The 1983 World Darts Champion, KEITH DELLER, clinched the inaugural BETVISION NORWICH CHARITY DARTS MASTERS 2015 title with an incredible display of darts in front of almost 425 fans and charity representatives in the Gunn Suite at Norwich City Football Club. Deller was in imperious form as he beat the three-times World Champion, JOHN LOWE in the final.
Deller had earlier edged out five-times World Champion ‘Crafty Cockney’ ERIC BRISTOW MBE in the semi-finals, joining Lowe who knocked out three-times World Champion Runner-up PETER MANLEY in their semi-final match (best of three legs).
John Lowe took Keith Deller to a deciding final leg where Deller wasted little time in wrapping up victory in the inaugural tournament. Fans of each professional created an electric atmosphere, with elegant walk-on girls accompanying each player, making the evening a superior on-going fundraising event which will grow year-on-year.
The Master of Ceremonies, PAUL BOOTH, oversaw the legs where raffle prize-winners won the chance to be drawn to play against a professional with fantastic darts being thrown during once-in-a-lifetime games. Caller, JOHN FOWLER was entertaining, scoring the legs with his infectious sense of humour.
VIP guests were greeted on arrival by Lord Russell Baker of Little Moulton, and then treated to a fantastic buffet with a chance to meet and mingle with the professional players. An exciting charity auction of sports memorabilia featuring Muhammad Ali, Paul Gascoigne and other notable players and teams took place during the evening, raising funds for the charities and giving members of the public the opportunity to bid for exclusive items.
At the interval RONNIE CONLON won the special draw to play special guest DARREN WEBSTER a current PDC top 20 player. Ronnie was a little overawed and couldn’t believe her luck. Well played Ronnie!
The final sum raised on the night is £10,106.70 for the Lord Baker Community Fund managed by the Norfolk Community Foundation. The money will be distributed at the end the year, along with the additional funds that will be raised during the year with the GRAND NORFOLK CHARITY AUCTION which starts on 12th September. The Lord Baker Community Fund currently distributes funding to local charities which include East Anglia Children’s Hospices (EACH) for the NOOK Appeal, Star Throwers Cancer Care and Support in Wymondham, Chapel Road School for severely disabled children in Attleborough, Norfolk Community Foundation and a local community grant-giving fund. The Norfolk Accident Rescue Services (NARS) will also be supported within the fund from October onwards this year.
Keith Deller said “I am very pleased to be the 1st player to win the Norwich masters. This was a great organised event and look forward to returning 2016”
John Lowe commented… “…what a great night it was, supporters of the many charities being helped came out in numbers, the Gunn Room was packed, the darts I am sure was entertaining. I lost out to Keith Deller in the Norwich Cup knockout final after being a leg up and way in front, a couple of maximums helped my cause but just like many of my contemporaries I couldn’t finish the job off and it was Keith who became the inaugural champion. Congratulations to Lord Russell Baker and his team, you certainly know how to organise an event and make it successful.”
Eric Bristow said “I would like to thank everyone for the best night of darts in a long time. There was a lot of money raised on the night which is why I love doing jobs like this. I want to thank Lord Russell Baker for inviting myself to the night and all the hard work that was put into make it a magic night. There’s really too many to thank; I.e. sponsors and players, and the crowd who turned up on Saturday’s Norwich Darts Masters. I’m looking forward to next year where I want to win the trophy off Keith Deller. Keith Deller won on the night and has been winding me up most days since the event. Looking forward to my invite next year and I’ll be putting in the practice to lift the Norwich Darts Masters Trophy.”
This event provided the ideal warm-up for Charity Darts Masters 2016 with STEVE BEATON (the 1996 PDC World Champion, and current PDC player), already agreeing to appear.
VIP Tables and Standard tickets for the 2016 event will go on sale later this year in November and will once again be held at the Gunn Club, Norwich City Football Club on Saturday 25th June 2016.