Slemish move mountains with cup success

SLEMISH Tavern's return to the competitive darts arena has had an almost immediate impact.

The Broughshane side, back in the Ballymena, Harryville and District Darts League this season, clinched the Fountain Cup, as the first two pieces of silverware were decided on Friday night.

Slemish overcame Ladysmith to win the trophy, while Drifters saw off BT/PO to win the Charity Cup – the annual season curtain-raiser ahead of the start of the league campaign this Friday night.

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The best individual leg this week was a 15-darter from Drfiters' John Elder, followed by: 16 - Mike Stubbs; 17 - Noel Kidd, Brian Elder; 18 - Mike Stubbs, Geoff Wylie, Rodney White x 2, Davy McFall; 19 - Steven McIlroy, Darnell McCrory, Brian Elder, Tommy Wallace, Davy Martin; 20 - Darnell McCrory; 21 - Shane Carlin, Rodney Cubitt x 2, Billy Gay, Davy McFall.

Glenn Gilmour (BT/PO) had the best finish with 111, while Shane Carlin (Greenhills) had a 104 checkout.

Joe Kidd (Slemish) x 2, Billy Gay (BT) and John Elder (Drifters) all hit 180s.

CHARITY CUP

Drifters and BT/PO showed once again that they will be the two major forces as they stormed their way to the final without dropping a match.

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In the first semi-final, Drifters beat Towers Tavern 5-0, with wins for Darnell McCrory (20-25) 2-0, John Elder (15-23) 180 2-0, Rodney White (18) 180 2-0, Davy McFall (18-21) 2-0 and Davy Martin (19-24) 2-0.

The second semi-final saw BT/PO Club beat Fountain Bar by the same score with wins for Gary Gilmour 2-1, Geoff McIlveen 2-1, Wul Crawford 2-1, Tommy Wallace (19) 2-1 and Billy Gay (21) 180 2-0.

The final was an altogether closer affair, with Drifters finally shading it in the deciding ninth game.

Wins for Drifters came from Brian Elder (19-17) 2-0, Davy Martin 2-0, Rodney White (18) 2-1, John Elder 2-0 & Geoff Wylie (18) 2-0, while Tommy Wallace 120 finish 2-1, Mike Stubbs (18-16) 2-0, Billy Gay 2-0 & Glenn Gilmour 111 finish 2-1 were BT/PO's successful players.

FOUNTAIN CUP

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Ladysmith, Slemish Tavern, Greenhills and Knockeden Lodge were the sides vying for glory in the Fountain Cup, a subsidiary competition for teams knocked out in the early rounds of the Charity Cup.

Ladysmith beat Knockeden Lodge 5-2 in a close semi-finals with wins from Rodney Cubitt (21-21) 2-0, Matt Calderwood 2-0, Derek Connor 2-0, Lee Fleming 2-0 and Gareth Lowry 2-1, wins for Knockeden coming from Shane Johnston 2-1 and Charlie Magill 2-0.

Semi-final number two saw Slemish Tavern beat Greenhills Bar 5-2 with wins from Aide Graham 2-1, Willie McBurney 2-1, Roy Scott 2-1, George Barr 2-0 and Joe Kidd 180 2-1. Greenhills' winners were Shane Carlin (21) 104 finish 2-1 and Steven McIlroy (19-23) 2-0.

The final was well contested but Slemish were simply better on the doubles as they completed a 5-2 victory.

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Wins for Slemish came from Roy Scott 2-1, George Barr (22) 2-0, Chris Ramsey 2-1, Dean Calderwood 2-1 & Noel Kidd 2-0, wins for Ladysmith Davy Wilson 2-0 and Matt Calderwood 2-1.

FIXTURES

This Friday evening, September 24, sees the start of the league campaigns with the following fixtures:

Gallaher Division One: Greenhills Bar v Drifters; BT/PO Club v Diamond Bar; Fountain Bar v Clough Rangers; Social Club v Towers Tavern.

Logan’s Removals Division Two: Slemish Tavern v Horse & Jockey; Coach Bar v Central Arms; Michelin Club v Buffs Club; Knockeden Lodge v Moat Bar; Central Swifts v Minnesota Club.

LEAGUE NEWS

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l All teams should now have Registration sheets which have to be handed in at the next meeting along with all Registration Fees and Charity Money. Any other outstanding monies owed also have to be paid.

l Fountain Arrows and Ladysmith have rearranged their match for Thursday, September 23.

l Best wishes are extended from the league's players and officials to Sandra Gilmore (Buffs Club) for a speedy recovery, following a spell in hospital.

l Best wishes and congratulations are also extended to Billy McDowell (Towers Tavern) who celebrated his 40th birthday recently.

The next meeting of the BHDDL will be held on Monday, October 4, at 8.25pm in the BT/PO Club.