South Ronaldsay played host to Orphir in the ODA Parish Cup quarter finals. The two teams met in the 2011 first round, when South Ronaldsay won 10 - 9 after the 1001 team play-off game.

The match got underway with Neil Croy and Richie Ballantyne winning Orphir’s first point against Keith Bain and Michael Montgomery in an all-round nervy game. Kevin Critchlaw and Adam Savage got Orphir’s next point with a 2 - 0 win over Derek Ward Jnr and Gary Drever. The Final doubles saw South Ronaldsay’s Grant Harrold and Derek Ward Snr losing to Orphir’s Ian Findlay and Francis Ballantyne. Orphir 3 - nil up.

South Ronaldsay came fighting back in the singles with Keith and Michael playing some very good darts to beat Orphir’s Richie and Adam. Match score now 3 - 2. Kevin Critchlaw had to play well, including a 129 checkout to win against South Ronaldsay Captain Derek Ward Jnr. Neil Croy won another game for Orphir against Gary Drever. South Ronaldsay’s Grant Harrold played well pushing Ian Findlay hard, but Ian came out on top. The last game of the first half saw a cracker between Derek Ward Snr and Francis Ballantyne.  Francis had a solid 92 checkout in leg 1, before Derek played good darts to win the game and give South Ronaldsay their third win.  It was an important win meaning South Ronaldsay were still in the match, although they were 6 - 3 down.

The second half play got underway with South Ronaldsay’s Keith Bain and Derek Ward Jnr playing good darts but losing to Kevin Critchlaw and Adam Savage. Francis and Ian then beat Grant and Gary 2 - 0 with Francis hitting a 180 in the process. The last doubles saw South Ronaldsay’s experienced pairing of Michael Montgomery and Derek Ward Snr just losing 2 -1 to Neil Croy and Richie Ballantyne.

After the doubles the score was 9 - 3, with Orphir just requiring one more point.  Orphir’s Kevin and Neil stepped up against Grant and Derek Jnr to win the first two singles of the second half, making the score 11 - 3 and putting the match beyond South Ronaldsay. South Ronaldsay kept fighting on with the inform Michael Montgomery beating Ian Findlay 2 - 1 in a cracking game. South Ronaldsay’s Keith Bain and Gary Drever played well but lost to Francis Ballantyne and Orphir’s Captain Adam Savage. Orphir’s Richie Ballantyne hit a 110 checkout to pip a win against Derek Snr, to make the final score 14 - 4.

On the whole it was a good game of darts with lots of good darts thrown, although the score line slightly flattered Orphir. Orphir and their spectators were treated to some musical entertainment courtesy of the Wards. Thanks to the Murray Arms for hosting the match and supplying the supper.

Neil Croy