Untouchables A champions 2022/23
Muppets B Champions 2022/23
An important week in the KDDL season passed with the culmination of both the Williamsons Butchers sponsored 'A' and 'B' leagues, as well as the finish of the ranking points events for the year.
With the Orkney Golf Club v Sanday match postponed until next week, a draw would have been sufficient for the Untouchables in their match against the Exiles to clinch their first league title since 2009. As it happened they had achieved the league winning game by half time in their match, allowing the celebrations to begin early. Meanwhile, in the 'B' league nerves were high and the tension was obviously very clear to see as the Muppets travelled by bus to play what was essentially a title decider against the Murray Arms. The Muppets wrapped up the title by the end of the second half doubles, leading to more amber liquid being sprayed in celebration. Congratulations to both teams after what has been two very hard fought and closely contested leagues. As far as recovery seasons go, this season could not have gone much better, and all teams have played their part in that.
Robbie Stanger, Leage Singles winner, presented with the cup by president Robbie Norquoy and runner-up Stevie Linklater.
Friday night saw the Masonic play host to this years League singles, the last of the season's ranking points events, after which the top 9 players to play Shetland in Lerwick in the Intercounty on April 21st would be known. It would also wrap up the 'B' ranking points system with the top 12 being selected for the 'B' county match on May 6th in Kirkwall.
The big talking point of the night was that five 'B' players managed to reach the quarter-finals, with Davy Henderson going one better and making the semi-final where he was ultimately beaten 4-1 by Stevie Linklater. The other semi-final pitched Untouchables team-mates Robbie Stanger and Brett Dickinson against each other. Both men have been on top of their game in recent months and it was an excellent match, but Robbie held his nerve better when it counted and came out on top by four legs to two.
With 13 League Singles titles between them, there was no lack of experience as the two seasoned veterans, and close friends, went head to head. Following an uncharacteristicly barren spell of late, Stevie looked in determined mood as he tried to add to his 10 previous titles. He came flying out of the gates, averaging in the mid 80s as he took the first two legs, but he faltered on the doubles in the third and allowed Robbie the chance to get back in, which he did not decline. Before long Robbie had turned the tie on its head and had built up a 3-2 lead, only for Stevie to take the next two legs to once more edge in front. Stevie squandered the chance to win 5-3, which allowed Robbie to equalise one final team, leading to what was essentially a one leg shootout for the title. The scoring in the final leg was edgy, with Stevie just maintaining the advantage of throw until Robbie sunk a 180. Stevie had one dart at tops for the win but pulled it low, enabling Robbie to clinch the win with a two dart 87 checkout.
A round up of the season, along with the final Intercounty squad selections will appear here next week.
180s were scored by: Billy Ward, Wayne Monkman, Kevin Gray, Gary Wilson, Ian Eunson, Jamie Drever, Toby Penwarden, Martin Peace, Keith Bain, Brian Stevenson, Liam Drever, Daryl Robertson, Nicol Gray, Hamish Baillie, Logan Peace, Derek Firth, Craig Taylor, Kenny Gunn, Ian Findlay (two), Stevie Linklater (two), Ian Linklater (two), Davy Henderson (three), Aaron Mitchell (three), Brett Dickinson (three) and Robbie Stanger (six). Scores of 171, 174, and 177 were recorded by Ian Eunson, Ian Munro and Stevie Linklater respectively.
High Finishes came from: Alistair Rendall 103, Iain Wilkie 106, Derek Firth 107, Craig Taylor 110, George Low 111, Erlend Lennie 112, Bruce Moar 115, Martin Peace 116, Brian Moar 120, Andrew Green 157, Toby Penwarden (100, 107), Ian Findlay (102, 135), Erland Ritch (115, 116) and Robbie
Stanger (135, 135).
Results: League Singles Final: Robbie Stanger 5, Stevie Linklater 4
'A' League: Exiles 2, Untouchables 10
Bilco Boys 5, Legion 7
OGC 10, Exiles 2
'B' League: Vikings 6, Shandy Bass 6
Shapinsay 9, Skippers 3
Sands 9, Tankerness 3
Murray Arms 2, Muppets 10
Quoyburray 11, Young Loons 1
Young Loons 6, Tankerness 6
Skippers 1, Sands 11
Fixtures:
Friday March 24, Steven Flett Mixed Doubles, Legion, 7.30pm
Friday April 14, East v West, Legion, 7.30pm
Friday April 21, Intercounty, Lerwick Legion, 7.00pm
Friday April 28, Orkney Championships, West venue (tbc)