TERRY Gowans came out on top over PDC circuit player Colin Littlecott 5-4 after 11 gruelling hours as the ADC League and Weymouth Angling Society hosted its first-ever open competition.

Both players have in recent years represented county as well as boosting impressive form in their respected weekly leagues and it was Gowans who raced into a 4-2 lead as he scored well and missed very little, if not anything, at the doubles.

Gowans, who plays in Weymouth’s Beige League was solid throughout the day that involved 36 players from all areas of Dorset compete in a round robin format.

It consisted of three groups of nine and one group of eight best of five legs starting on 501, the top four from each group qualified to the knockout stages.

With defeat staring him in the face it seemed as if Littlecott was throwing more relaxed which worked in his favour and drawing him back level in the tie.

A one-leg shoot-out determined the first ADC Open champion and Gowans held his nerve while both players were on a double to take out double 10 and the victory.

The knockout stages had seen some big names knocked out early with the likes of Kev Hobson, Andrew McDermott and Danny Aplin falling at the first hurdle.

Experience saw Derek Legg, Ray Attree, Littlecott and Gowans make it to the semi-finals the latter players to advanced.

After victory, Gowans said: “It was a well organised and great day of darts and to come away with the Rainbow League trophy was brilliant.”

Aplin, co-organiser and player, said: “Saturday overall was a fantastic day not just for the ADC or Weymouth Angling Club but for Weymouth darts in general and a lot of planning with the help of others and the club on the day made it a great success.

“Admittedly it went on a lot longer than we thought but it was only really us as organisers who were concerned with the time as every competitor said what a fantastic day they had.

“It has not been a secret that us pulling away from the other leagues in Weymouth and setting up the ADC Singles League caused controversy but Saturday just proves that when it comes down to it we all love our darts and it was nice to compete against some of our old foes.”

The down side of the long day was definitely on show on Monday night when players returned to league action and there was very little sign of the quality shown of late.

Highlights the evening included Andrew McDermott’s four 180s with three of them coming in his 3-2 loss to Paul Dormer.

Dormer ended the night with three wins as he beat Scott Gannon 3-1, then a default 3-0 as Adam McKay did not show up, Team Game finished 6-3 to Heidis Hornets over team FIIK.

WAM claimed an impressive team win over the Silver Foxes 7-2 with Andy Masters starring as he won all his matches.

Danny Aplin bounced back from Saturday’s disappointment with another three wins and helping Mels Mower Men stay undefeated.

With Sam Ward absent as he was late back from playing for Dorset over the weekend, so First Time Luckies took on S Club 3 with only two team members in tack.

A final team score saw this one end 3-3 with all S Club 3 members still to play Ward at a later date.

A special thanks goes to the organisers of the competition, those being Paul Paice, Danny Aplin and Arnie Quinn, as well as Billy Short and the Weymouth Angling Club.

Kirsty Sibley and Erika Paice for taking all scores and doing tables all day and Fran Sibley for all her help organising food for the event.

Richard Pask, who like ever volunteered to come down and chalk for the majority of the day, was also thanked.