Darts by Tutu Wynn
In a turn-up for the books, the new-look 2NZEF Diamonds came away with a sublime 9-6 victory over hosts 2NZEF McCannics in club darts this week.
In a tit-for-tat start, Chris Giddens and Zac Bode took first blood for McCannics, 2-0 over the point-pairing of Paul Seymour and Hami Tuhaka-Seymour. Alas as partners, that was Giddens and Bode’s lot.
Later on, Seymour and son balanced their books with a pairs win over the hapless mid-point pairing of Mackey Walker and Ross Bishop. Both ended with a night they would not want to repeat.
However, McCannics’ anchor pairing of captain Ngata Monika and John Stewart performed fantastically, with three from three in the pairs.
Diamonds mid-pairing Hugh Whitu and Clay Tofilau romped to 2-0 wins over Walker and Bishop then Giddens and Bode, but were subdued by Monika and Stewart.
Not to be outclassed, Diamonds anchor pair of captain Moana Brown and Peti Seymour started with a loss but ended the night with two wins. The first was against Walker and Bishop followed by Giddens and Bode, which gave the Diamonds a 5-4 lead at the turn.
The singles started off in the same mode. Giddens defeated the 'old fox' Paul Seymour 2-0 to level the score (5-5). Hami smartly recovered the deficit with a 2-0 win over Bode.
Whitu maintained the Diamond thrust, riposting Walker’s challenge. Tofilau’s 2-0 singles win over Bishop sealed the match for the Diamonds. Monika scored a consolation sixth point for McCannics before anchor lady Seymour iced the victory cake with a win over Stewart.
Coming off a successful debut at regional level, player of the match Monika scored four of his team’s six wins and topped the table with most tons in the match.
Last Sunday the regional men’s singles regional title was up for grabs, with more than 50 of the best players from Gisborne to Waipukurau converging on Napier RSA.
Nervous at first, Monika declared it was a long day for him but he settled into the zone and made the top 16 — a respectable performance.
Meanwhile, 16-year-old Lorenzo Kaa from 2NZEF now holds the title. More to follow on this amazing achievement.
Individual results180s: Arthur Bacon (RSA Rose and Thorns), Lee Barbarich (2NZ Rebels), Tahuna Irwin (2NZ Bulls).
Best start (all 140): Walter Whaitiri (RSA Rose and Thorns), Steve McRoberts (Cossy 2 PHL), Vern Marshall (2NZ Liquorland), Cris Kiri (2NZ Mavericks), Tahuna Irwin (2NZ Bulls), Paul Seymour (2NZ Diamonds), Heni Pewhairangi (2NZ 3), Mike Jones (Roseland).
Best finish (all 130): Moana Brown (2NZ Diamonds).
Most high scores: Tahuna Irwin (2NZ Bulls) 15.
Draw for Tuesday2NZEF: 2NZ Rebels v RSA Rose and Thorns, 2NZ Liquorland v Cossy 2 PHL, 2NZ Bulls v Cossy Downers, 2NZ Diamonds v 2NZ (3).
COSSIE: Cossy DONE & Dusted v 2NZ Corys 6-Shooters, Cossy 4 PHL v 2NZ McCannics.
ROSELAND: Roseland v 2NZ Mavericks
BYE: RSA (4)