MacRitchie triumphs in darts league finale

Saturday night saw the culmination of the Lerwick Darts Singles League.

Eleven players took part for the plate shield, and after the two round robin groups Stuart Paul and Derek Moar emerged as finalists.

The final was played over the best of seven legs with Stuart making a strong start, opening up a 3-0 lead before Derek took the fourth leg. Derek’s recovery was short lived as Stuart found form again to take the next leg and the shield.

The main trophy was contested for by the top four players from each of the groups. After the round robin phase the qualifiers from group one were Gareth McRitchie and Jim Wood with Angus Galbraith and Ronnie Johnson joining them from group two.

In the semi-finals some clinical finishing by Jim saw him run out a 4-2 winner against Angus while the second semi-final was an extremely close affair but a couple of 180s from Gareth helped him edge past Ronnie 4-2.

In the final Gareth’s powerful scoring and strong finishing saw him race to a 4-0 lead. Jim had a brief comeback in the fifth leg but Gareth steadied the ship, taking the next leg and therefore claiming the Singles League trophy and the £90 first prize.

Other winners: Alan Hall won the wooden spoon; Tommy Williamson took the prize for winning the most beery legs; the prize for the highest checkout was shared by Jim Wood and Paul Tait with 160; and Gareth was back among the prizes again with the most 180s“ a total of nine.

A spokesman said: “The singles league committee would like to thank all those who took part and also the Masonic club for being excellent hosts.

“A special mention to Tommy Watt who set up the boards and made the main trophy as well as providing an extra prize of a 40-ounce bottle of rum. This was played for by the league winners and saw Gareth once again triumphant, this time seeing off the challenge from Alan Patterson. And also Robbie Magnus Jamieson for making the wooden spoon.”