MEN’S STATE TEAM MANAGERS REPORT - 2007

My thanks once again this year to Agnes, Bill and Kerry for organizing and conducting the team raffles each Sunday at Gloucester Park and other venues.

Many thanks to Terry Matthews and his staff at the Shamrock Hotel in Greenbushes for hosting our challenge match this year and the Manjimup players it was a great weekend of darts and bonding of the teams.

Our accommodation in Tasmania was good and the food top class with the venue being only a 10 or 15 minute walk, however getting transport (taxis) was a problem and something we will need to keep in mind for future championships.

The playing venue was well laid out with adequate room a very good bar and top kitchen and the volunteers were brilliant the one and main problem that the player encountered was the air conditioning creating havoc with their darts, this was bought to the attention of the organizers who called a meeting of all captains and they voted to keep the air conditioning on.

Apart from that the Tasmanian Darts Council and in particular Rob & Karine Walker deserve all the praise they get for an excellent Championships. The food at both the welcome and the presentation functions has set a standard that is going to be hard to follow.

Well what a championships this was, in my own opinion it was the hardest we have had in my 8 years with the teams, all the other states have improved and the competition has become stronger and harder to match.

However this didn’t stop our magnificent eight from going through undefeated and claiming the shield for the fourth year in a row and the wins did not come easy, all the games were a test none more so than against Queensland when we were 4 – 1 down and the banana benders started celebrating the win, only no one had told our players they were beaten and the fight back and win was just magic as each singles game went by they become a little quieter and when Lindsay put 82 to sleep with the games level at 5 each and one leg each in the decider it showed the true quality and determination of this group of outstanding players.

Each of the players contributed to the win and all at times put in some outstanding displays’ on the oche. Both Tony and Brad won all their singles, Kyle showed that he has class beyond his years, Kim as always was a top contributor; Beau was outstanding as a team player, Kerry was up there with the best of them, Lindsay was quite outstanding as a rooky and will only improve and Damon lived up to our expectations and I believe will prove to be a champion player in the coming years.

Denis in his first year as Captain led the team superbly and learnt a lot on this trip that will only make him stronger in the years ahead.

Averages for the teams were; Tony David: 95.26: 29.18 per dart & 24 pegs. Brad Austen: 87.28: 26.24 pd & 25 pegs. Kyle Anderson: 85.76: 26.91 pd & 20 pegs. Kimberly Lewis: 83.02: 25.87 pd & 19 pegs. Lindsay Haji Ali: 81.11: 25.88 pd & 12 pegs. Beau Anderson: 77.73: 24.34 pd & 18 pegs. Damon Heta: 85.04: 25.83 pd & 5 pegs. Kerry Whear: 75.80: 23.10 pd & 5 pegs.

The Peter Mac 4s was played brilliantly by both teams to go through undefeated and play-off in the final.

The Gold team consisting of Brad, Tony, Kim & Kyle finally overcome the Black team of Kerry, Beau, Damon & Lindsay, but not before they were given a good work out eventually winning 9 – 5.

Men’s Doubles Brad & Kyle runners-up, Tony & Kim semi-finals, Kerry & Beau quarter-finals.

Men’s Singles Tony runner-up, Kyle quarter-finals, Damon & Brad third round.

Mixed Doubles Damon & Stephanie and Tony & Natalie quarter-finals.

Champion State: Western Australia 330 second Queensland 297.

Tony, Kyle and Brad in the top eight averages.

Natalie, Tony, Kyle and Brad selected as Australian representatives and Betty as the Ladies and Youths Captain. Speaks volumes of where we as a State body are in this sport.

My congratulations to Betty and the Ladies Team; outstanding performance once again.

Winners of the Peter Mac, Runner-up in the States and good solid performances across the board in all other events. Was great seeing all gold and black in the Pacific Masters.

To our great band of supporter that made the trip to the Apple Isle, Dale & Norm Anderson fantastic loved the lollies, Kerry West and family there every day giving support and assistance, Dave Sawyer our scorer, Phil Wyatt, Colleen Praetz another scorer and supporter, Megan, Sandy and Pauline who were there each day for us and also Audrey and Leigh, Peter and partner and last but not least Peg Morton our bookkeeper extraordinary. Thank you all very very much your support and encouragement was great.

To all in the West that sent email and phoned through and lent their support throughout the year thank you very much it is appreciated.

To the team Denis, Kim, Brad, Tony, Beau, Kerry, Kyle, Damon & Lindsay you are all a champion bunch of blokes and players it was a privilege thank you, lets repeat it next year.

To the W.A.D.C.Inc committee my thanks for once again allowing me the privilege of managing the State Team.

Be proud of them W.A. they have done you proud.

R.J. (Bob) Grayson

WADC Events Coordinator

Manager Men’s State Darts Team 2007