Irwin shows mettle in Kobe

FLYING THE FLAG: The New Zealand team gets together for a team photo at the World Darts Federation World Cup in Kobe, Japan. They are, back (from left): men’s manager Edwin Eden, Mark Cleaver, Greg Moss, Tahuna Irwin and Cody Harris. Front: Jo Stead, Judy Fenton, women’s manager Trixie Erceg, Tina Osborne and Taylor-Marsh Kahaki. Picture by Lynmarie Edwards

GISBORNE darts player Tahuna Irwin featured in sudden-death drama during the World Darts Federation World Cup in Kobe, Japan, this month. Irwin, of Gisborne’s Brezz’n Darts Club, played a key role in New Zealand’s 9-8 team victory over Norway.

New Zealand were 8-7 down when Irwin stepped up to the oche. He won his game to level the scores, and a playoff was required. After a quick team meeting, Irwin was chosen to play the decider. Again, he handled the pressure and clinched the match.

New Zealand also beat host nation Japan 7-2, but were eventually knocked out of the teams contest by Australia, 9-4.

In the pairs, Cody Harris and Irwin were playing partners and won three matches before going out in the quarterfinals.

In the singles, Irwin beat opponents from South Africa and Hong Kong before falling to Australia’s Peter Machin 4-3 in the last 32.

New Zealand finished eighth out of 28 teams in the men’s points standings. Australia finished top.

In the women’s section, New Zealand finished 12th of 25 teams, with the Netherlands finishing top.

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IT was the clash of the titans in Brezz’n Darts Club winter league competition on Tuesday night. Competition leaders Ford Falcons showed why they are the team to beat when they came up against the second-placed Rhinos.

Falcons won a thriller, 11-10. Playing with only five players due to players’ work commitments, Falcons were giving up two games to the Rhinos — one in the first set of singles and one in the reverse singles, with the possibility of losing three more games in the pairs.

Rhinos captain Tyson Eyles set the platform for his team with a strong 2-0 win against Falcons captain Harley Ngarangione. Hayden Kiri followed his captain’s lead with a 2-1 win against Sam Kirikino.

Falcons struck back, Jordan Ngarangione defeating Joe Kiri Sr 2-1, Pete Tom defeating Errol Tamihana 2-0 and Tahuna Irwin defeating Cody Kiri 2-0.

Rhinos’ Catrina Rooseboom De Vries took the forfeited singles game 2-0 to make the score 3-3 going into the pairs section. Rhinos threw some great darts in the pairs to win this section 6-3. Going into the reverse singles, the Rhinos’ 9-6 lead became 10-6 with the forfeited game taken into account. With one win needed from five games, Rhinos looked favourites.

Falcons had other ideas, though, and won five from five, H Ngarangione defeating C Rooseboom De Vries 2-0, S Kirikino def C Kiri 2-0, J Ngarangione def E Tamihana 2-1, P Tom def J Kiri Sr 2-0 and T Irwin def H Kiri 2-0. With one game to play, Falcons are already the 2017 champions.

INDIVIDUAL HIGHLIGHTS180s: Tyson Eyles, Joe Kiri, Leroy Eyles, Pete Tom, Edward Brown.

Highest start (160): Joe Kiri.

Highest finish (156): Hunter Eyles.

Most high scores (15): Joe Kiri, Tahuna Irwin.

RESULTS from TuesdayFord Falcons 11 Rhinos 10: H Ngarangione 140 (3), 123, 105st, 100f, 100 (5); S Kirikino 123, 100; J Ngarangione 140, 134, 125 (2), 120st, 103st, 100 (6); P Tom 180, 120st, 100 (3); T Irwin 140 (7), 130st, 120st, 115, 105, 100 (4). T Eyles 180, 140 (2), 121, 120st, 101st, 100 (2); H Kiri 140, 139, 135, 114st, 100(3); J Kiri 180, 160st, 140, 137, 129, 125, 121, 120st, 101, 100 (6); E Tamihana 140 (3), 100; C Kiri 132, 125 (2), 100 (2).

Hawks 1 Tigers 20: M Renata 100; H Namana 138; T Brown 129, 120, 104; M Hawea 140, 121, 100 (3); C Timothy 152, 140, 113f, 100 (3); S Henry 100 (3); T Te Moananui 125, 101st, 100 (6); L Eyles 180, 140, 120st, 101, 100 (7); T Ratapu 140 (3), 129, 125 (2), 100st, 100 (2); A Campbell 140, 116, 100 (4).

Pumas 14 Hummingbirds 8: R McDonald 134, 125, 120 100st, 100; S Tom 135; I Te Ahorangi 120, 100 (3); M Bolingford 140, 120; J Larby 120; K Larby 140, 100 (3); H Eyles 156f, 121, 107, 100 (6); R Edwards 140, 121, 120, 118, 100; B Eyles 140, 109, 100 (2); G Tamihana 124.

Pythons 11 Stallions 10: H Wharehinga 125, 100st, 100; S Laulau 140, 100 (6); K Hawea 135, 126, 106, 100; L Laulau 100; T Edwards 140; A Hulley 120st, 120, 100 (4). K Unuwai 120st, 120, 100; T Cave 140st, 101 (2), 100 (3); M Morrell 140, 100 (2); K Akurangi 140, 117; E Brown 180, 137, 133, 121, 100 (2).

Ruahine 13 Sharks 8: M Awatere 120st, 119, 100 (6); T Kauika 140, 125, 120, 105, 100 (5); P Te Kira 101st, 100 (3); C Te Moni 127, 125, 112, 101, 100 (3); J Smith 140, 121; J Ahuriri 140, 135, 100 (2).

DRAW(Last games of the season)

A Grade: Rhinos v Ruahine, Sharks v Hawks, Falcons v Tigers.

B Grade: Stallions v Hummingbirds, Scorpions v Pythons.

Darts club prize-giving: Saturday, October 21, Brezz’n top bar, first floor.