Park settle for third place in League

Park Inn 4

LEAGUE champions Halfway Aces played host to Park Inn who were fighting for second place.

A win would have left them hoping that Kevin’s would slip up but it didn’t really mater at the end with the game ending in a draw. Congratulations to the Halfway boys on their first season in the Vintners, picking up the top prize and losing only one game in the league.

At the oche for game one was Ronnie Herdman (140, 100) and Nigel Kerr (100, 137). Ronnie reached the double first but left nine to do so Nigel took the lead with double 16. Nigel’s (100, 140, 140) good darts gave the visitors the lead.

Andrew Douglas (95/180) joined the 180 club on his way to beating Brian Graham (100) and give the Park a 2-0 lead .

Dylan Woolsey (95, 100, 100) and Noel Gates (100, 135) were paired in the third game and both throwers were in form with Noel taking the lead on 19 darts.

The second leg was giving both throwers double trouble with Noel (125, 100, 100) taking the lead. He looked like he was going to make it 2-0 but its doubles that count and with Noel on double one Dylan was back in the game.

The deciding leg saw Dylan (100, 100, 99) throwing with more confidence and when Noel (100) missed double 12 Dylan took his chance to open the Aces’ score.

Home captain Neville Reid must have something about lady throwers. After being dumped out of the individuals Neville (140/100) again found himself on the wrong end of a 2-0 defeat, this time at the hands of Clare Thornbury (95/95) who had a great 100 finish in the first leg. This left the Park in a 3-1 lead.

After the break Brian Graham (120) was glad to see the double two finish when Fiona McGuiggan (117/99) just missed double eight and a 16 finish gave him a 2-0 win.

The last singles saw Roy Livingston (100, 134) take the lead but it took double one against Robert Thornbury to separate the two throwers.

Robert (100) was back on level terms next leg with double seven but the Park thrower was well behind in leg three when Roy (100, 100) levelled the teams at 3-3.

PAIRS – Dylan Woolsey (125/100) and Ronnie Herdman (100/100/140, 100)

came from behind against Clare Thornbury (100) and Noel Gates (100/140/99) to give the Aces the lead for the first time but at the end of the game it was shared points when Nigel Kerr (100/100) and Andrew Douglas (123/100) beat Brian Graham and Roy Livingston (100/100) 2-0.

Young Guns 5

Red Star A 3

Red Star were once again under strength when throwing against Young Guns and ended the season with nine defeats the first for the Star that I can remember.

Andy Watson took the lead against Stars’ Alan McKnight (100) who had double trouble but a good 80 finish on 15 darts had Alan (100, 100, 100, 121) level.

It was 2-1 for Alan (140) in the next leg with Andy (100/100) a long way behind in both legs.

John McKee (128) proved too strong for Marty Conlon (100,100) with a 2-0 win.

Richard McKee and Maurice Orr were next to the board and a 19 darter by Richard (100, 100, 140, 123), who was on 37 after 12 darts, left Maurice a long way from the double but better darts had Maurice (123) level.

The deciding leg went to Maurice who was steady and left Richard off the double.

Michael Kennedy left an out of form Ian Redmond nowhere near the finish in game four but Ian had chances to level in leg two before Michael (100, 99) won.

David Wilton and Kenneth Halliday from Guns received a bye to leave the score 4-2 in there favour.

PAIRS – Kenny Halliday (136) and David Wilton (100,100) lost 2-0 to M Conlon (98) and Alan McKnight (100, 100/100, 100) while Gareth Moody (100) and Richard McKee (100,100/100,140) came from behind to earn the Guns full points.

Higgins 3

Kevin’s 5

Kevin’s arrived to Scarva Street with only four throwers and needed to win to secure second place.

Starting two games down they fought back to win 5-3 against Higgins’.

In the first game Billy Bell was no match for Paul Dillon (123) and lost 2-0 but Mark Floukes (95) had the teams level when he beat Andy McComb (100) 2-1.

Game three saw Eamonn Savage win the battle of the doubles to lead John Broome (100) but Eamonn couldn’t make the double in the next two legs, letting John (100/100) regain Kevin’s lead.

Damien Savage (121) and Steven Banks (97, 100/100) had a doubles battle in both legs with Steven coming out on top to give Kevin’s a 3-1 half time lead.

The next two singles went to Higgins’ - Midge Hylands and Gary Gracey getting byes.

PAIRS – Michael Grimes (95) and Mark Foulkes lost 2-0 to Paul Dillon (140, 100/180) and Andy McComb while Damien and Eamonn Savage lost 2-0 to Steven Banks and John Broome.

McGraths 4

Halfway House 4

McGraths ended their season with a good home draw to Halfway House who have slipped after a good start to the season.

They will need to improve with the Malcolm Graham Cup final this week.

Jim Brown (100, 100) got the visitors off to a good start with quick finishing against Chris Malcomson who was way off the double.

Derek Reid (140, 140, 97) was in top scoring form and a 20 darter left opponent Tom Black on 155. In leg two Tom made it to 88 before Derek (3x100) gave his team a 2-0 lead.

Cliff Taylor (133) started against Tony McKinstry with a 20 darter to leave the latter needing 210 but Tony (140) was back in the game; this time he replied with a 20 darter to level the legs and leave Cliff with 177.

The deciding leg was close, Tony (100) missing double 16 only to see Cliff (98) win the match with double 10.

Ivan Waddell (100, 100) had the teams level at half time when he beat Willie Herdman (140,100) 2-0.

Game five and the Halfway regained their lead when Tom Alderdice (100, 140/123) beat Marty McQuaid (99, 100/100) 2-1 but it was level again at the end of the pairs, Ronnie Malcomson (100, 100) winning the doubles over Alan Cochrane (100,119/120).

PAIRS – Ivan Waddell (100, 95/135) and Ronnie Malcomson (100) had a 2-1 win over Tony McKinstry (100) and Derek Reid (100 ,100, 121f) but Jim Brown (100,99) and Tom Alderdice earned a draw, beating Cliff Taylor (100) and Marty McQuaid 2-0.

Top of the Town 2

Castle Bar 5

Town played host to Castle Bar but could only manage two wins from the seven games thrown.

Billy Leckey (100, 100/140) was showing some of his old scoring form but it was visiting captain Greg Harper (140, 100, 125) with form darts who finished on 17 darts and went on for a 2-0 win.

Stephen Weir (100, 100/100) levelled the game with a double top and double nine to beat Vince Conlon (135/100) 2-0.

Shane Haffey (140) regained Castle’s lead by beating Christopher Dillon (100) 2-0 and at the halfway stage the game was once again tied, Jason Hamill (140) with a 97 finish took the lead over Paul Ritchie (100) who levelled the legs.

But Jason (140,100) made sure of the win, finishing on double top when Paul (140) was on a similar double.

Castle’s Cliff Ritchie (120,140) gave his team back their lead when a double eight left K Buchanan (99, 110) on 50. Buchanan (96) did level but was well out of the running when Cliff made it 2-1.

PAIRS – Jason Hamill (95) and Billy Leckey (140) lost 2-0 to Cliff (121) and Paul Ritchie (98) and Greg Harper (100) and Shane Haffey (140) made it the win for Castle

PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP - Congratulations to the four pairs who are through to the finals night in McGrath’s Bar: Daryl Woosley and Ronnie Herdman (Halfway Aces), Rodney Hylands and Kenny Halliday (Higgins and Young Guns), Neville Reid and Roy Livingston (Halfway Aces), Lindsay McFadden and Nigel Kerr (Park Inn). The draw will take place on the night.

Results of matches thrown Thursday April 15: Halfway Aces 5 Top of the Town 1, Red Star B 4 Red Star A 4, Castle Bar 4 Young Guns 4, Park Inn 6 McGraths 2, Higgins 1 Halfway House 7. Kevin’s – bye. Rearranged match: Young Guns 4 Kevin’s 4.

Fixtures for Thursday April 29: Halfway House - Malcolm Graham Cup Final, Park Inn v Halfway House. Also Individual Championship final.

Final league positions

P W D L Pts

Halfway Aces 22 21 0 1 42

Kevin’s 22 18 2 2 38

Park Inn 22 16 3 3 35

Halfway House 22 14 3 5 31

Young Guns 22 12 6 4 30

Red Star A 22 9 4 9 22

Castle Bar 22 7 5 10 19

McGraths 22 5 8 9 18