Anderson retains Airdrie darts championship title

Jul 7 2010 by Judith Tonner, Airdrie & Coatbridge

GRAHAM Anderson successfully retained his Mortons Rolls Airdrie and District darts singles championship.

He lifted the trophy for a third time after beating Coatbridge player Jimmy McCreadie by four legs to two in last Monday’s final.

The defending champion had seen off a “who’s who of Scottish darts” to reach the showpiece decider for the chance to defend his crown.

Anderson defeated nine-time local champion Derek Cunningham 3-0 in the last 16 thanks to a performance including four maximums and a 15-dart finish in the deciding leg.

He then continued his impressive and ultimately successful defence, progressing through a tough draw to beat Ernie Brown in the semi-finals.

McCreadie was also a worthy finalist, making his mark on his debut by eliminating player of the year Wullie Stallard and Armadale champion Mick Burke en route to the big match.

He took the first leg in 16 darts, only for the defending champion to level; the challenger then tested his opponent and stormed ahead again to lead 2-1 with a 15-dart win.

Anderson once again came from behind, however, and arrowed in on victory in three successive legs with 16, 21 and 17 darts to secure a hat-trick of titles.

Tournament secretary Gordon Hunter said: “The win was most deserved as Graham had thrown exceptional darts all the way through, and maybe was not even at his best in the final.

“2010 was the 49th annual running of this competition – and we are already looking forward to the golden jubilee of the event next year.”

Trophies galore were awarded at the grand finals night, with Wullie Stallard winning the inaugural player of the year championship.

He triumphed 2-0 in the decider over Gerry Brown, with both players having remained unbeaten in the first half of the season.

Fourways duo Gordon Watterson and Ernie Brown claimed the doubles title with a 3-1 win over Stallard and Paul McGinley.

Watterson produced the best darts of what was a disappointing match, but playing partner Ernie Brown had shone in their semi-final victory over Ian Gibb and Gerry Brown and their last-eight triumph against Davie Cunningham and Alan Andrews.

Fourways provided four of the six sides reaching the various team finals, but the league champions had to settle for just one trophy.

They were up against Workmens B in the six-man team decider, which was a finely-poised game and remained level after the singles at three legs apiece.

However, a clean sweep in the doubles saw Workmens emerge triumphant, with Gerry Brown, Davie Cunningham, Ian and Scott Gibb, John Hunter and Cammy Reynolds taking the silverware back to Broomknoll Street.

The four-man event went to a tiebreak between the same two teams, in which Workmens were again the winners.

Andrews, Cunningham, Gerry Brown and Scott Gibb prevailed 5-4 against Fourways opponents Graham Anderson, Derek Cunningham, Jim McGeary and Frank Quinn.

However, the league champions fared better in the three-man final where they took on their own club’s B team, with the A line-up of Ernie Brown, Gary Swan and Stu Tinto winning 2-0.

The best leg of the night came from Rab Townsend with a 13-dart finish, while the best checkout was Gordon Hunter’s 140.

Meanwhile, the Mortons Rolls summer league begins on Monday; all teams are welcome to participate and further details can be obtained by calling 07841 269108.

Grand finals night results:

Mortons Rolls Airdrie and District singles championship – final: Graham Anderson 4 Jimmy McCreadie 2; semi-finals: Graham Anderson 3 Ernie Brown 2, Jimmy McCreadie 3 Mick Burke 2; quarter-finals: Jimmy McCreadie 2 Stu Tinto 1, Matt Burke 3 Ian Gibb 2, Graham Anderson 3 Rab Townsend 1, Ernie Brown 3 Jim Walker 0; last 16: Stu Tinto 3 Tam Ferguson 0, Jimmy McCreadie 3 Wullie Stallard 1, Mick Burke 3 Sammy McCudden 0; Ian Gibb 3 Davie Cunningham 1, Graham Anderson 3 Derek Cunningham 0, Rab Townsend 3 Tam Meechan 0, Jin Walker 3 Gordon Hunter 2, Ernie Brown 3 John Bennett 1.

Doubles championship – final: Gordon Watterson & Ernie Brown 3 Wullie Stallard & Paul McGinley 1; semi-finals: Gordon Watterson & Ernie Brown 3 Gerry Brown & Ian Gibb 2, Wullie Stallard & Paul McGinley 3 Scott Whitefield and Stephen McGeough 0; quarter-finals: Gordon Watterson & Ernie Brown 3 Davie Cunningham and Alan Andrews 2, Gerry Brown & Ian Gibb 3 Jim McGeary & Rab Townsend 1, Scott Whitefield & Stephen McGeough 3 Davie Gemmill & Jake Grant 0, Wullie Stallard & Paul McGinley 3 Graham Anderson & Derek Cunningham 2.

Team finals – six players: Workmens B 6 Fourways 3; four players: Workmens B 5 Fourways 4; three players: Fourways 2 Fourways B 0.