Park reach their second cup final

Halfway House 3

Park Inn 6

PARK Inn have made it into theIr second cup final with this away victory over Halfway House with the game wrapped up before the pairs were needed

The home team got off to a flyer when they took the lead through Jim Brown, beating Robert Thornbury who didn’t get a throw at the double. Jim (100) finished leg one on double eight with Robert in the 200’s. A double four made it 2-0 for Jim (212) with Robert leaving 48 for his next throw.

Tom Alderdice (125) was hoping two bring a losing streak to an end when throwing against Gareth Chambers whose record is 12 wins from 15 games. Tom (121) missed double 10, letting Gareth in to take the lead and again Tom (121) was on his double only to see Gareth (99) check out on tops and level the teams.

Game three paired Alan Cochrane and Clare Thornbury. Alan would have been favourite to regain the Halfway’s lead but reputations were no worry to Clare and Alan didn’t make the double in either leg.

Clare (114) finished on double 15 with Alan needing 62. His scores were letting him down; he was on 60 when Clare (95, 95) made it 2-0 to give her team the lead.

At the halfway stage the visitors were in a 3-1 lead. Noel Gates came from one down to beat home captain Derek Reid 2-1. Derek (100) started with a 20 darter to leave Noel (140, 97) with 98 but steady darts saw Noel (121, 140) take the lead and a double five left Derek (97, 99) with 82 and a 57 finish by Noel (97, 100) left Derek (100, 100) with 83 and brought a winning run of six to an end.

After the break Tony McKinstry (123, 100) was hoping to get Halfway back on track but his doubles let him down. A tops gave Lindsay McFadden (100) the lead and with a good 110 finish in leg two on 21 darts Tony (100) was left with 151 on the score board.

Victor Smith and Andrew Douglas were up next and it was the Halfway thrower who took the lead with a 63 finish when Andrew (100) missed double 10 but after this it was all Andrew (96/97, 100), throwing good darts to leave Victor back on 155 and 128 to secure victory for the Park.

PAIRS – Willie Herdman and Derek Reid (100) beat Gareth Chambers (100/95) and Andrew Douglas (140, 100); Park’s Lindsay McFadden and Fiona McQuillen beat home throwers Tom Alderdice (95) and Victor Smith (100) 2-0; Clare (133, 95) and Robert Thornton beat Tony McKinstry (100, 100/120) and Jim Brown.

Red Star A 2

Kevin’s 5

Match Details – Maurice Orr (100) lost to Steven Banks (95); Robert McMullan (100) beat Andy McComb 2-0; Ian Redmond (95, 133/97, 100) lost 2-1 to Nigel Peden (140, 134 - 18d/95, 100/140, 100); Marty Conlon (126) lost 2-1 to Neville Reid (100, 100, 97/125) and in the pairs Maurice Orr and Raymond McMullan lost 2-0 to Nigel Peden and Steven Banks.

League matches - Thursday April 1

Top of the Town 5

Higgins 3

Top of the Town scored their first competitive win of the season with this victory.

After trailing the first leg to Damien Savage, confident captain David Weir (125) fought back to level and (100, 125) was throwing steady. A double three gave him the win.

The second game saw the teams level. Kristen Buchanan lost to Billy Bell (95, 123) but back came Town’s Steven Weir (100) in game three with a 81 finish and 2x100 double four against Michael Grimes to regain Town’s lead.

At the break the game was 2-2; Mark Foulks (95, 95) winning the doubles battle with Andrew Burns.

The last two single games went to the home team; Christopher Dillon (100, 97), after losing the first leg to Gary Gracey hit back with the next two wins. Jason Hamill (95) made sure of a draw for his team beating Midge Hylands (120) 2-0.

PAIRS – Stephen Weir and Andrew Burns made it the win, beating Midge and Gary Gracey. The last pairs went to Higgins Mark Foulkes and Damien Savage who beat Christopher Dillon and David Weir 2-0.

Red Star B 1

Kevin’s 7

This win keeps Kevin’s on track for honours but it looks like it’s a fight for second place with the news that leaders Halfway Aces were winners against Young Guns.

Gareth Crothers (100) and Steven Banks (97) were both on their doubles with Steven coming out on top.

Margaret Barry (121), after losing the first leg to Neville Reid, was back in the game with a double eight leaving the latter needing 72. Margaret couldn’t keep up the good work and was well behind when Neville (121, 95) made it 2-0.

Colin Crothers (99, 100) opened the Stars account with steady darts to beat Nigel Peden (96) who scored the maximum to take the lead in the 180 club but Kevin’s held a 3-1 lead at half time; John Broome (140) after double trouble in leg one fought back to beat Kevin Conlon (140,140) 2-1.

Andy McComb beat Antoinette Barry 2-0; Paul Dillon (121, 156) beat Jacqui Wilson 2-0 and in the pairs Nigel Peden and Stephen Banks beat Kevin Conlon and Gareth Crothers while Paul Dillon and Andy McComb made the score 7-1 to Kevin’s, beating Colin Crothers and Jacqui Wilson 2-1.

Young Guns 2

Halfway Aces 6

Halfway Aces are on their way to picking up their first Championship title after this tricky away win over the Guns, holding onto their three point advantage with three games to go.

Michael Kennedy and Daryl Woolsey were first out of the hat. Michael (99) missed an 18 finish when Daryl (100) took the lead with double eight. This spurred Daryl (100, 140) who took the lead and a 50 finish left Michael (121, 140) needing 103.

Andy Watson (100) and Brian Reid (100/95) were having double trouble in both legs, Brian having the luck with a double one and four to give the Aces a 2-0 lead.

Guns’ Neil Johnston (100, 100) was against Roy Livingston (100) and took the lead with a 21 darter but quick finishing from Roy (133, 95) in the next two legs won him his 13th game of the season.

Nipper Boyce (100, 100) was too strong for Guns captain Gareth Moody, leaving the latter needing 265. Nipper (140, 110) didn’t ease in leg two, finishing on 20 darts with Gareth (100) back on 130.

After the break the Guns shot their first win. John McKee (117/97) after coming from a 17 darter by Neville Reid (100, 95) hit back when Neville (125, 96) couldn’t finish on 10. A double 10 gave him the win.

But Ronnie Herdman (100, 140) left Richard McKee looking 187. In a closer second leg Richard (100, 140) missed the double before leaving 15 to do. Ronnie (125, 96) coming from behind to finish on 112 with 18 darts to make sure of full points for Halfway Aces, leaving the score 5-1 going into the pairs.

PAIRS – With the points in the bag Neville Reid (100) and Ronnie Herdman (100,100) extended the lead, beating Gareth Moody and Andy Watson 2-0 with the last pairs going to the Guns, Neil Johnston and John McKee (120) beating Daryl Woolsey (95) and Brian Graham 2-0.

McGraths 4

Castle Bar 4

Castle Bar maintain their recent good form with this draw away to McGrath’s.

McGraths were leading 4-2 but had to be content with a draw.

Ronnie Malcomson missed a 40 finish in leg one against Cliff Ritchie (100, 100) who finished on a similar score. Ronnie (100, 100) was level next leg and left Cliff (100, 100) needing 91 but Cliff gave Castle the lead, winning leg three.

Tom Black (100, 100) levelled the teams with a 2-0 win over Paul Ritchie and Cliff Taylor (100, 133) gave McGrath’s the lead for the first time, beating Shane Haffy (100) 2-0.

It was level again when captain Greg Harper (100, 100) took the lead over Ivan Waddle (100, 95) but Ivan (125, 97) levelled next leg to leave Greg (100, 97) needing 90.

In a close deciding leg Ivan (123, 99) missed double five with Greg (100, 100) finishing on 78.

John Mooney (95, 100/99) beat Vince Conlon (100,110) 2-1 and Chris Malcomson (98,100) beat Lee King (134, 100) 2-1. Castle never gave up and the two pairs win earned them a deserved point; Cliff Ritchie and Lee King beating Ivan Waddell and Ronnie Malcomson while Greg Harper and Paul Ritchie beat Cliff Taylor and Tom Black 2-1.

Halfway House v Red Star A - Halfway win points.

Fixtures for Thursday April 8: Higgins v Park Inn, Red Star A v Kevin’s, Castle Bar v Halfway Aces, Young Guns v Red Star B, McGraths v Top of the Town. Halfway House – bye.