Location Bar Logo and the request was let's play darts. We got that for sure and some big shocks as usual.
Round one saw the usual big shocks and none more so than the exit of favourite Jamie Kelly, but believe me when I say that takes nothing away from the manner of James Arneil victory, as this went all the way but Mr Arneil had darts in legs 3 & 4 to take the win but he finally nailed it in the decider. We also saw the exit of our 4th seed in Round one going down 3-2 to the on-form Jamie J Skillan. Geoff Howland showed his intentions with a demolition job on Martin Timoney, Geoff hitting a fine 158 finish to take the highest finish prize, also a 12 darter. There were 180's for both victors Charlie Cormode and Paul Arthur. We also lost our 2nd seed Alan Kinrade to a bang on-form Jay Radcliffe.
Round two and the shocks keep coming Ashley Grose takes out 5th seed Gazza Uren in a great 5 legger. Jamie Skillan takes out Paul Arthur easily 3-0 as Aggie just didn't turn up. Jamie Arneil keeps rolling on this time it's 10th seed Tye Jones who feels the force. In the other second round games Geoff hits another ton finish 115 and with 16 & 18 dl's he powers past Andy Evans 3-1. Alan Young sees off Charlie Cormode in another 5 leg battle. Stevie Waters takes out Jay Smith 3-0 and is one to watch when on this form. Andy Hudgeon cruises past Dave Faragher 3-0.
Quarter finals and James Arneil just keeps improving and like I said the other night this lad should be playing alot more than he does and last night shows just how good he can be, Jay Radcliffe can't stop him as he seals his spot in the semi finals with a 3-1 victory. Battle of the mates here as Hudgie takes on Geordie with the pressure on it's the Swan man who takes his slot with a fine 3-1 win. The two dark horses meet up in the quarters and it seems right that they did so we could have one in the semi finals. Jamie's pace and power scoring is one step too far for Ashley Grose. 3-1 the scoreline to Jamie. It's a clash of the titans on board 2 as Geoff Howland the number one seed plays Alan Young our number nine seed. Geoff just keeps steam-rollering his opponents and takes the final spot in our Semi's winning 3-0.
Semi finals:
Jamie Arneil v Stevie Waters.
Fantastic to see these two mates playing at this stage of the championship. This is where the stats mean absolutely nothing. Jamie with a fantastic 87 average but loses out to Geordie who only averages 61, mind blowing but true.
Geoff Howland v Jamie Skillan
Unfortunately its one step too far for the speed thrower Jamie as he bows out 4-0 to the man-of-the-moment so far this year, Geoff. Jamie averages 50, Geoff averages 73.
FINAL:
STEVIE WATERS v GEOFF HOWLAND.
Finals are sometimes a disappointment but not this one. The averages as I've said before mean nothing, Geoff 68 and Geordie 67, but that doesn't tell the story as this had everything you want in a final the match, turned one way and then the other. Both players missing doubles to take a two leg lead as there was never more than one leg in it. We went all the way to the wire in the nineth and deciding leg. Geoff showing why he is one of the best on the island by taking the Bar Logo Northern Championships 5-4.
Thanks to Mike Jelski , Liamog Murphy and all the crew at Bar Logo for making us all welcome and being fantastic hosts. Tony Lloyd-Davies for his fantastic pictures. Martin Timoney who on a personal point, I am indebted to you sir. Tank as he's known very kindly gave us one of his paintings to auction off for the Isle of man Darts Academy and thanks to the great auction by Mike he helped raise ?100.
Photo - The winner, Geoff Howland.
