RICKY King reigned supreme to hold off PDC player Johnny Haines and win the 10th edition of the Southern Counties Darts competition at the George Albert Hotel.

A whopping field of 224, from across the south west, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Surrey, Essex and Northamptonshire, entered the Open Singles with group games being played on 32 boards.

High standards prevailed throughout, eventually culminating in a repeat of the 2018 final, but this time King turned the tables to claim the £2,000 first prize.

King, a regular competitor in Swanage events, raced into a 4-0 lead but saw his advantage cut to 5-3 as Haines rallied.

However, King kept his composure to find another gear and take the next leg to secure the title, banishing demons of his 2019 loss to 13-year-old sensation Leighton Bennett.

The previous day, Dorset duo Sarah Chick and Peri Yarrow made the final of the Ladies Singles competition – dedicated to Sue Brazell.

Brazell was widely seen as one of the best ever ladies to represent both Somerset and Dorset.

And the participants ensured the event was played to an excellent standard as Dorset county players Chick and Yarrow fought off 40 rivals to reach the final.

Chick had beaten 2019 runner-up Kate Drake, of Buckinghamshire, in the semi-finals and duly won the 2020 final 4-1 to take the £400 first prize.

Yarrow was not to be trophyless and teamed up with Matt Read to win the Mixed Pairs, taking the £300 prize after beating Steve Penney and Lily Woodrow.

Former world number one Colin Lloyd and MC Paul Booth also entertained guests. Local dart players were encouraged to challenge Lloyd in front of a large audience. The exhibition was followed by an interesting question and answer session.

Main organisers Cathy Campbell, Dean Daniels, Andy Masters and the George Albert Hotel would like to thank everyone who attended. The event raised £480 which was donated to Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance.