Trip home brings tournament joy

ALL SMILES: Angela Leach (right), wife of men’s singles winner Stuart, combined with Gisborne’s Shay Waikawa to win the consolation women’s pairs. Picture supplied.

FORMER Gisborne couple Stuart and Angela Leach made a winning return visit last weekend. Now living in Brisbane, they came back to Gisborne for the Aotearoa Maori Darts Tournament held at the Brezz’n Sports Bar last weekend.

Stuart won the men’s singles title with a 4-1 victory over New Zealand No.2-ranked Cody Harris, of Auckland. And Stuart’s wife Angela combined with Gisborne-based Shay Waikawa to win the consolation division of the women’s pairs.

Tournament 'one of the best'New Zealand Darts Council member Trixie Erceg described the tournament — hosted by Brezz’n Sports Bar’s Willie and Lynmarie Edwards — as one of the best. The way Harris and Leach threw 180s and 140s in the final, and the precision of their finishing reminded spectators of the big-time darts they had seen on television. Fifteen to 18-dart legs were not uncommon in this final and neither player could afford to throw a low score.

Leach threw 11 maximum scores over the two days of play. Gisborne’s other hope, young Matt Reedy, performed well and made it to the quarterfinals.

The women’s singles title was won for the sixth time by the incomparable Jannette Jonathan of Taumarunui. A New Zealand representative who has won more national titles than any other woman, Jonathan eliminated Gisborne’s best, Sha Hohipa, in a close 3-2 semifinal before going on to soundly defeat Wellingtonian Ana Neho 4-0 in the final.

Day 2 pairsIn the pairs, on Day 2, the Gisborne women featured far better than their male counterparts. In the quarterfinals, Tania Kiri and teenage niece Monique Renata were stopped by regional teammates, mother-and-daughter duo Ella and Lorna Wynyard. In their semifinal, the Wynyards were defeated by eventual title winners Ana Neho (Capital) and Lorraine Pike (Waikato).

In a best-of-seven final were Gisborne’s Sha Hohipa and Kapi Mana’s Leah Price up against Neho and Pike. Hohipa and Price built a 3-2 lead but failed to hit the crucial doubles in the last two legs and the match went to Neho and Pike, 4-3.

Manurewa’s Dion Toki and Tukino Weko beat Kapi Mana’s Charlie Hautapu and Albert Morgan 4-1 in the men’s pairs. Gisborne’s best performances in the men’s pairs were from sibling duos Stuart and Brian Leach, and Cris and Joseph Kiri, who collected a quarterfinal purse for their efforts.

Many of the visiting competitors were not strangers to the district. Some were from Tairawhiti through whakapapa, and some by marriage to whanau. Others, having played against players from this district over the years, had built strong friendships.

The dream is for the Aotearoa Maori Darts Tournament to be a special gathering encompassing the kaupapa of Turanga Awhi.

INDIVIDUAL HIGHLIGHTS from Tuesday180s: Lorenzo Kaa (2NZ Rebels 2) 2, Simon (Sam) Kirikino (Brezz’n Falcons), Sha Hohipa (Cossie 2 PHL), Ryan Kirkland (Cossie 4), Leroy Eyles (Brezz’n Tigers).

Best start (180): Simon Kirikino (Brezz’n Falcons), Sha Hohipa (Cossie 2 PHL).

Best finish (154): Wayne Tamihana (Brezz’n Done&Dusted).

Most high scores (14): Harley Ngarangione (Brezz’n Falcons), Brian Leach (Brezz’n Done&Dusted).

RESULTSRSA Right Track 11 Brezz’n Falcons 10: Mike Hughes 140st, 140, 125, 121, 100 (6); Tahuna Irwin 140st, 125, 105, 100 (4); Nigel Higham 122, 100 (3); Winston (Black) Wanoa 140, 111, 100 (4); Matiu Hawea 140, 100 (6); Tom Irwin 100 (5). Simon Koia 140, 125, 121, 120, 100 (5); Hati Saddlier 140, 135, 125, 120, 100 (2); Harley Ngarangione 140, 135, 125 (2), 120f, 120, 100 (8); Claude Saddlier 140, 121 (2), 108, 100 (4); Simon (Sam) Kirikino 180st, 100 (7); Peter Tom 140 (2), 100 (5).

2NZ Rebels (1) 11 Cossy 2 PHL 10: Bob Hay 144f, 140st, 133, 128, 121, 100; Shane Horne 140 (2), 100 (5); Corey Kaio 134, 125, 105, 101, 100 (2); Tina Aspalter 140 (2), 134, 100 (7); Charlie Reiri 140st, 140, 100 (4); Georgina Osborne 100 (5). Matt Reedy 140st, 140, 132, 125 (2), 100; Monty Reedy 140 (2), 135, 111, 100 (4); Sha Hohipa 180st, 140st, 140, 114, 100 (4); Nyoka (Foxy) Fox 140, 135, 121, 101, 100 (5); Dice Torrey 140, 135, 107, 100 (8); Paul Mountcastle 100 (3).

Cossie (4) 7 Brezz’n Tigers 14: Ken McLaughlin 140st, 125 (2), 100 (6); Allen Wildbore 134, 121; Ryan Kirkland 180, 140, 131, 125, 100 (4); Pete Kirwan 140, 100 (5); Lindsay Grenfell 117, 114, 100. Leroy Eyles 180, 140, 125, 124, 100 (8); John White 125 (2), 100 (7); Brendon Barry 140 (2), 125, 121, 120, 100 (7); Tipi Eyles 100 (7); Willie Edwards 140, 121, 100 (2); Shiloh Henry 125, 100 (9).

Brezz’n Scorpions 3 Brezz’n Done&Dusted 12: Bill Allan 112, 104st, 101; Dean Allen 121, 101, 100 (2); Vic Mackey 140, 100st, 100 (5); Shay Waikawa 100; Brian (Skippy) Royle 133, 114, 107, 100 (3); Mark Bain 125, 116, 100. Wayne Tamihana 154f, 140 (2), 125, 120st, 100st, 100; Marcus Leach 140, 100 (4); Brian Leach 140st (2),140 (3), 116, 100st, 100 (7); Hemi Leach 121st; Karlia Waikawa 100st; Joe Moana 140, 100 (4).

Brezz’n Sharks 11 2NZ Rebels (2) 4: Ken Lewis 120, 107, 100 (4); Henare (H) Tawhai 138, 125 (2), 100 (4); Craig Watson 140, 125, 100 (3); Curly Kerr 140 (2), 100st, 100 (2); Rio Edwards 174, 125st, 100. Gary Poi 125, 121 (2), 105, 101st, 100 (2); Deanna (DL) Poi snr 100; Romelle Kaa 100 (3); Lorenzo Kaa 180 (2), 156, 125, 106, 100st, 100 (2).

2NZ Mavericks 9 RSA Rose & Thorns 6: Hayden Kiri 140, 100st, 100 (4); Joe Kiri snr 129, 125, 100st, 100; Monique Renata 130, 105; Tania Kiri 140, 121, 100st, 100; Joe (Jojo) Kiri jnr 140, 125, 100. Arthur Bacon 123, 100; Chae Whaitiri 121, 100; Mark Stenning 100; Zac Smith 100; Kathy Penfold 140, 125, 108, 100 (2); Walter Whaitiri 100 (2).

Cossie Downers 8 2NZ (3) 7: Ernie Krutz 127; Maureen Kelly 102. Ora Pohio 140 (2), 100 (3); Tahawai Pewhairangi 121st, 100st, 100; Syndi Barbarich 121, 100 (3).

2NZ McCannics 9 Brezz’n Hipsters 6: Mackey Walker 119; Leah Monika 110; Ngata Monika 100 (4); Chris Giddens 116, 100; Zak Bode 100. Rachael Davis 115; Nikki-Jean Stevenson 115; Vanessa Fraider 125, 120, 100 (2).

Brezz’n Pythons 9 2NZ Diamonds 6: Louise Laulau 140, 132, 115, 100st; Kazius (Kaz) Collier-Delamere 100; Joanne Matete 123, 121; Aaliyah (Arlee) Thompson-Collins 100 (3); Warren Coe 100 (3). Paul Seymour 140, 101, 100 (2); Tangi Hautapu 121, 100; Hugh Whitu 101; Moana Brown 125, 107f.