But two Sarnians did manage to get their names on some big silverware at the Mermaid Tavern as, in the absence of Jersey’s unstoppable Jenna Avrill, Guernsey Darts Association president Yvonne Le Gallic won the women’s Classic and Tina Enevoldsen the Open.
Rory Gill – at just 15 – and Jarod Carrington proved the standout Guernsey players in the 49-strong men’s draw after making the semi-finals.
Unlike last year, no player seriously threatened a nine-darter, but the quality remained sky-high and several new visitors threatened to shake it up.
This was particularly true in a men’s Classic where the unfamiliar Jason Neville took top spot.
The Hertfordshire player had to come through a very tough side of the draw, building up to a semi-final where he shot down Jersey youngster Lewis Bell 4-1 and with a three-dart average exceeding 80.
Meanwhile, Tom McGhee achieved a 4-2 victory in his semi-final against Guernsey’s own Gill, who had held his nerve excellently to not only reach that point but to contend.
The final featured no real fireworks but saw Neville overcoming McGhee 5-3 in a well-contested match.
The women’s equivalent had Le Gallic enjoying a rare trophy success.
She defeating Jersey’s Liz Drew 4-1 in the final, despite her opponent actually managing a higher average for the match.
In the Open, McGhee denied a relatively young and talented Guernsey player once again in the semi-finals as Carrington – who was playing the darts of his life – settled for a 4-1 loss despite a comparable average.
Meanwhile, reigning champion Bell did not give last year’s double finalist Steve Ferguson from London a look-in, defeating him 4-0 while just missing the coveted 80-plus average. He still seemed to be full of darts after coming through an especially demanding series that included Neville.
But McGhee proved merciless in the final and came away a 5-2 victor.
In contrast, the women’s title decider proved the closest final of all and had first-timer Enevoldsen edging out surprise challenger Leanne Bisson 4-3.
Bisson appeared to be in the driving seat, not only holding the higher average but leading 3-2, before being clawed back and then defeated over the last two legs.
In the earlier mixed three-a-side, London’s Matt Winzar, Alderney’s Mimi House and Guernsey’s Lee Savident had joined forces to take the win from McGhee, Richy Helm and Lauren Mitchell.
Winzar and McGhee’s individual hauls also included success in the lottery pairs over Bell and Alan Smith.
Despite the absence of Roger Spencer, a visiting stalwart of the event, organiser Caroline La Touche had to mark it off as a big success.
‘All in all, we had a wonderful weekend,’ she said.
‘It’s all booked for next year.’
True to that, next year’s Herm Open is set to start on Thursday 21 October.
