Runcorn Apec Taxis Darts League

THE 2005 summer league was concluded at the War Memorial Club last Thursday.

It started with the semi finals of the Doubles competition and in the first of three the first leg went in favour of Clive Daniels and Mark Johnston (Tranny Lads).

However their opponent's youngsters Dave and Andy Robinson (Lion Stonecutters) hit back to win through 2/1.

Unfortunately in the second semi final Albion's Phil Littler had to play on his own as his partner Eamonn Hartigan was on holiday. He went down 2/0 to Wayne Conway and James Baines (Halfway Mixed).

Next came the semi finals of the Individual competition and the first of these pitted Albion teammates Phil Littler and Nick Hough against each other.

Nick took the first leg in 15 darts, which included a 120 finish and then booked his place in the final when he took the second leg.

The second semi final resulted in Ian Darlington (Navvy) taking the first leg only to see Peter Smith (Tranny Lads) level the score to one game all.

A crisp two dart 94 finish in the deciding leg proved to be sufficient to see Ian reach his first final of the competition.

The Town championship final between Navvy and Tranny Lads proved to be a real seesaw affair.

Navvy won the two opening games through Neil Ward and Sean Bell but Tranny replied with a win from Tom Humphries in the last of the three initial singles games and then Tom paired up with Ron Taylor to lock the scores at two games all.

The next doubles game saw Navvy regain the lead through Sean Bell and Peter Murphy but the scores were then tied at three games all with a win from Tranny Lads Steve Allan and Mark Johnston.

A win from Steve Allan in the first of the three remaining singles games then put Tranny Lads into the lead for the first time but wins from Navvy's Graham Littlemore and then anchorman Ian Darlington saw their team through to a 5/4 win.

Next came the final of the Doubles competition.

Despite both players only being 16 years of age Wayne Conway and James Baines took the first leg only to see the scores levelled at one game all by Dave and Andy Robinson.

Wayne and James held themselves together when winning the deciding leg, becoming by far the youngest players ever to win this competition.

Play for the evening was concluded with the final of the Individual competition.

In the first leg Nick ran out in 14 darts, which included a maximum, and for good measure he hit another one in the second leg in an 18-dart game to win the title 2/0.

Ian should take great credit from the final as in both legs he left 32 after 15 darts but never got a chance of the finishing double.

Presentations were made by Mr Paul Furfie, representing the league's main sponsors Apec Taxis.

As well as the usual awards, Mr Furfie generously donated certain monetary awards to the following: Ron Taylor (Tranny Lads), Nick Hough (Albion), Wayne Conway (Halfway Mixed), Dave Robinson (Lion Stonecutters), and each pair in the doubles final received £120 taxi fares.

The league would like to thank Apec Taxis for their continued generous support.

The 2005/06 winter league starts next Thursday night, October 6.

A secretaries meeting will be held the night before at the War Memorial Club at 7.30pm.

Fixtures, result sheets, etc will be distributed, so it is important that all teams are represented at this meeting.