Darts 97 report

HOME!!! This is a retrospective report on the inaugaral darts competition, held on March 9th 1997. FIRST ROUND. Paul Dunne 2 - 1 Gary Corcoran A disappointing and slow opening game to the tournament saw Dunne win on the shootout rule after Corcoran's inability to check out. Wild celebrations for Dunne as he overcome his poor pre-tournament form. Conor Guinan 2 - 1 Jimmy Styles An awful awful game. Two players plumbing the depths of ineptitude. QUARTER FINALS. James Henry 2 - 0 Dave Devins Devins entered the tournament as an unknown quantity but was a disappointment as Henry hit blistering form. A superb performance by Henry who looked in menacing form. Richard Oakley 2 - 0 Vince Meyler Oakley dominated as Meyler put in an inept performance. An easy win for Oakley. Observers later claimed that Oakley was unsportsman-like in his celebrations and arrogant. Meyler refused to comment but there has since been widespread reports of bad blood between the two. Tom Henry 2 - 1 Al Heaney A good game in which Henry surprisingly knocked out one of the favourites. The highlight was a 39 checkout by Henry. Al was gracious in defeat if a little shellshocked. Paul Dunne 2 - 0 Conor Guinan Dunne improved on his first round performance and advanced as Guinan never really got going. SEMI FINALS Richard Oakley 2 - 1 Paul Dunne Oakley played some quite brilliant darts to book his place in the final however was roundly booed after as he took advantage of the units rule and stopped drinking. Tom Henry 2 - 1 James Henry James failed to show any of his quarter final form as he flopped to his brother who solidly moved on to a meeting with Oakley. FINAL Tom Henry 3 - 2 Richard Oakley Tom Henry became the inaugaral king of darts as he out-darted Oakley. Another fine checkout of 39 by Henry to clinch the title. An ugly incedent marred the fourth leg as Oakley and referee James Henry had to be separated from coming to blows after an argument over scoring procedures. This boosted Tom Henry who sailed home in the fifth leg to roars of approval from the crowd.