At long last I was able to get to the DLI Annual Indoor games. This year they were hosted by the Washington branch at the Top Club Sulgrave. The horrors of Washington came back when I tried to find the venue. I did feel a bit stupid when I was fifty yards from the place when I stopped a lady to ask directions.
My thank's for the full report by Mr Kevin Storey B.E.M.
Secretary of the DLI Association.
The DLI Association Indoor Games for 2009 took place in the Top Club at Sulgrave, Washington on Sunday 8 March. One hundred and seventy-five members attended and 13 of the 15 branches were represented.
Club officials had set up the games area the previous evening and we were able to commence before noon with the first two games of darts and the first game of dominoes. These two competitions moved on apace until lunch was called at 1300 hrs. Most of those attending enjoyed a traditional army curry or a superb salad, both served with all the necessary trimmings.
After lunch all three disciplines moved slowly through the early games to reach the finals. The domino final was a classic encounter between the City of Sunderland and a revitalised Spennymoor. Because of a fixture faux pas, Spennymoor had to play an extra game to reach the final, but undaunted, they outplayed Sunderland to gain a much deserved win,
The darts final was a viciously competitive single game of 1001 between Chester-Le-Street and Stockton who were seeking to retain the trophy having won it in 2008. It ended with both teams on a double for eternity, but Stockton clinched it to put them in line for the Champion’s Trophy as overall winners, for they were also in the final of the whist competition.
In the final of the whist Consett & Stanley played Stockton with the former using a secret weapon to outplay their opponents - two members of their team were female members who swore that they had never played whist in their lives - a tense game saw Consett and Stanley emerge victorious which led to a most unusual amount of hugging in their victory dance.
Despite losing in the whist final Stockton became Games Champions with 12 points and will now seek the hat-trick in 2010.
The trophies were presented to the winning teams by Major Paul Wharton MM, Vice Chairman of the Association ably assisted by The Rifles Durham Secretary, Major Chris Lawton MBE.
Darts - STOCKTON
Runners Up - Chester-Le-Street
Dominoes - SPENNYMOOR
Runners Up - City of Sunderland
Whist - CONSETT & STANLEY
Runners Up - Stockton
Games Champions - STOCKTON
Wooden Spoon - No overall winner!
