Darts season soon takes flight

By Matthew Yates, matthew@cfp.ky

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The local darts season is slated to get underway soon and it promises to be very competitive.

Organizers say the tentative date is Wednesday 5 November at 7:30pm. The venue will be announced at a later date.

According to Cayman Darts Association president Arthur Ebanks the coming season should be a promising one.

“It’s going to be a dynamic season. We’re going to introduce more mini–tournaments and resurrect old competitions such as the ‘nationals’.

“We’ll also be re–instating the B league and highlighting the Marjorie Bodden Memorial tournament to a greater extent.”

One of the big competitions to be played during the season will be the Pirates Week tournament.

Sponsored this year by Red Stripe, the contest is slated to be held Sunday 16 November. Jillian’s Billiard Lounge and Bar in the Islander Complex, downstairs from the World Gym, is expected to host all the dart–flying action.

Registration is expected to start at 12noon on the day with play starting roughly an hour later.

Among those slated to compete at the tournament are Arthur Ebanks and Celso Ocampo. Both teamed up to nab the doubles title while Ocampo won the singles trophy.

Last season saw a dominating performance from the Triple Crown team. The squad went undefeated throughout the 24 week season, led in large part by Caribbean champion Edsell Haylock.

There were also many impressive individual performances. Among them was Hank Ebanks leading the league in most tons (100 point games) with 60 and Earl Smith pacing the field with the most 180s (perfect scores) with 10.

The weekend’s Vivian Rankine tournament was undoubtedly a boost for the darts scene but the first steps toward the new season will begin next month.

The Captain’s meeting is on Wednesday 8 October at 6pm in the Focus Administration offices located at No.10 Cayman Centre, Airport Road.

All returning teams and new players that are interested in joining the league are encouraged to attend.

For Ebanks the league should be an interesting one that can garner many followers.

“It should be a phenomenal league. Once we get the amount of players we’re looking for then everything should work out.”

All interested persons should contact Arthur Ebanks at 916–7595 or Philip Parsons at 916–8965 or Eddie Ballantyne at 925–9393. For more information, log on to darters.pressmeet.com.