Cup Founders Root on Mixed Memorial Cup

By Ty Hughes

The Pickled Onion put up their Mixed Memorial Cup for challenge to the Pied Piper on Saturday, January 21.

With the weather getting better and all the snow melting away, Pickled Onion’s Mixed Memorial Cup team was the very same team that took the cup away from Dawson’s just a month earlier; Jeff Sanford, Jolene Harrell, DJ Snell, and Sandy Fisher.

The visiting Pied Piper Team, also strong in their own right included, Larry Mead, Randy Valentine, Derek Griffith, and Jodi Patterson. They enjoyed a large cheering section, out to will their team on to victory.

Mike and Elaine Mayer, founders of the Mixed Memorial Cup, were also in attendance, happy to see their Challenge Cup still being played nearly ten years later. Mike and Elaine originally put their cup into action after one of their own, Richard Walker, suddenly passed away. In Richard’s honor, they enlisted the Mixed Memorial Cup. The trophy itself desperately needs an overhaul these days. That silver eagle atop the trophy cup has long since disappeared, having been replaced by the traditional winged trophy lady. The base is not the original, and needs some cleaning up. The upkeep of these trophies is left up to the holders of the cup, and is often overlooked.

The Pickled Onion has always been a great location for an exciting challenge cup match. Just one hour into the match, it was all tied up at four apiece. Both teams were shooting well, including their lower-rated players.

Pickled Onion banged out six wins in a row, taking it to 10-5. Pied Piper came right back with the next two games, but Pickled Onion was flat on a mission. DJ put up a 3-In-The-Black to elicit a hearty applause from a roomful of supporters, nice job.

Pickled Onion’s regular Saturday afternoon dart tournament was just getting started by 4pm, and the place was completely packed with interested fans and students of the game. In the end, the Pickled Onion proved why they are the current cup holders by knocking off a tough Pied Piper team, winning 17-9.

Congratulations to everyone playing, and thanks to everyone who took the afternoon off to support your friends and teammates.