Unicorn Darts Youth Academy
The highlight of last week’s Academy was the impressive finishing from all sections. In the juniors Jordan Edmonds 4 from 5, was in excellent form as was his sister Aimee who included a bull finish in her 3 wins.
The seniors ‘handicap week’ raised the bar even further as 14 year-olds Billy Day checked out on 88, Luke Goddard then finished a superb 150 surpassed only by 12 year old Ray Lockington who smashed a 170 finish. Sean White also had an excellent 27 dart 801 which included 6 consecutive ton plus scores but Goddard prevailed as the week’s top player with six wins from seven including a fine 15 dart leg of 501.
Summer Invitation League
This summer league concluded last week with New Street A as expected winning by a proverbial one.
The individual tables were much closer with three of the four being tied. Mark Thorne (53) claimed the ‘legs won’ by one from Arron Monk but Monk (150) comfortably won the ‘tons table’ from Academy colleague Sean White on 126. The amiable Peter Bailey and Kevin Ede shared top place in the maximums with 9 each while Monk and Darren Barnes tied the highest check out with 161. Finally, there was a three way tie in the fastest leg as Mark Palmer (twice), Barnes and Monk all hit 12 dart legs to end another successful summer season. For the record there were over 3000 ton plus score of which 33 were check-outs and 138 maximums.
The knock outs are being played over next five weeks with the singles at the Borough Arms on Tuesday night.
Boro Frogs 15: Boro Brigade 11.
Pairs: 3-3. Singles winners: Frogs: Ali MacDonald 5-0, Andy Deavall 4-1. Brigade: Steve Cox 4-1, Lenny White 3-2.
New Street A 14: New Street B 12.
Pairs: 1-5. Singles winners: NSA: Arron Monk 4-1, Paul Reidy, Vince Tipple and Mark Thorne 3-2.
Merlin Magicians 10: Merlin Muggers 16.
Pairs: 2-4. Singles winners: Magicians: Steve Barnes and John Gaffney 3-2. Muggers: Peter Bailey and Darran Freegard 4-1.
Anton Flaps 12: Merlin Mingers 14.
Pairs: 2-4 Singles winners: Flaps: Mark Palmer 4-1, Ian Nicholson and Darren Barnes 3-2. Mingers: Danny Smith 5-0.
Last week’s heavy hitters:
Fastest Leg: 14 darts: Ali MacDonald.
Highest Check Out: 102: Peter Bailey, 101: Darran Freegard.
180’s: 2: Ali MacDonald, Danny Ballard. 1: Gary Johnson, Steve Barnes, Glen Kynaston, Peter Bailey, Darran Freegard, Ian Nicholson, Ivor Andrews, Mark Palmer, Adam Major, Kevin Ede.
Tons: 13: Gary Johnson. 10: Danny Smith, Mark Thorne, Sean White.
Classic Ranking Competition
The popular Dennis Smith beat fellow PDC star Mick Savvery in the final of a Swindon dominated Les Brant Classic Ranking Singles. A mini moonraker invasion helped boost the entries which were affected by a county darts weekend. The standard however was not diminished nor the prize money as the South West Tavern sponsored event was boosted by Andover Arrow’s £100 highest check out prize. It was appropriate that Les Brant Les received one of the few first round byes and the 76 year old battled through to the last 16. Other local players that made the last 16 were Paul Reidy, Dennis Simpson, Arron Monk, John Gaffney and Adam Major who picked up the best Academy performance (£15) which included a last leg win over a Hampshire A team player.
14 Academy players took part gaining valuable experience including two young ladies. Current Transplus Classic champion Paul Cook collected the highest check out with a 142, Cookie also made the semi finals with Johnny Haines picking up £50 each. Quarter finalists (£15) were Andover’s Dennis Simpson and Arron Monk, Southampton’s Wayne Parker and Mark Cox from Swindon. Top Lady Performance came from Chrissie Savvery who also earned £15.
801 Grand Prix
Last Friday saw the completion of the first popular and successful 801 Grand Prix. The competition was designed for players who were not representing Andover throughout the Worthy’s Summer Super League and saw 21 of the 39 players winning a share of the £860 prize fund generated over 14 weeks well organised by Richard Smith and supported by the Borough Arms.
The final week was tied by Andy Deavall, Darren Barnes and Glen Dawkins who each won 5 games and £16.
The league was topped by Darren Barnes from Ian Nicholson, Andy Deavall and Gary Brant.
Fastest was tied by Arron Monk and Glen Dawkins with 22 dart 801’s and Mick Raynsford took the highest checkout award with a 152.