Geoff Howland took the honours in the Cuplas Callow Ramsey mens darts leagues annual christmas singles competition on Tuesday night. sponsored by the RAOB club and with a record entry of 63 players we needed 7 boards and the loan of some lights so thanks to Caroline from O'Donnells.
The first round kicked off with arguably the tie of the round and much tipped winner Paul Arthur v Alan Young as a finalist. Unfortunately this proved a complete mismatch as Young cruised to a 2-0 victory. Another big match was Mick Walsh taking on fellow vet Andy Hudgeon with Hudgie taking the win 2-1. No major shocks in round one but there were plenty in round two.
First of the shocks was Young who went down 2-1 to the 19 king Jay Smith. Even though he has showed some good form in recent weeks Roy Dunlop beating the much fancied Jamie Kelly 2-0 was a shock. Sean Walsh bowed out of his last action in our league to the heavy scoring Wayne Harrison. Good luck back in Ireland Sean we will all miss you mate. Two star ties in round two firstly Barry Sharpe v Gazza Uren and secondly Paul Palmer v Geoff Howland both games worthy of being in the final but it was the senior players Uren and Howland who made it into the last 16. Turning back the time Charlie Cormode showed he can still throw a mean dart defeating Dave Faragher.
The last 16 saw some surprise match ups and some more shocks. First to book his place in the last 8 was Mac MacDonald seeing off Jay Smith who, to be fair, should have won 2-0 but a miscount in leg 2 was his failing. Trevor Quirk eased through proving the quiet man can play some mean darts. Uren was next through seeing off fellow Plough man Tye Jones. Stevie Waters was as solid as ever taking the scalp of round two hero Dunlop. Chris McConnell took the honour of shock of the round beating Hudgie who sits in the top 5 of the league stats. Tie of the round saw Alan Kinrade v Chris Wade and this one didn't disappoint as Kinrade made it into the hat. Two places remained and big Wayne Harrison booked his place but not until Glenn Charnock gave him a scare. Final spot went to Howland who saw off the old boy Cormode.
Last 8 and what a match up as Harrison was drawn against Howland. This was described by many as telly darts with Howland winning it 2-0. Uren won a close one against Waters 2-1 and MacDonald finally puts an end to Quirk's run 2-0. Kinrade also won another close one against lefty McConnell.
Semi finals and it stepped up to best of five Uren v MacDonald but it was one step too far for Mac as Uren cruised through 3-0 with some awesome darts. Kinrade v Howland and this was probably the best game of the night not only for the fantastic standard of darts but also the great atmosphere as everyone stayed to watch and egged on by Chris Higgins we had plenty of Ally pally chanting and singing, back to the darts and Howland won this 3-2 all the legs going with the darts.
The final Gazza Uren v Geoff Howland an all Plough A final and for once we had a great final with some more telly darts but it was Howland who won the best of seven match 4-0 and the title.
I have to say thankyou to alot of people, firstly Alan Phythian and Nana Quayle for keeping the fluids flowing and a great spread. Mark, Higgy, Hudgie, Alan, Geoff, Mick and Darren for their help with the boards. Tony and James for coming and taking some fantastic pictures and a huge thankyou to big Andy Evans for coming up from Douglas just to help mark the boards.
Photo - The winner Geoff Howland courtesy of Tony Lloyd Davies.
