Craigie Cup presentation.
From left, Eddie Craigie, runner up Kevin Peace, winner Kevin Gray, and Thorfinn Craigie.
As the KDDL season approaches late January, the festive break is long forgotten and the darts are fairly starting to fly again.
A top of the table clash occurred in the Williamsons Butchers 'A' league with the Untouchables extending their lead with a solid 8-4 win over the Legion, who must now be feeling their ten year grasp on the trophy starting to slip. A win over the Exiles was enough for Sanday to leap into second place, five points behind the Untouchables, who they will have played this week. The Golf club remain in close contention following a big win over the Bilco Boys and it is still very much a four horse race at this point, but with the advantage very much in favour of the Untouchables just now.
The weather saw 'B' league leaders Tankerness match with Shapinsay postponed, which allowed the Murray Arms the chance to go top if they could beat the Young Loons, which they did, albeit a day later than the rest due to the weather. Narrow wins for the Muppets and Quoyburray keep both teams just about in contention for a promotion spot.
Friday evening saw the action switch to the Tankerness Hall for the E.R & T Craigie cup, the fifth of this years Ranking points competitions. A solid entry of 38 was pleasing, particularly when it included no less than 20 'B' league players, who have their eyes on a place in the 'B' county squad.
The venue was fantasticly set up as usual, with refreshments being gratefully supplied by Tasmin Learmonth. However, the standard of darts on the whole was not particularly great overall, with a few grumbles about the temperature possibly playing its part. In any event it certainly seemed to create a far more level playing field, as could be seen from the number of games in which 'B' players overcame higher league opposition. Seven 'B' players gained points on the night, with two managing to reach the quarter finals.
By Semi-final time it was very much a fight between the Orkney Golf Club and the Legion however. OGC players Kevin Peace and Stuart Thomson slugged out a great match on board 1, with Kevin only just managing to get the better of Stu. The other semi saw Legion Stalwarts Kevin Gray and Derek Firth match up, which used to be a regular occurrence but has not happened now for whats seems like an age. Derek played well, but could not keep up with Kevin's usual high scoring power.
The final saw a repeat of this season's Pit Stop Cup Final. Kevin Gray came out of the blocks flying while Kevin Peace was struggling to find his range. Gray went one up, but missed doubles allowed Peace back into it. Two legs on the spin from Gray saw him open up a healthy lead, only for Peace to peg one back. But another two in a row from Gray were enough to seal his third Ranking competition win of the season, and his seventh Craigie Cup win. Eddie and Thorfinn Craigie had been in attendance all night, supplying trays of gratefully received sandwiches to the players, and were on hand to dish out the prizes to the winner and runner-up, as well as a special prize for Jamie Drever with the highest finish of the night.
180s were scored by: Ian Findlay, Keith Brumpton, Billy Ward, Iain Wilkie, Ryan Wilkie, Daryl Robertson, Martin Peace, Aaron Mitchell, Davy Henderson, Wayne Monkman, Derek Firth, Robbie Stanger (two), Gary Wilson (two), Jamie Drever (two), Brian Moar (two), Kevin Gray (three) and Stevie Linklater (three plus 177). Paul Foubister also registered scores of 171 and 177.
High Finishes came from: Kenny Gunn 104, Jamie Drever 108, Ian Linklater 111 and Wayne Small 156.
Results:
E.R & T Craigie Cup Final: Kevin Gray 5, Kevin Peace 2
'A' League:
Legion 4, Untouchables 8
Sanday 8, Exiles 4
OGC 11, Bilco Boys 1
'B' League:
Quoyburray 7, Shandy Bass 5
Skippers 4, Vikings 8
Muppets 7, Sands 5
Young Loons 3, Murray Arms 9
Fixtures:
'A' League:
Bilco Boys v Untouchables
OGC v Exiles
Sanday v Legion
'B' League:
Tankerness v Shandy Bass
Muppets v Vikings
Young Loons v Shapinsay
Murray Arms v Sands
Quoyburray v Skippers
Friday January 27, 'B' League Doubles ('B' Ranking), Masonic, 7.30pm
Friday February 3, Taylor Singles (Ranking), Legion, 7.30pm
Friday February 10, Under 30's Open Singles, Legion, 7.30pm
Friday February 17, League Doubles, Legion, 7.30p