EDMONTON - A Fort Simpson darts player is hoping for a strong year following her best finish yet at the Canadian National Adults Darts Championships.

Brenda Moreau received a trophy and a $750 purse for winning third place in the ladies singles at the Canadian National Adults Darts Championships in Edmonton. - photo courtesy of Marsha Day

Brenda Moreau finished third in the ladies singles at the nationals. Moreau competed in the event and two adjoining tournaments from June 10 to 20 in Edmonton.

"For me I was so proud to play for the NWT," said Moreau.

Moreau finished in second on her sheet – only the top four players on each sheet qualified for the knock-out round.

Despite a big loss to start the competition, dropping a 3-0 decision against Robin Curry of Ontario, Moreau came within a breadth of a national berth.

Moreau went undefeated against her next three opponents, winning 3-0 against Vanessa Berry of Northern Ontario and Quebecers Cathy Matthews-Scarff and Josee Lyna.

"I was on a huge high," said Moreau.

"I hit amazing numbers."

The numbers included 180s and 140s.

As the knock-outs advanced, the crowd following the remaining players grew larger and larger. Moreau said she stayed focused on her games by avoiding looking at the crowd and following a practiced pattern as she and her opponents threw their darts.

That all changed when she got to the semi-finals.

The semi-final games took place on a raised stage and each player had to step onto a platform to throw their darts. Moreau said she felt intense pressure from the crowd of approximately 140 people as she started her game against Jenelle Legge of Newfoundland.

"I was so nervous. I kid you not, I almost threw up on stage," she said.

Moreau said her nerves, and being told by a NWT teammate that a spot at the World Masters could be hers if she won, threw her off her game.

Legge won the first game while Moreau came back to win the second and third. Legge then won the fourth game taking the opponents to the fifth and final game.

The numbers came down quickly and soon Moreau was left with a double 19 to finish the game. It was a shot she'd been making all day, but just couldn't hit this time. Moreau's misthrows allowed Legge to catch up and finish the game first.

"Jenelle is a wonderful player. She's bang-on," said Moreau.

Moreau said she is very happy with third place at the national level. No female from the NWT has every placed that high, she said.

"It was a huge advancement for the Northwest Territories just being on stage," she said.

Moreau's previous best finish at the nationals was ninth in 2008. Having made between possibly eight to 15 points at the nationals and the two other linked tournaments Moreau said she has a chance to advance up in the Canadian women's rankings this year.

The nationals mark the beginning of the dart year. With her newly-won points, Moreau said she'll be in the top eight, a range she hopes to stay in by attending tournaments all summer and hopefully earning more points.

Moreau finished 21st among Canadian women darts players last year. Her highest finish was eighth in 2009.

While in Edmonton, Moreau also competed in the Canadian Open from June 18 to 20. She placed ninth in the women's singles and third in the ladies doubles with Annemarie Coroluick of Medicine Hat, Alta. During their last eight years as partners at the tournament, Moreau and Coroluick have always placed second or third.

"We mesh really well. We complement each other."

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