Back to back for Tassie Pair

The Tasmanian darts combination of Helen Johnston and Sandra Smith have done some serious traveling to darts tournaments during 2004, covering most of the big events around the country. Last year in Darwin they won the 2003 Australian Ladies Doubles title and in 2004 they have backed up that win by taking the title again here in Canberra.

Ladies Doubles
Helen Johnston and Sandra Smith (pictured right) played brilliant darts to over power South Australia’s Jackie Clothier and Karen Mayes in the final of the Australian Ladies Doubles Championship. The ladies from the apple isle won the first leg against the darts, only to see the SA Ladies return the compliment in the next leg. Johnston and Smith then broke again but were able to win the fourth leg after leading off the leg. Clothier and Mayes held the next leg to bring the score back to 3 – 2. A great 106 finish by Smith put the Tassie ladies one leg away from reclaiming the title. Not letting an opportunity slip they won the seventh leg for 5 – 2 victory when Smith finished off the leg with a forty pegout. Going back to back at an Australia Championships in individual events is fairly rare, and this combination has the ability to hold this title again next year.

Finals Averages:
Helen Johnston 20.54, Sandra Smith 19.82
Jackie Clothier 16.66, Karen Mayes 20.37

In the semi finals Jackie Clothier and Karen Mayes ended the hopes of New South Wales in this event when they accounted for Carol Forwood and Corrine Hammond 4 – 3. Forwood and Hammond had their chances but missed the vital double in the last leg when they had the opportunity.
Averages:
Jackie Clothier 19.78, Karen Mayes 18.72
Carol Forwood 20.11, Corrine Hammond 19.40

Helen Johnston and Sandra Smith easily defeated Western Australians Lilian Broadbent and Colleen Praetz in the second semi final 4 – 0. The Tassie ladies were too strong and more consistent in their scoring for the WA Ladies.
Averages:
Helen Johnston 22.83, Sandra Smith 20.72
Lilian Broadbent 14.98, Colleen Praetz 19.06.

Quarter Final results
Jackie Clothier & Karen Mayes (SA) def Dot McLeod & Louise Ball (WA) 3 - 2
Carol Forwood & Corrine Hammond (NSW) def Nancy Homer & Pam Burr (QLD) 3 - 0
Helen Johnston & Sandra Smith (TAS) def Kerry Jacobs & Brooke Travis (NSW) 3 - 2
Lilian Broadbent & Colleen Praetz (WA) defeated Cathy Shaw and Brie Peters (QLD) 3 - 1

Men Doubles
Western Australian Men’s doubles combinations of Graham Hunt and Tony David blitzed their opposition in Dave Nogar Jnr and Wiggy Solomon in the final of the Australian Men’s Doubles Championship. Graham Hunt and Tony David had too much experience for their Queensland opponents taking the match 6 – 0. The two from the west have both been World Champions and this showed. A lot closer final was expected after two great semi finals were played. Hunt only required the one dart to hit the winning double (Double Top) to win their first Australian Men’s Doubles title playing together. Both have won this title three times before with different partners. Today made title number four for both players joining Victoria’s Wayne Weening as the only four time winners of this event. They won the six legs in 24,25,19,22,20 and 22 darts.

Finals Averages:
Graham Hunt 25.42, Tony David 29.00
Dave Nogar Jnr 22.84, Wiggy Solomon 23.03

(From left – Dave Nogar Jnr, Graham Hunt, Tony David and Wiggy Solomon)

Quarter Final results:
David Nogar & Wiggy Solomon (QLD) def Brian Roach & Barry Jouanett (NSW) 4 - 1
Dave Anderson & Geoff Kime (QLD) def Wayne Weening & Andy Robertson (VIC) 4 - 1
Frank Tarr & Peter Machin (SA) def David Muller & Lindsay Wells (QLD) 4 - 1
Tony David & Graham Hunt (WA) def Simon Whitlock and Paul Ross (NSW) 4 - 3