Team delivers darts victory
Taranaki’s Mark Cleaver has rubbed shoulders with some of darts’ greatest players and wants to see the sport grow in the region.
The 50-year-old was one of around 100 players to take aim during the Taranaki International Darts Open, held at New Plymouth’s Devon Hotel between June 30 to July 2.
On Friday a powhiri was held to welcome players to the event before the New Zealand Ma¯ori team took on the Malaysian national team in a friendly game.
While the Malaysians initially claimed bragging rights it was Cleaver, of Stratford, partnered with Darren Herewini, Craig Caldwell and Mark McGrath that took out the title in the teams event on Saturday.
Cleaver, known as ‘‘The Maestro’’, said he got involved in the sport through his parents.
‘‘My father (Neil) was a great influence on me because he was a fantastic player.’’
He played in the junior nationals in 1984 but turned his sights on becoming a professional golfer before stepping back up to the oche, the throw line, again in 2006.
‘‘As life’s journey goes I went to the local club in Stratford and they had a darts night on.’’
As they were short of players Cleaver joined in and has never looked back, he even enlisted the support of motivational expert Peter Mischefski to help raise his game to the top level.
He’s played against some of the world’s best including ‘‘Snakebite’’ Peter Wright and James Wade but his all time hero is 16 times world champion Phil ‘‘The Power’’ Taylor.
‘‘You look at those guys and go that’s where I want to be that’s me.’’
While Cleaver was soundly beaten by Wright he believes with enough experience playing in front of a big crowd he could foot it with the best. ‘‘We know that we have got the ability but because they do full time on the stage they have that edge.’’
He said televised events had helped to increase the sport’s popularity. ‘‘I still bump into people who don’t play the game but love watching it.’’
Event promoter Duncan Yeow, Global D’Bay Resources, said the tournament had gone very well.
‘‘The players are very happy with the set up,’’ Yeow said.
Taranaki Darts Association president Brent Holswich hoped holding top class events in the region would help boost the sport’s popularity.