Norman Bennett Memorial - Teesside Ranking Event 8

WINNER - Glen Durrant - £250.00

RUNNER UP - Dennis Coleman

SEMIS - Rich Parkin & John Hardman

LAST 8 - Gary Stephens/ Dickie Young/Collin Foxton/Paul Jack SNR

Hat Trick for Durrant

Glen Durrant continued his fantastic run on the Teesside circuit with a hat trick of Norman Bennett competition wins sponsored by Buildeez with a nail biting 4-3 win over pairs partner Dennis Coleman

90 players took to the oche as Peter Searle pulled out the plum first round tie and against PDC player John Quantock from York. Searle winning the match 3-1

In the last 64 Searle was beaten by Durham rising star Alan Bell who nailed double 4 for a fine victory

The last 32 produced some class darts in the boiling hot venue as Karl ‘Lanky’ Harland from Grangetown beat the much fancied Mick Evans. Durham players turned up in force and were stamping their authority on the competition with big wins from Kev Elliot, Phil Borthwick, Dickie Young and Kev Naunton. The loudest cheer was reserved for local player Paul Jack SNR who beat Carl Frewin to seal his last 16 place.

In the last 16 Collin Foxton was making his move, ending the fine run from Harland. In-form John Hardman beat Borthwick. Young beat the fine prospect from Billingham Gary Hayes. Coleman used his experience to beat Bell. Whitby’s Rich Parkin cemented his fine recent performances with a solid win over Catterick’s Barry Coates that included a stunning opening 10 dart leg. Durrant beat the Keith Clitheroe Champion Kev Elliot. Jack kept the locals involved with a last leg shoot out win over Naunton but all eyes were on the only female competitor Shirley Witten who reached the last 16 with wins over Ste Halpin and Danny Clews but found Gary Stephens took much to handle and bowed out to a round of applause from the knowledgeable crowd.

In the Last 8 Durrant played his best darts of the day against Stephens that included 7 perfect darts in a last leg 10 darter. Parkin ended the fine run of Jack SNR. Coleman came through the tough bottom half of the draw to beat Young and Hardman proved too strong for the consistent Foxton who can’t seem to get over that finishing line.
The first semi final was a one sided affair as Hardman struggled to produce his best darts as Durrant whitewashed his Durham Super League team-mate. Coleman and Parkin had a battle royal in the other semi and it took something special in the last leg from Coleman to win the match and book his place in his first final appearance of the year.
The final was a tight affair and went with the darts to 3 legs each with Durrant winning the bull shot to throw in the final leg opening with a maximum 180. Coleman had a chance at 120 to win the match but it was left to Durrant to hit his favourite double 16 for his seventh ranking event win of the season

The next ranking event moves to the Grangetown St Marys Club on Saturday September 4th. All are welcome. 
 

Geordie Mailer Memorial Winner

White House August 4

Gordon Dobey

Runner up Paul Jennings