The RAOB christmas singles is always a highlight of the season and took place last night Tuesday 16th December with 50 hardy souls setting out looking for the title. The unfortunate title of "first man to fall? this year went the way of Michael Quayle as he was dispatched by Geoff Howland 2-0. There were a couple of outstanding first round match ups with Alan Kinrade beating Jamie Kelly 2-1 in a quality encounter. It's a shame when we see a favourite go out in round one but without the seeding it's always going to be a possibility. Another first round belter was Paul Allison v Stevie Waters and on paper this was going to be a tight one but it went the way of the Andreas man (2-0) and set up a second round game against his team mate David Simpson. Apart from the mentioned games the rest of the first round matches all pretty much went the way of the form books with the exception of Neil Crowe taking out Charlie Cormode.

Last 32

Gazza Uren sets his stall out with a fantastic game against team mate Andrew Hudgeon, with 8 tons and a 121 to steal it 2-1. Robbie Nelson 2-0 Alan Kinrade, the  scoreline looks like an easy game for Robbie but this was far from it as it was Busbie who had darts at the double in both legs indeed two at tops after hitting the treble 19 with his first arrow and then in the second leg he went treble 20, 2 and missed tops before the current island number one took out his doubles. Paul Arthur went out to Chris Higgins 2-1 in what was the only second round shock.

Last 16

Returning leading man Richie Howland booked his place in the quarter finals with a 2-0 victory over Geoff Watson.

Conall Hughes bowed out to Glenn Charnock 2-0 - great game.

Barry Sharpe took the Bar Logo young gun Jamie Skillan out with yet another 2-0 win. Malcolm Callow made it into the quarter finals hitting an 18 darter to beat Simon McCuish 2-0. Paul Palmer v Paul Allison and this one was one to highlight the quality we have in our league. Nuts sets up his double for a possible 16 darter but Palmer was having none of it as he hit 126 and a 15 darter to win the match. Neil Crowe finally was beaten as Gazza Uren took him out  2-1. Higgy's run was over as Ian Fields booked his quarter final spot 2-0. One slot left in the final eight and it was another classic as Robbie Nelson took down Geoff Howland and gained revenge for his defeat in the recent Billy Moughtin comp.

Last 8

Barry Sharpe 1 - 2 Glenn Charnock

The quality on show in this one was fantastic as there was nothing scored less than 60 but Glenn nicked it.

Richie Howland 2 - 0 Malcolm Callow

I didn't get to see this one but I was told Richie was throwing like old and was just too much for Malla.

Robbie Nelson 2 - 1 Paul Palmer

Two of the islands best went toe to toe and all the way. Such was the power of Robbie that Paul hit 82,140,180 and didn't get a shot in the league.

Ian Fields 1 - 2 Gazza Uren

Another game between two of the best the island has to offer and another one where the doubles told the story

Semi finals

Glenn Charnock 0 - 3 Richie Howland

Richie was on fire with his finishing from 100 down and something he has always said will win you more games than tons will. Glenn threw well but it was all about the finishing.

Robbie Nelson 2 - 3 Gazza Uren

The scoring of these two was unreal and something you'll be lucky to witness at the Lakeside soon. No one deserved to lose but someone has to and again I would have to say of the two players Gazza was very slightly better.

Final

Richie Howland 1 - 4 Gazza Uren

For once it was Richie that is taught the lesson on finishing as Gazza carries on his form the entire night and was just to strong for Richie to take his first singles title in the RMDL after losing out so narrowly last year.

Thanks to John, Alan and Nana for their great service plus Mark, Morvin, Kez , Robert and Neil for their help setting up and the footy cards, Sharpie and Mike for helping me run the comp and mark for me and finally Tony Lloyd Davies for taking time out and taking photos of the players so they can all have christmas profile pics.

Photo - 2014 Champion - Gazza Uren.