Local Darters Battle it out
Story and Photo By Anthony De Beauville

( Photo ) National player Robert ‘Butter Bread’Charles showing his class

The St. Lucia National Darts Association in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports on Saturday 19th January 2008 staged its second round of competition in the National Darts Tournament at the Police barracks.
A total of 60 darters are representing five teams namely Fire Service, Rebels, Amazona, Mavericks and Renegades in this year’s tournament. In a keenly contested encounter between rivals Renegades and Amazona, Renegades got the better of Amazona 7-6 in a ding-dong battle for supremacy as both teams showed mental toughness when the squeeze was imposed at crucial times for the kill.
In the other encounter Rebels had the better of Mavericks as they whistled past them 9-4. That encounter also saw the Rebels ladies Andrea Leon and Dawn Avril holding their own in the doubles match up as they defeated their opponents Leah Mayers and Naomi Smith 2-1 in what can only be described as a nail biter as the two pairs battled it out.
With the score locked at 1-1 and going into the final game, there was no letting up by either side as they showed determination and composure in spite all the distraction around and made light work of the 501 total.
This reporter was on hand and spoke to the President of the SLNDA Linus Theophilus who said, “Since assuming the Presidency of the association in November of 2007, the SLNDA has gone back to the Ministry of Youth and Sports to get this Independence Tournament going and is quite pleased with the five teams participating.”

( Photo ) Andrea Leon in fine form versus Mavericks Leah Mayers and Naomi Smith

Theophilus went on say that the SLNDA is presently in discussion with Windward and Leeward Brewery to stage another Tournament immediately following the Independence Tournament so affiliates will have the opportunity for further competition where they too will remain on top of their game. Asked about the quality of play exhibited in the matches played so far he replied, “It’s a bit to early to say, but some of the stalwarts are holding their own thus far and as the Tournament progresses only then you will be able to see who are the individuals dominating.”
The President also stated that the SLNDA in the coming days plans to start a membership drive where they hope to bring back young and aspiring dart players on the island to the organization based on a promise made to the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Throughout the year, the Association hopes to keep the momentum at a all time high with a number of organized competitions.
Meanwhile, the 5’5’’ tall Theophilus was straightforward and called on his executive to give their support to the development of the sport on the island and not just accept a position on the executive to just sit by doing nothing.
Matches continue on Tuesday 22nd February between Renegades and Fire Service, while Amazona will battle it out versus Rebels. On Thursday 24th January, Fire Service will be looking to extinguish Mavericks and Renegades will encounter Rebels. All matches will be played at the Police Auditorium and commence from 7:00 pm.