Powell and Kennedy produce a great match
Damien Maher
The final round of the North Westmeath Darts league took place on Friday night, March 24.
Leaders Clarke’s ‘A’ were on the road for their final round match and met Grennan’s of Milltownpass in what was an interesting joust.
First up Ian Kennedy took on Dylan Powell and for four games, gave as good as he got. But the fifth leg saw Powell produce a special effort and after 100, 140 and 180, he was on double tops with 12 darts thrown. He didn’t hang around and Clarke’s had the ideal start.
But wins for Fergus Brennan and JP Moran got the home side back into the match and turned it in their favour for a time. Ger Whelehan had Ali Powell in a tight corner at 2-1, but Powell’s experience showed as he took the next before winning the final leg to level the match.
That was the crucial moment, really. The final two games of the night went to Keith Powell and John Corr as the Mullingar side maintained their five-point lead at the top (33 points).
Grennan’s lost nothing in defeat.
Elsewhere, there was a 4-2 win for Shamrocks, Mullingar against Bagnall’s of Rochfortbridge, a result that keeps them in second place on 28 points.
SEMI-FINALS
Grennan’s are third on 22 points and The Wagon Wheel (Ballynacargy) are fourth on 19.
The Bridge Bar, Mullingar and The Wagon Wheel played out a 3-3 draw last Friday, while Clarke’s ‘B’ beat the Western Gem, 4-2, following some superb darts from Terry Kelly.
Clarke’s ‘B’ ended the campaign on 17 points, two off the semi-final spot; The Bridge Bar are on 14. Bagnall’s, McHugh’s (Raharney) and The Western Gem make up the other places.
That means a semi-final line-up as follows on April 14: The Wagon Wheel vs Clarke’s ‘A’; Grennan’s vs Shamrocks.
While it seems like Clarke’s ‘A’ and Shamrocks should make it an all-Mullingar decider, the other two sides will certainly provide stern tests. Grennan’s certainly look well capable of punishing any errors on the part of Shamrocks, while The Wagon Wheel have plenty of experience. Both will relish the underdog’s tag.
The first night will obviously be crucial and both The Wagon Wheel and Grennan’s will be trying to get legs on the board for the second and deciding encounter.
The semi-finals are the best of 13 legs.
Meanwhile, the bottom sides will compete in a shield competition which will be played on April 14. The doubles competition is confirmed for Sunday, April 16 in Bagnall’s, while the cup competition is in McHugh’s on April 30.