Derbyshire’s darts scene is buzzing with activity and success! This comprehensive report covers the upcoming county season, highlights local tournament champions, and celebrates inspiring youth achievements. Lorraine Farlam secured multiple singles titles, while Dee Fenn & Tracey Johnson alongside Alan Evans & Steve Roberts are heading to the prestigious Lakeside finals in pairs. Amber Valley dominated the Men’s Super League, and Heanor claimed the Ladies’ title in a thrilling finish. The future looks incredibly bright with young talents like Laura Tye, the unbeaten Derbyshire Youth Player of the Year and Winmau World Champion, and 8-year-old Heather Thompson making significant waves. Plus, mark your calendars for exciting upcoming charity and open competitions!
The County Season Kicks Off: Derbyshire Darts Hits the Road
The new county darts season is just around the corner, and Derbyshire Darts is preparing for an exciting journey in Division Two. Our first away game will be against newly promoted Oxfordshire, setting the stage for a challenging but rewarding season.
Derbyshire’s travel schedule includes further away fixtures against Cleveland, Northumberland, and Cumbria. Home fans can look forward to cheering on the team against Somerset, Merseyside, Berkshire, Norfolk, and Co. Durham.
Local Legends Crowned: Gold Cup and Super League Champions
Gold Cup Singles & Pairs: Lakeside Dreams Come True
The intense play-offs for this year’s Gold Cup Singles saw some fantastic darts action:
- Ladies’ Singles Champion: Lorraine Farlam, who triumphed over Jo Oldershaw in a closely contested final.
- Men’s Singles Champion: Chris Lacey, who beat Carl Hatton.
The Pairs competitions were equally thrilling, with some players earning a coveted spot at the Lakeside finals:
- Ladies’ Pairs Qualifiers for Lakeside: Dee Fenn and Tracey Johnson. They secured their spot after a gripping final against Lorraine Farlam and Jane Densley, where Lorraine narrowly missed a 170 finish.
- Men’s Pairs Qualifiers for Lakeside: Alan Evans and Steve Roberts, who defeated Terry Birch and Daz Hadfield.
Super League Singles: Individual Brilliance Shines
The Super League Singles competitions also showcased top talent:
- Ladies’ Super League Singles Champion: Lorraine Farlam, adding another title to her impressive year.
- Men’s Super League Singles Champion: Gary Fenn.
- Remo Tintin Men’s Singles Champion: Gary Fenn, who overcame Paul S. Redfern.
- Ladies’ Singles Champion: Caroline Buckley, beating Dee Fenn.
While turnouts for some events were lower this year, the spirit of competition remained high, and organisers hope for even greater participation next season.
Super League Showdowns: Amber Valley Dominates, Heanor Triumphs
Men’s Super League: Amber Valley’s Unstoppable Reign
For yet another year, Amber Valley has been crowned champions of the Men’s Super League, demonstrating unparalleled consistency by losing only one of their 14 games. Their exceptional form sets a high bar for the upcoming Champions Cup.
Key statistics highlight Amber Valley’s dominance:
- Best Team Average: Amber Valley, with an outstanding 25.652.
- Best Individual Average of the Year: Terry Birch (Amber Valley), achieving an impressive 33.40.
- Most 180s: Garry Bennett (Amber Valley), hitting 11 maximums.
- Highest Finish (Joint): Colin Osborne (Hatton) and Chris Lacey (Staverley), both achieving a remarkable 160 checkout.
Individual standout performances:
- Top Super League Averages: Colin Osborne (Hatton), with 28.056.
- Most Tons per Leg: Colin Osborne (Hatton), averaging 1.808 tons per leg.
- Undefeated Season: Gary Bennett and Neil Birkin (both Amber Valley), winning all 12 of their games.
Ladies’ Super League: Heanor Secures the Title
The Ladies’ Super League went down to the wire, with the championship decided in the final game of the season. Heanor emerged victorious, beating Chesterfield to claim the top spot.
Join the Super League!
For anyone interested in playing Super League darts, either men’s or women’s, several teams are actively looking for new players. It’s a fantastic opportunity to compete and be part of a vibrant darts community.
Nurturing Tomorrow’s Darts Stars: Derbyshire Youth Achievements
Northern Youth Team: Four-Time Champions
A huge congratulations to the Northern Youth team, who clinched the Youth Friendship Trophy for the fourth consecutive year! This year’s competition, held in Scotland, was a resounding success, showcasing great darts and fostering camaraderie.
Derbyshire Youth Awards: A Glimpse into the Future
The Derbyshire youth presentation night celebrated the region’s most promising young talents. Here are the standout award winners:
- Under 12 Player of the Year: Russell Mason. In his first year as an Under 21 player, Russell demonstrated incredible potential, picking up five out of seven match awards.
- Under 18 Player of the Year: Jamie Venning, who has become a consistent and valuable member of the team.
- Under 21 Ladies’ Player of the Year: Heather Thompson. Remarkably, Heather is just eight years old and in her debut season with the youth team! She won three of her six games and achieved the highest ladies’ shot out twice with a 65. Both Barry Smith, who runs the youth and Northern Youth teams, and the wider darts community have high hopes for Heather and her 10-year-old brother, James.
The most coveted award, the Derbyshire Youth Player of the Year, went to the phenomenal Laura Tye.
Laura has had an extraordinary year, marked by a string of impressive achievements:
- Unbeaten all season, showcasing remarkable consistency and skill.
- Won her game in the Men’s Under 21 competition, a testament to her versatile talent.
- Received numerous match awards throughout the year.
- Holds the prestigious title of County Winmau World Champion.
- Qualified for this year’s British Teenage Open finals by winning Derbyshire’s play-offs, where she brilliantly competed against and defeated all the boys.
Laura Tye’s dedication and success truly make her a shining example for aspiring young darts players.
Get Involved: Upcoming Competitions for a Cause
Charity Singles Competition in Ashbourne
Join us for a fantastic cause! Dawn Routledge has organised a Charity Singles competition in Ashbourne on Friday, September 1st.
- Venue: The Empire Ballroom, near Sainsburys, Ashbourne.
- Time: Doors open at 7:00 PM, draw at 7:30 PM.
- Entry Fee: Only £3.
- First Prize: A guaranteed £100, thanks to a generous donation from S.D.S. Wager Ltd.
- Supporting: Baby units at the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary and the Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham.
Your support for this event will make a real difference to these vital baby units.
The Derby Open
Don’t miss the Derby Open on August 6th at The Venue, Abbey Street, Derby. You can enter on the day, with a minimum of £200 guaranteed for the winner.
For more details on this competition and all other Derbyshire darts events, stay tuned to local announcements.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
