Back row: KDDL committee members Robbie Norquoy (President), Robbie Stanger, Kevin Sarling (Vice-President), Brian Moar (Secretary) and Craig Taylor.
Front Row: Semi finalist Ian Linklater, Runner up Brett Dickinson, Winner Kevin Gray and Semi finalist Stevie Linklater.
The midway point in this season's ranking points events was reached with the Festive open singles taking place in the Masonic on Friday evening. If ever there was an advert for the standard of darts in Orkney, this would have been it.
180s and high checkouts were raining in from the word go, with some serioulsy tasty encounters thrown up by the draw. 'B' league players put up a great account of themselves with six earning ranking points, the pick of which were Robbie Norquoy and Derrick Firth who both got as far as the quarter finals.
The last four remaining were some of this season's best thus far in the league stats. Kevin Gray saw off Stevie Linklater 4-2 while Brett Dickinson punished missed opportunites from Ian Linklater to progress 3-2 to his first ranking event final.
Both players had been on fire the whole week, and by the end of the final Brett would finish the week with two 180s, three high checkouts and having been involved in four legs of 15 darts or less. Hugely impressive but completely dwarfed by Kevin who would be posting seven 180s, three big finishes and ten leg contributions of 15 darts or less. Utter Madness!
Unfortunately for Brett, Kevin was just too hot to handle right from the start. As Kevin reeled away to a 3-0 lead, Brett's throw was showing signs of nerves as he struggled to release his dart properly throughout the match. Had the fourth leg not been ruined by numerous missed darts at double from both, which Brett eventually took, Kevin could potentially have registered a 90+ average by the end. As it was, Kevin quickly dealt the killer blow, cruising the last two legs to take home the trophy and £100 first prize with a 5-1 victory. Disappointment for Brett, but he will take a lot of experience and encouragement from reaching his first final and, considering his current form, it is unlikely to be his last.
The annual Festive Prize Raffle was drawn on the night with Sandy Davidson winning the big drinks hamper and Morag Linklater claiming the second prize hamper. The KDDL committee would like to thank all who bought and sold tickets, which is a vital fundraiser each season.
180s were scored by:
Robbie Stanger, Ian Linklater, Gary Wilson, Gordy Rendall, Bruce Moar, Ray Butcher, Jim Brown, Jamie Drever, Josh Alexander, Alan Findlay, Keith Brumpton, Ian Findlay (two), Dennis Watt (two), Brett Dickinson (two), Ryan Tulloch (three), Stevie Linklater (four) and Kevin Gray (seven)
High Finishes came from:
Jim Brown 100, Brian Moar 101, Paul Foubister 105, Andy Green 106, Wayne Monkman 108, Karl Scott 114, Ross MacPherson 118, Ian Linklater 125, Lee MacPherson 126, Jamie Marwick 149, Jamie Drever (100, 109), Michael Scollie (104, 113), Trevor Shearer (114, 116), Kevin Gray (101, 113, 158) and Brett Dickinson (104, 108, 124).
Short Legs (15 darts or less):
Brian Moar 15, Stevie Linklater 15, Jim Brown 15, Wayne Monkman 15, Gordy Rendall 15, Brett Dickinson/Ian Linklater 15, Dennis Watt 14, Jamie Drever 14, Brett Dickinson (15, 15, 15), Kevin Gray/Wayne Monkman (15, 15, 14) and Kevin Gray (15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 13, 12, 11).
Results:
Festive Singles: Kevin Gray 5, Brett Dickinson 1
'A' League:
Untouchables 10, Exiles 2
Bilco Boys 0, Legion 12
Murray Arms 3, OGC 9
Sanday 8, Muppets 4
'B' League:
Vikings 3, Sands 9
The Toonies 4, Young Loons 8
Quoyburray 7, Ale Stars 5
MA2 4, Shandy Bass 8
Fixtures:
'A' League:
Murray Arms v Exiles
Sanday v Legion
Muppets v OGC
Untouchables v Bilco Boys
'B' league:
Vikings v Wooden Spoons
The Toonies v Tankerness
Quoyburray v Sands
MA2 v Young Loons
Ale Stars v Shandy Bass