Heta turns up the Heat to Qualify for the Darts ANZ World Darts Series Melbourne Event. In the first Darts ANZ World Darts Series Qualifier final for Melbourne it was Western Australia’s Damon Heta who defeated Queensland’s GG Mathers 6-4. There were 67 entries at Warilla Bowls and Recreation Club. In the board finals Jack Devries defeated Steve Macarthur 5-1, Colin Edwards beat Jeremy Fagg 5-2, Damon Heta outlasted Raymond O’Donnell 5-4, Stephen Schmitt overcame Pat Dargan 5-0, Mal Cuming took out Ash Britt 5-3, GG Mathers secured a comprehensive 5-1 result over Mick Lacey, Lucas Cameron edged out Kalani Hillman 5-4 and Koha Kokiri whitewashed local Brian McCann 5-0. In the quarter finals there were two white washes as Heta and Kokiri won 5-0 over Schmitt and Cameron respectively. The other two quarters finished 5-3 with wins for Colin Edwards (over Jack Devries) and GG Mathers (over Mal Cuming.) The semis were very different affairs as Heta won 5-0 over Edwards and Mathers overcoming Kokiri in the final leg to win 5-4. In the final Mathers started with the opening throw and scored 60 whilst Heta opened with 140. With Heta on Shanghai (120) GG checked out 62 to collect the first leg on throw. Heta then opened his throw with a maximum (180) and quickly moved to 64. Mathers was on 170 but failed to collect the big target but Heta could only move from 54 to 10. Mathers then secured the double 18 on his first attempt to take a 2-0 lead with a break. The following leg saw Mathers move to 220 with a maximum of 180. Chasing 81 for the win Heta then hit the bull to get the break back. He then opened with another maximum and a follow up 134 left the West Australian in prime position for the leg. With Mathers sitting on 101 Heta hit the 72 required thanks to a double 12 with his last dart in hand to tie the match up after four legs. GG started the fifth leg with a 140 to steady the ship and good scoring left him on 72. However Heta piled the pressure on by collecting 131 to move to 36. 32 left GG on tops but a double 18 with his second dart moved Damon ahead on legs for the first time in the match, with the scoreline reading 3-2. The next leg saw Heta start with 140 and after two visits to the oche both players were equal. 100 from Damon moved him to 161 as GG moved to 138 with a 123. However he was not to revisit the oche that leg as Heta checked out the 161 to move to 4-2. A 140 start on throw saw Mathers quickly move through the next leg and 140 left him on 54. He had to again watch as Heta chased a big check out but he missed the double 12 to give Mathers the chance to win the leg and GG took full advantage by taking out 54 and moving to within one leg of parity. Throwing his worst start of the match to that point, a 60, Heta gave GG the chance to take an early lead and he did so with a 134 start. With GG sitting on 104 Heta hit a maximum to put pressure on his opponent (moving to 104) but with a bull finish Mathers checked out 127. The match was again equal on legs, this time 4-4. GG then opened with two visits of 60 in the ninth leg on throw but Heta could not take full advantage. A 180 seemed to get Mathers back in the groove as he moved to 201. With Damon on 184 an 89 from Mathers left him on 52. A 144 left the WA player on tops as Mathers missed with his two darts for the leg. With his last dart in hand Heta hit double 10 for the break and a 5-4 lead. Heta then opened the next leg with 104 but Mathers upped it with a 180 visit. Later in the leg Heta moved to 161 with 100 as 140 from his opponent saw GG move to 85. Chasing 161 Heta missed his first shot at treble 20 but still managed to score 137. He then stood back to watch Mathers miss tops for the leg with his last dart. Heta then scored the required 24 on his next visit to take the leg and the match, 6 legs to 4. Heta averaged 99.69 for the match whilst Mathers averaged 98.11 in a match of the very highest quality. It had been a match of shifted momentum but it was Heta who held his nerve at the last to make the stage at the Hisense Arena Melbourne.
Final Damon Heta 6-3 David Platt Final 4 Damon Heta 5-3 Chippy Miller Raymond O’Donnell 3-5 David Platt Final 8 Damon Heta 5-1 Anton Soc Chippy Miller 5-3 Loz Ryder James Bailey 4-5 Raymond O’Donnell David Platt 5-3 John Bunyard Final 16 Kevin Luland 3-5 Damon Heta Koha Kokiri 2-5 Anton Soc Ash Britt 2-5 Chippy Miller John Bunyard 5-3 Andrew Eagers Lucas Cameron 4-5 Loz Ryder James Bailey 5-2 Rhys Mathewson Zinzan Culshaw 4-5 Raymond O’Donnell David Platt 5-1 Gordon-Glen Mathers Final 32 Kevin Luland 5-2 Terrance Insley Brendon McClausand 3-5 Damon Heta Cody Harris 3-5 Koha Kokiri Anton Soc 5-4 Barry Gardner Paul Hill 1-5 Ash Britt James McDonald 1-5 Chippy Miller Jake Howie 1-5 John Bunyard Andrew Eagers 5-4 Mike Bonser Lucas Cameron 5-1 Alex Evans Loz Ryder 5-1 Theo Greyling James Bailey 5-0 Jeremy Fagg Steve Fitzpatrick 3-5 Rhys Mathewson Jamie Rogers 1-5 Zinzan Culshaw Raymond O’Donnell 5-2 Sonny Turner David Platt 5-0 Jerry Weyman Gordon-Glen Mathers 5-1 Dave Marland
A Real Bonanza for Mike Mike Bonser was a popular winner of the second qualification tournament for Darts ANZ World Series of Darts Melbourne event as he overcame Mal Cuming 6-3 in the final. Earlier in the day David Platt had lost to Bonser in the board final and fellow Perth Premier League player Barry Gardner had lost to Cuming at the same time. Other winners of board finals included James Bailey (over Lucas Cameron), Loz Ryder (over Ray O’Donnell), Stephen Schmitt (over John Riley), Dave Marland (over Mick Lacey), Paul Cotton (over Jack Sinclair) and Stefan Cubrolvic (over Craig Prizeman.) The last eight saw Bonser defeat James Bailey 5-2 and Cuming beat Dave Marland 5-4. There opponents in the semis were Paul Cotton (who won 5-4 over Stehan Cubrolvic) and Stephen Schmitt (5-4 over Loz Ryder.) The semis both finished 5-2 (Bonser over Schmitt and Cuming over Cotton.) In the final it was Bonser who opened first but Cuming broke straight away. He was unable to hold throw in the next leg despite having multiple darts to close the leg and the match was back on throw after two legs. The next leg saw Bonser hold throw although it took him three visits to check it out. He then had one dart at tops for the next leg but did not hit the target and Cumins pounced on his next visit to the Oche to tie the match up once more. Bonser held throw in the fifth leg hitting double 8 with his 16th dart. It then took Cuming 14 darts to move the match back into parity. Leg seven was critical as both player had multiple chances at the leg but in the end Bonser held his nerve, and his throw to move out to a lead he would never sacrifice. Despite a maximum in the next leg from Cuming, Bonser’s consistent high scoring in the leg put him in good stead after Cuming failed to convert 94. Bonser took out the required 50 with his last dart in hand to lead 5-3 and move to within a leg of the match. In leg 9 Bonser did not give Cuming a shot at a check out and with a double ten was able to secure the match 6-3 and qualification for Melbourne. Having been such a big part of the game of darts in NSW, Bonser’s win was popular amongst the local NSW players.
Final Best of 11 Mike Bonser 6-3 Semi Finals Mike Bonser 5-2 Stephen Schmitt Mal Cuming 5-2 Paul Cotton Last 8 Mike Bonser 5-2 James Bailey Loz Ryder 4-5 Stephen Schmitt Mal Cuming 5-4 Dave Marland Paul Cotton 5-4 Stefan Cubrolvic Last 16 Dave Platt 3-5 Mike Bonser James Bailey 5-3 Lucas Cameron Loz Ryder 5-2 Ray O’Donnell John Riley 4-5 Stephen Schmitt Mick Lacey 3-5 Dave Marland Mal Coming 5-3 Barry Gardner Paul Cotton 5-4 Jack Sinclair Stefan Cubrolvic 5-4 Craig Prizeman Last 32 Dave Platt 5-0 Koha Kokiri Mike Bonser 5-4 Colin Edwards James Bailey 5-2 Steve Fitzpatrick Mark Smyth 3-5 Lucas Cameron Steve MacArthur 4-5 Loz Ryder Chippy Miller 0-5 Ray O’Donnell John Riley 5-4 Shane Wolter Stephen Schmitt 5-1 Jeremy Fagg Mat Leahy 1-5 Mick Lacey Dave Marland 5-3 James McDonald Mal Cuming 5-3 Brendan McClausland Barry Gardner 5-2 Rhys Mathewson James Doherty 5-3 Paul Cotton Jack Devries 3-5 Jack Sinclair Stefan Cubrolvic 5-3 John Bunyard Craig Prizeman 5-0 Andrew Eagers
A Ray of Sunshine for O’Donnell Broken Hill’s Ray O’Donnell has qualified for the Darts ANZ World Series of Darts event in Melbourne after defeating Koha Kokiri in the third qualifying final for the event. The board winners had been Marshall Allen (5-3 over Sean Hafkensheid), Mark Smyth (5-0 over Daniel Sim), Ray O’Donnell (5-3 over Barb Smyth), Mick Lacey (5-1 over Jerry Weymann), Cody Harris (5-2 over Rhys Mathewson), Kerry Allen (5-3 over Dave Platt), Koha Kokiri (5-3 over James Bailey), and Loz Ryder (5-3 over John Bunyard.) In the quarters Smyth lost to O’Donnell (2-5), Lacey was whitewashed by Harris, Kerry Allen lost to Kokiri (2-5), and Marshall Allen lost to Loz Ryder (5-1). The first semi-final was a top class affair as O’Donnell defeated Cody Harris in the ninth and final leg whilst Koha Kokiri defeated Loz Ryder 5-2. In the final the match started well for Kokiri as he took the first leg, although it did take three visit to the oche to get the checkout required. Under some scoring pressure from his opponent O’Donnell was able to hold throw with a bull finish to tie the match up after two legs. In the next leg Kokiri was unable to check out 100 but O’Donnell let him back to the oche after not converting 115. It was an opportunity Kokiri took as he went to a 2-1 lead, on throw. O’Donnell took a clear lead in the next leg and comfortably held throw. The fifth leg started well for Kokiri as he opened with a maximum. Despite some low scoring after that he managed to get a check out first and he put away 56 to take another lead in the match. O’Donnell then opened with 100 which was bettered by his opponent with a 121 start. Further in a 140 put O’Donnell back in the leg as 140 was not converted by Kohiri. Chasing 76 O’Donnell left twenty, Kokiri could still not put the score away and with his first dart on the next visit O’Donnell had tied the match up once more. Leg seven saw Kokiri needing 105 but only scoring 73 as O’Donnell then tried to shoot down 147. He left 50 which he must have thought he would never have another shot at but Kokiri failed on his next visit and with his following two darts O’Donnell took the first break of the match to lead 4-3. A 45 opening in the next leg from O’Donnell gave his opponent a chance to hit back and he did so with a 140. Kokiri had an outside chance of a 156 finish but could not get it and chasing 60 O’Donnell took the next leg 5-3. Throwing first in the next leg it was do or die for Kokiri and he opened with a century. It seemed to be going wrong when O’Donnell then stepped up and secured a 180 and then a 140, following it up with a 100. Despite this Kokiri was able to stay close and when O’Donnell failed to convert 81 on two visits his opponent pounced to take the leg. Having won a leg he had no right to Kokiri managed to break the throw of his opponent in the next leg to take the match to a deciding leg. Both players seemed nervous in the leg but it was O’Donnell who first check out chance with 101 on offer. He only scored 57 so Kokiri stepped up requiring 66. He missed a match double to only get 48. Requiring 44 O’Donnell needed all three darts but managed to get what was required of him with Kokiri standing behind him ready to pounce on any error. Having played in the Prodarts Series in January this year O’Donnell now faces an even greater challenge on the Darts ANZ World Series of Darts main stage in Melbourne.
Final Raymond Odonnell 6-5 koha Kokiri Semis Ray O’Donnell 5-4 Cody Harris Koha Kokiri 5-2 Loz Ryder Last 8 Mark Smyth 2-5 Ray O’Donnell Mick Lacey 0-5 Cody Harris Kerry Allen 2-5 Koha Kokiri Loz Ryder 5-1 Marshall Allen Last 16 Daniel Sim 0-5 Mark Smyth Ray Odonnell 5-3 Barb Smyth Jerry Weyman 1-5 Mick Lacey Rhys Mathewson 2-5 Cody Harris David Platt 3-5 Kerry Allen Koha Kokiri 5-2 James Bailey John Bunyard 3-5 Loz Ryder Sean Hafkenscheid 3-5 Marshall Allen Last 32 Mark Taafe 1-5 Daniel Sim Mark Smyth 5-2 GG Mathers Ray ODonnell 5-0 Patrick Dargan Barb Smyth 5-1 Dave Marland Jerry Weyman 5-0 Lucas Gray Mick Lacey 5-4 Steve Fitzpatrick Mal Cuming 3-5 Rhys Mathewson Lucas Cameron 3-5 Cody Harris Kevin Luland 0-5 David Platt Kerry Allen 5-1 Clayton Collins Koha Kokiri 5-3 Steve Macarthur Mick McCreedie 0-5 James Bailey John Bunyard 5-0 Craig Edwards Andrew Eagers 3-5 Loz Ryder Sean Hafkenscheid v James Macdonald James Doherty 3-5 Marshall Allen
Bailey Grabs the Last Qualifying Spot for Melbourne World Series of Darts James Bailey demonstrated why he had been so successful on the DPA circuit this year by taking the last position in Melbourne with a 6-5 victory over Mal Cuming in the final qualifier. Earlier in the day the board finals were won by Cody Harris (5-3 over Townsville’s Jeremy Fagg), Justin Thompson (5-3 over David Platt), Rhys Mathewson (5-1 over Team Danger’s Andrew Eagers), James Bailey (5-2 over Team Maximum’s Loz Ryder), Stephen Schmitt (5-3 over Kerry Allen), Mal Cuming (5-3 over Team Rebel’s Steve MacArthur), Koha Kokiri (5-0 over Team Rebel’s young gun Steve Ftizpatrick), and Jerry Weyman (5-4 over Warilla local Clayton Collins.) In the quarter final Thompson defeated Cody Harris 5-3 in a battle of two Australasian heavy weights. Mal Cuming was in good form as he overcame Stephen Schmitt from Ausdarts, Jerry Weyman rolled back the years as he took out dual finalist from the day before, Koha Kokiri, 5-4. In the last match James Bailey defeated a man who had hit the PDC stage at Hisense Arena last year, Rhys Mathewson, 5-1. Victoria’s Mal Cuming won his semi final over Penrith’s Jerry Weyman 5-2 whilst the second semifinal went to a deciding leg as Justin Thompson and James Bailey demonstrated why they have been so successful across darts and represented Australia in different formats. The deciding leg went the way of James Bailey and it turned out to be a useful test he could fall back on in the final. The battle of the bulls started well for Mal Cuming and although he could not check out 140 he was well enough in front to get a shot at 100 on his next visit which he took to break his opponent. A couple of 140s from Bailey in the next leg was helpful as he checked out 91 to break straight back. He then hit another 140 start to open the next leg but it was Cuming who took the lead later in the leg to leave 98. A 139 from Bailey put pressure on Cuming as he sat on 54. Neither player could convert on their next visits with Cuming then leaving 16. Bailey ensured he did not get a shot at it though and moved to a 2-1 lead on throw. Leg 4 saw Bailey start with 140 again but a 101 score soon had Cuming chasing the largest check out available. He could not convert but neither could Bailey score 146. Bailey then missed a dart for the leg on his next visit before Cuming missed two. James Bailey then secured the break to lead 3-1. His opening on the next leg was only 41 and a 123 from Cuming gave him the early advantage and he was able to get the break back straight away. An 84 finish on the sixth leg meant Cuming had drawn level once more. In the next leg a 121 visit left Bailey well ahead and needing 83. He left tops knowing he would visit the oche once more this leg and hit the target with his next dart. 4-3 to Bailey. Cuming started the next leg with 100 which was matched by Bailey. Bailey completed the leg with a 116 check out that meant he was one leg away and opening the throw in the next leg. He consolidated this position with 100 and 140 but Cuming stormed back into the leg with a 135. Bailey missed eleven darts for the match and from an unlikely position Cuming was able to steal the leg. To rub salt into the wound Cuming then held his throw to move the game into a final elimination leg. After slow starts in that leg Bailey scored a 123 although that was quickly responded to by Cuming with 100. A follow up 140 soon after left Bailey on 60 and with his next two darts he was fianlly able to put the match away. Thus James Bailey secured the final spot on the stage in Melbourne.
Final James Bailey 5 Mal Cuming 4 Semi's Justin Thompson 4-5 James Bailey Mal Cuming 5-2 Jerry Weyman Quarter Finals Cody Harris 3-5 Justin Thompson Rhys Mathewson 1-5 James Bailey Stephen Schmitt 2-5 Mal Cuming Koha Kokiri 4-5 Jerry Weyman Last 16 Jeremy Fagg 3-5 Cody Harris Dave Platt 3-5 Justin Thompson Rhys Mathewson 5-1 Andrew Eagers Loz Ryder 2-5 James Bailey Stephen Schmitt 5-3 Kerry Allen Steve Macarthur 3-5 Mal Cuming Steve Fitzpatrick 0-5 Koha Kokiri Clayton Collins 4-5 Jerry Weyman Last 32 Jess Smiley 0-5 Jeremy Fagg Cody Harris 5-2 Ash Britt Mick McCreedie 1-5 Dave Platt Justin Thompson 5-4 Lucas Cameron Rhys Mathewson 5-1 Dave Marland Andrew Eagers 5-3 Kevin Luland Craig Edwards 1-5 Loz Ryder James Bailey 5-2 Anton Soc Stephen Schmitt 5-2 James Mcdonald Kerry Allen 5-0 Darren Wolter Gumley Judith Bell 0-5 Steve Macarthur Mal Cuming 5-4 Barry Gardner Steve Fitzpatrick 5-0 Lucas Grey Koha Kokiri 5-1 Mat Leahy Clayton Collins 5-3 Paul Hill Jerry Weyman 5-2 Daniel Sim
The Melbourne Qualifiers were held at the Warilla Bowling and Recreation Club