Parish Cup
Semi finals

St.Ola v South Ronaldsay

The first ODA Parish Cup semi final took place on Saturday 28th January when St.Ola played host to South Ronaldsay.

Both teams were making their first appearance in a semi final and St.Ola couldn’t have hoped for a better start, winning all three doubles to take an early 3-0 lead. When St.Ola’s Roy Foubister beat Aaron Edwardson in the first singles things were starting to look bleak for South Ronaldsay but South Ronaldsay skipper Derek Ward Jnr stopped the rot with a good 2-1 win over Ray Butcher. Derek’s old man Derek Snr followed his lead with an excellent 2-0 win over Wayne Monkman before Moose Montgomery beat Craig Taylor to continue the comeback to make the score 4-3 to St.Ola. St.Ola captain Mark Louttit beat Pete Mathieson to put his team back on the winning trail again before Keith Bain beat Jimmy Miller to make the half time score 5-4 in St.Ola’s favour.

St.Ola made a couple of changes at half time by introducing George Grieve at first doubles to partner Ray Butcher and included Derek Manson in the singles. George made an impact straight away by helping his partner win their doubles and they were followed in victory by Louttit and Miller to give St.Ola a 7-4 lead.

South Ronaldsay rallied again with Moose and Ward Snr winning the last doubles to reduce St.Ola’s lead to 7-5 but it wasn’t to last long. St.Ola got off to a flyer in the second series of singles and gave themselves an unassailable lead when Monkman and Manson both won their respective games 2-0 to make the score 9-5. Ward Snr and Keith Bain won the next two games for South Ronaldsay to reduce the deficit to 9-7 but that was as near as they would get. St.Ola darts legend Jimmy Miller secured the winning double as he has done so many times over the years to put St.Ola into the final for the first time with a winning score of 10-7. The only scores of note came from Roy Foubister and Derek Ward Jnr who had a 180 each.

A strong St.Ola team just kept their noses in front after a very close first half and their experience probably helped them to victory in the second half. Mark Louttit, St.Ola’s victorious captain thanked the St.Ola Hotel for hosting the match and said it was the best game his team have played with a brilliant atmosphere.

South Ronaldsay, with a good mix of experience and youth, put up a good fight but losing five of the six doubles matches just left too much to claw back in the singles but they’ll gain from the experience and be back next year.

St.Ola: Mark Louttit, Craig Taylor, Ray Butcher, Jimmy Miller, Wayne Monkman, Roy Foubister, George Grieve, Derek Manson.
South Ronaldsay: Keith Bain, Derek Ward Jnr, Pete Mathieson, Aaron Edwardson, Derek Ward Snr, Michael Montgomery.

Stronsay v Holm

Holm travelled out to Stronsay on Friday 17th February for their eagerly anticipated semi final clash with Stronsay and an overnight stay into the bargain! With both teams at full strength and Stronsay having home advantage a close game was anticipated. The Holm team arrived at the Stronsay Hotel raring to go after being treated to an excellent meal, including cake and shortbread, at their host Barbara Smith’s house.

Holm got off to a perfect start, winning all three doubles 2-0 to race into an early 3-0 lead. Holm’s Billy Ward won the first singles match against Mike Holland to increase the Holm lead before Stronsay’s Trevor Shearer beat Holm skipper Bruce Moar 2-1 to give Stronsay their first game of the night and reduce the deficit to 4-1. The Stronsay team were scoring well with Willie Caithness and Damian Stout pushing Tone Stevenson and Leigh Shearer all the way in the singles but the Holm team’s finishing was sharper and they won the last four singles of the half to make the score 8-1 at half time.

Into the second half and it wasn’t long before Leigh Shearer and Sean Stanger put another point on the board for Holm with a 2-0 win over Richard Groat and Willie Caithness, including a 13 darter in the winning leg, to make it 9-1.

Minutes later and the biggest cheer of the night shook the rafters when Mike Holland nailed a 105 checkout to give him and his brother Jim a 2-1 win over Holm pair Billy Ward and Freddie Tait. The Stronsay team continued to play well but the lack of match practice was the difference as Holm won the last seven games, five of them 2-1, to win with a final score of 16-2. Robbie Stanger had the only 180 of the night.

At the end of the match Holm skipper Bruce Moar thanked the Stronsay Hotel for hosting the semi final and for providing both teams with supper. Barbara Smith was also thanked for looking after them and the Holm team gave a spontaneous ‘three cheers for Stronsay’ in appreciation before both teams returned to the dart board to play loop for the remainder of the night. Both teams also contested the gallon at the end of the match although this correspondent has little recollection of who actually won it! Stronsay played well and no doubt will come back next season better for their experience.

Stronsay: Ian Stevenson (Captain), Trevor Shearer, Jim Holland, Mike Holland, Richard Groat, Willie Caithness, Damian Stout, Gary Dennison.
Holm: Bruce Moar, Billy Ward, Leigh Shearer, Robbie Stanger, Sean Stanger, Brian Stevenson Jnr, Freddie Tait.

A strong Holm team progress to the final for the third year in a row, but this time will play first time finalists St.Ola who also have a very strong squad. The final will take place at 4pm on Saturday 17th March in the Quoyburray Inn. Once again it promises to be a very close final.