Tranters' scoop first title

Tim and Eden Tranter secured their first mixed pairs’ title after victory at the Castle and Falcon in the Newark and District Double Board Darts League.

The duo, representing Balderton Cricket Club Outlaws, were competing together for only the second time as they saw off the opposition to take the crown.

Their place in the final was secured after victory in a tight semi-final, which was a real family affair as they edged out Eden’s parents, Phil and Mel Tranter, 2-1.

Their opponents in the final were reigning champions, Mark Hill and Mandy Ward, whose road to the final had seen them come from behind, thanks to two double-one checkouts from Ward, against Steve Radforth and Linda Gregory, before a 2-0 semi-final success against former champions Nev and Rachel Squires.

A tense opening leg of the final was secured by Tim Tranter’s double-one checkout after both pairings struggled to find the finish.

The next leg was another tight affair, and the reigning champions were once again left to rue missed chances as Tim hit double 16 to put them 2-0 up.

The third and ultimately final leg saw Eden have the first opportunity to seal victory but agonisingly she just failed to take out 64.

This allowed Ward the opportunity to gain her side a foothold but she was unable to find a 70 checkout. So with both duos level on 32, up stepped Tim to complete his hat-trick of finishes with a first-dart double 16 to wrap up a tremendous 3-0 win and secure the title.

In the men’s league it was the opening round of the knockout cup and the current holders, Newark Working Men’s Club 45s, safely progressed despite losing the opening leg against Staythorpe Sureshots.

Simon Cobb’s 53 checkout had given his side a surprise lead but the 45s, who haven’t lost a cup match since 2006, stormed back to win 4-1 with Colin Weir hitting two of their finishes.

Elsewhere, Newcastle Arms picked up their first win of the season as John Gough hit the opening and closing finishes in a 4-1 win over Balderton Cricket Club, while Castle and Falcon Phoenix eased passed their in-house rivals, The Arrows, with a 4-0 win, which included a brace of checkouts from Keith Tomlinson.

The remaining ties saw Castle and Falcon Marauders defeat Balderton Cricket Club Outlaws 4-1, while the match of the round saw last season’s losing finalists, Newark Working Men’s Club Lads, edge home 4-3 against Plough Coddington.

The Lads raced into a 2-0 lead before the village side rallied to level at 2-2 before Rob O’Neil checked out to restore their lead.

Pete Knott responded by hitting his second finish of the night to put his side back on parity.

In a tight deciding leg both sides had opportunities to seal the match before O’Neil struck again with a double-top checkout to seal a thrilling victory.

In the Premiership, Horse and Gears Mix and Match retained their unbeaten start to the season with a 7-2 win over Watermill Topshots to stretch their lead at the top to 12 points.

Paul Gallacher kept his 100% start to the season as he secured seven points in his three wins to put himself top of the singles’ league.