Diary Entry Number 8 - 6th May 2012
I am really happy with winning my 28th Teesside Ranking Event and a Hat-Trick of Bert Robson titles.
I had a real tough draw, beating ex-lakeside player Paul Knighton in the last 32. I then beat up and coming Durham County “A” star Alan Bell in the last 16. In the quarter finals, I beat my main rival for the past 10 years in Peter Searle.
Then - a tough semi-final win against Rich Oliver (What a star of the future Cleveland have here!), before beating Tony 'Viper' Eccles in the final 4-1 with a last leg opener of six perfect darts - 180,180.
Looking forward to Warwickshire Invitational, Welsh Open and the PDC Uk Open now.
Practising really hard!
Diary Entry Number 7 - 22nd April 2012
What a last 14 days its been. Northumberland Open Win/Hartlepool Open win/England Debut and yesterday i qualified for the UK Open at Bolton with victory at the Middlesbrough Rileys.
Tough competiton with the likes of Butch Knighton, Last years qualifier Davey Dodds, Allan George, Paul Clarke, Ian Gleeson and Dennis Coleman though it was Mick Evans who i beat in the semis 4-0 before beating the tough Allan Edwards who is on a remarkable 17 wins out of 17 for Cleveland County beating him 4-1.
Already looking forward to what is my favourite competition and venue of the year.
Diary Entry Number 6 - 17th April 2012
Where do I start!. What an experience that was. I was told the night before that I had been selected for the England v Scotland opener and presented with my shirt. Proud moment.
Next morning various emotions were going through my body as I put on the shirt. I was thinking of family and friends and really savoured the moment of looking in the mirror with the George Cross looking back at me. I was also thinking about going on a diet!! ... I concluded blaming Big Bones and a dodgy mirror
Some of the best advice given to me was about enjoying the moment and I tried to soak everything in. I didn't want the day to be a blur.
The team meeting concluded with the announcement that I had been on drawn last against Ernest Brown. I was happy with that - I really did not fancy going on first.
England seemed to struggle early doors though a double 1 finish by Tony O Shea put us 2-1 up and we never looked back after that as I entered the stage 9-2 up.
The walk on was about 30 metres and in that time I was thinking of my wife who was in the audience. I was thinking about my Dad and brother Andy plus my best mate Dennis Coleman. I knew they were with me in spirit as my facebook/twitter accounts were going crazy.
I punched the air with delight as I won 3 nil with a respectable 30.06 average.
I was on cloud 9 at this point but also with the understanding that the job was only half done.
The draw pitted me against the darts again this time on 11th. I just had the feeling that that game could decide the match and how right I was. England excelled to lead 6-4 but the players wanted to win the match overall.
I felt great. I opened up slowly but checked out on 266 in 5 darts (180,86 finish) my finishing again was immaculate. Another 15 dart second leg put me in real control to lead 2 nil. After 12 darts I required 72 in the 3rd leg but missed darts at double 6 and double 3 allowed Mark Layton who to be fair had not done much wrong back in and duly despatched the winning double. He opened the fourth leg with a 140, 180 combination and sealed the leg with a bull finish.
I remained clam as he opened the decider with a low score. I never looked back checking out on double 16 for the match and victory for England in the British Internationals
To conclude I would point out that darts has been a major part of my life since 2000. My ambition was to play for England and it was everything and more. The memories I promise means more than financial gain from winning a comp. The team demonstrated teamwork, camaraderie and friendship and it will life long memory as the day I played for England. I just hope that Martyn Coleman who died at a very young age was watching down on me.
Duzza
Diary Entry Number 5 - 12th March 2012
A great weekend at the Isle of Man and I am beginning to make players stand up and take note.
I had a great run in the Okletts Sponsored 'Early Bird' beating my good friend Tony Eccles int the board final before beating Scottish International Steve Plank in the final, winning a superb trophy and 1000 pounds.
Really disappointed with the Mixed Pairs (Lost last 16 with Claire Stainsby) we really had a shot at that match but James Wilson (Yorkshire) was in stunning form.
More disappointment in the men's pairs (Tony Eccles) we missed doubles and left scratching our heads at how we managed to lose the game. In the individuals i played superb in beating John Boy Walton in the last 128. I reached the last 8 playing fantastic darts all day. I was leading Jan Dekker 2-1 in the semi before he threw two quality legs. I gained 18 Ranking Points.
I am off to Tenerife for my wife’s 40th this weekend and the timing could not have been worse. I miss Mariflex/Wales and Poland.
Diary Entry Number 4 - 7th December 2011
Buzzing! I won the Teesside Grand Finals for the third time in 4 years beating my sparring partner Dave Prins 5-1 in the final.
The club was packed and the darts were fantasic. I hit four 11 darters and numerous 12 dart finishes. Felt great all night.- Tony Viper Eccles returning to BDO and i will be travelling with him - Always been a dream to pair up - BORO BOYS ROCK :)
Diary Entry Number 3 - 3rd December 2011
Well, where do I start? What a couple of weeks I have had. Some highs and some big lows. !
I did not travel to Northern Ireland or Latvia because I was not in the right frame of mind. But I corrected the balance at home and went ‘Back to Basics’ and stayed local and won 4 competitions including the inaugural Saltburn Open, Billingham Open, Hartlepool Open and I retained the Alan Memorial Trophy.
In between this I travelled to Dundalk Ireland with Tony ‘Viper’ Eccles in a North East Ireland v North East England Challenge match. I played great in victory
This week I am involved in a ‘Boro Boys’ exhibition to raise funds for the Cleveland County youth. Players involved include Colin Osborne, Tony Eccles, James Hubbard and a mystery guest rumoured to be Paul Nicholson.
Its Cleveland County also this weekend. I have just gone top of the Division 3 rankings
Finally, it’s the Teesside Ranking Events Grand Final next Tuesday, probably the biggest night on my darting calendar.
I am as excited as ever with the game of darts and looking forward to the Dutch and Scottish Open and I attempt to get back on track with the BDO Ranking table.
I must admit the thought of wearing an England Shirt got me back out playing darts without any real loss of momentum
Retirement …… me ….. NEVER
Diary Entry Number 2 - 17th October 2011
I attended the 9th Tyne and Wear Open last weekend with a whopping 256 players registered!
I have had success at the Tyne and Wear Open previously losing to Ste Bunting and Tony Eccles in finals. This time i was assigned to Board 16 and had a comfortable win over Wayne Campbell. I then played the semi finalist from last year Tyne and Wear County A player Dave Stockell. Great game that i won 3-1. After a comfortable win in the last 64 i played Eddie Mordica in the baord final (Lost 32) again played really well against a good friend and a real gentleman in defeat.
Last 16 was a real tough match against Paul Johnson, i was really pleased to win that match 3-1.
In the quarterfinals, I found myself 2 nil down in the quarter final against Allan George who has been winning some big competitions in the North East this year but somehow found a way back finishing the match with a 180, 180 start missing the 7th dart for the perfect leg to win the game 3-2.
Semi final was best of 7 and up against Tyne and Wear number 1 Andy Chalmers who plays at a furious pace. I played well in parts but it wasnt enough, agonisingly losing the match 4-3 with Chalmers going on to win the title.
Another £200 in the pot as the darts moves back to basics with the Teesside Ranking Event 10 - Middlesbrough open next Saturday at North Ormesby Workingmans Club!
Diary Entry Number 1 - 12th October 2011
Hello everyone!
My name is Glen Durrant. I am a 40 year old Estate Manager who works for a Registered Social Landlord in Redcar & Cleveland area namely Coast and Country. I have worked for this great organisation since 1989. They have helped where they can with shirts and I proudly wear their logo on my top whenever I travel to competitions.
I did briefly play darts in the mid 1980s, but only really started playing with a practise routine from 1999. I played Super League for the all conquering Eston team before making my county debut in the 1999/2000 season.
In 2006 I did reach the last 16 of the World Masters but instead of progressing from there I decided to get married and darts for a while was second best again.
The introduction of the Teesside Ranking Events in 2007 – www.freewebs.com/teesdarts made a real difference to my game. Suddenly I was winning competitions against some of the best players in the North East but it was done in my own back yard, therefore, I soon got this reputation of a ‘Big Fish in a small Pond’
It was important I showed that form on a bigger stage. I returned to Cleveland County darts last year and won the National BICC averages. During this period I continued to dominate the Teesside events with wins over established players of the calibre Tony Eccles, Dave Prins, and the best of Durham, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear players. I realised I had the talent to go further when I beat Jamie Caven (He was down for an exhibition the night before) and I was winning legs in 10/11 and 12 darts on a regular basis.
Most people will remember me for my exploits in this year’s World Masters but if you look at my form over the past 3 months it shows I can sustain my form for a period of time and that it wasn’t just a flash in the pan.
I reached the last 8 of the Gold Cup, Semi final of the England Open, Semi final of the British Open in between doing well at the Masters. I also suffered the heartbreak of losing in the final qualifier for the Lakeside to Alan Norris.
I hope you watch my progress over the next few weeks. I am booked up for Northern Ireland Open and have plans to visit many of the big opens over the next 12 months and you will be the first to read of my adventures on this site.
Duzza
