The Kirkwall and District Darts leagues, kindly sponsored by Williamsons Butchers, have now reached the halfway point.
There has been a great response from teams in getting catch up games played over the past two weeks, and all outstanding matches have now been arranged to be played before the turn of the year.
It is hard to accurately tell the story at the top of the 'A' league with annual challengers Commodores still to play five fixtures, but in any case, the Legion will be sitting top come the recommencement of play in 2019 as they have maximum points from the first 11 games.
The league has settled into quite a few distinct groups.
The title chasers Orkney Golf Club and Sanday will most likely be joined by the Commodores, with the Wanderers and both Untouchables teams fighting for the last two top half spots.
The bottom five teams are all still possibilities for the drop, especially if the Arrows and Quoyburray 'B' start taking points of their nearest rivals in the second half, which is extremely possible.
The 'B' league also has a few games yet to go, and leaders Exiles have full points from their 10 games. However, they have yet to play Shapinsay, who could put themselves in a great position hot on Exiles heels should they win that match.
Murray Arms and RBL2 are still very much in the title/promotion race too at the midway point.
The other teams in the top half will have differing views on their 17 points so far. Quoyburray, who were relegated from the 'A' league last season, must feel unlucky to be only mid table contenders, whilst the Young Loons are starting to reap the benefits of a couple of years experience and should be pleased with their haul of points thus far.
The Vikings and Sands occupy the bottom positions, but they will be hoping to start picking up more points in the second half of the season and are more than capable of doing so.
The results of all matches yet to be played will be posted in the first report of 2019.
The first of the KDDL cups of 2019 is Friday, January 4, with the Swanney Cup which is for A and B teams. The leagues then begin from January 7 onwards.
Not KDDL competitions, but popular with league players who are Kirkwall Legion members, is the Legion Singles on Friday, January 11, and doubles on January 18.
The next ranking competition is the Craigie Cup in the Tankerness Hall on Friday January 25.
On behalf of the KDDL committee, we would like to wish all players, sponsors, friends and followers of our leagues a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
180s were hit by: Brian Moar, Derek Firth, Ryan Tulloch, Trevor Shearer, Jim Hamilton, Craig Taylor, Gary Wilson, Logan Peace, Jamie Drever, Robbie Norquoy, Davy Henderson, Darryl Robertson, Dennis Watt, Erlend Ritch, Don Wilson, Graham Firth (two), Alan Gray (two) and Kevin Gray (four). Karl Scott had a 177.
Ton+ checkouts were scored by: Gordon Rendall (SB) 100, Ivan Leslie 110, Stevie Moar 128, Keith Bain 128, Alan Gray 130, Brian Moar 143, Stevie Linklater 150, Brian Murray 158, Robert Hutchison 100, 132, 133 and Jamie Drever 110, 128, and 160.
Results
'A' League
Legion 10, Wanderers 2; Sanday 10, Legion Arrows 2; Bilco Boys 3, OGC 9; Untouchables 'A' 6, Untouchables 6; Warriors 10, Nomads 2; Bilco Boys 0, Legion 12.
'B' League
Tigers 10, Vikings 2; Young Loons 8, Tankerness 4; Murray Arms 9, Muppets 3; Sands 4, Sanday 'B' 8; Quoyburray 5, RBL2 7; Tankerness 4, Murray Arms 8; Sanday 'B' 4, Exiles 8.