Festive Singles runner up Bruce Moar, KDDL president Robbie Norquoy and winner Kevin Gray.
The annual Festive Open Singles was held on Friday evening in the Masonic, and it lived up to it's billing as one of the most entertaining nights in the darting calendar. 53 eager souls took part, some keen on earning ranking points, some just for fun, but all with the £100 first prize and the glass trophy in mind.
The random draw nearly always throws up some mouth watering ties early on and this was no exception, with plenty of big guns facing up to each other in the early rounds. On the flip side, there was one or two sections of the draw where 'B' league players had a great chance to progress, with youngster Jamie Tulloch and not-so-youngster Davy Henderson taking advantage to earn points.
The semi-finals saw an all Legion team match-up with Ian Findlay taking on Kevin Gray, in a match that seemed to be over in a flash, with Kevin winning 4-0. On the other board Bruce Moar was throwing darts from the gods as he blitzed Wayne Monkman by the same scoreline.
And so the final was set to be a battle between the two players who were playing by far the best darts of anyone on the night. In terms of the exepcted high quality the match could have been considered a bit of a let down, but quality entertainment in darts can come from close and tense action as well as lots of impressive scoring. Bruce had chances at doubles early on, but it was Kevin who took the first two legs. As both players started finding their range, Bruce managed to level things up, before Kevin once moar opened up a two game lead, helped by a 110 checkout. The seventh leg saw both players miss numerous darts at the double, before Bruce pegged double three to pull himself back within one leg. Would the pressure tell on Kevin? He answered that question with three big scores, including a maximum, and a quick finish to wrap up the 5-3 win with a tremendous 12 dart leg.
Prior to the trophy presentation, KDDL committee member Craig Taylor gave an emotional speech in memory of the late Sheona Watt from Shetland, who along with her husband Tommy, had done so much for the KDDL Orkney players over numerous Intercounty trips over the years. Craig announced that the KDDL committee had unanimously agreed that a £500 donation to Macmillan Shetland would be made on behalf of the members of the KDDL in appreciation for all Sheona had done.
180s were scored by: Ian Linklater, Kevin Peace, Kenny Gunn, Lee MacPherson, David Shearer, Karl Scott, Keith Brumpton, Liam Drever, Gary Wilson, Martin Peace, Erlend Ritch, Billy Ward (two), Stevie Linklater (two), George Low (two), Davy Henderson (two), Jamie Tulloch (two), Gavin Linklater (three), Stevie Garner (three), Kevin Gray (three), Robbie Stanger (five), Brett Dickinson (six). Billy ward also scored 171.
High Checkouts: Brett Dickinson 106, Ross MacPherson 108, Robbie Stanger 111, Ben Hogan 112, Kenny Gunn 112, Erlend Ritch 115, Wayne Monkman 132, Alan Findlay 134, Jamie Tulloch (106, 148), Michael Scollie (111, 114), Jamie Drever (114, 120), Stevie Garner (116, 120, 140) and Kevin Gray (110, 121, 156, 158).
Short Legs: Ian Linklater 15, Stevie Linklater 15, Jamie Tulloch 15, Robbie Stanger 14, Billy Ward 14, Kenny Gunn 14, Stevie Garner 14 and Kevin Gray (15, 15, 15, 15, 12).
Results:
'A' League:
Ale Stars 3, Untouchables 9
OGC 4, Exiles 8
Muppets 1, Tankerness 11
Untouchables 10, Ale Stars 2
OGC 3, Untouchables 9
'B' League:
The Toonies 8, Quoyburray 4
Vikings 3, Shandy Bass 9
Sands 6, Bilco Boys 6
Wanderers 12, EMYFC 0
Murray Arms 6, Quoyburray B 6
Young Loons 6, Rough 'n' Rowdy 6
Festive Open Singles:
Kevin Gray 5, Bruce Moar 3
Fixtures:
'B' League:
The Toonies v Vikings
Sands v Shandy Bass
Wanderers v Quoyburray
Murray Arms v Bilco Boys
Young Loons v EMYFC
Quoyburray B v Rough 'n' Rowdy