It is sometimes said that almost everyone can remember where they were when they heard that JFK had been shot, or the death of Diana, or that Barry Butler had been converted into a free-scoring emergency centre forward. Cestrians all over the world can now add the events of Thursday 12th June 2008 to that list of epoch-defining moments. At 9.50pm, Robert Evans threw – inevitably – a double one to ensure a fifth consecutive victory for the Chester City Exiles darts team and to guarantee a third place league finish.

It is difficult to explain events in the APFSCIL 6-a-side darts league division three since Christmas, other than to say it was the greatest comeback since Andy Milner decided that defeat against Wrexham was no way to celebrate St Valentine’s Day. In short, the Exiles’ abysmal league form – we hadn’t won a game for almost two seasons – was transformed. Our rise up the table was almost as dramatic as Bobby Williamson’s slump. Nobody had seen anything like it before. We began to approach matches with unusual feelings of optimism.

It seems on reflection that there may have been at least five reasons for our amazing success since Christmas.

2. Steve Catherall returns
The only player this season – and perhaps any other season – to throw a 180 for the Exiles. Steve’s return to the team marked a dramatic improvement in form.

3. Sue Choularton finds her form
Who said that the APFSCIL 6-a-side darts league was a man’s world? Sue's form – in singles and doubles matches in particular – made a big difference this season.

4. The Exiles learn to throw their doubles
The darts maxim ‘trebles for show, doubles for dough’ scarcely applies to us, because we rarely hit either on purpose. However, there can be no doubt that our finishing has been much better this season.

5. Team spirit – forged through adversity
The Exiles squad has stood together and stared into the abyss – 11-0 defeats, winning the beer leg only to find the bar has closed, having to drink Caffrey’s at £3.50 a pint – on more occasions than any of us would care to admit. Has triumph finally started to come from such adversity?

Steve Musson

APFSCIL 6-A-SIDE LEAGUE DIVISION THREE
Th	Oct 11	Exeter City	(H)	5-6
M	Nov 26	Plymouth Argyle	(A)	5-6
Th	Dec 6	Blackpool	(H)	2-9
Th	Jan 24	Plymouth Argyle	(H)	4-7
Th	Feb 7	Plymouth Argyle [Cup1]	(H)	6-5	0-1, 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 2-3, 3-3, 4-3, 4-4, 4-5, 5-5, 6-5
M	Feb 18	Blackpool	(A)	2-9	Royal Star, 220 City Road, London, EC1V 2PN
Th	Mar 13	Rotherham United [Cup QF]	(A)	5-6	1-0, 1-1, 2-1, 2-2, 3-2, 4-2, 5-2, 5-3, 5-4, 5-5, 5-6
W	Mar 26	Bolton Wanderers	(A)	7-4	0-1, 1-1, 2-1, 2-2, 3-2, 3-3, 4-3, 4-4, 5-4, 6-4, 7-4
Th	Apr 3	Southampton	(H)	6-5	0-1, 0-2, 1-2, 2-2, 3-2, 3-3, 3-4, 4-4, 5-4, 5-5, 6-5
Th	May 1	Bolton Wanderers	(H)	7-4
Tu	May 13	Exeter City	(A)	7-4	0-1, 1-1, 1-2, 2-2, 2-3, 3-3, 4-3, 4-4, 5-4, 6-4, 7-4
Th	Jun 12	Southampton	(A)	7-4	1-0, 1-1, 2-1, 3-1, 3-2, 4-2, 4-3, 5-3, 6-3, 6-4, 7-4
FINAL TABLE P W L F A Pts Blackpool 10 10 0 77 33 97 Plymouth Argyle 10 6 4 56 54 68 Chester City 10 5 5 52 58 62 Bolton Wanderers 10 3 7 51 59 57 Exeter City 10 4 6 48 62 56 Southampton 10 2 8 46 64 50 Pictured are the team still in good spirits following their narrow 9-2 defeat by Blackpool. [David, Sue, Robert, Steve, Rick and John] All members and friends are welcome to join us on these darts/social nights. Anyone wishing to play in the side should email our organiser Rick Goby. The home venue is the aptly named City Retreat, 74 Shoe Lane, London, EC4A 3BQ, between Fleet Street and Holborn Circus, Tel: 0207 353 7904.