The first half of the season came to a conclusion this week in the Williamsons 'A' League and who could have predicted it would be so close at both the top and bottom of the table?
With three or four teams in real contention for either silverware or the wooden spoon it looks set up to be one of the most exciting finales to a season there has been in the KDDL for a long time.
The Orkney Golf Club sent shockwaves reverberating through the league as they inflicted the first defeat of the season on the Legion, with Stevie Linklater putting in an inspirational captain's performance in an 8-4 victory. At the same time, the Commodores overcame Untouchables A 9-3 to move top on legs scored, albeit only until the following Monday when the Legion beat RBLM 10-2 in a rearranged fixture, to finish the half tied on points with the Commodores but 8 legs clear on leg difference.
Last year Sanday were tipped to be title contenders but faded away out of touch before the first half ended after a decent start. This year they have gone about their business steadily but quietly racking up victories to take third spot virtually undetected. They find themselves only three points off the pace and if they stay within touch they have a real chance of coming out on top, especially if the rest of the top teams continue to take points off each other. Sanday were pushed hard by Sands '2' but managed to seal a 7-5 win. Despite having taken no points from them, the Sands boys must take some satisfaction from a hard run of games recently in which they have pushed some more experienced teams all the way and only lost narrowly.
The Untouchables turned the screw against St.Ola, posting a 10-2 win. Being 9 points off the lead in fifth place, they have little realistic chance at the title but they are more than capable of taking points off the teams above them and may yet prove influential in where the trophy ends up.
The Legion Arrows rounded off an accomplished start to life in the big league taking a well earned point from the Wanderers, who's performances have dipped somewhat after a bright start to the season. Both teams look destined for mid-table obscurity along with Untouchables A and it could be an interesting tussle to see which one of them can finish the season in the top half of the table.
For the second week in a row RBLM led 4-2 at half-time only to falter at the end, this time drawing with bottom team Nomads. Matthew Wylie put in an excellent show of steely nerve to overcome Dave Noble and take the deciding leg for the Nomads. It could be a costly loss of potential points for RBLM, who hover tentatively along with Sands '2', just two points clear of St.Ola who occupy the second relegation spot.
This Friday also sees the final event on the KDDL calendar for 2015 in the Kirkwall Masonic, namely the Festive Singles, for which names are to be in by 7.30pm. Although it carries ranking points for KDDL registered players, it is also an open competition and it is hoped we will see a few other faces from amongst our extended circle of darts friends. It is usually a great night of darts and fun, as well as including the draw for our eagerly anticipated Festive raffle.
180s came from: Cammy Scott, Graham Firth, Aaron Mitchell, Leigh Shearer, Robbie Stanger, Billy Ward, Ryan Tulloch, Jamie Drever, Michael Muir Snr, Neil Croy, Wayne Monkman, Brian Stevenson, Ivan Leslie (2), Stevie Linklater (3) and Kevin Gray (4). Wilfie Tulloch scored a 177.
Ton-plus checkouts came from: Stevie Linklater 102, Brett Dickinson 102, Iain Wilkie 108, Neil Drever 109, Jimmy Miller 110, Matthew Wylie 111, Ian Findlay 113 and Trevor Shearer 118.
Results
A league: Legion Arrows 6 v 6 Wanderers, Untouchables A 3 v 9 Commodores, Nomads 6 v 6 RBLM, Sands'2' 5 v 7 Sanday, OGC 8 v 4 Legion, Untouchables 10 v 2 St.Ola, Legion 10 RBLM 2.
Fixtures:
Friday 11th December - Festive Singles, names by 7.30pm, Masonic.