Savs’ men heading North with Kyle

The otherwise football-themed team have relished the introduction of a dependable ‘third player’, 24-year-old darts specialist Kyle Hutchinson, amplifying the youth of the youngest team in the Triples top-flight.

Northerners entered the last league night ranked second overall after taking 17 points from a possible 18 in the two weeks prior.

Beating Guernsey Trade Windows may be a tough ask, but how confident is captain Lee Savident of at least snatching second spot?

‘We’ve got three good players in our team, so we’re always going to have a chance,’ he said.

‘Last couple of years, we’ve lacked a good third player and we’ve always had to get a reserve in.

‘Kyle’s a very good player and getting Kyle in has given us the opportunity to be around the top end of the league.

‘We’re not expecting to win it, but we’re expecting to be competitive with the top teams.’

Fielding Hutchinson and Savident, the team veteran, alongside currently injured Priaulx League footballer Scott Bougourd produces a mean age of 32.

That youth, Savident says, is definitely not a bad thing.

‘That’s what we’re looking at in the game of darts – trying to bring through players as much as we can.

‘We want to get the longevity and with the World Darts Federation coming in [and allowing Guernsey to enter or stage important competitions], it’s key to get more younger players playing too.’

The odd blip is natural, as was the case with their second versus third meeting against Chumbawombas.

They failed to field a full side and were three down from the gun in what was otherwise a balanced contest, ending 3-6. Chumbawombas star man Ken Waters posted three 180s across two counting matches.

Yet looking ahead, Northerners soon face the champions and leaders. The ambition there?

‘We want to be the team that beats Guernsey Trade Windows,’ Savident said in response to Mark Fletcher jnr’s bid to go unbeaten this year.