adminTHE Guzzlers Social Darts League Africa Day Tourney held last weekend received an overwhelming response with over 100 players turning out for the event that saw a hard fought win for national team players, Brian Ndlovu and Moses Ndlovu.
The two players (not related) used their national team partnership to triumph in the contest in what they termed a “good practice” match for upcoming national team events.
The social tournament was being held for the second year in a row and proved to be a phenomenal success with Guzzlers vice secretary Julius Ncube satisfied with the turnout, adding that they were looking forward to more such tournaments.
Sizinda South Beer Garden took advantage of the Africa Day holiday to host the two day tournament that started on Sunday, with a festive mood seemingly gripping the popular leisure centre throughout the duration of the tourney.
“We are happy with the response from the players as they came in their numbers giving us a total of 52 doubles teams. The fact that we had also managed to attract national team players is a sign of the stature of the tournament and how it is regarded within the darts community in the city,” said Ncube
“Moses Ndlovu is a veteran, a sure sign that we had all players across the board, from young novices to the veterans.”
The national team duo, who named their team as Bona Ba, however did not have it easy as they had to fight their way to the first prize, with the final being as tense affair as they had to come from behind to beat their opponents, Changas, a team made up of impressive youngster Dan Mathe and Martin Changachirere both from the Sizinda Social Darts Club.
Changas, a side that had home advantage and enjoyed home supported, won the first game but the national team players got their composure back and showed they were veterans of the game, winning the next three matches to claim the title, much to the chagrin of the home side’s supporters.
Moses Ndlovu, who plays for Old Nic Mine on the Bulawayo Darts League and Emakhandeni in the social league, said because of their previous exploits as a team they were confident of winning the tourney.
“We have a strong partnership and after two years together, I knew we were going to win this contest,” he said.
Brian, who plays for Archers in the competitive league while in social circles he is a Khongo player, said last year in Mutare they won a gold medal at the National Darts Association of Zimbabwe championships held in August, the fruits of their powerful and loyal two-year partnership.
“I feel this was a good practice tourney for us as we prepare for the forthcoming championships that are going to be held in Kutama (Zvimba) in August,” he said.
For their efforts, the duo walked away with $60 and a crate of Shake It that was sponsored by Ingwebu Breweries while Changas took home $50.
Ncube said competition was tight and the runners up, Changas had not been on the favourite list of teams to grab the title but pulled of a surprise to reach the final.
“In any tourney there are always favourites but Changas were not on the list but they went all the way to the final, which we believe was good for the tourney as they are local (Sizinda) players and had the backing of the home crowd.
Online Reporter