Final Dart’s Report 2023
2023 Summer Competition Final Wrap: ‘So close, yet so Far’
A Grade: After finishing Minor Premiers and full of confidence, it seemed the sky was the limit for The A
Grade but unfortunately lady luck was not on our side. With 4 of the squad unable to play due to various reasons, the boys still managed to put on a show in one of the great semi finals of the series against 2nd placed Grizzlies going down in the last singles match, in the final best of 3 legs to get pipped 8-7 and miss initial GF spot.
So on to the 2nd semi against 4th placed Gators who were on the rise after knocking out 3rd placed Humble Birds. After trailing 5-4 in a tough doubles battle, Jacko Fennell and Big Dell were outstanding in their singles matches to nudge back in front 6-5. But the guys just couldn’t find their usual mojo and sadly fell short in the next 3 singles matches, with The Gators taking the match 8-6 to clinch their spot in the GF and ending our campaign in dis-belief.
So for a year that promised so much hope, it was an extremely disappointing way to bow out. However well done to Captain Tommy and the boys who can still hold their heads high, as they cannot be denied The Minor Premiership (a first for the club) and they finished No.1 for the overall season’s best team average of (50.6)! Awesome job boys! And special mention also to Dell Crockart for capping off a brilliant year personally, with 106 (+100) visits, 2nd place for most singles legs won (77%) and 4th in the associations individual averages with (58.75) !! Thank god he doesn’t play like his beloved Manly Sea Eagles! Finally congratulations though must go to John Butcher’s Grizzlies who defied all odds, in what proved to be an epic GF against The Gators, by coming back from a 7-4 deficit to win the remaining 4 singles games to claim their 1st ever A Grade title 8-7 (same score they beat us by) to cap off a brilliant season – well done to The Grizzlies!
B Grade: After sensationally trouncing B Grade Minor Premiers Nth Ryde RSL 7-3 in the major semi final, the Tigers booked themselves a spot in the Grand Final against reigning premiers Gary Owen Hotel.
Played at Burwood RSL and lead by the Cowmeadow brothers Matt and Rob, the boys however just couldn’t emulate their previous week’s achievement. Despite some impressive individual efforts from Matt (50.27 match average) & Ryan Bissett singles victory over B Grade’s number 1 player Andrew Nicholls, the Gary Owen team just proved too strong on the night and took the title with a 7-2 victory and back to back titles.
What a fantastic season though to make the GF and take 2nd prize – gutsy effort guys and hats off to young Ryan Bissett with 70 (+100) visits to the board in the season!
That’s it for 2023 but onwards an upwards next year and from both the A & B grade teams we wish you and your families, all a very Merry Xmas & Happy 2024.
Moon (Warwick) – NRGC Darts Manager