JERSEY is all set to host the third edition of the Islands International Darts Tournament this weekend.
Staged at The Royal Hotel, Jersey will welcome men’s and women’s teams from the Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man and Channel Island rivals, Guernsey.
Jersey have given a fair account of themselves in the two previous editions, finishing above rivals Guernsey in both competitions, first hosted in Guernsey in 2023, finishing second, then Isle of Man last year where they placed third.
Ladies team manager Angie Le Bailly, a veteran of Jersey Darts, spoke highly of the competition and both teams’ confidence going into this weekend.
“This is a great tournament to be a part of,” she said.
“It’s fantastic to be hosting this year and we are all excited to put on a real show for our guests.
“Both men’s and women’s teams I think are in a great place this year, with individuals producing some outstanding personal results in recent times.
“We always have our own fun rivalry with Guernsey, but we know what a threat they can be.
“We are also looking to push for a top-two spot and see if we can get above Republic of Ireland and Isle of Man this time around. That would be a real achievement for us.”
On Friday, the Jersey Mechanics Institute, home of Jersey Darts, will host a pre-tournament warm-up event, free to enter, with players hoping to tune up their skills before the main event.
Men’s team player Craig Quemard added: “We’re really excited for this one, I think both teams have their best chance yet to compete.
“We know the Irish team are going to be good, they have some genuinely world-class players, so realistically we would love to push for second place.
“But to get to test our skills against that level of opposition is a great challenge and one we all relish.
“We have been training hard over the last 12 months, everyone has been playing regularly and performing consistently.
“I think this could be our year to push for as high a finish as possible.’
Fellow men’s team player Stuart Moon echoed Quemard’s sentiments, saying: “This is going to a real test this year.
“We absolutely love competing in this event and this year will be no different.
“We are excited to host for the first time as well, we know the players all well from previous competitions and have developed good friendships across the Islands.
“Both men’s and women’s teams have a great blend of youth and experience and we’re all ready to bring our best games to the oche this weekend.”
The men’s team comprises 13 players, meaning their singles battles will be played as a best-of-13 matches contest.
The women’s team, made up of eight players, will be a best-of-eight games clash, with both teams competing against all three other nations.
Action is scheduled to start at midday on Saturday, with both teams competing against their Island adversaries in singles contests across the weekend, with the overall winner pronounced on Sunday evening.
Jersey men’s team: Craig Quemard, Lewis Bell, Sid Bell, Eddie Le Bailly, Steve Eusebini, Stuart Moon, Taylor Greechan, Mark James, Gareth Le Monnier, Dave Parlby, Geoff Anderton, Scott Ruderham, Craig Meddings Reserve: Nigel Greenwood
Jersey women’s team: Jenna Avrill, Tina Carver, Hope Hopwood, Donna Le Clerq, Casey Lodwidge, Ema Love, Lorraine Porter, Andrea John
