Local trio in New Zealand junior team

SELECTED: The seven dart players whose performances in Porirua earned them selection to the New Zealand junior team are, back (from left), Irie Eyles (Gisborne), Cory Horne, Sam Harman, Dominique Clements, Renata Leach (Gisborne), Tumihitai Te Whero and Jack Sheppard (Gisborne). Top-ranked junior Lachy Rountree had already been named as a member of the team. Picture supplied

Gisborne dominated in numbers at the DPNZ (Dart Players New Zealand) junior playoffs in Porirua last weekend, and ended up with three players in the national junior team.

A 43-strong field competed for seven spots in the New Zealand junior team to play in the PDPA (Professional Darts Players Association) Junior World Cup in Gibraltar in September.

Tao Matarau JDC Academy of Gisborne took 14 children, and Brezz’n Sports Club took 12 children and hosted two from Auckland for the competition.

After the two-day tournament, three Brezz’n club members — Jack Sheppard, Irie Eyles and Renata Leach — and their Auckland guest Tumihitai Te Whero learned they had made the JDC (Junior Darts Corporation) New Zealand team.

They will be fundraising to cover the costs of their trip, and contact can be made at the Brezz’n Dart Hall, 133 Cobden Street, between 10am and midday on Sundays.

On the Saturday, Jack Sheppard won a high-calibre final against Brezz’n clubmate Irie Eyles.

Renata Leach was a semifinalist, while Brezz’n club members Hunter Eyles and Ihaka Kaio-Wynyard and their Auckland companion Taylor-Marsh Kahaki made quarterfinals.

Errol Tamihana, of Brezz’n, Auckland companion Tumihitai Te Whero, and Brayden Pokai-Giddens, of Tao Matarau, made the top 16.

Mythias Reeves and Grace Rakei, both of Brezz’n, made the main round of Day 1.

Main-round high scores were: Jack Sheppard 180 (3), 140st, 121st; Irie Eyles 124f, 121st, 108f, 101f, 100st; Renata Leach 180st, 180, 120f; Taylor-Marsh Kahaki 180 (4).

In the main round on Sunday, Jack Sheppard was runner-up in the final.

Tumihitai Te Whero and Irie Eyles were semifinalists, while Te Kotahi Kaio and Renata Leach were quarterfinalists.

Making the top 16 were Taylor-Marsh Kahaki, Shannan Eyles, Bray Reeves, Ihaka Kaio-Wynyard and Mythias Reeves.

Making the main round were Hunter Eyles, Grace Rakei and Errol Tamihana.

Tao Matarau’s Shivarna Lewis and Tamati Irwin made the top 16, while Tobias Campbell-Ratapu, Cameron Mihaka, Petra Waihi-Aspaltar and Brayden Pokai-Giddens made the main round.

In the consolation round on Sunday, victory went to Jonleigh Campbell-Ratapu, of Tao Matarau, with sister Amelia and clubmate Jenaya Lewis in the quarterfinals.

Aaliyah Joseph-Saddlier, Te Waiawa Irwin, Chalet McKean and Kaui Namana, all of Tao Matarau, placed in the top 16.

Teammate Mereana Maxwell made the main round.

Tristan Reeves, of Brezz’n, was a finalist and sister Jacinda was a semifinalist.