MORE than 65 of Dorset’s top players descended on Wyke Regis for the second annual round-robin tournament.

Players travelled from all over the county including Sherborne and the New Forest.

The men’s event was split into eight groups and the ladies into three groups. The games got underway at 11am as the race for the knockout places began.

Both the ladies and men’s events were not short of drama or action, with group standings going down to the final few games.

Kelvin James got off to a flying start, checking out 158 in his first game, this turned out to be the highest checkout of the day. John Gibson however did miss the bull for a 170 checkout a few hours later.

John Bothamley hit back-to-back 180s to leave 141 for a chance of raising the roof with a perfect nine-dart leg but unfortunately the seventh treble 20 narrowly evaded him.

Once all the group games were completed, an open draw took place to decide the last 16 fixtures.

And the quality of darts did not let up, as it was left for Steve Early and John Clarke to go head-to- head in the men’s final, after defeating Nigel Lamb and Gordon Fitzpatrick in the semi-finals respectively. After a tense finale it was Early who came away victorious.

The ladies’ event was just as exciting. Trina Perry, whose son Daniel was in Denmark representing England Youth, checked out 112, Julie Boggust hit a 180 and Lin Bellinham won five out of six group games on her way to a quarter-final place.

As the day went on, it was Sarah Chic who claimed the crown beating Perry 3-0 in the final.

In-form Chic did not lose a game all day, continuing her impressive run of form after her performance in the recent BDO Gold Cup at Lakeside.

  • A spokesperson for the event said: “Special thanks must go to tournament organisers Ricky and Chrissy Paddock. Guy Paddock, who collected the results and updated league tables. Paul Paice Blinds & Beds for sponsoring the event. The management, bar staff, kitchen staff, and stewards of Wellworthy Social Club and John Clarke, for his help and assistance in setting up the match boards for the day.”
  • The event raised around £222 for community radio station Air107.2.