Regional final’s day had arrived at (Riley’s Edinburgh), on the 25th of May players from all over Scotland had earned there place at regional finals to compete for there national finals place at Sheffield on the 24th of November.
Presentation and group draw had been done with pub Champion Alex Tweedy in group 1, he showed no hesitation taking maximum points winning all games 2-0 2-0 2-0 in the group and topping the table with no legs against the Paraffin Lamp Champion.
Jim Copeland also from the Paraffin Lamp showing great performance through-out the day only losing out to Champion Alex Tweedy Jim finished as runner up in group 1.
Group 1 other competitors were Riley’s Edinburgh David Daly and also Paraffin Lamp Rab Dougal showing very little form and not making the top 2 today it was not meant to be there day.
Group 2 Was the group of Death with Champions Tam Park and Ryan Murray being drawn in the same group also last season’s qualifier Scott Parry being paired with the Champions it was going to be a tough group.
Up first was Champion Tam Park against pub qualifier Chris Gray , Chris fought for his place in the weekly season 2 challenges, On the day Chris showed fantastic darts against the Champion with a great start to the day with a 1-0 up over the Champion, Tam showed no fear and bounced straight back to go 1-1 but Chris had the last laugh with a great 15 dart leg to get the 2-1 win over the champion.
Ryan Murray last year’s National finalist was back to compete to try and earn his place again was up against season 1 qualifier Scott Parry, Ryan took the first leg in a steady 17 darts leg Scott was on form and found another gear to go 1-1 Champion Ryan showed great form with a 180 in the decider and taking the 2-1 win.
It did not stop there with the two Champions up against each other with Champion Ryan straight out the blocks with a 16 and 17 dart legs to win 2-0 Champion Tam Park was looking for Scott to get the win over inform Chris to Keep him in with a shout but Chris’s excellent performance took out Scott with a 2-0 victory to take Chris into 2nd place of the table and put Champion Tam out of the top two qualifier of the group stages.
Finally a win for Champion Tam Park over Scott 2-0 with the final match of the group stages underway saw Champion Ryan Take out Chris with 2-0 win to top the group B and Chris Gray runner up.
Qualifiers for Sheffield and Semi Finalist game were Paraffin Lamp Champion Alex Tweedy versus Riley’s Edinburgh Chris Gray in the first semi final and Riley’s Edinburgh Champion Ryan versus Groups A runner up Paraffin Lamp Jim Copeland in the 2nd semi final.
Alex winning the bull to go first and only 6 darts into the first leg Champion Alex scored a maximum 180 and winning the first leg not a problem for the inform Riley’s Chris Gray who bounced right back which saw the Champion 2-1 down Chris missing 6 darts to go 3-1 up on the champion ,Alex checked out 112 under the pressure the champ showed why he’s champ pulling off a great finishing performance hitting a 18 and 15 dart legs to seal the deal put Alex into the final with a 4-2 victory over Chris.
Second semi of the day Saw Champion Ryan play runner up Jim Copeland from the paraffin Lamp, Jim wins the bull to kick off the semi final but not an issue for Champion Ryan who breaks through and goes on to a great lead of 3-0 with heavy scoring Jim does not stop and gets a leg on the board Ryan wins the last leg with a cool 16 darts to see him into the final with a 4-1 victory over Jim.
Paraffin Lamp’s Champion for two seasons Alex Tweedy was up against Riley’s Champion Ryan Murray in the final which had both parties spectators on the edge of there seats with both players playing well all day Alex was up for the bull first hitting the outer bull (25)Ryan throwing just outside the outer (25)the game was underway. Ryan with no hesitations wins the leg in 17 darts against the throw of play.
Champion Alex shows why he is in the final punishing Ryan with A maximum (180) after Ryan starting poor in the second leg but 6 darts later Champion Ryan goes back into the lead hitting a maximum (180) in the same leg Ryan going onto win the leg in 18 darts.
Champion Alex still fighting hard with some steady scoring from both Champions in a fantastic third leg from both players Alex missing double’s Ryan steals the leg in 16 darts.
Champion Ryan heavy score’s in the forth leg with back to back 140’s and a 100 takes Champion Ryan 4-0 up with a great 14 darts leg to take his tally to 4-0 up.
Paraffin Lamp’s Champ feels no defeat as he starts the fifth and final leg with a good 100 Ryan starts 100 to keep the leg tied Alex scores only 45 Ryan Punishing Alex once again with some heavy scoring which sees Champion Ryan seal the match off with a steady 16 darts leg to seal the game set and match 5 legs to nil Ryan finishing off the day with a nice 30.92 average Alex falling at the last hurdle finishing off with a 24.78 Riley’s once again sees Champion Ryan become the second Regional final Champion Joining season 1 Champion Paul Burrows at National Finals.
National Final Qualifiers:
- Winner: Ryan Murray (Riley’s Edinburgh)
- Runner Up: Alex Tweedy (Paraffin Lamp Edinburgh)
- Semi Finalist: Jim Copeland (Paraffin Lamp Edinburgh)
- Semi Finalist: Chris Gray (Riley’s Edinburgh)
