JHB West Open held on Saturday 15 April 2023

This past weekend was such a busy but such a successful weekend for The Blue Machine Family. ESDA turned out in a force at the recent JHB West Open held at Dinwiddie Sports Complex.

We’ve had some great success, but some of us fell a little short of the finish line, but none the less, we are proud of every single member who turned up and played their hearts out. Our members and their achievements and accolades are as follows:

Juniors:

Arrabella Rego (Carlos Rego), on her second ever Open won 5 games for the day. Such an improvement from only having one leg on your first Open! We are so proud of your growth in this sport.

Dwayne de Witt attended his very first Open as part of the ESDA Blue Machine family and did so well, ending 5th overall.

Nakita de Lange – Now this was our biggest achievement for the day and such a proud moment for the Senior players. Not only did she hit 1 x 140 and had a 120 closure but she ended up in 2nd Place Overall! Well done again my girly, it is such an achievement after little over a year of starting your darting journey.

Ladies:

Delian Bennett unfortunately fell out during the Block section.

Jen Bennett made it through to Top 32 and was unfortunately taken out by her family member Sally. Jen did manage 2 x 140’s for the day.

Sally J'arlette-joy progressed to the Top 16 but unfortunately that is where her journey ended.

Maryna Badenhorst played very well during the Block section and made her way all the way to the Top 8 where she was taken out by Charmoné.

Thea Joubert and Moira Cronje steamrolled forward and ended up in the quarter finals where unfortunately Thea was taken out by Charmoné and Moira was taken out by Mekayla. This meant that Thea and Moira played for 3rd and fourth place where Moira took out Thea.

Well done Thea Joubert on your 4th placement overall, and

Well done Moira Cronje on your 3rd placement overall, managing 3 x 140’s for the day.

Men:

The competition was really of high standard between the men and it is evident in the early losses ESDA suffered, with some of our big names falling out early in the Open.

Brandon Thompson, Wayne Ellis, Chipoyera Tinashe unfortunately could not make it past the block section, with Tinashe at least hitting 1 x 180 for the day.

Vaughn Brendon Smith, Jan Putter, Jason Crook, Pie Badenhorst and Carlos Rego all fell short at the Top 64 hurdle, with Carlos, attending only his 2nd Open hitting 5 x 140’s for the day and Jason hitting 4 x 180’s for the day with a highest closure of 117 obtained.

Alfred Ungerer and Grant Wepener continued their journeys all the way to Top 32 and Alfie managing to hit 1 x 180 for the day, but unfortunately this is where both their journeys ended.

Rajesh Ramnund also reached the Top 32 however he was drawn against a fellow ESDA family member and was taken out by Attie.

Attie Botha managed to steam roller his way all the way to Top 8, taking out both Jason and Raj on the way. Attie managed to hit a total of 3 x 180’s for the day, but this was where his journey ended.

Hugo remained calm and steady in his journey and played in the final of the Men's Section but lost against Phillip. Hugo obtained a high closure of 170 and hit 4 x 180’s for the day. Well done Hugo on your 2nd Overall placement overall.

We are extremely proud of each and every single member of The Blue Machine Family who showed up and flew the ESDA flag with pride and honour. We were well represented, not only on the dartboard, but with sportsmanship, conduct and following all the rules. Well done to everyone for your individual placements.

Watch as we grow from strength to strength.

Nakita de Lange taking 2nd Place overall in the Juniors Section

Moira Cronje taking 3rd Place overall placement.

Thea Joubert taking 4th place overall

GDF affiliated ladies playing the knock out round.