The next SKY LOUNGE Open will take place on Saturday, December 4th.

£1000 Prize Fund.
Capped at 64 Players.
£10 Pre Entry Only.

For more information and to enter, please contact ‘SCOTT NORTH EAST DARTS’ on Facebook.
or alternatively Whatsapp/Text 07800 787 960

Sky Lounge Open – North East Darts Promotions

Another fantastic competition on 6th November at Sky Lounge, Washington ran by North East Darts Promotions. A great turnout of 47 entries on a County weekend including a lot of new faces with many playing in their first competition.

Paul Williams took the title with a 5-4 win over Tony Wood.

Last 16 Results –

Ray Marshall 4-0 Scott Collingwood
Tony Procter 4-1 Phil Borthwick
James Forster 4-1 Geoff Murray
Tony Wood 4-2 Paul Nesbitt
Ian Gigzy Harrison 4-2 Jack Roddham
Gary Miller 4-2 Scott Hunt
Paul Williams 4-1 Paul Berriman
Mala Foster 4-1 Kieron Ford

Last 8 Results –

Ray Marshall 5-1 Tony Procter
Tony Wood 5-2 James Forster
Gary Miller 5-0 Ian Gigzy Harrison
Paul Williams 5-3 Mala Foster

Semi Finals –

Tony Wood 5-1 Ray Marshall
Paul Williams 5-3 Gary Miller

Final –

Paul Williams 5-4 Tony Wood

________

1st Richie Cutler Memorial – Navy Club, Darlington – Saturday 13th November

50 entries for the first competition in memory of Darlington thrower, Richie Cutler. A great day with Middlesbrough player, Jonny Gardner taking the title over Derek Lumley

Last 16 Results –

Eddie Mordica bt Shaun Matthews
Derek Lumley bt Dave Nicholson
Jonny Gardner bt Mike Gladstone 
Jack Kirtland bt Jamie Gardner 
Adam Jenkinson bt Phil Borthwick 
Carl Hamilton bt Karl Browning 
Gary Miller bt Jonny Maddison
Scott Hunt bt Lee Morton 

Last 8 Results –

Carl Hamilton bt Gary Miller 
Johnny Gardner bt Jack Kirtland 
Adam Jenkinson bt Eddie Mordica 
Derek Lumley bt Scott Hunt 

Semi Finals –

Derek Lumley bt Carl Hamilton
Jonny Gardner bt Adam Jenkinson

Final –

Jonny Gardner bt Derek Lumley

________

21st TJ Atkinson Memorial – Stanhope Sports & Social Club, Bishop Auckland – Sunday 14th November

One of the best competitions on the darting calendar, now into its 21st year. Starting way back in 2000 with Tony Wood taking the inaugural title followed by Keith Wright winning three off the belt in ’01, ’02, ’03.
The trophy includes names of some of the greatest players to come out of our area including the late Phill Nixon and Davey Dodds, as well as ex-England International, Doug McCarthy.
Most recently the likes of Adam Hunt & Ryan Joyce have engraved their names alongside the North East legends.

Another great turn out of 43 entries, over a busy weekend of darts, saw Adam Hunt claim the title for the third time in the last four competitions, defeating in form County Durham player, Ryan ‘Panda’ Anderson in the final.

Last 16 Results –

Alan Bell bt Ian Hambleton
David Morris bt Keith Wright
Adam Hunt bt Ste Addison
Mark Wright bt Chris Dominey
Billy Robson bt Gerry Grieve
Ryan Anderson bt Chris Kitch
Graeme Campbell bt Scott Hunt
Shaun Matthews bt Ray Foreman

Last 8 Results –

Alan Bell bt David Morris
Adam Hunt bt Mark Wright
Ryan Anderson bt Billy Robson
Shaun Matthews bt Graeme Campbell

Semi Finals –

Adam Hunt bt Alan Bell
Ryan Anderson bt Shaun Matthews

Final –

Adam Hunt 5-4 Ryan Anderson

We’re back at the Sky Lounge this coming Saturday. It is also County Weekend, therefore a better chance for beginners to get involved!

Doors Open at 10am for a 12.30pm start.

One of the best venues in the North East boasting 4 raised oche boards, multiple tvs for the live sport including the Manchester derby and multiple pool tables. There is 2x big money Pool matches on the day that will surely make for a great atmosphere.

Geoff Murray continues his fine form as he takes the title at Whitburn Marsden Open on Saturday 30th October.

Results –

Quarter Finals

Geoff Murray 4 – 3 Ray Marshall
Lee Rump 4 – 3 Scott Mcparlin
Andy Parks 4 – 3 Mark Stephenson 
Kev  McDine 4 – 0 Gary Miller

Semi Finals

Geoff Murray 5 – 0 Lee Rump
Andy Parks 0 – 5 Kev McDine 

Final

Geoff Murray 5 – 4 Kev McDine

(31 entries) 

Women 

Winner Ann Marie Potts 
Runner up Lauren Stokoe 

(5 Entries)

By Dan Cavanagh

Offering something different from the usual straight-start tournaments we’ve become accustomed to on the Nomads MAD circuit, last weekend saw the Consett Station Club organising a double-in Grand Prix tournament. With all games recorded on Dart Connect and live-streamed on YouTube, I strongly encourage all readers to have a look for themselves some of the standard on show in this double start tourney.

The prelims started with a trio of MAD casualties which saw Jack Male, Brian Barnett Jr. and Stephen Mallams all bowing out in last leg deciders. Notably, Brian Barnett went three-nil up in the first game of the day, but he would go on to ultimately lose 4-3 due to an impressive Andrew Heppell comeback.

Alongside Barnett, Stephen Mallams started strongly going two-nil up courtesy of a sumptuous 153 finish. Strong starting on double 16, however, was not enough to secure the win for Mallams and David Crawley, showing excellent bottle, stole the game with a tidy 16 darts.

A somewhat unfortunate draw for Male, coming up against MAD heavy-hitter Ray Marshall, resulted in a closely-ran affair which Marshall overcame.

With all players involved in the following round, the players set out to lay down strong markers for the rest of play. The biggest splash came from Paul Nesbitt in his 4-0 whitewash over Tony Proctor, landing seven 140s and a maximum on his way to an 83.50 average.

Elsewhere, Scott Hunt was on the receiving end of a whitewash from eventual finalist Tony Wood and an all-Ray encounter went to a decider following the throw, resulting in Ray Foreman going through to the round of 16 due to a blunder in getting started in the last leg from Ray Marshall.

Tournament winner Geoff Murray set himself as a favourite during his round of sixteen tie with MAD member Paul Lawson. Firing in a 160 finish en route to a four-nil victory, Geoff’s 75.15 average ensured he was on his board final without dropping a leg.

Consolidating his outstanding display in the prior round, Paul Nesbitt was also in the habit of dishing out donuts, and in not wanting to be bested by Geoff, matched his average exactly.

All producing 70+ averages, the quarter-final field was bolstered by Eddie Mordica, Phil Borthwick and Ray Foreman. With attention on the aforementioned displays, Tony Wood slipped somewhat under the radar in his concise 4-2 victory over Gary Miller.

On to the board finals, Tony Wood and Geoff Murray slipped through to the next round with relative ease, and Paul Nesbitt joined them after coming through a precarious last-leg decider in what could only be described as a modest performance considering his running average for the day. Ray Foreman put in the performance of the round, remaining solid whilst doubling in, during his victory over Eddie Brown.

Semi-finals

The double-start format, coupled with the increased pressure of tournaments latter stages, was present in the first leg of this semi-final affair. Having both appeared so dominant thus far, Wood and Foreman began their semi-final efforts on shaky terrain with Foreman pinching a 24-darter after Wood failed to pin tops on a shanghai effort.

Clearly frustrated by this, Wood set out to burst into the kind of form which had helped him to this stage. An ensuing hattrick of 14, 15 and 17 dart legs left Foreman dizzy as he tried to recall what had just happened.

A comfortable brace of 21-darters on either side of another leg won by Foreman sealed the MAD players spot into the final, finishing in style with a 116 check-out.

With the first three legs going with throw in the second semi, it was difficult to separate the two players. Nesbitt, whilst arguably scoring better out of the two, broke in the fourth with an 18-darter finished on 107. However, he failed to hold his throw and Geoff broke back and then held his own throw courtesy of a 156 out shot to go with the 160 he had already taken out on the day.

With the impetus firmly in Murray’s hands he broke Nesbitt again to go 4-3 up but failed to get a match dart in the resulting leg and Nesbitt held steady on a crucial double 4 to send the game hurtling into a final leg.

Surprisingly, Geoff failed to get going in his first six darts of the final leg and it seemed like Nesbitt would take the match, but it somehow fell away from him in the latter stages of the final leg. Even though he looked certain to win, having had a match dart at tops with Geoff stranded on 235, he missed an excruciating nine match darts and allowed Geoff Murray to clean up 25 to secure his place in the final.

Final

Despite Tony Wood hitting five 140s in the first three legs, he somehow found himself three-nil down as a result of Geoff Murray’s concise 17, 20 and 16 dart leg efforts.

Compelled by such strong scoring, Wood returned in kind, turning the screw with 17 and 14 dart legs, adding a further four 140s to his tally and bringing the score line to a more realistic 3-2.

At times on Saturday, Wood was unplayable. When he found the treble with one dart, it felt inevitable that another would likely follow.

Nevertheless, Geoff Murray proved to be more than an even opponent for Wood as his consistently solid game allowed him to build confidence in his ability to hit the double.

This became increasingly evident in the final two legs of the match where Geoff, in winning both, pinned tops for an 18-darter and followed this up with a 112 finish in the next to consummate a brilliant performance and the victory.

A massive thank you to those at Consett Station Club who organised the event and well done to all of the players.

Results –

Last 16 –

Joe Weldon 4-2 Neil Tiffen
Tony Wood 4-2 Gary Miller
Ray Foreman 4-1 Neville Reed
Eddie Brown 4-3 John Purdy
Paul Nesbitt 4-0 John Kippen
Phil Borthwick 4-1 Jack Bell
Eddie Mordica 4-1 Paul Dinning
Geoff Murray 4-0 Paul Lawson

Last 8 –

Tony Wood 4-1 Joe Weldon
Ray Foreman 4-2 Eddie Brown
Paul Nesbitt 4-3 Phil Borthwick
Geoff Murray 4-1 Eddie Mordica

Semis –

Tony Wood 5-2 Ray Foreman
Geoff Murray 5-4 Paul Nesbitt

Final –

Geoff Murray 5-2 Tony Wood

England Nomads MAD standings:

Phil Borthwick (229)

Jamie Durrant (177)

Raymond Marshall (136)

Paul Nesbitt (128)

Kevin McDine (122)

Carl Hamilton (107)

Stephen Mallams (81)

Jack Male (77

Tony Wood (74)

Christopher Dominey (62)

by Dan Cavanagh

Saturday 16^th October saw forty-seven entrants into the Birtley Charity Open, a wonderful event organised and hosted by Ali Patton to raise money for the Young Lives vs Cancer charity. The field was bolstered by thirteen MAD members all eager to gain valuable ranking points. With several big names on show, the tightly packed players enjoyed a jovial atmosphere during the preliminary rounds of play.
MAD certified Jack Male came through a difficult draw against PDC Q-school hopeful, Geoff Murray. After screaming to an early lead with help from a fourteen-darter which paced him 3-1 up, Geoff Murray somehow held on and stretched the game out to a deciding leg. Notably for Murray, cries of ‘He’s too good’ were heard as he accidentally hit two bulls with his first two darts when going for a 125 finish. In the end, having started with the throw, Male was too good for Murray on the day; a 180 in the final leg ensured he got to a finish first and he did not miss with the three darts he had on double 10.
Not resting on this vein of good form, Jack rushed out of the gates in his board final against Lee Walton putting in a dominant 4-1 display and confirming his spot into the semi-finals.

Elsewhere, an early favourite for the tournament, Kevin McDine ran riot on his side of the draw. Amassing four 180s and a 4-1 win against the organiser Ali Patton, nobody could say Ali fixed the draw in his favour (although some hold their reservations around the football scratch-card he ran and managed to win). McDine backed up this performance with another solid game against John Purcell, who was a fraction of a millimetre away from sending the game to a deciding leg with a sumptuous 152 effort. Showing his minerals, McDine pinned tops in the next visit, sealing a 4-2 victory. A whitewash against Keith Cresser followed in the next round which confirmed a semi-final match up against Jack Male.
As a result of consistently good scoring, Stephen Mallams was making a rather loud statement on board 3, reaching his board final and dropping only one leg in the process. This side of the draw also saw the ‘MAD members from the Northeast named Paul’ derby in a battle between Lawson and Nesbitt, with the latter proceeding to face off against Stephen Mallams in the board final. In what appeared an evenly contested match, Mallams ran Nesbitt close but could not capitalise on the rare chances offered by Nesbitt and received his marching order courtesy of a 4-2 victory.
After pulling through a last-leg decider against Craige Nixon in the previous round, Ian Cullen ran into fellow mad member Scott Hunt in this round-of-sixteen tie. Hunt, feeling inspired from his Mad Dash victory at Felling CC the prior weekend, was in fine form and demonstrated this in a 4-2 victory. With three out of four semi-final positions occupied by MAD members, it was up to Scott Hunt to complete the perfect sweep. He did this was a 4-2 victory over Andrew Testo and in doing so; silenced the echoing cries of ‘How are you still in’.
Unsurprising considering their strong early performances, Kevin McDine and Jack Male faced off in the first semi-final of the evening. It is often the case that semi-final games are better than the actual final and this line-up showed no indication of being an exception. Having gone blow for blow in the opening two legs, McDine having missed four darts at double already in the third, capitalised on two missed darts at tops from Male sealing the leg with last dart in hand. McDine proceeded his good scoring form by hitting two maximums in three visits in the fourth leg. However, showing some clear frailty on the double, McDine missed five more darts to win this leg allowing Male to steal the leg in fifteen darts.
Back on throw, both players remained consistent enough on their legs to trade blows once again. Finally, with a degree of momentum swinging in his favour, Male broke the throw of McDine and left him literally questioning his darts as to why they won’t behave. With a near silent venue offering little comfort for the players, Male started with a 140 in what would prove to be the final leg of the match. Following the theme of the game, McDine missed two more, proving to be fatal, match darts.
Paul Nesbitt steamed in front in the second semi and would’ve been three-nil up if it weren’t for Scott Hunt’s rallying efforts and success in nicking a scrappy third leg. With Hunt back in the room starting with a good tonne-forty, Nesbitt was staring down the barrel of a slight capitulation and the game moved into 2-2 without much fuss. Nesbitt, refusing to allow Scott to take the initiative, fired in his first maximum of the game after breaking Hunt’s throw. The leg ended with Hunt sat on 25 after wiring the bull on a 167 attempt and Nesbitt clearing up 18 to go within one of the final.
Momentum ebbed and flowed so much in this game, and the seventh was no exception. With Nesbitt sat on a makeable shot for the title, Scott cast out his 5/10 circle hook and reeled in a roof raising, skin saving Goliath 170 check out. Despite these heroics and much to the disgust of the learned darts community, moments like these are seldom built upon and Hunt managed to follow up with a 26. Punishment ensued from Nesbitt who clinched the game with a twenty-three-dart leg.

Much to the surprise of everyone at Birtley this Saturday, the final was a one-sided display ending in a 6-0 drubbing. Congratulations to the winner Jack Male, a nineteen-year-old who plays the game with a maturity far beyond his years.
Special mention goes to Tom Smith, veteran of the 1980s professional circuit who was also in attendance. Thank you for sharing some of your stories!

MAD STANDINGS:
Jack Male 8^th: 5 points to 69 points.
Paul Nesbitt 5^th: 68 points to 100 points.  
Kev McDine 3^rd: 106 points to 122 points.  
Scott Hunt 11^th: 32 points to 48 points.

Writeup from Danny McAtominey –

“MAD DASH 2
Where do you start, I’m bolloxed if I know, what a day.

Thanks to all darts players and supporters who turned out to make it a truly great day.

Special thanks to those who helped make it happen, Darren on the desk and much else, Jean Jeanie for her sterling fundraising, Maz Marie for the money draw, Jo for secretarial duties and to those looking after the groups, Scott Hunt for Board 1, Matty Hodgson board 3, and the un named soldier for board 2.

I’d personally like to thank some unsung heroes around the club, Lee and Gill Houghton, Tony Trotter and Tony Smith for all their hard work in transforming the club into what it is today during the dark days of lockdown. The bar staff Sharron, Debbie and Chris for keeping the beer moving and to you all for drinking copious amounts of it.

A brilliant competition, Adam Hunt setting the bar high early on with a 6 dart 301, some really hard fought matches throughout the day.

Both semi finals going to the final 301 leg followed by a terrific final, Tony Wood, Adam Hunt and Scott Hunt prevailing over John Kippen, Dave Stokell and Callum Stokell, results below. With a reduced turn out of 18 teams we still paid out £1000 in prize money, roll on Mad Dash 3, keep your eyes peeled for upcoming competitions with a twist.”

Mission Darts are thrilled to announce the signing of 12-year old Lauren Stokoe.

Mission Darts Player Development Manager, Darryl Fitton, is on cloud nine that she has chosen to join the team!

“Lauren is on the England Youth Team, and is an England Girls Matchplay Finalist, an England darts youth grand prix winner (qualifying for the finals in October 2019), a Youth Diamond League Winner and 2021 Ladies Whitby Open Winner! She’s a wonderful addition to Team Mission!”

Daryl explains that she is also record breaker; “Lauren is the youngest player ever to play senior county darts, making her debut at the age of 10 for Durham County Ladies Super League (B team). She won her debut match 3-1 with her natural dart throwing talent and got the highest average in the division! She was also Durham County Youth Girls Player of the Season 2018/2019 and placed in the top 8 of the England Darts Grand Prix.”

“I’m really excited to join Team Mission! I look forward to working on my skills with Darryl and the other Mission players; and to beating them too!” says Lauren with a cheeky smile! 

It was a clean sweep for Ryan Joyce over the weekend as he took the titles at Turbinia, Newton Aycliffe and Teams Club, Gateshead.

Turbinia, Newton Aycliffe Results –

Last 16

Ryan Joyce 4-0 Matt Hodgson
Dean Norman 4-1 Tony Procter
Eddie Mordica 4-0 Tex Houghton
Ray Marshall 4-3 Neil Makepeace
Andy Parks 4-0 Mark Wright
Phil Borthwick 4-1 Marty Byrne
Lee Morton 4-0 Tony Wood
Craige Nixon 4-2 Kev Hanson

Quarters

Ryan Joyce 4-1 Dean Norman
Ray Marshall 4-1 Eddie Mordica
Andy Parks 4-2 Phil Borthwick
Lee Morton 4-0 Craige Nixon

Semis

Ryan Joyce bt Ray Marshall
Andy Parks bt Lee Morton

Final

Ryan Joyce 4-2 Andy Parks

Teams Club, Gateshead Results –

Last 16

Scott Hunt 4-2 Gary Miller
Billy Robson 4-0 Mark Smith
Geoff Murray 4-0 Eddie Ashman
Kev McDine 4-3 Ian Whittaker
Ryan Joyce 4-0 Ray Marshall
Paul Knighton 4-0 Scott Robson
David Stokell 4-1 Andy Parks
Phil Borthwick 4-3 Craig Parks

Last 8

Billy Robson 4-2 Scott Hunt
Geoff Murray 4-3 Kev McDine
Ryan Joyce 4-0 Paul Knighton
David Stokell 4-3 Phil Borthwick

Semis

Billy Robson 5-4 Geoff Murray
Ryan Joyce 5-0 David Stokell

Final

Ryan Joyce 5-1 Billy Robson

The first big event back for North East Darts Promotions at the newly revamped Shilbottle Sports & Social Club. Boasting 8 floor boards with raised oches and a stage setup to rival any competition in the UK, the club will certainly be a firm fixture in the darting calendar in the future.

A big thank you to Wayne & Kelly for their superb hospitality along with providing all avid darts players a fantastic experience.

The Hunter saw off Andy Boulton in the last 8, before despatching fellow North East PDC Tour Card Holder, Callan Rydz, 5-2 in the semi finals.

The final was a clean sweep with Hunt beating ‘The Jackal’, Carl Hamilton by 6 legs to 0.

Last 16 –

Adam Hunt 4-1 Billy Robson

Andy Boulton 4-0 Chris Dominey

Callan Rydz 4-0 Jack O’Kane

Stephen Mallams 4-1 Dean Scott

Andy Allaker 4-2 William Borland

Ian Dawson 4-1 Tex Houghton

Paul Lawson 4-2 Phil Borthwick

Carl Hamilton 4-3 Steven Dunn

Last 8 –

Adam Hunt 5-2 Andy Boulton

Callan Rydz 5-0 Stephen Mallams

Andy Allaker 5-3 Ian Dawson

Carl Hamilton 5-4 Paul Lawson

Semis –

Adam Hunt 5-2 Callan Rydz

Carl Hamilton 5-4 Andy Allaker

Final

Adam Hunt 6-0 Carl Hamilton