Jackson in Action at MODUS Super Series
Words by Ross Guy
Matt Jackson, the Amateur Darts Circuit number 1 ranked player took to the MODUS Super Series stage in Portsmouth for the first time having previously played at the old venue in Southampton on two other occasions. ‘The Action’ is an ever present when it comes to ADC competitions, and he is reaping the rewards. Matt qualified for last week’s Super Series on the back of a brilliantly consistent season which resulted in him finishing top of the South West regional table.
Within the ADC are various darting regions where you can get your tungsten fix. Playing in ADC affiliated competitions, fighting for ranking points and topping your regional table has numerous, exciting benefits. Finishing in the top 32 of your regional table can result in a tv appearance at the MODUS Super Series. Each region has a cut-off date and once that cut-off date arrives the top 32 in the region will battle it out on finals day for a chance to snap up the coveted spot in Portsmouth. Going forward the decision was made to shorten the regions from 16 down to 9. This therefore means that 9 different players who win their regions will be selected to appear at the MODUS Super Series.
‘The Action’ was going to come all week from Group A which would then be filtered down to Group B and Group C dependant on where Matt finished after 3 days amongst some world class players in Group A.
Monday morning, session 1 and Matt was scheduled to play first against ‘The Hammer’ Andy Hamilton. Jackson got straight to work and managed to strike first against the throw to take the first leg. However, Hamilton pinned a 70 checkout and an 18-dart leg to break straight back and level the game at 1-1. The Hammer was then unplayable as he moved through the gears and took the next 3 legs to win the match and average 95 against Jackson’s 83. Moving on, Matt struggled to get going against ‘Wolfie’ Martin Adams and succumbed to a 4-0 defeat. Action’s next game was against the Scotsman, Robert Thornton. Matt got off to a flyer holding throw and taking out 56 in 17 darts to race in to a 1 leg lead. ‘The Thorn’ then landed a leg on throw of his own pinning 8 in 3 darts for an 18-dart leg. The South West Regional qualifier was really in the mood here and started playing some brilliant stuff as he took out 74 in 15 darts to open a 2-1 lead. Thornton then missed 3 darts to level the scores and Matt took his chance to open a gap of 2 legs as he nailed double tops. ‘The Action’ was now one leg away from defeating the former World Grand Prix winner and he did not let the prospect of that unsettle him as he held throw winning the match on double 4. Off the mark in group A with a resounding 4-1 win against Robert Thornton averaging 88.55 Matt will have been growing in confidence. Despite this, the ADC number 1 suffered a narrow defeat to Thibault Tricole, who had to come through a last leg decider to beat Matt 4-3. Ending day 1 Matt faced Jesus Noguera and despite the better average of 89.55 suffered a 4-2 defeat.
Day 2 and Matt was immediately looking to avenge his defeat in the last game of day 1 as he faced off firstly against Jesus Noguera. A nervy affair which resulted in Jackson pinning a crucial leg in the decider ensured he started the day well winning 4-3. Despite playing well and maintaining a decent average Matt suffered defeats in his remaining 4 games. The Frenchman Thibault Tricole won 4-2 followed by an agonisingly close 4-3 loss to Robert Thornton. The last two games of day 2 ‘The Action’ was defeated 4-1 by Martin Adams and Andy Hamilton respectively.
Matt started Day 3 against Robert Thornton. A very high-quality affair which ‘The Thorn’ won 4-2 averaging 92.74 to Matt’s 87.43. Racing into a 3-1 lead against Martin Adams in game 2, Jackson was playing superbly as there looked to be only one winner. However, ‘Wolfie’ battled back to take the game to a last leg decider. Unfortunately, missing darts at doubles in the decider meant Martin Adams came out on top as he won 4-3 somewhat undeservingly as the averages portrayed. Defeated 4-1 by Tricole and 4-2 off Andy Hamilton, Matt was looking to end his Group A journey on a high as he toed the oche with Jesus Noguera. Having played relatively well against Noguera so far, Jackson was coming in confident he’d be able to win. Doing just that with a 45% checkout rate the ADC number 1 won 4-3.
Day four and a welcomed second chance for Jackson. Thibault Tricole won group A and now Matt Jackson drops into Group C alongside Robert Thornton, Jesus Noguera, David Wawrzewski, Cam Crabtree and Scott Taylor. First up was a tough test against Cam Crabtree with the youngster being unstoppable on his way to a 4-0 win with a 115.62 average. Next up for ‘The Action’ was Scott Taylor. Matt opened his account in the game superbly as he pinned tops for a 16-dart leg against the throw. Scott then immediately broke back before Jackson took out a superb 114 checkout to get back in front. A 60 checkout for the ADC number 1 ensured he would open a two-leg lead making it 3-1 in a race to 4. However, it wasn’t all plain sailing as Scott fought back with two legs of his own to take the match into a deciding leg. Both players missed match darts and it was Matt Jackson who took the decider as he hit double 10 for a 16-dart leg and an important much needed win averaging 90.70. A tantalisingly close encounter with Robert Thornton followed and unfortunately Jackson suffered a 4-3 defeat. The last two games of day four saw Jackson suffer a 4-2 defeat against Jesus Noguera and a 4-0 defeat to David Wawrzewski respectively.
‘The Action’ came into day 5 knowing he would have to win near enough every game and rely on other results to be in with a chance of playing in finals night on Saturday. The pressure possibly got to Jackson as he lost his first four games on day 5. Defeated 4-3 by David Wawrzewski, 4-3 by Jesus Noguera, 4-2 by Robert Thornton and 4-2 by Scott Taylor. The last game for the ADC number 1 now and a chance to go out on a high saw Matt face off against Cam Crabtree. Managing to win the game comfortably 4-0 with an 82.36 average. Although results may not have gone his way last week after losing out in quite a few deciding legs, Matt should be proud as he showcased some real talent and gave a good account of what he is capable of.
Lastly, everyone at the ADC would like to wish representatives Dan Read and Colin Osborne good luck this week at Portsmouth as they both start their assault on the MODUS Super Series.