JUNIOR GIRLS, back (from left): Petra Waihi-Aspalter, Shannan Eyles, Shivarna Lewis. Front: Ainise Toupili, Jenaya Lewis, Mereana Maxwell. Pictures supplied
Gisborne junior darts players came together at Brezz’n Darts Club last weekend for playoffs to determine the make-up of the junior and youth teams to represent Region 7 at the New Zealand Darts Council national championships in Whakatane in July.
The junior boys’ and girls’ teams were for players aged eight to 13 years, and the youth teams were for those aged 14 to 17.
Among those to be chosen were Zatoya Parry, in the youth girls, and Jack Sheppard, in the junior boys. Both are from Invercargill but play under the banner of Brezz’n Darts Club.
Players from both local associations, Turanganui a Kiwa (TAKDA) and Gisborne Club Darts (GCDA), took part in the playoffs.
The only 180 of the day — a 180 start — came from Ihaka Kaio, who plays out of the 2NZEF club.
The Region 7 representative teams are —
Junior girls: Shannan Eyles, Shivarna Lewis, Mereana Maxwell, Jenaya Lewis, Ainise Toupili (all TAKDA), Petra Waihi-Aspalter (GCDA). Reserves: Losiana Toupili, Amo Te Rauna-Lamont (both TAKDA).
Junior boys: Hunter Eyles, Jack Sheppard, Braiden Pokai-Giddens,Tamati Brown (all TAKDA), Ihaka Kaio, Te Kotahi Kaio (both GCDA). Reserve: Tyrone McKean (TAKDA).
Youth girls: Summer Takurua, Mere Keenan, Zatoya Parry, Temple Edwards, Marie Bishop, Kesharn Toupili (all TAKDA). Reserves: Ataner McLean, Grace Rakei (both TAKDA).
Youth boys: Irie Eyles, Errol Tamihana, Cody Kiri, Shaolyn Edwards, Te Waiawa Brown, Mercer Ahu (all TAKDA). Reserves: Tamati Horua, John Horua (both TAKDA).
Tao Matarau and Stallions had the clash of the night in Brezz’n Darts Club winter league competition on Tuesday.
In the eighth week of the grading round — and with three weeks to go — Tao Matarau won a thrilling match 8-7.
After the pairs section, Tao Matarau had a slight edge, 5-4. The close scores showed it was anyone’s contest.
Stallions came back fired up, taking the first three singles games — Junior Akurangi defeated Tao Matarau captain Ani Tangira 3-1, Tony Cave defeated Braiden Pokai-Giddens 3-2 and Tom Hindmarsh defeated Hunter Eyles 3-1. This meant Stallions led 7-5 and needed to win just one of the last three games to take the match.
Tao Matarau’s youngest player, Tamati Brown, set the scene for his team, defeating Chris Beattie 3-2. Brown’s teammate Shaolyn Edwards was two down but fought back to defeat Wi Brown 3-2. Now the score was 7-7 and it all hinged on the last game.
Tao Matarau’s Irie Eyles and Stallions’ Matt Morrell contested the decider, which went to Eyles 3-1.
Highlights of the match were a 112 finish by Irie Eyles and a 130 start by Hunter Eyles.
INDIVIDUAL HIGHLIGHTS180: Harley Ngarangione, Peter Tom, Jono Grifthins.
Highest Start (160): Tahuna Irwin, Curly Kerr.
Highest finish (115): Kris Larby.
Most high scores (16): Tahuna Irwin.
RESULTSTao Matarau 8 Stallions 7: Ani Tangira 140, 138, 135, 100; Braiden Pokai-Giddens 140, 100st; Hunter Eyles 140 (2), 130st, 103, 100 (5); Tamati Brown 133, 106; Shaolyn Edwards 100 (2); Irie Edwards 140, 135, 112f, 100st, 100 (5). Junior Akurangi 140 (3), 125 (2), 100 (4); Tony Cave 140 (2), 118, 101st, 100 (4); Tom Hindmarsh 140, 137, 125, 120, 110, 100st, 100 (5); Chris Beattie 135, 100 (2); Wi Brown 140, 100st, 100 (2); Matt Morrell 133, 100.
Ford Falcons 13 Ruahine 2: Harley Ngarangione 180, 140, 135, 125, 123, 121 (2), 120, 105st, 100 (4); Claude Saddlier 123, 116; Tahuna Irwin 171, 160st, 140, 115, 112st, 100 (11); Antonio Curtis 149, 123, 111, 100 (3); Sam Kirikino 140st, 140, 125, 103st, 101, 100 (3); Peter Tom 180, 100st (2), 100.
Scorpions 6 Sharks 9: John Lynch 140 (5), 132, 100 (3); Antz Hulley 125, 110, 100 (5); Ross Harris 140, 125st (2), 114st, 100 (4); Victor Mackey 140, 135, 101, 100; Bill Allen 122. Missy Campbell 100st, 100 (2), Nikkijean Stevenson 140; Ken Lewis 135, 100st; Curly Kerr 160st, 140, 121st, 100 (6); Dylan Brown 140, 100 (5); Dallas Joseph 100.
Pumas 4 Rhinos 11: Sonia Tom 100 (2); Kris Larby 115f, 140, 100st, 100 (4); Ike Te Ahorangi 100; Mike Evans 140 (2), 101, 100 (5); Rendall McDonald 135, 125, 111, 100st, 100 (3). Jono Grifthins 180, 140 (3), 121, 100st, 100 (8); Hine Wharehinga 101; Cody Kiri 121, 100; Te Waiawa Brown 121, 100; Errol Tamihana 140, 133, 123, 100st, 100 (2); Hayden Kiri 135, 119, 105, 100 (3).
Pythons 1 Tigers 14: Kiri Hawea 125, 121, 100; Joanne Matete 110f, 108, 100st; Temple Edwards 140st, 116, 100 (4); Mere Keenan 140, 100st; Shannan Eyles 130st, 100 (3). Hukanui Brown 140, 125, 102, 100st (2), 100 (6); Toby Ratapu 100 (5); Shiloh Henry 140, 121 (2), 100st, 100 (2); Willie Edwards 140, 121, 119, 100st; Tipi Eyles 101f, 100 (3); Leroy Eyles 121, 100st, 100 (6).
DRAW: Sharks v Ruahine,Tigers v Ford Falcons, Rhinos v Tao Matarau,Humming Birds v Scorpions, Pumas v Pythons. Bye: Stallions.