Top-seeded Tigers advance to TAK darts league final in Gisborne

The Tūranganui-a-Kiwa darts league is into the business end, with one of the top-four finalists confirmed and the other to be decided this Thursday.

No 1 seeds Tigers are through to the final of the Tūranganui-a-Kiwa Darts Association competition after top-four games on Thursday night.

They will play the winners of next week’s game between Kennels and Ruahine.

Tigers beat second-ranked team Kennels 9-8 on Thursday while third-ranked Ruahine had a 10-7 win against No 4 team Outlaws, who were eliminated from the title race.

The Tigers-Kennels match was close. Crucial doubles eluded Kennels captain Chris Stevens, and Tigers captain John White earned his team the vital ninth win to secure a spot in the final.

As No 2-ranked team, Kennels live to fight another day.

Outlaws were neck and neck with Ruahine until Ruahine captain Mihi Awatere won all her games.

Outlaws fought back but Johnny Smith ensured Ruahine a place in next week’s do-or-die semifinal with a 3-2 win against outstanding junior player John Groenewald. Both players were on the double but it was Smith who nailed the crucial throw.

Groenewald, 11, has lifted his game to a new level this year in preparation for the 2025 junior youth nationals.

The Kennels-Ruahine semifinal will be played on Thursday at the RSA.

INDIVIDUAL HIGHLIGHTS

180s: Chris Stevens 3, CJ Lewis-Brown, Te Maipi Tuhi (Kennels); Lucas Groenewald (Tigers); Anaru Cashmore, Johnny Smith (Ruahine); Dean Allen (Outlaws).

Highest start, men (160): Anaru Cashmore (Ruahine).

Highest start, women (140): Mihi Awatere (Ruahine).

Highest finish, men (120): John White (Tigers).

Highest finish, women (104): Mihi Awatere (Ruahine).

Most tons, men (24): John White (Tigers); CJ Lewis-Brown (Kennels).

Most tons, women (18): Mihi Awatere (Ruahine).

TEAM RESULTS

Top-four quarterfinals

Tigers 9 Kennels 8: J. White 140 (3), 135 (2), 126, 125, 121st, 120 (2) 120f, 100 (13); L. Groenewald 180, 140 (2), 125, 123, 121st, 117, 100st (2), 100 (13); J. Love 140, 120, 110f, 100st, 100 (11); T. Te Kira 135, 125st, 119, 110, 100st (3), 100 (8); C. Stevens 180 (3), 135, 125st, 125, 124, 123st, 121, 100st, 100 (11); B. Brown 135, 125, 121, 100 (2); CJ Lewis-Brown 180 (2), 140st (2), 140 (6), 137, 135, 125, 120, 105, 100 (9); T. Tuhi 180, 140st, 133, 132, 125, 123, 121 (2), 117, 100st (3), 100 (7).

Ruahine 10 Outlaws 7: A. Cashmore 180, 160st, 140 (2), 125, 121 (2), 100 (6); M. Awatere 140 (2), 140 (4), 125 (2), 123, 110, 104f, 100 (7); W. Te Kira 125, 115, 100; J. Smith 180, 140st, 100st, 100; S. Nisbett 152, 135st, 133, 121 (2); J. Groenewald 140, 100 (2); D. Allen 180, 140st, 140, 120st, 120, 100st, 100 (11); D. Murray 140st, 140, 136, 100st, 100 (7).