Sweet revenge for Halfway in Graham Cup decider

Park Inn 1

THIS was sweet revenge for the Halfway House against Park Inn who defeated the latter at the semi-final stage of the Kevin McGrath Cup.

Halfway were in form in this Malcolm Graham Cup and had the match wrapped up with out needing the three pairs games

At the oche for the first game were Raymond Williams and Nigel Kerr and it was Raymond, who had the first throw, who was on the double first. A double six gave him the lead with Nigel (100) leaving 25 but it was a first dart double top that levelled the legs for Nigel (116, 97) with Raymond (95, 96, 97) looking 74.

In leg three Nigel took the lead, starting with 140 followed by 140 next throw and called his double first. Raymond (97) just missed a 110 finish but won the game next throw after Nigel had three darts at double 10.

Tom Alderdice (98) and Gareth Chambers (100, 100) were called for game two and Gareth was on the finish first but let Tom down to have five darts at the double before taking the lead with his 10th dart at double four.

Gareth (100, 100) made sure of the win with a first dart double 10 to leave Tom (95) with 45 on the board.

Game three gave the Halfway back their lead but it was very close between Tony McKinstry (101) and Clare Thornbury (133) with both having double trouble before a double seven gave Tony the lead.

Leg two was similar, only this time it was Clare (133) who got the double first to level.

The deciding leg was close with both called on 72 but it was Tony (100, 101) who won, finishing on 38 after Clare (133) had left 32 for her next throw.

At the halfway mark Alan Cochrane extended the lead for the Halfway House to 3-1 when throwing against Robert Thornbury (100) who was left on 53 when Alan (125) took the lead on double 10.

Robert was a long way off the double, needing 197 when steady darts from Alan (140, 100) finished on 36 after just missing 120 for the finish, hitting double one when going for tops.

Game five paired Halfway captain Derek Reid (100) and Lindsay McFadden (123). The first leg was close with both having chances at the double; Lindsay having five darts before Derek took the lead on double eight.

Leg two also went down to the wire with both throwers having no luck after Lindsay (135, 95) got the call first and had five darts at his double before Derek made it 4-1.

The singles game was must win for Park and Andrew Douglas (100) got a good start when he finished on 75 against Jim Brown (100) who was left on 45.

Then Jim (100) took over and a double eight first dart left Andrew needing 207.

Leg three saw Jim (100, 100) continue his form, not letting Andrew down to the double when he finished on double nine to win the cup for the Halfway.

INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP - The draw was made for the competition with Ivan Waddell and Ronnie Herdman coming out first. Ronnie won the toss and started with 3x100 but Ivan (137) made the double but ended on double one with Ronnie taking the lead on tops.

Both players were throwing steady in leg two with Ivan (100, 135) missing tops only to see Ronnie (100, 100) finish on double 10.

Next to the oche was Paul Dillon and John McKee. A 60 finish gave Paul the lead with John needing 160 but John had three darts at tops to level before Paul (96) finished on double 16 after missing the bull.

FINAL – The final paired Ronnie and Paul. Ronnie (140,100) was showing form, getting the call first and double four left Paul (100) unable to get a shot when he left 35.

Leg two was close and Ronnie called 90, hit the treble 18 but just missed the double. He had eight darts to win his first championship. Paul missed 48 but levelled on double two.

Ronnie (100) got another chance in leg three when on 151. He hit treble 20, treble 17 and just missed double 20 but he got in again with three darts before Paul (140, 140) checked out on double eight to become champion.