Big two prove they’ll be hard to dislodge

Nov 5 2008 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

THE opening fixtures of the Airdrie and District Darts League took place this week with last season’s top two firing out an early title warning shot.

Joint champions Fourways travelled to the Boar’s Head looking to up the ante after their performance in the Shield finals.

In the end, it was a comfortable evening for them as 15-dart wins from Jim McGeary and Derek Cunningham and a 17-dart success by Mick Burke helped Fourways to a 10-2 victory.

Graham Anderson showed his display last week was only a blip by rattling in a 120 checkout.

Fellow title holders, Workmen’s B, were also on the road and headed to Plains to tackle The Stables.

There was no upset here either with Davy Cunningham’s 19-dart win and a maximum from Scott Gibb the highlights in a 9-3 triumph.

Coatbridge new boys, The Forge, got off to a flying start by defeating The C Team 10-2.

Davie Mooney and Jim McCreadie racked up a 17-dart win in the doubles with Mooney managing a 20-dart success in the singles competition as well.

Maximums from Jimmy Hughes, Gavin Crawley and Archie Grant capped a great debut for the newcomers.

The Lounge also made an impressive start to the campaign by seeing off Cue Here 8-4. The match’s top performer was Jim Ross with an 18-dart win although young George McGuinness kept his name in the headlines with a 107 checkout.

On paper, the game of the night was at Whiskey Joe’s where they played host to Clarkston Miners’ Club.

Clarkston stalwart Archie Hotchkiss was considering retirement at the end of last season but a 14-dart victory showed he is still a star on the oche.

This was a competitive match with Tam Walker snr winning in 19 darts and Davie Anderson’s 180 keeping the contest on edge.

But a better display in the doubles saw Clarkston finish strongly and record an 8-4 success.

Results: Fourways 10 Boar’s Head 2; Workmens B 9 Stables 3; Forge 10 The C Team 2; Lounge 8 Cue Here 4; Whiskey Joe’s 4 Clarkston 8.

Fixtures for Monday, November 10: Clansman v Fourways, Lounge v Stables, Whiskey Joe’s v Workmens B, The C Team v Cue Here, Clarkston v Workmens A, Swan v Forge.

l ENTRIES are pouring in for the Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser Trophy which will be held in the Workmen’s Club on Sunday, November 16.

Supported by Raymond Logan Mortgage and Property Services, the competition has prize money and trophies at stake.

Entries can be made at the Workmen’s or by contacting promoter Gordon Hunter on 07841 269108.