THE Southern Counties Open did not fail to disappoint as it was held at the George Albert Hotel for the competition’s seventh year.

Saturday saw the ladies’ singles competition, with a record 53 entries, including three from Dorset who reached the semi-finals.

Beckie Dedman beat Sam Kirton, the recent winner of the Portland Xmas Open, but then lost in the semi-final 3-1 against

Suzy Trickett, a Dorset County player.

Trickett went on to beat her county team member Sarah Chick in a close game, winning 4-3 to take the singles title and the £500 prize.

Sarah improved as the competition progressed recording a notable victory over the 2016 defending champion, Donna Gullock collecting £150 for her efforts.

The mixed pairs category saw a record 50 pairs enter, with

Nigel Lamb and Cathy Campbell, both experienced Dorset County players, repeating their 2014 success by defeating Dean Lewer and Gullock from Somerset 4-1 in the final to take the £300 prize.

Dorchester Superleague pair Jordan Caughlin and Sharon Read had a great run, enjoying plenty of local support throughout the competition before narrowly losing in the semi-final.

Sunday saw 166 players enter the open singles, with participants from Dorset, Hampshire, Devon, Avon & Somerset, Cornwall, Berkshire and Wiltshire playing across 24 boards.

The competition attracted big names from the darts world, and players from the professional circuit including Simon Whitlock and Kelvin Hart who went out in the last 16 and 32 respectively.

England international Paul Hogan lost 5-3 in the quarter-final against Ryan Palmer, while Dorchester and PDC Challenge Tour player Ben Ward, a previous competition winner, also lost in the last eight.

It was Richard North, a PDC Pro Tour player who won the Southern Counties title and the £2,000 prize money on offer after beating Dorset County player Lee Turle 6-1 in the final.

The main organisers John Shannon, Cathy Campbell, Andy Master and the George Albert would like to thank everyone who attended.