Diamond end Drifters’ domination in Champion of Champions

The Ballymena, Harryville and District Darts League, sponsored by Mid Antrim Blinds, were represented on Saturday by Drifters and The Diamond in the Champion of Champions competition held in Ballylumford Club, Larne.
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Every year, the top 2 teams from the Ballymena League, Ballyclare League, Larne League and Larne Premier League battle to be crowned the Champion of Champions.

Both Ballymena sides progressed to the final with relative ease to set up the first All-Ballymena final for a number of years.

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Luck was with The Diamond when it came to hitting the important doubles. The Diamond were fired up for this competition from the start, and in the final raced to a 4-0 lead thanks to Davy Martin (2-0), Richard Rainey (2-1), Denis Gault (2-1) and Ryan Gault (2-0). Drifters then tried to start a revival with wins from John Elder (2-0) and Brian Cathcart (2-0) before Ashley Rainey held his nerve to hit double 16 to beat Roy Montgomery (2-1) and hand The Diamond the title.

PICTORIUM CUP

Meanwhile, back on domestic matters, first round matches in the Pictorium Cup were down for decision on Friday night.

John Elder had the best individual performance with a 14-dart leg, followed by: 15 John Elder, 16 Paul McDonald, 17 Stevie McIlroy, 18s Noel Craig, Jarlath McGarry, Clifford Marcus, 19s Paul Rock, Liam Quinn, Carlin McKendry, Paul McDonald, 20s Willy McBurney, Alwyn McCosh, Leonard McKeegan x2, Rodney Cubitt, Tam Wallace, Ian Reynolds, 21s Noel Craig, Carlin McKendry, Rodney Cubitt, Matthew Reid.

John Elder had the best finish with a 125 checkout, followed by: 121 Adie Graham (Slemish Tavern), 119 Colin Penny (Michelin), 98 Sandra Gilmore (Buffs Club) and 95 Matthew Reid (Buffs Club).

Ronnie Beverland was the only player to hit a 180.

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Slemish Tavern 4, Clough Rangers 5: Slemish - Cameron Horner (2-0), Gareth McCullough (2-1), Ian Millar (2-0) and David McConaghie (2-0); Clough - illy McBurney (2-1), Davy Gilchrist (2-1), Alwyn McCosh (2-0), Roy Gilchrist (2-1) and Jimmy Finlay (2-0). Star player - Alwyn McCosh.

Fountain Arrows 4, Social Staffers 5: Fountain Arrows - Daniel Thompson (2-1), Phil McIlvenna (2-0), James Murphy (2-0) and Ken Herbison (2-0); Staffers - Joe Balmer (2-0), Jerome Carson (2-0), Stefan Kirkwood (2-0), George Aiken (2-1), Stevie Hamer (2-0). Star player - Stevie Hamer.

Drifters 7, Fountain Bar: Drifters - Davy McFall (2-0), John Elder (2-0), Darnell McCrory (2-0), Rodney White (2-0), Paul Rock (2-0), Noel Craig (2-0) and Geoff Wylie (2-1); Fountain Bar - George Foster (2-0), Bob Peachey (2-0). Star player - John Elder.

Spinning Mill 0, Greenhills 9: Greenhills - Paddy Coyles (2-0), Liam Quinn (2-0), Dean Kerr (2-0), Darren McNeill (2-0), Stevie McIlroy (2-1), Leonard McKeegan (2-0), Carlin McKendry (2-0), Jarleth McGarry (2-0), Gabe Kerr (2-0). Star player - Carlin McKendry.

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The Diamond 7, Ladysmith Arrows 2: Diamond - Ashley Rainey (2-0), Colin Reid (2-0), Ronnie Beverland (2-0), Davy Martin (2-0), Derek Rainey (2-0), Ryan Gault (2-0), John Robinson. Ladysmith - Davy Wilson (2-1), Irene Lowry (2-0). Star player – Ronnie Beverland.

Diamond Bar 6, Michelin 3: Diamond - Geoff McIlveen (2-0), Rodney Cubitt (2-0), Derek Connor (2-1), James Elder (2-1), Gareth Lowry (2-0), Mervyn Fleming (2-0); Michelin - Herbie Dunlop (2-1), Sammy Dunlop (2-1), Clifford Marcus (2-1). Star player - Rodney Cubitt.

Buffs Club 3, BT/PO 6: Buffs - Paul McDonald (2-1), Matthew Reid (2-0), Stevie Trainor (2-0); BT/PO - Billy Gay (2-1), Tam Wallace (2-0), Tam Jamieson (2-0), John Stewart (2-1), Derek Campbell (2-0), Ian Reynolds (2-0). Star player – Paul McDonald.

FIXTURES

Matches this Friday, November 22, are:

Pictorium Cup, round two: Social Staffers v Clough Rangers; The Diamond v Diamond Bar; BT/PO v Drifters. Greenhills - bye.

Loyalist Cup, round one: Fountain Arrows v Slemish Tavern; Ladysmith Arrows v Michelin; Buffs Club v Fountain Bar. Spinning Mill - bye.

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