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DARTS
MANY of the matches were closer than expected in the Week 3 grading round at the Brezz’n Darts Club.
Chalkers from both ends of the club were calling out the 180s and everyone who stepped up to the oche felt the vibe of an anticipated 180.
Tigers and Rhinos produced one of the night’s best matches, Tigers eventually taking it 9-6.
Rhinos, as the “away” team, had the advantage of being able to position their players to best effect against the Tigers line-up.
In the pairs, the Rhinos’ lead pairing of Jono Griffiths and Joe Kiri Snr defeated Tigers’ lead pairing of Hukanui Brown and Toby Ratapu 2-0.
Rhinos youngsters Hayden Kiri and Errol Tamihana, sensing the intensity of their teammates, followed up with victory over Cory Timothy and Shiloh Henry, 2-0.
Tigers anchoring pair Teretu Te Moananui and Leroy Eyles got one back, with a 2-0 victory over Leroy’s brother Tyson Eyles and Cody Kiri, younger brother of Hayden and son of Joe Snr.
That left Rhinos with a 2-1 after the first set of pairs.
Tigers’ Hukanui Brown and Toby Ratapu connected with some great darts to beat Hayden Kiri and Errol Tamihana 2-0.
Rhinos captain Tyson Eyles and Cody Kiri struck back, defeating Cory Timothy and Shiloh Henry 2-0.
Tigers’ Teretu Te Moananui and Leroy Eyles took a close one against Jono Griffiths and Joe Kiri Snr, 2-1.
That made it 3-3 after the second set of pairs. Game on!
Tigers’ Hukanui Brown and Toby Ratapu had their second win of the night, defeating Tyson Eyles and Cody Kiri 2-1.
Rhinos’ Jono Griffiths and Joe Kiri Snr also had their second win of the night, defeating Cory Timothy and Shiloh Henry 2-0 . . . 4-4 with one game to go in the third set of pairs.
Tigers’ Teretu Te Moananui and Leroy Eyles took the last pairs game, defeating Hayden Kiri and Errol Tamihana 2-1.
That gave Tigers a 5-4 lead going into the singles.
Tigers lead Hukanui Brown set the platform, coming from two down to beat Jono Griffiths 3-2.
The game between Tigers’ Toby Ratapu and Rhinos’ Joe Kiri Snr was another close one, Ratapu taking it 3-2.
Tigers now led 7-4 and needed one more game for the match.
But Rhinos were not done yet, and their youngsters set about putting a spanner in the works.
Hayden Kiri defeated Cory Timothy 3-2 after being two down, and Errol Tamihana defeated Shiloh Henry 3-2, also coming back from two down.
That made it 7-6 to the Tigers.
The game between Tigers’ Teretu Te Moananui and Rhinos’ Cody Kiri was tense, and Te Moananui fought back to win 3-2 and give his team an unassailable 8-6 lead.
The last game in the tie was between brothers Leroy and Tyson Eyles. Tigers’ Leroy won 3-0, recording the highest start of the night, 180, and giving Tigers a 9-6 win.
Individual highlights180s: Tahuna Irwin, Jordan Ngarangione, Jono Griffiths, Tyson Eyles, Toby Ratapu, Leroy Eyles, Shiloh Henry, Junior Akurangi.
Highest start (180): Leroy Eyles.
Most high scores (13): Leroy Eyles, Jono Griffiths.
ResultsTigers 9 Rhinos 6: Hukanui Brown 140 (3), 100st 100 (3); Toby Ratapu 180, 140, 139, 100 (7); Cory Timothy 140 (3), 125, 120, 100; Shiloh Henry 180, 125, 123, 120, 100 (2); Teretu Te Moananui 138, 128st, 125st, 123, 116st, 100st; Leroy Eyles 180st, 140, 130, 125, 122, 100 (8). Jono Griffiths 180, 140 (2), 134, 125 (2), 123, 121, 119, 101, 100st (2), 100; Joe Kiri Snr 135, 130, 125 (2), 100st (2), 100 (2); Hayden Kiri 100 (5); Errol Tamihana 171, 140, 125 (2), 120st, 100 (3); Cody Kiri 138, 125, 121, 100 (4); Tyson Eyles 180, 125, 114, 100st, 100.
Falcons 14 Scorpions 1: Tahuna Irwin 180, 140st (2), 140, 100 (7); Jordan Ngarangione 180, 140 (2), 121 (2), 100 (3); Harley Ngarangione 140 (2), 128, 121, 105st, 100 (6); Antonio Curtis 140 (2), 123, 121st, 121, 100st, 100 (6); Sam Kirikino 140 (2), 135st, 111st, 100st, 100 (3); Peter Tom 124, 100 (2). John Lynch 140, 101st, 100 (3); Hunter Eyles 121, 100 (2); Shaolyn Edwards 140, 115, 100 (2); Bill Allen 100; Ants Hulley 100; Vic Mackey 125, 119, 100st.
Ruahine 5 Pythons 10: Johnny Smith 125, 105, 101st, 100 (2); Ripeka Te Kira 129, 100; Tom Te Kira 117; Mihi Awatere 140, 117, 100 (6); Chris Te Moni 140, 100. Kiri Hawea 100st, 100 (2); Temple Edwards 115, 100 (3); Mere Keenan 121, 105, 100 (2); Hine Wharehinga 120, 100 (2); Ani Tangira 100 (4).
Stallions 7 Pumas 8: Junior Akurangi 180, 140, 132, 120st, 105, 100 (4); Kazius Unuwai 123, 112; Wi Brown 140, 123st, 100st, 100 (3); Matthew Morrell 140, 120, 100 (3); Christopher Beattie 148. Willie Hoquard 140, 105, 100 (2); Brian Walters 121, 100(2); Mickey Evans 140, 127, 105, 100 (4); Rendall McDonald 140, 125st, 120; Ike Te Ahorangi 136, 125, 100 (4); Mark Bolingford 100 (4).
Sharks 10 Humming Birds 4: Curl Kerr 140 (2), 121, 110st, 101, 100; Curly Waikari 125; Nikki-jean 120, 100 (2); Stacee Fraider 140 (2), 134, 121, 120, 100 (5); Missy Campbell 140 (3), 100 (3). Jess Richardson 121, 100st, 100 (2); Nikila Irwin 100 (2).
Draw — Rhinos v Sharks, Humming Birds v Stallions, Pumas v Ruahine, Pythons v Ford Falcons, Scorpions v Tao Matarau. Bye: Tigers.