Saturday 23rd March and it was a hard decision to whether we played or postponed the Shaun Buckley memorial shield but with the majority of entries being able to play we went ahead. Couple of prelims were needed to make up the first round of 16 players. It was great to see a couple of old faces returning to the darts and a new face that I think we will need to keep an eye out for in the future young Billy Howland (Richie's son) who played Scott Dalton and it was a close match this one but it was Scotty 'too hotty' Dalton who scraped through against the youngster. Big name out in the prelims as Dave Faragher met a determined Barry Sharpe, if Dave had played anyone else on this form he would have walked into the first round but Sharpie was on top form with 120 away being just one of his class visits.

First round started well for the Howland brothers with Geoff Howland booking his place in the quarters with a fine showing against Barry Sharpe winning 2-0 and Richie Howland taking out the returning Gareth Kinrade with a demolition job including a 156 away and a 130 finish, infact he was a wire away from a 7 darter taking it out in 9 . The ever improving Tye Jones putting a finish to Scott's progress but not before giving him a scare 2-1. In the bottom half of the draw and I don't think anyone would argue with the fact this was the easier half. Jimmy MacDonald a shock winner against Simon Maccuish. Another shock was Darren Hadley taking out Mark Quayle, in the final first round game Ali Shillto scaring Paul Arthur with a fine effort in leg one but Aggie comes through winning 2-0.

Quarter finals and first up was the Plough boys Tye against Geoff. Tye showing he is becoming one of the best players in our league scaring Geoff but Geoff goes through 2-1. Malla Callow takes on Richie to see who would claim their slot against Geoff. Richie misses his one and only dart at a double to get off all night and wins through for another showdown with his brother. Jimmy Mac takes to the board against Alan Kinrade this one was hard to take for Jimmy as Alan was simply unstoppable . Last spot in the semi's and its Darren Hadley up against Paul Arthur, Aggie winning through 2-0.

Semi finals on board one Geoff takes the opening leg against brother Richie. Back comes Richie to level it up and take it to a decider. Geoff wins the bull up and is sat on a double waiting to throw but Richie takes out a 124 finish and a spot in the final. The other semi Alan kinrade v Paul Arthur and Alan is again fast out of the blocks getting off straight away , Aggie struggles to get away and with Alan down below a hundred before he gets off it looks like an easy first leg to Alan but Aggie hits 140 and just misses D16 for a 152 finish. Aggie takes this leg the next to book his slot in his uncles memorial shield final.

Final: Richie wins the bull and straight off first dart in double 18 , Aggie can't recover its first leg to Richie. Aggie who to be fair struggled all night getting off does the same again but fights back and has a shot at a double and misses, no second chances and Richie makes it 2-0. Richie is straight off and its game over for Aggie as Richie cruises through probably his easiest game of the night to take the title of Shaun Buckley memorial shield 2013 winner.
Thanks to everyone who turned up to play, the ones that couldn't make it hope all your live stock are ok, Selena Joughin and Carl Joughin of the Mitre hotel for the loan of the function room, Mark and Nana Quayle for the loan of two boards, Haldane Fisher, Feltons Ironmongery, Winmau darts, Whittiker trading and Colin Kinnin for all their extremely generous sponsorship of our free standing dart boards. Caroline Hooton and John Denny for the kind gift and all their help with regards the other free standing boards. Richie and Billy Howland, Darren Hadley and Andrew Hudgeon for helping to set up and finally my wife Mikki Arthur for coming with me and supporting me this year I'm sorry its been nothing but darts, darts, darts but it will get easier now I know what I'm doing. 

Roll on September!