Scorpions-Hawkz match a thriller

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Games don’t come any closer than the Brezz N Darts Club game between Scorpions and Hawkz. Scorpions won a rollercoaster match 11-10.

Scorpions captain Victor Mackey set the pace early with the only 180 score for the night, against Crevice Lewis. It did not secure the leg for Mackey, but he clawed his way back to take the match 2-1. Mackey’s teammates John Lynch, Bill Allan and Brian (Skippy) Royle posted 2-0 wins, giving Scorpions a 4-2 lead in the first set of singles.

The games got tighter in the pairs section. Hawkz pairing Thao Duncan and Thomasina Brown dominated their opponents, winning three pairs games 2-0. With the pairings of Nyoka Fox and Hinehou Namana, and Selwyn Ruru and Crevice Lewis also winning 2-0, the Hawkz had a 5-4 advantage in the pairs section.

Scorpions still led 8-7 overall, so it came down to the reverse singles. Hawkz player Duncan beat Mackey 2-0. Scorpions’ Itereama Candy beat Brown 2-1 and Royle beat Fox 2-0. Hawkz players Namana and Ruru both had 2-0 wins against Dean Allen and Bill Allan.

The match was locked at 10-all. It all came down to the anchor end. Lewis and Lynch locked horns at the oche, Lewis taking the first game and Lynch the second. They say tons don’t win games; that the double to finish is the winner. After a hard game, Lynch came out on top, and Scorpions had won 11-10.

Ford Falcons’ 17-4 win against Ruahine featured Harley Ngarangione leading the 100-plus scores. He had 19 for the night, while brother Jordan had 15. Teammate Axel Campbell posted his team’s highest start for the night — 152. Ruahine’s new team member, Quinnton Collins, shared with old gun Tom Te Kira the most highs for their team — four apiece.

Pythons were too strong for the Humming Birds but keep an eye on these birds as they have the potential to upset any team on their night. They are getting stronger with each game. Pythons’ Kiri Hawea posted the overall highest start for the night — 156.

Pumas edged Sharks 12-9 in a close match. Pumas’ Cory Timothy had 13 scores of 100 or more.

In the Tigers-Stallions match, Stallions’ Kayne Arahanga claimed a good victory first up against Shiloh Henry, and Wi Brown beat Willie Edwards 2-0. From there on, Tigers made gains. Haimona Ratapu, Tipi Eyles, Webster Lewis and Leroy Eyles nailed 2-0 wins in their first singles games. In the pairs, the Tigers held an impressive 7-2 advantage.

All was not lost for the Stallions, though, as captain Kazius Collier-Delamere cheered them on from the sideline. Rocky Monika had a 2-1 win against Shiloh Henry but the Tigers won the last five games to take the match 16-5.

Individual highlights180s: Victor Mackey.

Best start (156): Kiri Hawea.

Best finish (100): Curly Kerr/Harley Ngarangione.

Most high scores (19): Harley Ngarangione.

DRAWBrezz N Sports Bar, 7.30pm: Stallions v Sharks, Ruahine v Pumas, Scorpions v Falcons, Pythons v Hawkz, Tigers v Humming Birds.