Highlights were starts of 115 from Ken Lewis and Pete Archibald, and 11 high scores from Kayne Arahanga.
Pumas and Ruahine went at their match as if it were a final, before Ruahine triumphed 11-10.
The first set of singles ended 3-3. Pumas’ Ike Te Ahorangi defeated Ella Rapana 2-0, then Ruahine’s Potz Te Kira, Chris Te Moni and Johnny Smith defeated Mark Bolingford, Sonia Tom and Bobbi Eyles respectively, all with a 2-0 scoreline. Pumas’ anchors Renata Leach and Dylan Brown squared the game up, defeating Sin Tupene and Mihi Awatere respectively, both with a 2-1 scoreline.
In the pairs, Ruahine showed their strength. They came out on top of this division, 6-3, which put them 9-6 up going into the reverse singles.
The 21-game format means the reverse singles can win or lose the tie. Ruahine needed two games to secure the win. Ruahine’s Mihi Awatere struck first, defeating Te Ahorangi 2-0 and scoring a 180 on her way. Pumas hit back, Bolingford defeating Tupene 2-0 and Tom defeating Smith 2-1.
The score sat at 10-8 to Ruahine with three games to go. Pumas put the pressure on, Leach defeating Potz Te Kira 2-1 and Brown defeating Rapana 2-0.
But Ruahine’s Chris Te Moni spoiled the party for Pumas, defeating Bobbi Eyles 2-0 for a final score of 11-10 to Ruahine.
Highlights were a 112 start for Potz Te Kira, and eight high scores, including a 180, for Mihi Awatere.
It looked all over for Scorpions after the first set of singles in their match against Ford Falcons.
Scorpions trailed 5-1 after that first section but came back strongly in the mixed pairs. Falcons got back on track in the reverse singles, though, and won the match 14-7.
In the first singles, Falcons had wins through Harley Ngarangione against John Lynch, 2-0; Hati Saddlier against Heiwari Phillips, 2-1; Jordan Ngarangione against Bill Allen, 2-0; Claude Saddlier against Dean Allen, 2-0; and Sam Kirikino against Vic Mackey, 2-1. Tyson Eyles had Scorpions’ only win in this section. He beat Pete Tom 2-0.
Scorpions won the pairs 5-4 but, overall, Falcons still led 9-6 heading into the reverse singles.
Scorpions struck first, Eyles defeating Harley Ngarangione 2-1. This seemed to rev up the Falcons, and they took the last five games convincingly.
Highlights were a start of 130 for Pete Tom and a finish of 138 for Tyson Eyles.
Against Humming Birds, Tigers guns Shiloh Henry and Leroy Eyles struck hard. Henry hit two 180s and Eyles took one.
Even though it was a one-sided match — the Tigers won by 19 games — both teams enjoyed the darts played by their opponents.
Ange Leach had a win for Humming Birds, beating Haimona Ratapu 2-1, as Tigers took the match 20-1.
Highlights were the pair of 180s for Shiloh Henry and the single 180 for Leroy Eyles.
The Hawkz-versus-Pythons clash was a case of who was first to the double. Pythons won the match 12-9, but the first set of singles went game for game.
Thao Duncan struck first for Hawkz, defeating Antz Hulley 2-1. Pythons’ Junior Akurangi and Kiri Hawea replied with wins.
Hawkz had wins from captain Nyoka Fox, 2-1 against Louise Laulau; and Aaliyah Thompson-Collins, against Warren Coe. Pythons anchor man Errol Tamihana then defeated Matiu Hawea 2-0 to level the scores at 3-3 heading into the pairs.
Pythons took the first three pairs games and Hawkz hit back with the next three. Pythons won two of the last three pairs games to lead 8-7 going into the reverse singles.
For Hawkz, Duncan defeated Tamihana 2-0, but Pythons’ middle section brought it home. Coe defeated Hinehou Namana 2-0, Laulau defeated Thomasina Brown 2-0, Kiri Hawea defeated Nyoka Fox 2-0 and Akurangi defeated Thompson-Collins 2-1.
Anchor Matiu Hawea gave Hawkz a strong finish, defeating Hulley 2-1.
Highlights were Kiri Hawea’s 180, Thao Duncan’s 15 high scores and Antz Hulley’s 120 start.
