile-high-hylton.com.

Hello everybody!! Jan. 13 2009 written by Mark Hylton & Joe Norton

I have been rather quiet on the website recently due to a change in my personal circumstances and apologise to all who have browsed my site and wondered what I have been up to!

Firstly, I would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year and success in all that you dream!!

Although a little lost over Christmas, I have still tried playing in a couple of tournaments namely the Tipton Open,Wolverhampton Open and a small tournament at the Brickmakers Arms in Brierely Hill, West Midlands. I did myself justice at all losing in two quarter finals to PDC professional Nick Fulwell and Robbie “Kong” Greene.

An interesting situation occurred at Tipton. I actually beat Nick 4-3 but a mix up regarding the format (best of five) meant Nick was put through. Nick, however, proved the gentleman that he is and offered me half of his winnings as he and I had agreed to the best of seven format. He duly won the tournament against Worcester hot shot Tony “The Lion” Randell and promptly handed me 250pounds! Nick is not only a superb player, but a true gentleman and sportsman.

I won the Brierley Hill event, though, beating PDC player Mark Jones in the final.

The following day at the ECC Club, Wolverhampton offered a star studded line up for the afternoon of 29 December. Major players included eventual winner Jamie Caven, runner up Robbie Greene, semi finalists Dave Honey and Tony Randell, quarter-finalists yours truly, Tom Aldridge, Pete Allsopp and Andy “The Pieman” Smith. Earlier casualties Chris Mason, Wayne Jones, Ian Jones and Steve Hine (losing to me in last 16) show the class and depth of the field for this event. Nick Fulwell was also in attendance!!

I lost to Robbie Greene (in a rematch of the Chirk Open final) 4-2 and I have to say having had shots in every leg, I left the venue very disappointed but, as everyone reading this report knows, you have to hit the doubles!!!

Anyway, 2008 has been a good year for my darts and I really need to decide what i am going to do this year. I am edging towards joining the PDC and the "big boys arena". Although still full time at work, I feel I can still pick PDC tournaments to enter and still have the opportunity to play in all the major qualifiers.

Potential sponsors are thin on the ground at the moment with the current economic situation and I now have to chase any openings myself! Perhaps later in 2009 things will turn around!

I have a possible couple of exhibitions in the pipeline and tournaments coming up on the 24th and 25th of January at Bridgnorth and Wolverhampton and on feb 7th at the prestigious Lionel Smith Staffordshire Open in Stafford - I aim to go one place better and win it this year!! I used to play with Lionel at Superleague and County and it would mean a lot to win this!

I will have more info to update in very near future. Please keep checking back with us!!

I would like to thank everyone who has kindly hit this site over the last months and thanks as always to Sharron Forbes-Davis and Joe Norton for all their help and expertise!!!
Yours, mile high!!!!!!

Brackens K/O 21st November Results Mark Hylton 5-2 Mark Walker Nov. 2008 written by D16's Bluemoon

...- » Read More

Mark Hylton Exhibition

December 2, 2008 at 8:00pm
Location: The Sea Horse
Oakfarm Road
Great Sutton
Ellesemere Port

MARK WINS THE CHIRK OPEN Nov. 2008 written by Joe Norton

74 players toed the oche at Chirk Parish Hall for the inaugural Chirk Open in Clwyd, North Wales. This event was sponsored by Kronospan.

...- » Read More

KENILWORTH OPEN written by Joe Norton

...- » Read More

Mark 'Mile High' Hylton Wins Warden's Open, Kenilworth written by D16's Big Bertie

...- » Read More

'Mile High' has qualified! Regional Finals on Nov. 22nd at Coventry

If Mark's luck holds he will be at BDO World Finals to win Sponsorship for Tournaments -John Smiths Brewery Comp. Eight will qualify and final will be played before World Final on stage in January 2009.

AN INTERVIEW WITH MARK HYLTON written by Joe Norton, October 2008

I recently had the good fortune to sit down with Mark Hylton and have a chat about a few things. Geography, time differences and the certain matter of a small body of water separating us notwithstanding, we had a great time together! Sit down with?!! Ha! You see, I am in the US and Mark, of course, resides in the UK. We have become friends in a short time and I say "sit down with" because that is how I feel when communicating with Mark. Anyone reading this on this web site knows that technology has indeed made the world a smaller place and friends do, in fact, seem very close at hand.

I had a number of interview questions that I posed to Mark and, as is customary with him, the meeting turned more to dialog and into a conversation between two mates at the local rather than an official question and answer session. So here goes - in no particular order, some things we talked about sport, people, challenges, aspirations, life....and, oh yes, darts!

...- » Read More

KENILWORTH OPENwritten by Joe Norton

The second round saw a match against Mark's mate, up and coming young Ryan Herrington, which Mark admitted he knew would be a challenge. On this day, though, Ryan did not play his best darts and Mark took this match with a 5-1 score line moving him on to the third round and a clash with Mark Sedgewick. Earlier in the day, Mark had given Mark Sedgewick a pint of cider only to knock it out of his hand by accident and Mark says "...at 2.85 a pint winning some prize money was now paramount!!!"

Mark wishes to extend his thanks to all the organisers and staff responsible for the well-run Kenilworth Open. Additionally he thanks all the competitors and supporters who participated in the day.

NEXT STOP on Mark's flight plan: The Chirk Open on November 15.

Mark 'Mile High' Hylton Wins Warden's Open, Kenilworth written by D16's Big Bertie

Double16.com First Annual Members Only Knockout

DOUBLE16.COM KNOCKOUT - REPORT
Firstly what a day certainly, nice to meet the people who make the double16.com site to what it is (The best site in the World), with a total of 79 entrants battling out to be the first DOUBLE16.COM Champion and must say what a battle it was with the last sixteen as follows. Last Sixteen

SOUTHERN CONNECTION
WARDY
BUTLER123
CANNY
MIDDLE FER DIDDLE
JOHNY SPIKE
MEL THE GRAFT
LANCEY BOY

QUARTER-FINALIST

ACE OF SPADES
THE BUTCHER
JAMMAN
BULLSEYE

SEMI-FINALIST

DARTY170
PAUL COOK

RUNNER-UP

THE LION

WINNER

GARRY BENNETT

The blind pairs had 30 entries to do battle to become the first DOUBLE16.COM Blind Pairs Champions with the last eight as follows.

QUARTER-FINALISTS

AKA SUTTYLAD & THE POSTMAN
WARDY & BEZZA
FATMICK & SUN SUN
CRAZY TRAIN & MEL THE GRATH

SEMI-FINALIST

SIR DRINKALOT & DARTY170
SOUTHERN CONNECTION & OGGY

RUNNERS-UP

BIGUN & SMITHY

WINNERS

THE LION & LANCEY BOY

this site is proudly supported by:

Many Thanks to Neil Hutchings for all his support, encouragement and guidance. Also, Thank You, Vivienne of Vivienne Bailey Photography for the truly fantastic photo's.

Mark "Mile High" Hylton - News

KENILWORTH OPEN written by Joe Norton

Mark 'Mile High' Hylton Wins Warden's Open, Kenilworth written by D16's Big Bertie

'Mile High' has qualified! Regional Finals on Nov. 22nd at Coventry

AN INTERVIEW WITH MARK HYLTON written by Joe Norton, October 2008

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