New name, same aim for defending champs

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

The 2nd NZEF Association kicked off its Summer Darts League with 10 teams taking the oche on Tuesday.

A mix of senior, youth and junior players have set the scene for interesting results over the nine weeks of the first round.

Three members of last summer’s champions First For are back to defend the title but under a new name — Di-Namyks.

Mike Hughes, Di Leach and Ernst Spreiter return but there is no Colin Edwards or Lorna Wynyard, whose absence will be covered by husband and wife Cris and Tarn Kiri.

The Kiris were members of last season’s runners-up Nyaly8trs.

2nd NZEF vice-president Bob Fraider is leading Mix Up; whanau affair Waikawa Whalers are headed by Karlia Waikawa, Gary Harding fronts Cossy Double Seekers and Mary Panirau is RSA’s captain.

Enthusiastic youngster Jonleigh Campbell-Ratapu is in charge of Kuzzy’s Wahine, the Sharks have Ora Taukamo-Pohio at the helm, Matiu Hawea is the chief of Vikings and All Stars’ top dog Brayden Pokai-Giddens brings a youthful edge to the competition.

For 10th team The Phantoms, it is a case of who shows up on the night to make up their numbers.

INDIVIDUAL HIGHLIGHTS —

180s: Chris Giddens (Sharks).

Best start: Amelia Campbell-Ratapu (Kuzzy’s Wahine) 160.

Most tons: TK Kaio (Sharks) 14.

TEAMS RESULTS —

Sharks 7 The Phantoms 6: Ihaka Kaio-Wynyard 140(2), 121(2), 104, 100st(2),100, Jay Matete 100, T.K Kaio 140(2), 135, 121, 119(2), 106, 100st(2),100(5), Lance Cook 40(2), 100(3). Corey Kaio 140, 125, Chris Giddens 180, 140, 130st, 125, 100(7), Kayne Arahanga 140(3), 133, 100(4), Aimee Collier 109, 100(2).

Cossy Double Seekers 3 Di-Namyks 10: Gary Harding 121, 119, 100(3), Charlie Reiri 100. Cris Kiri 140, 121(2), 120st (2), 111, 105, 100(4), Ernst Spreiter 120st, Tarn Kiri 140, 125, 120st, 100, Di Leach 121, 100st. \

2NZ Vikings 3 Mix Up 10: Tobias Campbell-Ratapu Jnr 120st, 118, 100, Jacinda Reeves 105, Petra Waihi-Aspalter 140, Tama Irwin 109st. Bob Fraider 140, 121, Josh Van der Lem 103, 100(2), Kathy Penfold 117, Curly Waikari 121,100(2).

RSA 3 All Stars 10: Frank Hooper 121, Nick Morgan 100. Shivy Lewis 100(2), Brayden Pokai-Giddens 140(2), 100(3), Kaui Namana 100, Shaolyn Edwards 100(5).

Waikawa Whalers 6 Kuzzy’s Wahine 7: Chiarn Waikawa 121, Shay Waikawa 129, 100, Jarrod Waikawa-Nepe, Karlia Waikawa 140(2). Amelia Campbell-Ratapu 160st, 140, 100(4), Bray Reeves 140, 100(3), Jessie Richardson 125, 100(2), Jonleigh Campbell-Ratapu 103st.

DRAW FOR TUESDAY: Di-Namyks v The Sharks, The Phantoms v Mix Up, Double Seekers v The All Stars, Vikings vs Kuzzy’s Wahine, RSA vs Waikawa Whalers