Ihaka, 11, makes an impact

DARTS WHIZ KID: Ihaka Kaio-Wynyard with the Horua Whanau Trophy presented to him as winner of the Gisborne under-17 darts tournament in August. The next day, he won the Brezz’n Darts Club men’s singles title, beating Tahuna Irwin in the final. This week, he beat Irwin again, although his team lost. Picture supplied

ELEVEN-year-old Ihaka Kaio-Wynyard may have been on the losing team on Tuesday night, but he had the thrill of beating a New Zealand darts champion.

A finish of 150 helped him beat 2018 New Zealand Open darts champion Tahuna Irwin 3-1.

It was Irwin’s only defeat in the Turanganui a Kiwa Darts Association’s winter league this season.

However, Irwin’s Ford Falcons team were too good overall for the Assassins team that Kaio-Wynyard played for.

The 21-game format for the preliminary final playoffs meant teams had to win only 11 games to seal victory, and Falcons beat Assassins 11-4 to book their spot in the A Grade final.

Assassins now go to the semifinal playoffs against the Tigers, who defeated Pounamu 11-4.

Knights have booked their spot in the B Grade final by defeating Aotea 11-10 in a nailbiting teams 701 game.

Both teams got off to the double start straight away. Aotea went into a lead of over 100 points, but Knights pulled them back. A feature of the Knights’ win was the outstanding play by Victor Mackey, who pegged the final double to take his team straight into the final.

Aotea still have a chance to earn a place in the B Grade final.

Next week they have a semifinal playoff against their whanau team Aroha, who defeated Hummingbirds 11-3.

Tahuna Irwin, Jordan Ngarangione (Ford Falcons); Ihaka Kaio-Wynyard (Assassins); Shiloh Henry, John White, Warren Coe (Tigers).

Tahuna Irwin (Ford Falcons).

Mihi Awatere 2 (Pounamu); Tahuna Irwin, Jordan Ngarangione, Harley Ngarangione (Ford Falcons).

Ihaka Kaio-Wynyard (Assassins).

T Irwin 180, 162, 141f, 140st, 140 (3), 125, 102, 100st (5), 100 (17); J Ngarangione 180, 140st, 140 (5), 133, 122, 100st (2), 100 (11); H Ngarangione 140st, 140 (2), 135 (2), 127, 125 (2), 121 (2), 102f, 100st, 100 (6); S Kirikino 140 (2), 125, 100 (3); T Kaio 140 (2), 137, 136f, 135st, 134, 121, 120, 119, 100 (7); I Kaio-Wynyard 180, 150f, 140 (8), 128, 125, 100st (3), 100 (6); C Kaio 140, 130st, 125 (2), 120, 115, 100st, 100 (3); H Ratapu 140, 115, 101, 100st, 100 (4).

J White 180, 140 (4), 125 (2), 123 (2), 121, 100st (5), 100 (5); S Henry 180, 140, 127, 118, 100 (12); W Coe 180, 100st, 100 (2); W Edwards 140 (3), 125 (2), 121 (2), 100st, 100 (4); B Awatere 140, 125, 123, 121, 115st, 101,100 (6); C Te Moni 116st, 100 (2); M Awatere 140st (2), 140, 135, 122, 121, 120, 100st (2), 100 (8); T Te Kira 140, 123st, 100st (4), 100 (11).

Kino White (Knights).

Tom Hindmarsh, Anaru Cashmore.

Sin Tupene 2.

Tangiwai Heurea.

U Heurea 140, 125st, 112st, 100 (3); R Te Kira 101, 100 (2); A Cashmore 125, 100st (2), 100 (8); J Smith 140, 100 (3); K White 180, 100st (2), 100 (7); T Hindmarsh 140, 125, 123, 100st (2), 100 (6); V Mackey 123, 121, 100st, 100 (4); A Kerisome 121, 120, 110, 107st, 100 (4).

S Tupene 140st (2), 140, 121, 112, 100; K Hartley 121, 100 (3); R Te Kira 120, 100; T Heurea 140, 121, 102f, 100 (2); C Wood 140, 123, 116st, 116, 109, 100; D Wharehinga 114, 100 (2); E Kirikino 107, 101, 100 (4).

Assassins v Tigers.

Aotea v Aroha.