Saturday 24th January was a night to remember for many reasons. The fact we had a field of 57 set out in their quest to become 2015 Bar Logo Northern Men Darts Champion was certainly one of them.
This year the team at Bar Logo have really got into the dart scene with decorating and they now have a darts venue which I think is unbeatable on the island. That along with the added fun factor of the draw on the tv screens and the final was also shown on the screens to cap a wonderful night where we had two close attempts at 9 darters and a champion who is a serious contender for the Islands' number one.
So last 64 and with the entry of 57 the top 7 seeds gained byes into the last 32. James Crowe and Darren Hadley set out on what must have been the longest game of the night, not a title they would have wanted but it was James who won the battle. Alan Young showed early form defeating Michael Quayle helped with a 115 finish. Mike Jelski was straight out of the traps against 16 seed Stu Corlett as he took a 2-0 lead but missed doubles meant Stu won an extremely tight affair. Number 9 seed Glenn Charnock cruised past John Verrall with the form he has been showing all season. First shock of the comp as Ray (Raz) Kelly defeated Stevie Radcliffe 3-0. Ian Jones had a relatively easy first match against Plough pump man Martin Kinrade. Number 8 seed Paul 'Aggie' Arthur showed glimpses of form with five perfect darts in his 3-0 victory over Jason Byrne. Jason Smith defeated the recent eye opener Martin Timoney, he was followed into the last 32 by another man who is seriously pushing for a masters spot as Scott Dalton beat Jay Radcliffe. Neil Crowe (14th seed) had an easy first match booking his spot in round two. 11th seed Dave Faragher had to overcome team mate Simon Griffin which he did by the score of 3-0. Paul Kelly marked his return to Ramsey darts with a fine run in the comp, his first round victim was young Jamie Leech. Andy Evans had a bit of a scare in round one as he went behind to Chris Clague before coming through. Anthony Collis v Liam Og Murphy was a repeat of Tuesday night's league action and the result was the same as the youngest took his spot in the second round. Mac MacDonald (13th seed) thrashed the leagues secretary David Lee 3-0. First seed to exit was Alan Kinrade as last year's giant killer James Arneil won an epic match 3-2. Another player showing he wants a spot in the season finale David Simpson showed no mercy on our youngest player in the league this year, Brandan Quayle, as he won 3-1. Last year's finalist Steven Waters wanted at least the same this year. It started well 3-0 against Paul Routledge (cheques in the post Paul). Arguably the hardest quarter of the draw, but Daniel Callow won his match against Mark Quayle. New to the darts scene but one to watch is Jason Craine but he had to wait till round two to throw a dart as his opponent retired ill. Conall Hughes (15th seed) beat one of AFC Ramsey's finest Rob Collister. Tenth seed Robert Nelson beat team mate Ollie Webster on his return as well. The old boy Charlie Cover against young gun Harley Christian and it's the experienced man who on through. Andrew Hudgeon v Tye Jones, another Plough match up, and it was Hudgie who booked his spot in round two.
Last 32 and in come the big guns, top seed Gazza Uren was under the weather but cruised past James Crowe. Alan Young took out Stu Corlett and it was the end of Ray (Raz) Kelly but what a fight, infact Raz had darts to beat Glenn 3-1 but the Mitre man is made of strong stuff and won it 3-2. Paul Arthur v Ian Jones and helped by good finishing Aggie won 3-1. Ian M Fields (3 seed) beat Jason Smith . Also into the last 16 was Scott Dalton who beat Neil Crowe 3-0. Paul Kelly took out the seeded Dave Faragher 3-1 after falling 1-0 down. Barry Razor Sharpe won the Bar Logo A battle against Andy Evans to line up an all Bar logo A last 16 matchup. Number 4 seed Paul Palmer fresh from his pdc exploits puts pay to young Anthony Collis's run winning 3-1. Tony Kennish who beat Robert Wheatley in round one went down to the impressive Mac MacDonald 3-0. David Simpson put a halt to young James Arneils hopes with a fantastic 3-2 win. It was the end for our 2014 finalist as Stevie Waters came up against the ton machine that is Jamie Kelly, 3-1 the score. Number two seed and last years champ Geoff Howland beat fellow Plough man Daniel Callow 3-0. Jason Craine proved he has patience as his first game was a win against the 15th seed Conall Hughes. Robbie Nelson defeated Charlie Cover 3-1 but not before Charlie hit a 15 darter. Andy Hudgeon v Richie Howland this was another great game but it was Hudgie who won through.
Last 16
Gazza v Alan and its the end of another seed and second in a row for Alan.
Aggie v Glenn who just doesn't get going and Aggie wins 3-1.
Ian v Scott. This is the end of Scott as Ian shows his class 3-0.
Chap v Sharpie in the all logo A battle which Chap wins 3-1.
Palmer v Mac in another all Plough match up and this one was a brilliant result for Mac 3-1 the victor.
Simmo v Jamie in another class match this went all the way and it was Simmo who held his nerve.
Geoff v Jason this was the match everyone wanted to see except Jason as Geoff won 3-0 with a 13 darter but the thing everyone was talking about was the near nine darter as Geoff hit back to back 180's. He followed this with another treble 20 but narrowly missed treble 15 to fall two short. Great effort Geoff.
Robbie v Hudgie and the all Plough A battle was an epic but it was the Douglas man who puts himself into the last eight.
Quarter finals
Aggie 1 - 4 Alan - Youngie proved he is a man to beat cruising past yet another seed and into the semi's as Aggie doesn't turn up.
Mac 4 - 1 Simmo - Mac was on fire in this one and seemed to be getting better as the night went on. It might have been an end to the Central man but he showed he is one to be feared.
Geoff 4 - 3 Robbie - absolute classic as two of the best players the Island has to offer showed us all what they can do. Robbie bowed out with a hall of no less than 8 x 180's on the night but it was Geoff through to his second Northern semi in a row.
Ian v Chap and yet another Bar Logo A battle. The Island-capped players go at it hammer and tongue with the returnie through to the semi.
Semi finals
Alan Young 4 - 2 Mac MacDonald - Alan showed signs of the skill that won him the Island championship as he put an end to Macs fairytale night.
Geoff Howland 4 - 2 Paul Kelly - Another Island player Geoff takes out on his way to the final as he is just to strong for chap.
Final
Alan Young 1 - 5 Geoff Howland - The match was shown on the big screens to those that stayed to watch as Geoff won it to take his second title in two years against the misfiring Alan. Geoff played the most consistant darts on the night and also the best as he also won the spot prize for best performance.
The RMDL would like to thank all players and spectators for making it such a great night. To the Bar Logo team who have put on a night for the memory banks. Mark Quayle and Darren Hadley for moving the boards, Scott Dalton for doing the calling and Mike Jelski for his expert technology.
Photo - Geoff being crowned Champion by Mike Jelski.
