Queensland is a force in 2012.

At St Ailbes Hall in Launceston both Queensland Youth Darts Teams performed strongly throughout the Australian Youth Fours Championship over the past two days. Both were able to hold off all challenges to finish on top with the girls team managing to win their event undefeated. Five of the eight players in the two teams were “rookie” players at junior championships – three in the boy’s ad two in the girls.

The Queensland Team (left) of Jade Whitworth, Rebecca Franks, Tiarna Smith and Kara King showed their darting style in winning the first event on the program at this year Australian Junior Darts Championships in Launceston. They were able to hold off any challenge that was put up to them winning this title for the fourth time. They completed the round robin event undefeated but it was the way they steam rolled every team that came up against them. Only Western Australia came within a slight chance of causing an upset but that was pretty remote as they could only manage to win six legs against them. All of their other victories were 9 – 3 or better so they were easy winners in the end. Queensland had won their fourth Australia Fours title, the last being back in 2009.

The battle for second place went to Western Australia (right) who suffered just the one loss, to Queensland 9 – 6. Representing Western Australia were Gillian Methven, Rebecca Penny, Kaitlan Brown and Jordan Clarke. They had strong victories over all other teams and will be one of the teams to beat on the weekend in the Teams Championship. They were defending champions having won the title for the last two years.

Third place went to Victoria losing three rounds to Western Australia 9 – 3, New South Wales 9 – 5 and Queensland 9 - 4. Two other teams in New South Wales and Tasmania also lost three rounds to finish fourth and fifth. South Australia finish sixth unfortunately they could not get a win on the board.

The better performing players in this event were Tiarna Smith from Queensland, Jordan Clarke from Western Australia, Shannon Penny from Tasmania, Fayth Munro from New South Wales, Asha Gurd from South Australia and Margaret Cooper from Victoria.

Right from the start of the Boy’s event looked like being a very close contest – and it was. Queensland Western Australia South Australia and Tasmania looked like the teams to beat. Queensland was very impressive early winning their crunch match against their main rival Western Australia 9 – 5 first up in round one. This win set them up for the rest of the event. Queensland followed that first up win with further victories over the other main challengers in Tasmania and South Australia. Playing for Queensland was Peter Schurmann, and rookies Jamie Rundle, Ben Justice and Lee Ellis. Queensland hit a hurdle first up on day two in the Victorian Team. The defending Champions were a little disappointed after day one and came out firing on day two to defeat Queensland 9 – 7. This opened up the event again giving Western Australia a chance for the title if they were able to win all remaining rounds. Queensland had to ensure they won their last round to stay in contention. After the round robin was completed both Queensland and Western Australia were tied on wins meaning a tiebreaker was required to separate the two teams to find our champions.

The tiebreaker required one player from each team to play against each in a race to win two legs of darts. Dylan Dunster would represent Western Australia and Jamie Rundle Queensland as selected by their Captains. This contest was closer than what the final score showed. Dunster wired a 120 finish only let to Rundle claim the first leg. Rundle threw brilliantly in the second leg winning in 17-darts with a 56 finish to secure the title for Queensland for the third time in the last six years.

Second place went to Western Australia. They played great darts all event, with the first round loss to Queensland their only blemish. They managed comfortable wins against all other sides. They were represented by Tyson Hoefel, Dylan Dunster, Alex Jones and Blake Hatchett. All of these players have had at least one previous championship behind them and that experience showed in this event after finishing fifth last year. Dylan Dunster felt disappointment after losing the tiebreaker but he did his best, the pressure was all on him and he should be honoured to have his name put forward to represent the team.

In the end, no team went through undefeated. Victoria placed third with 4 wins and 47 legs, Tasmania fourth, South Australia fifth, Northern Territory sixth and New South Wales finishing seventh.

Players to shine in today’s event were, Tyson Hoefel from Western Australia, Jamie Rundle from Queensland Nathan Seaborne and Corey Cabby from Tasmania, Harley Kemp from Victoria, Jackson Wilson-Young from the Northern Territory and Phillip Stuart from South Australia.