Falcons perched at top of ladder

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FALCONS took the lead in the Brezz N Darts Competition with a 14-7 victory over Tigers last week.

In the singles, Falcons captain Harley Ngarangione took his game against Shiloh Henry 2-0, winning their first leg on a 105 checkout.

On the other board, Tigers player Toby Ratapu beat Hati Saddlier 2-1 to lock up the tie at one game each.

Falcons’ Jordan Ngarangione replied with a 2-0 victory over Tipi Eyles, Tigers’ Webster Lewis beat Claude Saddlier 2-0, Falcons’ Sam Kirikino beat Teretu Te Moananui 2-0, and Tigers’ Leroy Eyles beat Peter Tom 2-0.

That meant the teams were level on three games each going into the pairs.

Falcons won the first three games 2-0.

The Tigers pairing of Henry and Ratapu hit back, beating Jordan Ngarangione and Claude Saddlier 2-1.

But Falcons won the next four games and Tigers were only able to snatch the last pairs game.

Falcons’ 7-2 advantage in the pairs section gave them a 10-5 lead going into the reverse singles.

Needing victory in each of the last six singles to win the tie, Tigers looked set for a comeback when they took the first two games. Henry beat Tom 2-1 win and Ratapu beat Kirikino 2-0.

But Falcons regrouped and won the last four singles matches comfortably.

Falcons now lead the competition with one game to go in the first grading round.

Pythons and Pumas went game for game before Pythons won 11-10.

Pumas struck first, Cory Timothy lodging a 2-0 win against Warren Coe, then Python youngster Errol Tamihana beat Willie Smith 2-0.

Puma and Python captains on topPuma captain Ike Te Ahorangi beat Kiri Hawea 2-1 and Python captain Louise Laulau came back with a 2-0 victory over Irene Taufa.

Puma stalwart Mark Bollingford hit back with a 2-1 victory over Antz Hulley, and Python anchor woman Joanne Matete beat Eric Moses 2-1 to level the tie 3-3.

Neither team let up during the pairs but Pythons shaded Pumas five games to four in this section to lead the tie 8-7 heading into the reverse singles. These were split 3-3, which gave Pythons their 11-10 victory.

The Scorpions-Sharks tie was also tight. The singles finished 3-3, but the action came in the pairs.

Just when the night’s high scores were in the mid-130s, Sharks’ Ken Lewis had his first 180 of the year. This set off Scorpions’ high scorer, John Lynch, who replied with his first 180 of the year.

Scorpions gained a 7-2 advantage in the pairs to take a 10-5 lead into the reverse singles.

Again the singles ended 3-3, which meant a 13-8 tie victory for Scorpions.

The Stallions-Ruahine clash was another close one. The singles ended with the sides level, 3-3.

In the pairs, Stallions shaded Ruahine six games to three to take a 9-6 lead into the reverse singles.

Stallions won the first three games to clinch the tie, but Ruahine finished strongly to take the last three games and close the score to 12-9.

Hawkz too strong for Humming BirdsHawkz were too strong for Humming Birds, recording an 18-3 victory.

The Humming Birds had one win in each of the sections. In the singles, the birds’ Tuihana Shepherd beat Hinehou Namana 2-1. In the pairs, Shepherd and Gaye Tamihana beat Hawkz pairing Matiu Hawea and Crevice Lewis 2-1. In the reverse singles, the birds’ Amanda Manuel beat Namana 2-1.

HIGHLIGHTSHigh score (180): Ken Lewis, John Lynch.

High start (160): Hati Saddlier, Shiloh Henry.

High finish: Harley Ngarangione.

Most high scores (11): Toby Ratapu, Kayne Arahanga, Thao Duncan.

RESULTSHumming Birds 3 Hawkz 18: Tuihana Shepherd 114, 100; Gaye Tamihana 162. Nyoka Fox 140, 121, 101, 100 (3); Thomasina Brown 120, 114; Matiu Hawea 135, 100 (2); Crevice Lewis 120st, 108, 100 (3); Thao Duncan 141, 140 (3), 100 (7).

Stallions 12 Ruahine 9: Kayne Arahanga 130st, 110st,100 (9); Siaki Tui 120, 103; Rocky Monika 100 (4); Wi Brown 133, 100 (2); Edward (Whata) Brown 129, 125, 118st, 100 (3); Kazius Collier-Delamere 130, 123, 115st, 100 (2). Potz Te Kira 140 (3), 120st, 100 (5); Sin Tupene 100 (2); Johnny Smith 125, 100 (3); Ripeka Te Kira 121, 115, 109; Chris Te Moni 100 (3).

Scorpions 13 Sharks 8: John Lynch 180, 125, 123, 100st, 100 (5); Heiwari Phillips 140, 125, 100 (4); Brian (Skippy) Royle 133, 125; Bill Allen 130 (2); Victor Mackey 117, 100 (5). Ken Lewis 180, 140 (3), 100F, 100 (3); Sonny Laulau 140, 123, 115, 100 (2); Curly Waikare 101; Dallas Joseph 100 (4); Nikki-Jean Stevenson 100 (2); Pete Hema 126st, 121, 120.

Pythons 11 Pumas 10: Warren Coe 125, 105st,100 (2); Errol Tamihana 121, 120, 100; Kiri Hawea 121, 120, 101st, 100 (2); Louise Laulau 103, 101st; Antz Hulley 100 (2). Cory Timothy 140, 110, 100 (2); Ike Te Ahorangi 140, 121, 100; Irene Taufa 100 (2); Mark Bollingford 100 (3); Eric Moses 135, 121, 100.

Tigers 7 Ford Falcons 14: Shiloh Henry 160st, 140, 125 (2), 100 (3); Toby Ratapu 140, 122, 120st (3), 100 (6); Tipi Eyles 140, 135 (2), 134, 100st, 100 (4); Webster Lewis 118, 117, 100 (4); Teretu 140, 121; Leroy Eyles 105st, 102, 100 (6). Harley Ngarangione 140 (2) 120st, 105F, 100 (2); Hati Saddlier 160st, 140, 120, 100; Jordan Ngarangione 140, 125, 100st, 100 (6); Claude Saddlier 140, 125, 121, 100 (2); Sam Kirikino 140, 121, 100; Peter Tom 140 (2), 125, 118, 100 (2).