THIRTY-three pairs took part in the Wick and District Darts League’s annual league pairs competition at the Francis Street Club.
Leslie Macadie and Rab Edwards are names the local darting fraternity will never forget as they enjoyed a wonderful achievement – lifting the title of league pairs champions for the third consecutive year.
It is a feat no other pair has recorded since the league was founded almost 36 years ago.
All the more remarkable is the fact both players, who are lifelong friends, play for different sides in the league.
Leslie plays for the Norseman – who are seventh in the table – and Rab’s Queen’s are at the bottom and look like going down a tier next season.
Their opponents in this year’s final were George Smith and Steven "the hitman" Hutton who had earlier put out the favourites for the event, Nicky Denoon and Tam Mulraine.
Earlier in the evening the Seaview pairing of Kevin Macgregor and James Davidson were going well with Macgregor hitting his 10th ton-plus checkout of the season on 110. But they bowed out to the eventual champions.
The second-division title went to the home pair of Willie Webster and Richie Taylor who defeated the Harper’s "C" pair of Magnus Adamson and Kevin Sutherland in the final.
The ladies’ event was the best attended of the three divisions and, after some close encounters – and some not so close – and with the draw being kind for once to the Francis Street ladies, it came down to an all-Francis Street final.
It was a ding-dong affair that swayed with the throw of the darts. Sharon Swanson and Sheona Campbell could have won it 3-1 but Campbell’s last dart went well wide. This gave Sandra Nicolson the opportunity which she took to give herself and Carol Sutherland another title. The win gave Sandra the singles and doubles titles this season.
Results – Ladies: Sharon Swanson & Sheona Campbell beat Nicola Byrne & Lisa Ross 3-0; T. Mackay & D. Larnach beat Sammy Troy & Teresa Cornwall 3-1; S.J. Farmer & T. Mackay beat Claire Thain & Liz Ronaldson 3-1; Carol Sutherland & Sandra Nicolson beat Keirie Mackay & Sara Gunn 3-0.
Semi-finals: S. Swanson & S. Campbell beat Trish Mackay & Denise Larnach 3-0; C. Sutherland & S. Nicolson beat Sarah Jane Farmer & Tracy Mackay 3-1. Final: C. Sutherland & S. Nicolson beat S. Swanson & S. Campbell 3-2.
Highest scores: Kirsty Coghill 140, Sandra Nicolson 100 x 8, Carol Sutherland 100 x 4 and 121.
Division two: N. Anderson & D. Farqhuar beat Sandy & Euan Jappy 3-0; R. Taylor & W. Webster beat Michael Morrice & James Bremner 3-0; K. Sutherland & M. Adamson beat John Macphee & George Macphee jnr 3-1; C. Scott & A. Henderson beat Ian Macdonald & Willie Crowe 3-1.
Semi-finals: R. Taylor & W. Webster beat Neil Anderson & Donnie Farqhuar 3-1; K. Sutherland & M. Adamson beat C. Scott & A. Henderson 3-2. Final: Richie Taylor & Willie Webster beat Kevin Sutherland & Magnus Adamson 3-1.
Highest scores: Donnie Farqhuar 180, Kevin Sutherland 116 c/out.
Division one: R. Thain & R. Sinclair beat John Gunn & Kevin Donald 3-1; L. Macadie & R. Edwards beat Kevin Macgregor & James Davidson 3-2; G. Smith & S. Hutton beat Bobby Gunn & Reece Byrne 3-0; T. Mulraine & N. Denoon beat Stewart Tait & Mark Thain 3-0.
Semi-finals: L. Macadie & R. Edwards beat Richard Thain & Ray Sinclair 3-0; G. Smith & S. Hutton beat Tam Mulraine & Nicky Denoon 3-0.
Final: Leslie Macadie & Rab Edwards beat George Smith & Steven Hutton 3-0.
Highest scores: Kevin Macgregor 180 and 110 c/out, Kevin Donald 180, Tam Mulraine 120 c/out.
