Misfits: Michael Bajowski, Joanne Hadley, Dallas Barnstable and Cody Johns, insert Calhoun Burt won Division One.
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An incredible night of darts was held at Rich River on Grand Final night.
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Both division Grand Finals were played with much endeavour in front of a crowd of 30 or so spectators, who were not disappointed by the show.
Both matches went down to the wire.
In division one, Misfits, in a seesawing match, defeated 26 Jets 6-5.
Division two saw The Recyclables, after taking an early lead, hang on to take care of Pastoral Warriors in another 6-5 nail-biter.
Special thanks go to Andrew Beaumont, who took the time and effort to set the venue up and ensure that all playing equipment, stands, dartboards, and scoring tablets were in good order.
Thanks, also to Paul and Fran Seaton for providing the TVs linked to the scoring tablets, giving all onlookers a better view of the game status.
Thanks, also has to go to the many volunteer scorers who stepped up to mark the games.
Division One
The Misfits, without their leader, Cal Burt, who chose instead to laze around a pool in Bali with a Bing Tang in hand, managed to fight their way back after trailing 4-3.
They won two of the next three sets to take the match to a team’s game decider, which wasn’t going their way until Cody Johns hit a 118 set-up shot to leave 36.
26 Jets had had a couple of shots at pegging, but it was Michael Bajowski who stepped up to the oche, hitting double 18 with his 1st dart to seal the victory for Misfits.
Division Two
The Recyclables: Chris Gritty, Robert Richmann, Samantha Betts, Ollie McMinn and Darryl Telfur won Division Two.
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Division two was a different story.
The Recyclables started off brilliantly, winning the first four sets to take what looked like an insurmountable lead.
The Warriors had different ideas, and they won the next three sets to bring them back into the game.
Recyclables put on another spurt and took it to 5-3, and it looked like a foregone conclusion, but Warriors were not done yet.
They won the next two sets, forcing a team’s game decider.
Like the rest of the match, The Recyclables took off like a rocket ship on rails thanks to Ollie McMinn hitting four ton plus shots in a row, leaving the Warriors floundering.
Again, the Warriors weren’t giving up.
The Recyclables had trouble hitting their doubles giving Warriors a sniff of a chance, which was shut down when Robert Richmann walked up to the oche, hitting double 8 with his 1st dart to give The Recyclables the win.
Individual Highlights- Division One
26 Jets: Alex Oakley, Jodie Oakley, Shane Broucek and Will Broucek were runners-up in Division One.
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Again we saw the same names popping up as we have all season.
Joanne Hadley and Michael Bajowski led the way, both hitting 11 tons including a 180 each.
Jo led the high peg with 92 and the shortest leg in 17 darts.
Michael had the best average with 23.03.
Division Two
Pastoral Warriors: Steve Robinson, Alan Bryson, Val McKee and Rob Molnar were runners-up in Division Two
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Ollie McMinn led the tons list with seven, including the four in a row mentioned above.
Steve Robinson had the highest peg with 78 and Rob Molnar had the best average with 20.04.
The shortest game went to Chris Gritty in 18 darts.
For full stats in both divisions, log on to: https://tv.dartconnect.com/league/EMDAI
Mixed Doubles
Next Wednesday, June 18, the 2025 EMDA Mixed Doubles will be held at the Pastoral Inn Hotel Motel.
Names in by 7pm for a 7.15pm start.
Depending on numbers, we’ll start with four groups, each playing a round-robin, with the top two teams in each group progressing to a final eight knockout.
Non-members are able to play, especially ladies as we have an imbalance of male and female members.
I know of a couple of ladies without partners, so any gentleman looking for a partner, ring me on 0429 943 450 if you are interested.
Grand Prix League
The Grand Prix knockout series Monday night league at the Pastoral Inn Hotel is all set to start on June 23.
There has been a good level of interest shown.
The competition has been designed to not only benefit the better players, but to give all interested players an additional night of competitive darts with a greater chance of improving their game.
It will be limited to 16 players each week based on a first-in-best-dressed system.
I will be available at the venue from 6pm onwards to take names in person, or by phone on 0429 943 450.
I reiterate, if you nominate to play then do not turn up, you will be frozen out the following week.
You will not be required to play every week, however, the more you play, the better chance you will have of accumulating enough points to play finals night.
There will be nightly cash prizes with increased prize money on finals night.
Non-EMDA members are welcome to play, but must be eligible to play under EMDA rules.
Geelong Darts Club Classic
We recently had some of our local players venture down to Geelong to play in their club classic.
Jo Hadley teamed up with Monica Ribeiro from NSW to take out the ladies' doubles and Jo won the ladies' singles, which had a very impressive field from a number of States.
Jodie Oakley teamed up with fellow Victorian Kylie Keenan to reach the quarter-finals in the doubles and Jodie was a semi-finalist in the ladies singles, being beaten by eventual runner-up Chris Richardson.
Caylee Crilly also played, but was unfortunate not to make it through the round-robin stage.
Given Caylee’s young age, I’m sure she has a great future in front of her.
In the men’s doubles, Michael Bajowski teamed up with Mal Cumming making it into the semifinals but was defeated by eventual winners, Stuart Coburn and Brody Klinge.
In the men’s singles, Michael made it to the quarter-finals but was beaten by former EMDA player Dylan Oaff, who progressed to the semifinals where he was beaten by runner-up Liam McDonell.
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