Mark "Mile High" Hylton - 2008 Diary

Update 3/0/08

Kineton Open Runner Up (in March)

Update 11/22/08

John Smiths competition on 22nd November!!!

Update 11/15/08

MARK WINS THE CHIRK OPEN

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

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!!!

Update 11/8/08

KENILWORTH OPEN Victory 5-4

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.

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.

Update 18/10/08

Double16.com Members Only Knockout

D16-MembersOnlyKnockout First leg went to Tony in 17darts, Gary came back and won the next three legs each one in 18 darts. The 5th leg went to the Lion in just 14 darts gary needed only 32 next throw. 6th leg to Gary in 17. 7th leg to Tony in 18darts,Gary only wanted 36 8th leg also went to Tony again in 18 darts taking the match score to four each. The final leg and another superb leg and it was Gary out in 16darts leaving Tony wanting just 36 with his next throw. The Champion Gary 5-4 45 tons were recorded, Tony hit 20 shots of 100 or more plus a 180 whist Gary hit 25 ton plusses and a 180.

Update 1/10/08

Newtown Open KO

On a beautiful morning on the 27th September we arrived at the venue in Radnor, Newtown, in Welsh Montgomery, 73 miles from our starting point, after a mid journey breakfast pit-stop past Telford. The venue, the Monty Club, was offering 500 pounds to the victor! Again a strong selection of players attended. 74 stepped to the oche in search of the gold-but inevitable disappointment would be endured by 73.

John Brindley and Ryan Herrington were unfortunate first round victims to two accomplished players and again it was left to myself to keep the Rugeley flag flying!

My first round match seemed to be an eternity to wait for and I did my hardest to lose to ex P.D.C. player Shaun Payne, who to be honest, let me off 3-2 to give me my margin of victory.

Round 2 was against Matt George and I found myself 2-0 down after missing lots of doubles. I got my act together to win 3-2. Another win against Worcester stalwart Dave Lewis and a tight 3-1 win over the sensational teenager Mark Evans meant a semi-final match approached. Mark is Steve Evans son ,who is himself a P.D.C. and ex Wales player. Steve surprisingly lost earlier on.

Myself and ex Wales captain John Roberts battled for 7 tight legs and thankfully I emerged the victor. John took out a great 156 out with myself on 20 to take leg 5, however I held my nerve to win 4-3.

Then on to a best of nine game final against the many titled Steve Alker. He has a Welsh open title to his name and got to the last 8 at the P.D.C. World Champs in 2005!

However the final was where I played my best darts, and a 12 darter with a 161 checkout put me 2-0 up. Steve started to motor and I had to dig deep to maintain a 4-2 lead. Against a partisan Welsh audience I held my nerve and won a well deserved final and the cash. A long day but excellent venue and good people, we left for home at 1930!!!!on to the next comp soon!!!

Update 5/9/08

Boston (Bonanza) Singles Open 31st August Again myself, Ryan and Gary set off on the 97 mile journey to the Oche Club at Wyberton Fen, Lincs in search of another pot of gold and stopping off along the way to refuel at a breakfast oasis just outside Grantham, still enabled us to arrive for 11.00 registration. A very strong line up toed the oche at 12.30, all hopeful of the 500 pound winners cheque.

Ryan and Gary were again unfortunate to lose at the first hurdle. (Those extra sausages and bacon did not help lads.)

The worst draw I could have entertained surfaced in the shape of old rival and "form man" the great Ricky Sudale. Having lost to him at the Coronation final recently I was mighty relieved to get past him in a tight 3-2 scrap. To be honest we have both played better, but too much respect for each others ability was probably a factor!

The next round I played far better to beat Jonathan Davies 3-1 resulting in a 136 checkout and 12 darter to progress. Trevor Ellacott stood next in my path and another 3-2 victory in a tight game meant a semi-final run-in with Cambridge County man Steve Roberts awaited.

This proved to be a really high quality game from both of us. I managed to let a 2-0 lead slip and only a good fifth and sixth leg ensured my place in the final with a 4-2 victory!

My opponent in the final was Cambridge legend and Embassy TV player Dennis Harbour. Dennis played at the Lakeside in 2006 losing to eventual winner Jelle Klassen after being 2-0 up in a klaasen best of 5 match! Personally it was an honour to play such an accomplished stalwart of the game. It was in the final that my best darts of the day surfaced and I raced into a 3 zip lead. However sensing the winning line I let my lead slip to one leg. The sixth leg against Dennis's throw was my best of the day-180, 140, 135 and 46 out resulted in an 11 dart checkout and more importantly a 4-2 lead and my throw to come. I sensed disappointment from Dennis and this helped me relax a little and my 16 dart leg won me the competition and prize!!!

It was a very competitive field today and my confidence has been strengthened by my performance. Great venue at "The Oche" and I shall be going back on the 21september for another competition. Ryan was unlucky today but at only 18 his time will surely come, a great prospect. Thanks to Gary Lippitt for driving.

Update 18/8/08

Pip Oram & Barbara Bradley Memorial Trophy August 16th.

Myself plus the deadly duo of Ryan Herrington and Gary Lippitt, left Rugeley at the ungodly hour of 730am to attend the above Open Competition at Thornaby-on-Tees, a few miles from Stockton, Cleveland. After 160 miles and a pit stop at the Little Chef we arrived just after 1100hours. With 850 pounds to the winner - a very competitive field of 120+ toed the oche at 1230! The cream of the North East were there, notably, Glen Durrant, Glen Moody, Phil Nixon (Embassy runner-up to Martin Adams in 2007 final) Davy Richardson-Page (Embassy regular and 2008 British Classic Champion) and women's World Champ Anastasia. PDC players trying their luck included, John Quantock, Lee Palfreyman and big name and top twenty ranked Tony "The Viper" Eccles.

Ryan played very well to win his first game only to go on and lose unluckily to ex TV player and partner of Anastasia Tony Martin 3-2. Gary lost to Tony in the first round - howevever, he will admit that he was more up for the Newcastle Brown.

Myself I made it to the last eight with wins over, Gary Stevens, can't recall the 2nd round, a satisfying 3-2 win over Davy Richardson-Page and my best game against a very talented Simon Craven 4-2. My fifth leg was a back to back 180s followed by single 20 and missed doubles for 15 darts. The sixth leg was followed by a 180 and last dart of treble 5 for a 135 to push ahead and secure a quarter-final place and 50 pounds guaranteed. However I think the early start and long day was beginning to take its toll and against Paddy Leanagh I was well beaten 4-2.

Ultimately disappointed but pleased with my play and experience gained!

Tony Eccles played well all day to take the thick wad of tens and twenties - a class act indeed!

A well organised event at the Golden Eagle Hotel, boards set up by Paul "Wils" Wilson - responsible for the League of Legends Tour this year! The Teessiders, Geordies and Mackems were very warm and accommodating and I made friends with some real characters! Will definitely venture up this way again. On the journey home much to Ryan's dismay we did not stop at any Mcdonalds or Burger King!!!!!!!!

Update 11/7/08

It was the Stafford Superleague Singles Knock Out last night at the White Eagle Club in Stafford . Only 48 players turned up, however all the faces were there. Ryan Herrington played well getting to the last 8-beating Neil Poynton to boot, but finally lost to Andy Chell in a close game. Andy beat David Platt in the semis 3-2 and then went on to meet myself in the final. I got there by beating Paul Wright 3-0, Steve Larner 3-1, Jo Hutchins 3-0 (12,16,14 darts) and Steve Wild 3-0. It was again Andy and myself in a final and again I managed to win 3-1. I'm off to long Eaton, Nottingham tonight with Ryan Herrington, Gary Lippitt and John Brindley.

Update 26/5/08

Ryan Herrington, John Brindley and Mark Hylton made the journey to the Black Horse in Stapenhill, Burton-On-Trent for a grand May Bank Holiday competition with a £200 prize for the winner. Unfortunately, due largely to the fact that it was a holiday many people had gone away and with the miserable weather those that stayed home, stayed at home, so only players 24 turned up to compete.

However what was lacking in numbers was made up for by the class of the players and class was definitely in abundance with all the major players in the area present, including Daz Horler, Ricky Sudale, Martin Whatmough, Chris Cooper, Paul Bailey, Glyn Hackett (ex Yorkshire county captain and old doubles partner of Dennis Priestley), Dougie Walker, Daz Golding, Drew Smith and last, but not least, Colin Osbourne who is the World number 15 at present!

The organisers decided to make it a round robin event, of four groups of six with 2 winners from each group going through to the quarter finals.

John "Ticker" Brindley and Ryan Herrington were drawn in the same group with John winning two out of five and Ryan winning three and losing out on a place in the last 8 by one leg!

Mark was fortunate enough to win all his games and make the illustrious last 8, but to make the Semis he would have to get past the hot favourite Colin (|The Wizard) Osbourne. Much to his delight and relief he did this by beating Colin 3-1. The win was a really big scalp for Mark, but was due to the fact that Mark held his consistency and nerve when it really counted. Colin was obviously disappointed, but being the true gentleman and amiable chap that he is he wished Mark well for the Semi Finals. Mark again performed well beating Daz Goulding 4-2 only to face the daunting prospect of playing Chris Cooper who is a county player for Notts and also a P.D.C. player! Previously Mark had lost to Chris at a competition in Boston and was up for revenge! This made Mark's victory of a 4-1 win all the sweeter!

QUARTER FINALS:
COLIN OSBOURNE 1 MARK HYLTON 3
GLYN HACKETT 0 CHRIS COOPER 3
DAZ GOULDING 3 DREW SMITH 0
MARTIN WHATMOUGH 3 RICKY SUDALE 2

SEMI-FINALS:
CHRIS COOPER 4 MARTIN WHATMOUGH 1
MARK HYLTON 4 DAZ GOULDING 2

FINAL:
MARK HYLTON 4 CHRIS COOPER 1

This inaugural competition is to be followed by more in the future backed by landlord Andy Doughty who is also the gaffer at the Anchor Inn, Burton-On-Trent.

Update 31/3/08

Bank Holliday Monday the 24th March saw a total of 110 players competing at Tipton Sports And Social Club which is normally a hot bed of darts as it is the headquarters for the West Midlands Darts. Mark Hylton and Ryan Herrington took the trip down to this normally fierce competition to test their luck amongst better players and anticipated a pot of gold! They were not disappointed with the quality of entrants, as it was a who's who of black country darts that turned up at the club. Only Wayne Jones seemed to be missing, but other famous faces who did attend were Aussie Pat Orreal on a years stay here in England (He lost to Jelle Klassen at the Wolverhampton Grand Slam of darts, Ian Jones, who was beaten by Mark Webster en route to the Embassy title, England Internationals Tom Aldridge and Steve Farmer, Andy "Pieman" Smith and ex Wales captain John Roberts. There were also of course many county players and lots of dangerous young whippersnappers snapping at the heels of the established players.

ryan-h1 Young Ryan Herrington went out in the last 64 to Ian "Whippet" Jones, but Ryan did miss a few doubles. Mark beat West Mids "A" player Mark Rollinson in the last 32 and then went on to beat Ian Jones himself 3-1 to move into the last 8. A 3-0 against Mark Jones in the quarters enabled Mark to make it into the semis. The last leg saw his best darts of the day with 41,180,180, and three dart 100 checkout.

The semi finals saw Mark lose the first leg to county veteran Lol Frazer, but he soon found form to win 4-1. In the other semi two England players fought a 4-3 shoot out ; With Tom Aldridge narrowly beating Steve Farmer.

The final started well enough for Mark "Mile High" Hylton with a 127 check out to win the first leg, but then he was thoroughly outplayed and lost to a brilliant Tom Aldridge. Mark said the 5-1 score-line was a fair result although he hated to admit it. However the 200 pound second prize was satisfactory, but Mark said Tom's £500 would have fitted better into his back pocket!

Mark Hylton said he couldn't complain as it was his tenth final on the trot and a 50% record in them isn't too bad. Knockouts at Long Eaton and Boston are looming on the horizon for Mark, but the UK open qualifiers are really on his mind. If he gets through the pub qualifiers the regional big one is on May 10/11th and if he is successful there, then the TV stages at Bolton again beckon!!!!

P.S. Mark has won through to play at Batley, Leeds on the 10th of May for the Regional Big One!

Update 17/3/08

Saturday the 15th of March saw 70 players competing at Fernhill War Memorial Club, Droitwich Road, Worcester for a £300 First Prize. There were a number of well known players present including ex Wales Captain John Roberts , Steve Alker who was in the last 16 in the P.D.C. Worlds Championship 2006, West Midlands and Warwickshire shark Martin Angell and Pat Kirby who was the recent Runner up in the Wolverhampton singles.

As Mark stated in his previous update he went to defend his title from the previous year, but he was not the only local lad from Rugeley as he traveled down there with Ryan Herrington, Gaz Lippitt and John Brindley. Skin Thompson and Eamon Gormley were two more well known local players from Rugeley who also entered the competition, but they traveled there under their own steam. Mark said, "It was good to see Rugeley lads venturing out of our little pool into bigger ones!"

Unfortunately Skin, Eamon and Ticker lost in the early stages, but Gary Lippitt got through to the 2nd round. Young Ryan Herrington though was the Rugeley player that made his presence felt most by reaching his first final and guaranteed prize money.

Mark said he was pleased to get past John Roberts whom he beat 3-0 in the quarters and then he played Ryan in the final.

"Mile High" Hylton said that although Ryan started well, the fact that he was playing his regular practice partner and friend, did not help him. Also Ryan might have lacked the experience of playing under pressure in such a big occasion final which enabled Mark to take a 5-1 victory.

Having said that Ryan never lost a leg up until the final and people are certainly taking notice of him around the venues!

Mark commented that the event was well organised and everybody had a good day, specially Ryan Herrington who walked away with the £100 Runners-up prize.

Update 26/2/08

Mark played in the Staffordshire open on the 9th of February where he competed against 165 competitors including many top flight entries from such people as the England player Gary Fenn whom he beat 3-1 in the Semis. Jamie Caven from the P.D.C was another Super Star who was present, but he lost in the last 8. The cream of Staffordshire were there as well with players such as David Platt, Mark Frost, Les Capewell, Nigel Birch etc all competing.

Mark "Mile High" Hylton lost in the final 3-2 taking the £200 runner up prize, with the winner, Mark Dewsbury from Nottinghamshire, bagging the Grand First prize of £500.

On the 17th of February Mark again reached a final only to lose. This time it was the Bicester Open where there were only 65 entrants, but with a £100 second prize against the winners £200 it was still well worth him competing. Mark lost to Kevin McDine who is a rising star. Kevin lost to Andy Hamilton in the semis of the G.S.O. Darts at Wolverhampton civic hall last November, but has just won the West Tyrone open at the weekend beating Kevin Painter in the final 7-4 and taking the £2,000 first prize. (See PDC Article.) Mark says he is going to the Worcester open on March the 15th to defend his title and he intends to take young Ryan Herrington with him again as he has been taking him for the last few competitions. Ryan also performed well at the Bicester Open where he reached the last 16.

Update 4/1/08

On December the 27th Mark added to his long list of recent successes by winning the Stafford Xmas Open which was played at the White Eagle Club and organised by some of the Super League Committee. There were several well known local Superstars competing in the event including the famous Jack Routledge.

On his travels to various competitions recently Mark met a darts player a couple of times who has now offered to pay his membership to the pro' dart players association. "Mile High," hopes that this will be the stepping stone to greater things for him enabling him to enter all the big competitions (work permitting.)

Through this sponsor mark has been asked to do a couple of exhibitions in Northampton and Warwickshire over the next couple of months, to be followed by further exhibitions throughout the year if they are successful. Although only a keen player himself in a local league himself Mark's sponsor has told him that bigger sponsors will step in, if his efforts to promote his league side with exhibitions performed by pro's and up and coming players, is fruitful.

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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 - 2008 Diary

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