The Orkney Darts Association Parish Cup got underway last weekend with seven eagerly anticipated first round ties taking place.

 

The first match took place on Friday 29th when Orphir, who are making their first appearance in the competition, played host to last year’s losing semi-finals Birsay. With two very experienced teams it looked like the match could be very close and that’s how it turned out. Orphir edged the first series of doubles to lead 2-1 and both teams shared the singles matches 3-3 to give Orphir a 5-4 lead at half time. Into the second half and after the first two doubles matches Orphir and Birsay had won one apiece before Robbie Norquoy and Birsay skipper John Norquoy had a good 2-1 win over former West Mainland doubles champions Ian Findlay and Francis Ballantyne to make it 6-6 going into the singles. It was close right through but after some very determined play by the Orphir boys, winning four out of the final six matches, they managed to secure a good 10-8 win. Orphir skipper Davie Hewison commented afterwards, “We had a great friendly match played in the best parish cup spirit. We’re looking forward to the next game.”

Orphir’s Ian Findlay had the only 180 of the match and also had a 106 checkout.

 

The second tie of the first round to be played was between Holm and Westray in the Commodore, a repeat of last season’s first match. Westray didn’t get off to as good a start this year and after the first five games were unfortunately 5-0 behind. A big cheer went up though when Billy Brown, who was playing for Westray for the first time, beat Leigh Shearer 2-1 to secure Westray’s first point. Billy Ward and Sean Stanger got Holm going in the right direction again before Simon Parry secured a good 2-0 win over Brian Stevenson Jnr to make the half-time score 7-2 in Holm’s favour.

 

Into the second half and a strong Holm side completed the win over Westray, who hadn’t played as well as they had the previous year, winning all the remaining matches to win 16-2. Well done to Westray for travelling in once again and with a bit of luck they might get a home game next year!

Freddie Tait from Holm had a 180 and his team-mate Billy Ward had a 101 checkout.

 

Despite the taxi not turning up in the morning, St.Andrews made it to the ferry on time and set sail at 7am on Saturday morning to take on Stronsay at the Stronsay Hotel. St.Andrews got off to the better start, leading 2-1 after the doubles before winning four of their singles through Colin Kirkpatrick, Neil Tait, Graham Reid and skipper Fraser Laird to lead 6-3 at half-time. Willie Caithness and Trevor Shearer winning for Stronsay to keep them in touch, just!

 

St.Andrews again won the doubles series 2-1 to take an 8-4 lead into the final six singles matches. Despite Stronsay improving on their first half singles they could only win three matches which meant the final score was 11-7 to St.Andrews. Well done to St.Andrews for travelling and they now go onto face Orphir in The Noust in the quarter-finals.

 

The tie of the round was the highly anticipated local derby between Burray and Parish Cup first timers South Ronaldsay in the Sands on Saturday afternoon. Burray had a couple of changes from last year’s squad while South Ronaldsay had an interesting blend of youth and experience.

 

After the first three doubles games South Ronaldsay took an early 2-1 lead with all three games going the full three legs. Derek Ward Jnr edged out Jim Wards in a close game to make it 3-1 in South Ronaldsay’s favour before Burray came storming back with Robert Gatt, Wilfie Tulloch and Kevin Sinclair winning the next three matches 2-0 to give Burray a 4-3 lead. Steve Harris beat Stuart Barnett 2-1 to extend Burray’s lead before South Ronaldsay’s Stuart Taylor beat Andrew Watson 2-1 to make the score 5-4 in Burray’s favour at half-time.

 

With the cards re-written it was all still to play for in the second half for both teams. Play resumed and this time it was Burray who had the success in the doubles with all three pairings picking up wins. This took the score to 8-4 with Burray only needing two more games for a victory over their local rivals. The first singles match went to South Ronaldsay with Willie Laird beating Burray debutant Richard Gunn 2-0 to make the score 8-5 in favour of Burray. Linda Ratter had a fine 2-1 win over Derek Ward Jnr to make it 9-5 before Steve Harris became the Burray hero with a 2-0 win over Gary Drever to send Burray through to the last eight. With the tie over Robert Gatt and Wilfie Tulloch won their remaining singles for Burray before Stuart Taylor won a consolation for South Ronaldsay to make the final score 12-6 to Burray. Burray now go on to face last season’s losing finalists, Holm, at home in the quarter-finals.

 

The last first round match to be played on Saturday took place at the Orkney Rugby Football Club where Eday played host to Firth on Saturday evening. Firth won by a convincing 15-3 scoreline to progress to the next round however it should be noted that Eday came from 300 behind to nail the double in the all important gallon! Kevin Clouston and Gary Aim, both from Firth had 180’s.

 

Both teams enjoyed a cracking nights entertainment which included Eday skipper Dave Shearer feeding the masses with a chilli supper and the skirl of the bagpipes was heard when Eday’s Bill Robertson treated everyone a tune on his pipes. This surely epitomises what the Parish Cup is all about.

 

On Sunday the final two ties of the round were decided. Unfortunately no reports have come back from these games other than the scores. Sanday went down 10-8 to St.Ola at the Commodore and defending champions Sandwick beat Stenness at the Smithfield.

 

The quarter final draw now looks like this; St.Ola v Sandwick, Burray v Holm, Shapinsay v Firth and Orphir v St.Andrews with all ties to be played on or before Sunday 28th November.

 

All parishes that have played in the first round are reminded to have their team’s money, registration slips and proof of eligibility in to Bruce Moar immediately.