2003/4 - our first season in division 1. This was always going to be a hard season in a division including 3 recent premier teams, and 2 more who had been ahead of us the previous year. I never thought it was going to be as hard as it was.

Losing Steve and Graham (for most of the season) was a big blow, although we did pick up Alan after his team folded.

In general, it was also a season when the stats don't tell the whole story. A future observer looking at the league table may well ask how the Rail View could end up (just) in the top half, having won 7 matches and lost 15! The truth is that we lost no fewer than 9 of these by 7-8 - and 5 of those went to the straight eight! Just 9 more "good darts" throughout the season would have made the win/loss 16/6 - a whole lot more respectable. It just proves the old saying that every dart counts!

Fortunately, there were some highpoints and some milestones that I would like to pay tribute to :-
Terry hit his 100th league gameshot in just 88 matches. The rest of the team had of course been well briefed to show the appropriate level of appreciation - much to Terry's surprise.
Big John took his ton tally over 200 with another incredible display of consistency by hitting a superb season's best of 81 tons in just 20 matches.
Both Dave H and captain John K played their 100th league matches - thereby showing devotion above and beyond the call of duty.
And, even if it sounds like I'm blowing my own trumpet - and after all, no one else will - the captain took his total stat-able score over 100,000! And if that's not a darting marathon I don't know what is!

John Keegan - April 2004