26 April 2011
Victory against Shetland
What a weekend of darts entertainment and fun was had when Shetland came
visiting for the annual county match.
visiting for the annual county match.
It got off to a great start on the Thursday, with a convincing 13-8 win for
the Kirkwall Ladies. A good omen for the gent¹s match the following night in
the new venue at the Masonic Club, all decked out with a stage, flags,
posters and TV screens, just like the Lakeside nearly.
The Orkney team, decked out in their new Williamson¹s shirts took to the
stage with high hopes.
It did not start too well, with Shetland winning the first singles, but we
weren¹t to know that it was the only time Shetland were to lead as Orkney
reeled off the next eight games, and at 8-1, was the record score of 11-2 on
the cards.
But Shetland but that to bed by winning the next two was a comeback on the
cards? But, then up stepped Billy Ward, playing for the first time since
1995 and it was just like old times as he won 2-0 to take the Orkney team to
9-3 and only two away from a dramatic victory.
It was soon 10-3 as the Orkney doubles champions Derek and Kevin won 2-1.
Eight games to go and only one needed. Nothing could go wrong could it?
But, Shetland weren¹t finished and took the next three games to take the
score to 10-6. Not quite panic stations, but murmurs among the packed house.
But, no worries as up stepped the Moar boys, Bruce and Brian who had a shaky
first leg, but still a win. An action-packed second leg took the cup back to
Orkney with a score of 11-6. A great win for captain Craig and the boys.
That was game number 40 between the two sides. Shetland are well ahead, but
Orkney have shown in recent years that they are every bit as good since the
team was selected on ranking points won.
Man of the match was Neil Redfan from Shetland with a 88.34 three-dart
average. Top Orkney player in second place was Kevin Gray with a 83.24,
which most years would have won.
A bit thank you from K-DDL to main sponsors Williamson¹s, others OTE, Carpet
Shed and the Masonic Club who put in a lot of work in setting up the hall.
Also the darts committee who put in a lot or work to ensure everything went
with a bang.
A detailled report on the match can also be found here:
The following day, 44 gent¹s players met at the Royal British Legion for the
Anniversary Shields. Twenty-two ladies played in their competition.
In the gent¹s game, by quarter-final time it was five Shetlanders and three
Orcadians who took to the oche, with two of each making the semi-finals.
Stevie Linklater and Magnus Walker carrying the flag for Orkney, with Roger
Irvine and Gareth McRitchie for Shetland. Stevie and Gareth made it to the
final.
A break to allow the ladies to play their final, won by Iris Anderson from
Shetland was welcomed by the gents after a hectic couple of days, but then
it was on to the best of seven leg final.
There was nothing in the first two legs which were shared. Then, Gareth took
the next two as Stevie couldn¹t find the finishing double but he came back
to take the fifth leg to make in 3-2. but steady play from both players saw
them both arrive at a double at about the same time. It took a few darts
each before Gareth took it for a 4-2 win. My man of the match, though, was
young Magnus Walker who has not played for any team this year, but he took
out the Orkney singles champion and two county players and only lost by the
odd leg in five to Gareth in the semi-finals.
The weekend was rounded off with a smashing darts Do on the Saturday night
with a disco and karaoke being held in the Masonic Club. The only down beat
was the lack of trophy winners attending. The darts have not finished yet, aa Friday night, the Charity Doubles for ladies and gents will take place in the Masonic Club, at 7.30pm. It is an open competition. Enter with a partner.
Next Friday it is the Steven Flett Memorial Mixed Open Doubles in the Legion
Club, at 7.30pm.
Books for next season are now available from the secretary.
Tickets for the exhibition by the eight professionals, including World PDC
champion Adrian Lewis will be on sale in May.
RESULTS
Inter-league county game
Kirkwall 11, Shetland 6.
ANNIVERSARY SHIELD
Final Gareth McRichie 4, Stevie Linklater 2.
fixtures
Friday, April 29
LADIES AND GENTS CHARITY DOUBLES
In the Masonic Club at 7.30pm.
Friday, May 6
STEVEN FLETT MEMORIAL SHIELD
In the Royal British Legion, at 7.30pm.