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DARTS
Observing subjects from a distance then putting thoughts to paper is an integral part of a writer’s gift. This is most evident when watching determined play-to-win dart players and, let’s just say, us fun-loving social dart players. The latter description was evident in this week’s game between 2NZ Say My Name and 2NZ Uawa Warriors. Uawa took the match 8-7.
Before the game started, I caught a glimpse of Tui Duncan’s specially tailored flights. I made a comment and Tui unabashedly declared that rather than see players throw unwanted flights away, he trims them up with scissors and reuses them. Tui was adamant the aerodynamics were not affected but more importantly, it didn’t affect his game. Hmmm?
Captain Webster Lewis’s Say My Name front pairing of Tui and son Thao led the way, taking two of the three pairs points available to them. They beat the Warriors’ lead pairing of Jason Matete and skipper Kathy Penfold, then Warriors mid-pair Marissa Neho and Veronica Pomana, aka “Ronnie”.
Lewis and daughter Justice managed a win against Matete and Penfold. Their anchor-pairing of Kayne Arahanga and partner Aimee Collier secured a fourth point from Neho and Pomana.
For the Warriors, the not-yet-mentioned husband-and-wife anchor pairing of Paul and Peti Seymour struck the treble with three from three. Midfielders Neho and Pomana added a fourth from Lewis and Lewis, as did Matete and Penfold, taking the deciding ninth point over Say My Name’s Arahanga and Aimee to give the Warriors a 5-4 lead.
The singles was a classic tit-for-tat affair. Say My Name’s Thao Duncan squared the ledger 5-5 with a win against Matete. Warrior princess Penfold got the lead back at 6-5, defeating Tui Duncan. Webster Lewis levelled it, 6-6, with a win against Neho. Pomana hauled the fourth singles point off Justice Lewis to give the Warriors the penultimate 7-6 lead. Not quite out of it, Say My Name beekeeper Kayne Arahanga (13 tons) made it 7-7 by taking a win from Peti Seymour. This left Warrior anchor man Paul Seymour up against new starter Aimee Collier. Well, we know what happened there.
The game was played in a wonderfully light-hearted spirit. Although the ton-plus scores, apart from two players, were not fairly allocated, the winning doubles were, 16-16. From where I was standing, looking around between my own visits to the oche, it was easy to see how and why darts can be an enjoyable reason for people to get together.
COMING UP — Region 7 senior men’s and women’s playoffs (top 10 men and top eight women qualify): 10am, Sunday, April 29, upstairs at Brezz’n Sports Bar. Entry fee $5. Registrations close at 9.30am.
Region 7 junior (6-13yrs) and youth (14-17yrs) playoffs (top six junior girls and six youth girls, top six junior boys and six youth boys qualify): 10am, Sunday, May 13, upstairs at Brezz’n Sportsbar. No entry fee. Registrations close at 9.30am.