Taylor Singles runner-up Jamie Drever, cup donor Craig Taylor and winner Kevin Gray.
38 players entered the Taylor Singles cup in the Legion on Friday evening, the penultimate ranking points competition of the season. With a host of players in serious contention to make either of the main or 'B' county squads, it was always likely to be hotly contested and the 'B' boys were showing once more that they are all capable of taking bigger scalps. With the majority of players remaining until the end, it was noted how good the atmosphere was by the time the final came around.
Tankerness man George Low was making waves in the top half of the draw, seeing off one or two genuine county contenders before narrowly losing out to the in form Paul Foubister in the quarters. As is now customary, Kevin Gray was to be found waiting in the semi-final following another evening of exquisite projectile precision as he came through a very tough draw unscathed. Paul put up a good fight, but could do little to prevent the Shapinsay man from winning 4-0 and reaching his fourth ranking final of the season.
After a few years in the doldrums Bruce Moar has refound some of his old form and battled his way through the bottom half of the draw to reach the other semi-final. Waiting for him there was the 'B' player of the night, and indeed the league season, Jamie Drever who was throwing some super darts. Both he and Bruce had a mighty tussle, with both having chances to reach the final but it was Jamie who eventually won through.
Could Jamie become only the second 'B' league player to win a ranking points competition after Davy Henderson achieved that feat in the Louttit cup of 2015-16? The answer from Kevin was a resounding no as he reeled off three successive legs before Jamie finally put one on the board. Some high scoring at the start of the fifth leg suggested the comeback might be on but, just as Jamie's scoring started to falter, Kevin found his range again and took the final two legs to seal his 15th ranking event win from the last four seasons of competitive play!
In League action, bottom met top in the 'A' league and the Bilco Boys almost blew the title race wide open as they narrowly failed to earn a draw with the Untouchables. Elsewhere, some outstanding finishing from Paul Foubister helped Sanday to a 9-3 win over defending champions the Legion, all but ending their chances of a 12th title in a row, although they will undoubtedly do all they can to ensure those still in the running won't have it easy.
In the 'B' league the league leaders Murray Arms were crushed at home by nearest rivals the Sands, undoubtedly eager to put an end to any bragging rights from the only previously undefeated team in the KDDL. Tankerness moved back on top, grinding out a win over Shandy Bass whilst the Muppets overpowered the Vikings to move one point behind the Murrays in third. Quoyburray endured a determined Skippers side to earn victory whilst Shapinsay are starting to show what they can do with a win over the Young Loons.
This Friday sees the Legion play host to Under 30's Open Singles cup. Open to any player (male or female, registered or not) in the 18-29 age bracket. It is usually a fun and competitive night, which gives the youngsters a chance to showcase their talents.
180s were scored by: Wayne Monkman, Gary Wilson, Ian Linklater, Derek Firth, Stevie Linklater, Andy Green (two), Ian Findlay (two), George Low (two), Paul Foubister (three), Kevin Gray (three) and Jamie Drever (three). John Thomson registered a score of 171 whilst Brett Dickinson also scored 177.
High Finishes came from: Wayne Monkman 100, Davy Henderson 103, Martin Peace 103, Nicol Gray 105, Billy Ward 112, Wilfie Tulloch 112, Bruce Moar 116, Ian Linklater 118, Keith Holland 126, Trevor Shearer 130, Keith Bain 130, Toby Penwarden 158, Brett Dickinson (100, 110), Kevin
Gray (106, 161) and Paul Foubister (102, 114, 150).
Results: Taylor Singles Final: Kevin Gray 5, Jamie Drever 1
'A' League:
Bilco Boys 5, Untouchables 7
Sanday 9, Legion 3
'B' League:
Tankerness 8, Shandy Bass 4
Muppets 9, Vikings 3
Young Loons 5, Shapinsay 7
Murray Arms 3, Sands 9
Quoyburray 9, Skippers 3
Fixtures:
'A' League: OGC v Untouchables
Legion v Exiles
Sanday v Bilco Boys
'B' League:
Young Loons v Shandy Bass
Murray Arms v Vikings
Sands v Shapinsay
Muppets v Skippers
Quoyburray v Tankerness
Friday February 10, Under 30's Open Singles, Legion, 7.30pm
Friday February 17, League Doubles, Legion, 7.30pm
Friday February 24, 'B' league singles ('B' Ranking), Masonic, 7.30pm
Saturday March 4, Tennent's Kirkwall Open, Masonic, 1.30pm