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THE
2008 SINGLES WILL BE PLAYED ON FRIDAY 19th SEPTEMBER
GARY MILLS WINS THE
2007 SINGLES KNOCKOUT
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WINNER - GARY MILLS - THE BULL |
RUNNER - UP RUSS HERBERT - OLD END B |
The finale of the Dover Invitation Darts League Summer Season once
again was a massive success with 64 players from the town toeing the
oche to try and win the singles championship.
The night as
usual was combined with the presentation of trophies and cash prizes rewarding
those successful teams for their efforts throughout the season.
Try as so
many did, eventually there can only be one winner, and this year the title went
to Gary Mills from the Bull. Gary capped of a cracking season for the Bull as
his team won division one and the team knockout and of course last week he won
the pairs with team mate Ash Battie. Gary’s singles triumph came against Russ
Herbert of The Old Endeavour B.
The standard
of the darts over the last four years in Dover has been steadily progressing,
and this year for me was the best to date. This is supported by looking at both
players routes to the final.
Gary’s first
round match was against Mel Perkins of the DSAA, who so many times this season
has performed with grea t
credit. Moving in to the last 32 and Gary met his pair’s companion, Ash Battie.
Gary ran out 2-1 winner in match that could have gone either way and left Ash
having those thoughts that all darts players have, if only I hit that double.
Last 16 and Gary played Mark Clayton of the DSAA, Mark finished
second in the 180’s table this year with a creditable 6, another tough match for
Gaz. He ploughed on into the quarter finals to beat Kevin Boakes 2-0 before
meeting Gordon Speakman of the Boars Head Diamonds in the best of 5 semi-final.
Gordon on the night played fantastic darts with finishes of 115 and 136 in the
earlier rounds. He took that form into the high scoring semi final match
including a 13 dart leg by Gordon. Eventually Gaz ran out 3-2 winner in another
game that was so close it really could have gone either way.
Russ Herberts route to the final was just as tough, staring with
a first round match against Peter Carney of the Boars Head A. Russ won 2-0 and
faced Dave Green of the Bull A in the last 32 before moving on the meet two
times champion Ross Smith. Again Russ ran out a 2-0 winner as Ross struggled to
keep up with Russ’s high scoring and clinical finishing.
Russ met Matt Boxall of the Hare & Hounds B in the quarters.
Matt has only played darts for a couple of seasons and put in a strong
performance and took a leg before eventually loosing 2-1.
Paul Perkins of the DSAA was Russ’s semi-final opponent. Another
high scoring match with Paul like Ash earlier in the competition ruing those
missed doubles. Russ ran out a 3-2 winner.
The final once again was best of five legs and Gary shot to early
lead winning the first two legs. But Russ is a quality player and never
panicked and worked his way back 2-2 with clinical finishing.
Fittingly the final of a fantastic night of darts went to the
wire, the whole night rested on the final leg. Russ and Gary scored heavily all
the way down to the finish and Gary took the final deciding leg with a 92
checkout going out on single 20, treble 12 and double 18.
Results from quarter
finals to the final
Quarters
Gary Mills 2 Kevin Boakes
0
Dave Wallace 0 Gordon
Speakman 2
Matt Boxall 1 Russ
Herbert 2
Paul Turner 0 Paul
Perkins 2
Semis
Russ Herbert 3 Paul
Perkins 2
Gary Mills 3 Gordon
Speakman 2
Final
Gary Mills 3 Russ Herbert
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