Young Guns get back on target in second half blitz

Red Star B 2

AFTER a shock in the first half when bottom club Red Star B took a 2-1 lead the Young Guns got back into the game and went on for a 6-2 victory.

Game one paired Michael Kennedy and Kevin Conlon. It was steady darts from Michael (212, 100) that saw him go in front with Kevin a long way behind. Michael (120) went on for a 22 darter with Kevin (100, 95) needing 126.

Kenneth Halliday and Colin Crothers were next to the oche and a 84 finish from Colin (100) left Kenneth (100) with 60 on the board but Ken (100, 100) hit back with a 19 darter to level the legs and leave Colin (100) on 72.

The deciding leg saw Colin (95, 100) go into the lead but the doubles gave him a problem and he let Ken (100) down to 32 before he finished on four.

Neil Johnston (100) found the going touch against Jacqui Wilson (140, 99) who, after double trouble, had to depend on the dog house finish to take the lead but this time Jacqui’s (100, 100) poor finish, when on 13 to do, let Neil in to level the legs.

Jacqui (100, 98), who is the more consistent thrower, went on for the win with a better finish this time to leave Neil (100) needing 86.

John McKee (140/97, 100) had the teams level at the halfway mark when he beat Adrian Higgins 2-0.

Richard McKee (100, 97) just got in to finish in front of Linda McDowell to take the lead but Linda (180) replied with a maximum score in leg two to level the legs.

But Richard (142, 98), with the vocal encouragement from his teammates, gave the Guns their lead back.

Gareth Moody (140, 100), after taking the lead against Antoinette Barry, who should have won the leg, had a 21 dart finish checking out on 96 to give his team a 4-2 lead going into the pairs.

PAIRS - Andy Watson and Gareth Moody came from behind to beat Linda McDowell and Kevin Conlon 2-1 while John McKee (100) and Michael Kennedy (100) made the score 6-2, beating Colin Crothers(100, 100) and Jacqui Wilson (100, 95, 95) 2-0.

McGraths 6

Top of the Town 2

This was a match with little importance as far as the league goes but both teams were out to win.

The visiting Town, who took the lead when Jason Hamill (95, 140) showed some form, finished on double 15 against Cliff Taylor and a good 101 finish from Jason (140, 95) gave Town the lead.

Home thrower Chris Malcomson had the teams level in the next game when he beat David Weir 2-0 and Ronnie Malcomson (100/100) made it 2-1, beating Kristen 2-0.

Game four saw Tom Black (180) get a good start with a maximum score against Billy Leckey (100) but good darts from Billy (140, 100) levelled. A battle of the doubles with Tom (125) left the teams on level terms going into the break.

John Mooney (140) regained McGraths’ lead with a 2-1 win over Christopher Dillon and at the end of the singles Ivan Waddell (100, 100) put his team in an unbeatable position with a 2-1 win over Steven Weir with quick finishing.

PAIRS - Ronnie Malcomson (3x100) and Ivan Waddell (100,100) beat Steven Weir (103f) and C Waddell while the last pairs also went to the home team; Tom Black (159/95/125) and Cliff Taylor beating Jason Hamill (100, 100) and Billy Leckey (100) 2-1 after losing the first leg.

Higgins 1

Park Inn 7

Park Inn keep up their challenge, waiting for a slip up from the two teams above them and this week they returned to Scarva after a 7-1 victory over Higgins.

Home thrower Damien Savage (101) was a long way off the double in both legs when Lindsay McFadden (100) gave the Park the lead, finishing (100,140,137) the second leg on 17 darts.

Mark Foulkes found the going touch in leg one needing 72 when Clare Thornbury (95, 95) took the lead. Mark (95) took advantage of Clare’s finishing to level but then it was Mark’s turn for poor finishing and Clare (95) made it three wins in a row with a double eight.

Gary Gracey and Nigel Kerr were at the butts for game three and it was Nigel who took the lead but Gary (100) was back in the game next leg with a 52 finish when Nigel (121, 140) missed double 10.

The deciding leg saw Nigel (100, 140, 140) up his game and a finish of 19 darts left Gary (121, 100) needing 94.

At the half way mark the Park were in a 4-0 lead. Noel Gates (100, 100, 107), was on his way to a low scoring game against Billy Bell (121) spoiled by poor finishing. Leg two was similar for Noel (100, 100, 125) after good scoring a double two gave him a 20 dart finish and his 16th win of the season.

After the break Fiona McQuiggan (121, 95) proved too strong for Midge Hylands and ensured the Park full points with a 2-0 win.

The last singles match also went to the Park; Andrew Douglas (97, 100) with good finishing on 89 and 65 beat Eamon Savage 2-0.

PAIRS – Midge Hylands (100, 140) and Gary Gracey saved the whitewash for the Star when they beat Fiona McQuiggan and Lindsay McFadden 2-0. The last pairs went to Clare and Robert Thornbury, beating Mark Foulks and Damien Savage 2-1

Castle Bar 2

Halfway Aces 6

With only two league games remaining a win for Halfway Aces at home to Top of the Town will win them the championship in their first season.

This week they won full points on their visit to Castle Bar but they had to battle for the win.

Shane Haffey (100) lost 2-0 to Dylan Woosley (95, 99/100, 100, 140) who was in good scoring form.

Cliff Ritchie (100) won the battle of the doubles in leg one against Brian Reid (100) but steady throwing saw him take a good lead and a double top gave Cliff (3x100) his ninth win this season.

After missing the double in leg one against Nipper Boyce (100) Vince Conlon, looking for the game (115, 128, 98), hit back with good darts to level but couldn’t keep his form and Nipper (100, 100, 96) gave Aces a 2-1 lead.

In game four Leigh King found himself trailing on 159 to Ronnie Herdman (140) but (100) levelled next leg. In the deciding leg Leigh (95, 95) was on 140 only to see Ronnie finish on 135.

Missed doubles by Greg Harper (121, 100) let Roy Livingston (95) in to take the lead in game five but the ever steady Greg (140, 100, 99) was back in the game to leave Roy (100) needing 95.

In the deciding leg 3x100 gave Greg a good lead and a 20 darter left Roy back on 251.

In the last singles game Paul Ritchie (129) took the lead over visiting captain Neville Reid (95). Paul should have made it 2-0 but got stuck on 15 and a double 16 levelled for Neville.

Again Paul (100) had lots of chances to win the game but left five to do, letting a relieved Neville (98) in for the win.

PAIRS – Halfway secured the points with the pairs win. Ronnie Herdman and Dylan Woosley (180) beat Greg Harper (100, 100) and Paul Ritchie (135, 100) while Nipper Boyce (111, 100) and Brian Graham beat Leigh King (100, 121) and Cliff Ritchie 2-0.

Red Star A 1

Kevin’s 4

Both these teams started the game under strength but the win gave Kevin’s a slight chance of the number one spot.

Match details: Alan McKnight (100/125, 98) beat Neville Reid (122) 2-0; Marty Conlon lost 2-0 to Paul Dillon (140, 100/140); Ian Redmond lost 2-0 to John Broome (140, 100); Maurice Orr (95) lost 2-0 to Steven Banks (100, 95/95) while Andy McComb got a bye.

Fixtures for Thursday April 15: Castle Bar v Young Guns, Red Star B v Red Star A, Park Inn v McGraths, Higgins v Halfway House, Halfway Aces v Top of the Town.

League positions

P WDLPTS

Halfway Aces 20190138

Kevin’s 191612 33

Park Inn 20152332

Halfway House 20132528

Young Guns 19114426

Red Star 2093821

McGraths 2057817

Castle Bar 20641016

Higgins 20521312

Top of the Town 2024148

Red Star B 2014156

Footnote: Captains of Kevin’s and Young Guns must throw their game before Thursday April 22 which is the last game of the league.