Champion Locke takes final spot
MERTHYR & DISTRICT DARTS LEAGUE Singles Competition 2nd Batch
The Second Batch of the Singles Competition of the Worthington’s Sponsored Merthyr & District Darts League for the 2016/17 Season produced an absolutely amazing night of darts with some tremendous action that delighted all present.
From dart one on board one the standard was truly excellent and a great credit to all who took part.
A great game on board one featured Wayne James 2x180, 116 out of the Imperial Hotel with a great 2-0 win over former Singles Runner-Up Steve Nicholas of the Ye-Olde Express while on board four Craig Morgan of the Guest Keen Bowls Club “A” also beat another Singles Runner-Up David Rowlands from the Merthyr Labour Club by a 2-1 margin in another superb game.
Local hero’s Drew Bradley and Ceri Richards of the Penydarren Social Club “C” fought out a great game on board eight with the former winning through 2-0 to the next round with Scott Bayliss from the Guest Bowls “A” beating Kevin Hyde of the Penydarren C to also make the next round.
Summer League Singles Champion Wayne Titcomb of the Ye-Olde Express progressed with an excellent 2-1 win over former multiple champion Geraint Thomas of the Baili-Glas “B” with Baili “A” superstar Kerry Ryan making it through with a splendid 2-1 win over the highly fancied Dean Lewis of the Hills Plymouth Cricket Club by a 2-1 margin with some 2x100,125,135,2x140 amongst his scores.
Round two produced more magnificent action with Steve Haman Baili-Glas “B” edging past teammate and former Champion Andrew Rough by a 2-1 margin in a thriller on board one and on board two another two more Baili B buddies Paul Thomas and Russ Matthews did battle with Paul running out 2-0 winner.
Glen Kitchen from the Aberfan X exited the competition at the darts of Gareth Dunn 180 from Merthyr Labour Club and in another great game Phil Williams Guest A advanced at the expense of former champion Ron Morgan representing Merthyr Labour Club.
Another all Baili B clash on board six saw Paul Thomas 2x180 end the dreams of former Summer League Singles Champ Mervyn Matthews while on board eight, defending and multiple Singles Champion Peter Locke 2x180 of the Ye-Olde Express ended the aspirations of Penydarren A stalwart Peter McCarthy for another season.
The last sixteen saw Peter Locke 180, 129 out including a 12 dart leg beat Gareth Jenkins of the VNU (2-0) on board one while on b3 something of a shock saw Johnny Murphy of the Penydarren C beat the highly fancied Phil Williams 180 (Guest A) by a 2-1 margin in a tense tussle.
Gareth Dunn progressed on b5 with victory over Alun Pearce Martyrs Club while on 7 Paul Thomas kept his hopes alive with a good win over Jason Castaldi Hills Plymouth Cricket Club.
Board nine saw Scott Bayliss beat Keith Harnedy of the Hills Plymouth Cricket Club (2-1) while on b11 Craig Morgan kept on moving in the right direction with a 2-0 win over Greg Butler Aberfan X. B13 saw Dean Thomas Ye-Olde Express advance at the expense of Kerry Ryan (2-0) while b15 saw Steve Haman progress with a 2-0 win over big mate Wayne Titcomb.
In the last eight Steve Haman ended the fantastic run of Johnny Murphy on board 2 while board eight saw the end of the line for Craig Morgan who lost out 2-0 against Scott Bayliss.
Gareth Dunn was the winner on board 10 with a splendid showing over Dean Lewis while on b14 red hot Peter Locke 180 kept going with a fine 2-0 win over Paul Thomas.
With two players to go through one more victory would see the players book a spot in the Grand Finals and on board one a splendid game saw Peter Locke come back from 1-0 down to beat Scott Bayliss in a thriller while on board twelve Gareth Dunn bagged his place at the Grand Finals with a thrilling 2-0 win over former Summer League Singles Supremo Steve Haman.
The Officers, Committee & Members of the M&DDL would like to thank the Officers, Committee, Members & Bar Staff of the Penydarren Social Club for their help and support in making the Singles/ Doubles/Triples a great success.
Many thanks to Matthew Fealey from the Ye-Olde Express who stepped in at the last moment to help with the draw for the second batch of the Singles on Friday, as due to the abuse given to the normal official she has, quite rightly and with the full suport of the committee, withdrawn her help from organising any future competitions. No Officer/Committee member deserves any abuse and this will not be tolerated.
In future please be careful with your comments and treat the officials with respect. They are there to help you, not to be abused.