Under 30's presentation,with Stevie Linklater who made the trophy,presenting winner Josh Alexander. Runner up Brett Dickinson was presented by KDDL president Robbie Norquoy.
The Legion hosted the Under 30's Open Singles on Friday night, attracting a fantastic entry of 34 players. This included quite a number of unregistered players, some of whom it is hoped may have gained a taste for competitive darts and might look to venture into playing in either the KDDL or WMDA leagues in the not too distant future.
By all accounts there were some very close and high quality matches played throughout the night, but by semi-final time there were four quite familiar young guns left in. Brett Dickinson was keen to get his name on the trophy once again in what will be his last year before the wrinkles set in, and he won through his tie against Sands skipper Toby Penwarden. Young Loons captain Nicol Gray was hoping to add to the Gray dynasty trophy haul in this season's cup competitions, but he found Josh Alexander in an unforgiving mood, with the west man sealing his place in the final.
This was definitely a case of the best two players of the night reaching the final, and the boys did not fail to serve up an entertaining contest. Josh put himself 4-2 ahead before Brett managed to claw the scores level and four apiece. Brett could only look on in despair as he watched his dart at tops miss the target for what would have been a match winning 120 checkout, only to then see Josh hit his double to seal a brilliant 5-4 win.
Orkney darts legend Stevie Linklater, who hand crafted the magnificent trophy from a piece of stone, was on hand to crown Josh the champion. Not counted in the official stats but on the night the youngsters had 180s from: Toby Penwarden, Nicol Gray (two), Josh Alexander (two) and Brett Dickinson (four). Brett also had a high checkout of 121.
With only a quarter of the league season remaining, what looked like remaining a four horse race to the end has dwindled down to what is likely to be a shootout between the Untouchables and Sanday. The Untouchables maintained their two point cushion at the top with a win over Exiles, whilst Sanday just won out in the crucial game against the Orkney Golf Club. OGC and the Legion will still feel they have an outside chance yet and will no doubt make things hard for the top two as all have to play each other once more yet.
A draw against Shapinsay and a win over Skippers put Tankerness back on top and two points clear of Murray Arms in second, who are themselves a point ahead of the Muppets. Sands remain just about in the promotion battle following a crushing win over the Quoyburray.
This Friday sees the League Doubles take place in the Legion, with defending champions Ian and Alan Findlay no doubt keen to keep hold of the trophy.
180s were scored by: Gary Wilson, Stevie Linklater, Paul Foubister, Aaron Mitchell, Davy Henderson, Robbie Norquoy, Ryan Tait, Dennis Watt (two) and Kenny Gunn (three). John Thomson and Brett Dickinson both also recorded a score of 171.
High Checkouts: Keith Holland 100, Kieran Learmonth 106, A,Mitchell 108, Keith Bain 110, Ian Linklater 110, George Low 111, Ian Findlay 112, Andrew Green 112, Trevor Shearer 115, Robbie Norquoy 117, Stevie Linklater 118, Dennis Watt 120, Andrew Moar 124, Brian Moar 136 and Kenny Gunn (105, 112).
Results:
'A' League:
Untouchables 8, Exiles 4
Legion 10, Bilco Boys 2
Sanday 7, OGC 5
Exiles 7, Bilco Boys 5
'B' League:
Shandy Bass 4, Muppets 8
Shapinsay 4, Murray Arms 8
Sands 11, Quoyburray 1
Skippers 3, Tankerness 9
Tankerness 6, Shapinsay 6
Under 30s Open Singles Final:
Josh Alexander 5, Brett Dickinson 4
Fixtures:
'A' League:
Untouchables v Legion
Exiles v Sanday
Bilco Boys v OGC
'B' League:
Shandy Bass v Murray Arms
Vikings v Sands
Shapinsay v Quoyburray
Skippers v Young Loons
Tankerness v Muppets
Friday February 17, League Doubles, Legion, 7.30pm
Friday February 24, B League Singles (B Ranking), Masonic, 7.30pm
Friday March 3, Pre-Kirkwall Open Competition, Masonic, 7.30pm
Saturday March 4, Tennent's Kirkwall Open, Masonic, 1.30pm