Runcorn Apec Taxis Darts League

THE first of the two finals nights took place last Thursday night at the War Memorial Club.

This consisted of the finals of both the Apec Taxis KO cup and the Executive competition, with both having the same format of three individual games of 501 up flying start, double finish, then three games of doubles 501 up double start and finish, and then three further individual games.

First to be staged was the conclusion to the Executive Competition, which featured section one's Albion against section four opponents Prospect Has Beens.

The latter had done extremely well on reaching this stage of the competition but as possibly expected found Albion too strong on the night.

Albion took all the three initial individual games through Nigel Peterson, Phil Littler and Nick Hough, with the first two of these both scoring maximums.

They proceeded to take all the three doubles game with wins from Eamonn Hartigan & Phil Littler, Nigel Peterson & Jim Reed (18 darts) and Colin Rigby & Neil Dunbebin.

The first of the two remaining individual games also went to Albion with wins from Jim Reed and Eamonn Hartigan but Prospect Has Beens' Carl Bourque gained some consolation for his team when he won the final game.

Next came the final of the Apec Taxis KO cup, which once again featured Albion, this time against Halfway A which was a repeat of the previous two finals in this competition.

Phil Littler gave Albion the early lead with a very credible 15-dart game but the scores were then tied with a win from Halfway A's Karl Windisch.

From then on however it was all Albion for Nigel Peterson took the third individual game then his team won all of the three doubles games through Phil Littler & Eamonn Hartigan, Nick Hough &Nigel Peterson and Jim Reed and John Kilkenny.

In the first of the three remaining individual games Nick Hough started off with 140 and 180 in helping his team into a 6/1 lead and then wins from his teammates Neil Dunbebin and Jim Reed made the final score Albion 8 Halfway A 1, although this score line possible does flatter the winners somewhat.

Trophies and prize monies were presented by league official Mr Bernie Dodd.

This Thursday, September 22, sees the War Memorial hosting the conclusion to the 2005 summer league.

Play will commence at 8pm with the semi finals of the doubles competition, which features Eamonn Hartigan & Phil Littler (Albion), Wayne Conway & James Baines (Halfway Mixed), Mark Johnson & Clive Daniels (Tranny Lads) and Dave Robinson & Andy Robinson (Lion Stonecutters).

Next will be the semi finals of the Individual competition, those involved being Nick Hough and Phil Littler (Albion), Ian Darlington (Navvy) and Peter Smith (Tranny Lads).

This will be followed by the final of the Town championship between Navvy and Tranny Lads.

Play for the evening will then be concluded with the finals of both the doubles and then the Individual competition.The evening will end with presentations to all section winners and runners up as well as all remaining trophy winners.

The 2005/06 winter league commences on Thursday, October 6.