Players were competing for the Australian Junior Mixed Doubles Championship at today's action packed 28th Formula Australian Junior Darts Championships at Grand Central in Adelaide resulting in new Champions. Three of the players that made the final of 2009 were Rookies so it was a great experience for them all and they threw some great darts that enthralled the large crowd.
The first semi final saw New South Wales combination Richard Rangi and Leanne Wilson take on Queensland's Harlee Chauntler and Elle Ward (left) over the best of 5 legs. All players were evenly matched and the Queensland pair was away first. Elle Ward was on fire in this leg hitting the triple 20 consistently and finishing the leg off from 38 with her first dart gave them the start they wanted. Leg two and it was the New South Wales pair that jump out to an early lead. They were down to the double first but wasted ten darts trying to finish the leg. This gave the Queenslanders a chance at stealing the leg but they could not take the opportunity. Leanne Wilson eventually hit 32 to square the semi final at 1 - 1. The Queenslanders where away first again in the next leg. All players were throwing straight darts but the big scores were missing. This leg saw Chauntler finish of the leg at the first opportunity this time pegging out from 41 with two darts. The New South Wales combination had to win leg four to stay in the match. They looked like they would do that with both players scoring strongly and with 24 left to finish their opponents were back on 180. A couple of poor shots still left the Queenslanders back on 130 but the New South Wales could not finish from 24. Out of nowhere Chauntler stepped up to the oche and pegged from 130 giving the Queenslanders the third leg to stake a place in the final It was a skillful semi played in great spirit by all four players.
1st Semi Final Results
Harlee Chauntler (18.48) & Elle Ward (19.08) (QLD)
defeated
Richard Rangi (18.71) & Leanne Wilson (16.00) (NSW) 3 - 1
The second semi final saw South Australia's Michael Conlon and Sharni Evans take on a Tasmanian pairing in Daniel Hill and Hollie Targett. (right) This was a great contest as well as the final score line indicate that. Conlon and Evans were away first with Conlon setting up Evans on double 8 which she did not get a shot at as Hill hit a 49 peg with two darts to steal the opening leg. Leg two saw all players matching each other score wise. The Tassie pair were away and as both pairs arrived at the double at the same time the leg could go either way. All players had a shot at the double including Targett who was the only one to hit the right double (pegging from 6) to give them a 2 - 0 lead. The South Australian's were already in a little trouble. It was crucial that that they hold leg three with them throwing first. They managed to get on the scoreboard when Conlon finished from 4 to claim the leg. Again the pressure was on the South Australian's as they had to break the Tasmanian's to force a deciding leg. Leg four saw Conlon put in some big scores early in the leg which gave them the early advantage. Evans was also scoring well and she left her partner 60. He pegged 60 with his next two darts to produce the break they needed and set up a deciding tiebreaker for a place in the final. The South Australian's were away in the tiebreaking leg. Again all players were evenly matched but Conlon had first shot a finishing from 18 with the Hill and Targett back on 65. Conlan missed leaving 2, Hill missed a dart at tops, Evans busted with her first darts and Targett hit double 10 with her first dart to move into the final. Like the first semi final all players displayed great sportsmanship here. A great contest with the Hill Targett combination winning 3 - 2.
2nd Semi Final Results
Daniel Hill (17.89) & Hollie Targett (14.10) TAS)
defeated
Michael Conlon (19.22) & Sharni Evans (13.64) (SA) 3 - 2
To the final and both pairs had come off a good confidence gaining semi final win and both wanted to win the title. The Queenslander's were away first. Harlee Chauntler started strongly scoring 100,80,100 to give the Queenslanders a chance at holding the first leg. He was being well supported by Elle Ward and she pegged 4 with her first dart to claim leg one of the final. Leg two saw Hill put in a big start 100,100,81 but that early advantage was lost when the pair of Tasmanians wasted shots at the double. Ward again claimed the leg, this time hitting double 5 with her first dart. She was finishing legs of darts ever so cleanly. The Tassie pair was in big trouble. They had to win the third leg against the darts or the best of five legs final would be all over. Hill tried valiantly throwing some great darts but it would not be enough. Ward just missed a pegout of 70 but left her partner 20. Targett just missed from 63 but Chauntler with his first dart at double 10 hit dead centre to give the pairing of Harlee Chauntler and Elle Ward of Queensland their first Australian Junior Mixed Pairs title.
Final Results
Harlee Chauntler (18.20) & Elle Ward (15.13) (QLD)
defeated
Daniel Hill (19.96) & Hollie Targett (10.81) (TAS)
Quarter Final results:
Richard Rangi (18.75) & Leanne Wilson (10.47) (NSW)
defeated
Stuart Wright (17.04) & Rebecca Webster (12.14) (QLD) 2 - 0
Harlee Chauntler (19.10) & Elle Ward (14.46) (QLD)
defeated
Joe Ennor (18.22) & Sarah Brown (12.54) (VIC) 2 - 1
Daniel Hill (17.31) & Hollie Targett (13.491) (TAS)
defeated
Jackson Young-Wilson (18.787) (NT) & Kayla Holland (NSW) 2 - 1
Michael Conlon (17.25) & Sharni Evans (16.10) (SA)
defeated
Blake Hatchett (17.61) & Jucinta Dann (14.12) (WA) 2 - 1