Runner Up John Robert Scott, Ladies winner Iris Anderson,Winner Arnold Brown, Ladies Runner Up Jackie Black

Saturday saw 37 players enter the final Grand Prix of the 2018/19 season which took place in the Whalsay Boating Club. The early rounds produced some very close games between the players that were looking to secure a place in this year’s Intercounty team which travels to Orkney at the end of April. As the day progressed the Quarter-finals saw three of the four matches go to a last leg decider with Willum Gray beating Clive Scott 4-3, John Robert Scott beat Roger Irvine 4-3 and Gareth MacRitchie edge past Craig smith 4-3, the remaining quarter-final saw Arnold Brown progress through to the semi finals with a 4-0 victory over Clive Burgess. The semi finals were played over the best of 9 legs and saw Arnold Brown defeat Gareth MacRitchie by 5 legs to 1 to progress through to the final where he was joined by John Robert Scott who ran out a 5-0 winner in his semi-final match against Willum Gray. The final was played over the best of 11 legs and began the players sharing the opening 2 legs before Arnold edged into the lead winning the next 4 legs to lead 5-1. John Robert reduced Arnolds advantage by winning the next 3 legs to make the score 5-4 before Arnold was first to hit the double in the next to claim a 6-4 victory and the Whalsay Boating Club shield and maximum Ranking points to move him up the ranking table and secure a place in this season’s Intercounty team.

The Full Intercounty Team will be announced on the Shetland Darts Association website following a meeting of the committee, Team Captain and automatic qualifiers on Monday night.

The Ladies competition saw 11 players enter to compete for a new trophy put up by the Whalsay Boating club, the format saw players play a round robin format on 2 boards with the top 2 players progressing through to the semi finals. After some close games throughout the days play the 2 players progressing through to the final were Iris Anderson & Jackie Black. The final was played over the best of 5 legs and saw Iris emerge a 3-1 winner to claim the new Whalsay Boating Club Shield. (Further details on the Ladies Competition to follow).

Thanks goes to the Whalsay Boating Club for hosting & sponsoring both the Mens and Ladies competitions, the barstaff and volunteers their work during the days play.

Photos to follow.......