Southland pair upstage SI opponents
Brad Hamill and Desi Mercer make a good team.
The Bluff Memorial RSA pair teamed up together for the first time and picked up the mixed pairs title in the 55th edition of the Clubs New Zealand Darts Association Incorporated South Island Tournament held earlier this month.
Pinpoint throwing saw the duo overcome a Kaiapoi pairing in the final.
Mercer and Hamill, who were representing the Bluff RSA, said they were honoured to win.
“We were 100% stoked to win. We’re real happy,” Mercer said.
What made their victory more impressive was the fact neither had played with each other before Wednesday’s mixed pairs. “We’re both pretty relaxed when we play and don’t get too flustered, and I think that helped. Brad played incredibly well. I can’t fault him. He was a great partner.”
Mercer said they now had a few more tournaments lined up. “We are going to play in the national chartered clubs tournament down here in July and a New Zealand Dart Council event in Hamilton.”
Also performing well in the mixed pairs were fellow Bluff pair Darren Dummigan and Rachel Padget, who were third equal alongside Makarewa Country Club duo Wayne Leonard and Jessica Wilson.
Bluff RSA had an outstanding few days on the boards, with several of their representatives making statements across the various grades.
Hamill teamed up with his brother Jamie to finish runners-up in the South Island men’s pairs, as they fell to a team from Hornby which included Southland’s Kayden Milne.
Hamill then picked up his second title of the season in the men’s singles defeating Dummigan in the final, while Milne, who knocked out fellow Invercargill darts player Warren Parry, placed third.
In the women’s singles, Wilson was the best performing female placing third, while the doubles saw Bluff duo Tracy Macdonald and Karli Harris finish runners-up.
Milne took out the youth male section, while Grace Padget won the women’s equivalent with Tayla Padget second.
For the most 180s, the maximum for three darts, Mercer was awarded The East Family Cup for the women, and Dummigan received the Simonsen and McCulloch Trophy, the men’s equivalent.
He also won the highest break trophy. Makarewa Country Club was the best presented team, and Bluff Memorial RSA won the premier trophy and aggregate title.
National Working Men’s Club Darts Association president Dale Frampton said it was an exciting few days of darts.
“We’re really happy with how it went. There was plenty of good competition, our numbers were pretty good and the Southland darts players did well. The players enjoyed themselves, [and] some exceeded expectations.
“For the distance people had to come to attend, we’re happy with the numbers.”
He was thankful to the Invercargill Working Men’s Club, who he said had the perfect number of boards to hold a successful tournament. “It always goes well. We’re blessed with what we have here in Invercargill with darts and just how often they let us use the facility here. They are second to none here in New Zealand.”
Frampton said it was pleasing to see a number of local darts players shine.
“It was great to see Brad and his brother come through, Desi is a great lady player. Jessica Wilson’s effort was great too, considering she has just returned to playing.“
Next up was the national event, which will be held in Invercargill in July.