Singles throw caution to the wind

Brian Steed took out the FNDA men's singles title at Awanui. PICTURE/FRANK MALLEY

New Zealand's top darts competitors, Brian and Jo Steed dominated their divisions at the Far North Darts Association's annual men's and ladies' singles championships which were held at the Awanui Hotel on Saturday.

A report from the event noted there was a good turnout, 17 men and 10 ladies taking to the boards and some great darts thrown. In the ladies' section, the three top ranked players Treena Baker, Gina Dunn and Jo Steed all met in the top half of the knockout draw. Results from the semi final results saw Jo beat Gina 3-1; and Melena Thomas beat Emily Waenga 3-2. Jo went on to defend her title for the sixth consecutive year with a 4-0 victory but not as easily as the score suggests with Melena throwing some good darts.

In the men's section , the semi finals came down to the top four players taken off this year's statistics sheet. Graeme Parker played Brian Steed, the result going to Brian 3-1; and John Proctor played Steve Doak with the latter prevailing 3-2. Both players going through to the final had won the title seven times each. Steed got on a roll knocking in four 180s and at one stage threw seven triple 20s in a row, missing his 8th dart at triple 19 trying to hit the perfect 9-dart finish [nine darts is the least darts you can throw to finish a game of 501 and to do it you must throw eight consecutive triples and finish with the 9th dart hitting a double] and eventually winning the match 4-1.

Highest finish for the men was 160 to John Proctor and Gina Dunn for the ladies with a 138, while most 180s was claimed by Brian Steed with eight. Another highlight for organisers was the number of 'first timers' taking part including Chris Bell, Rocky Manga, Chris Silich, Calvin Thomas "bigz and littlz" and Tessa Wilson.

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Elsewhere, in the FNDA domestic competition, it was noted the Division Two teams played their last games of the round last Wednesday night and now have to sit out the next two weeks while their Div I counterparts complete their round before the champion of champions play offs begin on October 1.

In Div II, Kauri Arms Young Guns and Ngati Bitza Two got the wins they needed to qualify for the Champ of Champs knockout round, with Erana Armstrong notable for rattling in a 180 and took out two of her games to help Young Guns through. Among the highlights from Div I encounters was Jardine Martin hitting two 100- plus finishes with a 102 and a 118, and 48 scores of 100 or more from the Waipap Two crew.

Results from Wednesday, September 10, are, Div I: Murray's Bar 7 Houhora Warriors 9 (highest score Joe Joyce 180, highest finish Becca Marinkovich 68), Houhora Chiefs 4 Waipap One 12 (HS John Proctor and Kane Henderson 180, HF Robert Bradley 105), Waipap Two 13 Muriwhenua 3 (HS Keith Morris 180 HF Rawden Petricevich 109), RSA Red 6 Mussel Rock 10 ( HS Denny Wattling 180 HF Jardine Martin 118); Div II: RSA Three 4 Ngati Bitza Two 12 (HF Calvin Thomas 73), Kaitaia Club 9 Kauri Arms Nuggets 7 (HS Nick Murray 140, HF N Murray 107), Ngati Bitza One 6 RSA One 10 (HS Ted Watts 140, HF Robbie Matthews 116), Awanui 5 Kauri Arms Young Guns 11 (HS E Armstrong 180, HF Ian Subritzky 98).

Div II final standings: RSA One 12 points, 1 (e.g. 1st), Kauri Arms Young Guns 11, 2, (56 on countback) Awanui 11, 3 (53cb), Ngati Bitza Two 10, 4 (57cb), Ngati Bitza One 10, 5 (52cb) Kaitaia Club 10, 6 (49cb), RSA Three 6, 7, Kauri Arms Nuggets 5, 8 (e.g. 8th).

The draw for game eight tomorrow night, Div 1 only: Waipap One v RSA Red, Houhora Warriors v Waipap Two, Collards XL v Mussel Rock, Muriwhenua Darts v Murray's Bar, bye Houhora Chiefs.

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