The Results are in! East Side Triples League
Over the past few months, darts enthusiasts from across the region have gathered to compete in one of the most exciting leagues in town. From intense matches to remarkable performances, let’s relive the highlights of this thrilling season
At the bottom of the standings sits the 6th place
Team Higgins. Despite their efforts, A-player Nick Higgins, Permanent Fill-in B-player Rodger Marcus, and C-player Kim Fyock faced significant roster inconsistency throughout the season. Captain Nick Higgins demonstrated resilience, boasting the second-highest overall 3-dart average of 57.53 and the highest overall cricket average of 2.77 marks per round. They were unable to overcome a slow start, but their season’s highlight was an upset victory over then-1st seed Team Lemponen on February 19th, where Higgins single-handedly won all four of his matches.
Moving up a notch, the 5th place finishers, led by A-player Chuck Stout, B-player Chris Sullivan, and C-player Chris Mayle, showcased consistency in attendance with only one missed match among them. However, their season saw erratic performances, swinging between many 7-2 victories and 2-7 defeats, ultimately costing them a playoff spot. Notably, Chris Mayle stood out, finishing second amongst C-players with a 47.31 3-dart average.
Securing the 4th seed and finishing in 4th place overall, BRDC witnessed a mid-season leadership stabilization with Dave Godshall assuming captaincy. Alongside B-player Tom Kinkoph and C-player Brad Stroth, the team displayed promising performances. Godshall’s 2.47 cricket marks per round ranked third overall, while Kinkoph’s 49.46 3-dart average placed him third amongst B-players and Stroth’s 1.80 cricket marks per round finished third amongst C-players. Despite their regular-season success, Kinkoph’s absence in both playoff matches led to defeats against top-seeded team and in the 3rd place game, narrowly missing out on prize money.
Claiming the 3rd place finish, A-player Mike Pagel, B-player Ryan Lang, and C-player Mark Nieman faced a late roster shuffle, but fortunately, Lang stepped in for the final stretch of the season. Pagel’s impressive performance secured him third place overall with a 57.33 3-dart average, while Lang stood out amongst B-players with a 2.09 cricket marks-per-round. Despite a heartbreaking last-leg-loss in the first playoff round, they rallied in the consolation game, triumphing over the 4th seed 5-3.
However, claiming the championship title was the 2nd-seeded team of Tim Lemponen, Steve Schneider, and Steve Kelsey. Leading the league for most of the regular season, they demonstrated exceptional skill and consistency. Lemponen’s outstanding performance earned him the league’s top spot with a 60.05 3-dart average and a second-place finish in cricket marks-per-round (2.62). Schneider exceeded his 6th-overall draft position, leading all B-players with a 51.99 3-dart average and 2.24 cricket marks-per-round. Kelsey also showcased his prowess, finishing third amongst C-players with a 43.45 3-dart average and second in cricket marks-per-round (2.04). Their playoff journey saw them secure victory in a nail-biting last-leg decider before dominating the 1st seed in the final match, with all 3 outplaying their seasonal averages in both 501 and cricket.
As the season concludes, Burning River Darts Club extends gratitude to the Club Lounge at LNSP for hosting the league. With anticipation building for the next season, interested players are encouraged to sign up promptly for the upcoming league. The first 18 players who sign up and pay will secure their spot while BRDC will expand the league if there is enough interest.
