The 23rd Australian Darts Championships saw a very tight battle for Champion State honours between Queensland and Western Australia again this year.

These two States have slugged it out for this honour for the last five years. The title has alternated each year over this period. Queensland winning in 1999 & 2001, while Western Australia has won the title in 2000 & 2003. If these two States were to battle it out again this year, it had to go to Queensland as it was their turn.

It was a great battle though. Coming into the final event, the Mixed Pairs Western Australia was in front by just one point. They were sitting on 74 points with Queensland on 73 points. With both these States strong in Girls and Boy’s Teams, Singles and Doubles competitions, it was expected they would dominate the Mixed Doubles competition. Not this year.

Queensland had two pairs combinations and Western Australian’s one pairs make it through to the quarterfinals where the big points start to be earned. One Queensland pair was eliminated by their fellow team-mates and the Western Australia pair was also defeated at this stage. The other Queensland pair were eliminated next round.

Where these two States normally pick up big points, it did not happen in 2004. Western Australia only picked up 3 points to move to a total of 77 points, while Queensland picked up 7 points, just enough to give them Championship State status with 80 points.

Representing Queensland were:
Girls: Captain Leonie Campbell, Brie Peters, Raylee Pasrsons, Danielle Fischer and Pare’one Matson.
Boy’s: Captain Greg Rideout, Matt Mullen, Chris Woods, Josh Kime and Shaun Brackin.

It is good to see the other States & Territory closing the gap on these two States on the points table. South Australia was the last state apart from Queensland and Western Australia to win the title back in 1998. New South Wales, Northern Territory, South Australia and Tasmania all gained more points this year than in 2003. All of them lifting their points total up by more than 30%. Good to see. Victoria struggled a little this year, but I’m sure they will come back stronger next year.

Final Points:
Winners: Queensland – 80 points

Second: Western Australia – 77 points

Third: New South Wales – 45 points

Fourth: Northern Territory – 40 points

Fifth: South Australia – 35 points

Sixth: Tasmania – 27 points

Seventh: Victoria – 4 points