Queensland wins darts shootout in Teams Championship

It had been a long time coming for the Queensland Ladies State Team when they finally found a winning combination that was good enough to win the Australian Teams Championships playing darts at the Royal Hobart Showground's in Hobart in 2007. That was the first time they had won the Team titles since 1987. They have often placed second in recent years but in 2007 they were able to defeat their nemesis in Western Australia. Western Australia gained revenge in 2008 winning the title for the twentieth time. After holding the title for one year they were disappointed not to retain the title, but they strived hard to win the title back again in 2009. There is plenty of strength and depth in their darts in Queensland.

Western Australia Men showed their dominance of this event over the past few years to win their sixth title in a row. They had a close match with Queensland in round six but in the remaining rounds they showed how powerful darts is in the west. Playing darts at the Redlands Multi Sports Complex in the 30th Australian Darts Championships the Western Australian Men's Team won this event for the twenty seventh time since 1964.

Ladies
Round five started this morning with Queensland in a dominant situation, the only Team undefeated. Victoria and Western Australia were still in contention with just one loss. How quickly things can change. By the end of this round all of the above was just history. Western Australia came out with all darts firing and demolished their opposition 11 - 0 and their opponents were Australian Capital Territory. Victoria has been throwing brilliant darts all week and were quietly sneaking through this event after suffering the first round loss to Tasmania. They played Queensland this round and by the finish of this round Victoria was equal favourites, winning a great contest between the two states 6 - 5. South Australia was back in the winner's circle this time defeating New South Wales 6 - 5. Tasmania came up with their third win after defeating the Northern Territory 8 - 3. Three Teams were left in contention with them all suffering one loss.

After the big win in round five all Western Australia required was to win the last two rounds and the title maybe theirs again. Unfortunately for Western Australia, that was not to be as Queensland (pictured right) managed the win against them in a great contest 6 - 5. WA's chances at retaining the title were virtually extinguished. Tasmania had its second win for the day with a strong victory over Australian Capital Territory 11 - 0. Victoria won its fifth round with a victory over the South Australia 7 - 4 while New South Wales again had another good win 7 - 4 this time over the Northern Territory.

The final round saw a great battle to the end of this event. Queensland and Victoria headed into this round having to win, win big and hope that the other Team was just off their game a little. Just two legs of darts were separating them. Victoria played the Northern Territory and did the best they could to win 10 - 1. Western Australia gave South Australia a bit of a work over to win 8 - 3 and place third, losing the title they have won so many times in the past. I'm sure they will be back next year fighting desperately to win the title back. Just not their year in 09. Tasmania has a number of very experienced players in their team and this showed with their fifth victory in this round over New South Wales 7 - 4. With Victoria winning ten legs in their match Queensland had to win eight to win the title. Unfortunately for Australian Capital Territory, Queensland managed to win all eleven legs on offer to give no chance to Victoria and to win back the title they lost last year. Congratulations Queensland - 2009 Australian Ladies Darts Teams Champions.

The Queensland Team Captained by Karen Finlayson played great darts to complete the seven round competition over the past two with just the one loss. Playing for Queensland (pictured left) were Pam Burr, Chrissy Sheerin, Anita Tapau, Peta Randell, Peta Whitlock, Cathy Shaw, Kyle Henningsen and Kerry Crowdey (Manager Rosemary McLeod).

Captain Finlayson said, "Last year was disappointing and we came determined to win the Teams trophy back. Victoria stopped us in our tracks for a short period today but that made the players re-focus. They are a great Team full of Queensland pride. My debut as Queensland Ladies Captain was an absolute delight. My happy band of ladies gave me 110% and did our state proud."

Queensland Ladies have once again done up proud. All put in a top effort. Well done" said Manager Rosemary McLeod.

The Victorian Team, Captained by Geraldine Hutchinson played great darts but after an early loss reestablished their form to produce another title hunt. They will be back again next year as strong as ever chasing this title they so dearly treasure after going so close this year. Playing for Victoria (pictured right) were Janine Cassar, Joanne Hadley, Carol Forwood, Sue Tuhi, Melissa Sinnott, Karen Roberts and Simone Devereux (Manager Lorraine Kunz). Their Captain said, "After losing the first match 6 -5 to Tasmania we recovered magnificently. They have fought side by side to just miss out on their ultimate goal. As Captain I could not have asked more of this group of players. Their support for each other cannot be surpassed. They are a credit to themselves and Victoria."

Western Australia Darts Teams Champions Again

Men

The men's competition started the day with the defending title holders in a commanding position. They along with Queensland were the only undefeated teams but all the other Teams were ready to give them a fight if they wanted the title. In this round the Western Australian's kept their record in tact with another strong showing. This time it was Australian Capital Territory to be inflicted with a hammering to the tune of 9 - 2. Victoria was on a bit of a roller coaster ride through this event but in round five they came up against Queensland and were smashed 10 - 1.
New South Wales, a much improved side on last year's defeated South Australia 7 - 4 for their third win. The Northern Territory won their first match 7 - 4 when they defeated Tasmania.

Western Australia or Queensland still had to win the final two rounds to win the title. This was the clinching round as they faced up against each other. This was the match of the event and went right down to the wire with WA winning it 6 - 5. Victoria and South Australia also had a thrilling match with Victoria winning its third round 6 - 5. This was South Australia's third 6 - 5 loss. Tasmania finally found some form to win its first match when it defeated the Australian Capital Territory 7 - 4. New South Wales continued on with its best form for the event to defeat the Northern Territory 7 - 4.

The final round saw some big wins. Those that had to win did making the last round a little one sided in each match. Queensland was smarting by now as they were very disappointed with the result in the previous round and took revenge on the Australian Capital Territory 9 - 2. Victoria defeated the Northern Territory 8 - 3 for their fourth win, Tasmania surprisingly defeated New South Wales 7 - 4 to gain some respect back. Western Australia (pictured right) put away South Australia to the tune of a score line of 9 - 2 the give then the title once again - 2009 Australian Men's Teams Darts Champions.

Captain Henry Forman said, "As Western Australian Team Captain I am very proud and privileged to be with a Champion side. We like to show the respect our opponents deserve, we believe in each other and as a team, we play for each other and most importantly we believe we can win. That's been our motto for some time. I have great respect for all of these guys as a team and that is all eight players."

Over the years Western Australia have had many very talented teams and this year is no exception, made up from a combination of some out-and-out Champions, some youth and a blend of some relatively fresh talent that they establish over the past few years. This year's team consisting of Lindsay Haji Ali, Neil Hembrow, Kim Lewis, Kerry Whear, Beau Anderson, Kyle Anderson, Justin Miles and Damon Heta. (Bob Grayson - Manager)

"I am very pleased by the effort put in and what was achieved by the Team this year. They gave everything but we came up a fraction short. Congratulations to Western Australia," said Barry McLeod, Team Captain of Queensland.

Representing Queensland were players, Rob Modra, Geoff Kime, Josh Kime, Lindsay Wells, Stuart Leach, John Weber, Dave Marshall and Owen McArthur. Rob Gunn - Manager (pictured above)

Australian Teams Darts Championship Results:

LADIES
Round One: TAS 6 - VIC 5, SA 11 - ACT 0, QLD 10 - NT 1, WA 7 - NSW 4
Round Two: QLD 8 - TAS 3, VIC 6 - WA 5, SA 9 - NT 2, NSW 6 - ACT 5
Round Three: TAS 7 - SA 4, VIC 10 - ACT 1, WA 10 - NT 1, QLD 8 - NSW 3
Round Four: ACT 8 - NT 3, VIC 8 - NSW 3, QLD 7 - SA 4, WA 7 - TAS 4
Round Five: TAS 8 - NT 3, SA 6 - NSW 5, VIC 6 - QLD 5, WA 11 - ACT 0
Round Six: NSW 7 - NT 4, TAS 11 - ACT 0, VIC 7 - SA 4, QLD 6 - WA 5
Round Seven: WA 8 - SA 3, VIC 10 - NT 1, TAS 7 - NSW 4, QLD 11 - ACT 0

Final Points:
Ladies: 1st: QLD 12 - 55, 2nd: VIC 12 - 52, 3rd: WA 10 - 53, 4th: TAS 10 - 46, 5th: SA 6 - 41, 6th: NSW 4 - 32, 7th: ACT 2 - 14, 8th: NT 0 - 15

MEN
Round One: VIC 9 - TAS 2, ACT 6 - SA 5, QLD 7 - NT 4, WA 9 - NSW 2
Round Two: QLD 9 - TAS 2, WA 7 - VIC 4, SA 9 - NT 2, NSW 7 - ACT 4
Round Three: SA 11 - TAS 0, VIC 7 - ACT 4, WA 9 - NT 2, QLD 6 - NSW 5
Round Four: ACT 6 - NT 5, NSW 7 - VIC 4, QLD 6 - SA 5, WA 10 - TAS 1
Round Five: NT 7 - TAS 4, NSW 7 - SA 4, QLD 10 - VIC 1, WA 9 - ACT 2
Round Six: NSW 7 - NT 4, TAS 7 - ACT 4, VIC 6 - SA 5, WA 6 - QLD 5
Round Seven: WA 9 - SA 2, VIC 8 - NT 3, TAS 7 - NSW 4, QLD 9 - ACT 2

Final Points:
Men: 1st: WA 14 - 59, 2nd: QLD 12 - 52, =3rd: NSW 8 - 39, =3rd: VIC 8 - 39, 5th: SA 4 - 41, 6th: ACT 4 - 28, 7th: TAS 4 - 23 8th::NT 2 - 27.

Competition at the 30th Formula Australian Darts Championships continues tomorrow at the Redlands Multi Sports Complex starting at 10.30am with the Australian Singles.