Darts: Bay men fall just short in final

DARTS: Rotorua's Herbert Nathan (left) performed well for the Bay of Plenty at the national darts competition in Rotorua.PHOTO/BEN FRASER 080814BF9

The Bay of Plenty men's darts team have finished runners-up to Auckland after another successful national championships event in Rotorua.

More than 90 dart boards have been packed away after competition came to a close on Friday night.

More than 600 darts players packed into the Sportsdrome last week, peppering dart boards while competing for national titles.

Among the Rotorua competitors was veteran player Herbert Nathan, who was part of the Bay of Plenty men's team.

The Bay men's team finished runners-up in the regional teams event.

They won their opening five games to charge into the final against Auckland, but fell at the last hurdle losing the final 33-25.

"It was like a family where everyone played well together," Nathan said about the Bay darts team.

"We beat Auckland in pool play and then they beat us in the final, but it was a good game."

On the way to the final, the Bay men's team defeated Wainuiomata, Gisborne, Auckland, Capital and Taranaki.

Rotorua's Richie Shedlock also featured in the Bay men's team. Meanwhile, the Bay women's team won the women's division two competition.

Rotorua's Tania Morris featured in the successful Bay women's side.

The nationals were last held in Rotorua in 2012. Nathan said it was a great event for the area. He said he really enjoyed it last week.

"Yeah definitely, it's nice to catch up with old friends and just have a lot of fun."

Next year the national darts championships will be held in the South Island near Nelson. It is yet to be decided where the event will be held in 2016.