Competition News Archive 2008

2007 Competition News Achieve



 

 
Local Competitions
Bournemouth Winter Classic 2008 by Ian Holman
Ian 'Sid' PerkinsBevendean Reds star Ian 'Sid' Perkins (pictured) won the Bournemouth Winter Classic on Sunday 28th December beating Hampshire Open winner Paul Carter 4-3 in the final to claim the £400 first prize. Fellow Bevendean player Mark Davis also performed well reaching the semi-finals
Three Bridges Open (December 2008) by Ian Holman
Jim WithersPDC player Jim Withers (pictured) won the final Three Bridges Open of 2008 on 28th December beating Sussex player Dave Creasy 3-0 in the final having beaten Ian Holman 3-0, Dave Mansell 3-2, Alan Casey 3-0, Danny King 3-1 and Martin Compton 3-1 to reach the final from an entry of 49 players. Creasy reached the final with wins against Gary Eastwood 3-1, Adam Griffiths 3-1, Anthony Morley 3-2, Stan Jackson 3-2 and Andy Derrick 3-1. Compton made the semi-finals with wins against Ben Burton 3-1, Rhonda West 3-2, Paul Russell 3-1 and Gary Newman 3-0. Derrick's wins on the way to the semi-finals were against Oliver Sopp 3-2, John Ferrell 3-1 and Alex Whiteside 3-1. The first Ladies competition attracted just four entries with Rhonda West taking the title beating Elaine Chapman 3-0 in the final. Both semi-finals went the distance with West beating Lisa Tanner 3-2 and Chapman beating Sue Bird 3-2. Alex Tinsley won the first youth competition beating Liam Caplin 3-0 in the final from an entry of eight players. On route to the final Tinsley beat Nathan Pearce 2-1 and Tom Sawyer 2-0. Caplin made the final beating Will Bolton Jnr 2-1 and Oliver Sopp 2-1. Mick Clarke and Andy King won the flying pairs competition that followed. Full open results are here.
Crimbo Open 2008 by Ian Holman
John FerrellJohn Ferrell (pictured) followed up his Three Bridges Masters title by winning the second Crimbo Open at the Labour Club in Crawley on Sunday 21st December. Ferrell didn't hit the same form as in the Masters as he scraped past Danny King 3-2 in the final having beaten Paul Russell in the semi-finals. King, who had an 11 dart leg earlier in the afternoon beat Dave Creasy in the other last four clash. Sue Bird won the Ladies Singles competition, beating Elaine Chapman in the final while youngster Owen Grantham beat Tom Sawyer to win the Youth competition. Full results will follow.
Three Bridges Masters 2008 by Ian Holman
John FerrellFormer PDC player and new Sussex signing John Ferrell (pictured) was crowned the first Three Bridges Masters  champion on Sunday 14th December, beating Andy Derrick 5-1 in the final with a 33.70 average that included two maximums and winning legs of 14, 15, 13, 17 and 17 darts. Derrick had a 28.45 average with a 15 dart winning leg. In the semi-finals Ferrell beat Gary Miles 5-3 and Derrick beat Ian Perkins 5-1. In the Quarter-Finals, Ferrell beat Dave Mansell 5-2, Derrick beat Mark Davis 5-1, Miles beat Alex Tinsley 5-2 and Perkins beat Ian Jopling 5-0. In the first round, Ferrell beat Gary Trodd 5-2, Derrick beat Gary Newman 5-1, Miles beat Dave Saker 5-3, Perkins beat Tony Ayres 5-4, Mansell beat Colin Whiley 5-3, Davis beat Derek Furminger 5-1, Tinsley beat Ian Holman 5-0 and Jopling beat Danny King 5-2. The competition was sponsored by GK Ceramic Tiling, Three Bridges Football Club and crawleydarts.co.uk. Earlier in the day Ferrell won the 1001 one leg competition, beating Ayres in the final. Losing semi-finalists were Holman and Jopling.
Sussex Grand Prix (December 2008) by Ian Holman
Harry MilesThe Essex duo of Gary Miles and his son Harry Miles (pictured) were in top form at Roffey Social & Sports Club on Sunday 7th December as Gary Miles won the Mens Singles of the opening Sussex Grand Prix of the season in an exciting final, beating Sussex County star Andy Derrick 3-2, hitting three maximums in consecutive legs as he picked up the £240 first prize. Derrick hit one maximum in the Final and collected £120 as runner-up. Rob Feeley and Phil Milburn were losing semi-finalists and Graham Hollis, Roy Turner, Mark Davis and Colin Whiley made it to the Quarter-Finals. Harry Miles won the Youth Singles, beating Tom Sawyer in the final. Semi-Finalists were Nathan Pearce and Curtis Atkins. Gary & Harry Miles teamed up in the Mens Pairs as they picked up another £120 between them by beating Mark Davis & Ian Perkins in the Final. Semi-Finalists were Andy MacIntosh & Kez Botting and Paul Oakley & Simon Pratt. In the Ladies Singles Final, Donna Rainsley beat Rhonda West. West then teamed up with Sue Bird to win the Ladies Pairs, beating Surrey duo Julie Hopkins and Lauren Hitchins in the Final. Finally the Flying Pairs went to Gary Kennard and John Coward. They beat Don Stone and Kevin Reilly in the Final.
BDO World Championships Play-Offs by Ian Holman
Andy DerrickAndy Derrick (pictured) lost out in the opening round of the BDO World professional Championships Play-offs at Bridlington Spa on Thursday 4th December going down by two sets to nil against Kent's Paul Dawkins. In the Womens qualifiers Sussex player Donna Rainsley lost out to Canada's Robin Curry by three legs to one.
John Smiths Pub Dart Player Regional by Ian Holman
John Smiths logoCrawley super league player Colin Whiley and Roffey super league player Rob Metcalfe both made the last sixteen of the regional finals of the John Smiths Pub Dart Player competition at Lakeside, the home of the BDO World Darts Championships on Sunday 30th November. Also representing the area was Broadbridge Heath Village Club qualifier Gary Kennard who went on to make the last 32.

Dave Young Memorial Singles by Barry Moody Shayne Burgess                  Former World Championship semi-finalist Shane Burgess proved he is still a force to be reckoned with in the darts world when he travelled up to Broadbridge Heath from Hastings to regain the “Dave Young Memorial” Singles title at the Village Club. Shayne last won the event in 2005 and he was in fine form in this year’s tournament, staged to commemorate the well known Horsham player who passed away in 2003. Organisers Andy Mason, Dave Ansell and Gary Kennard were delighted to announce that local childrens’ charities will benefit by more than £250 from the day, proceeds from a prize raffle and the auction of darts shirts donated by PDC players. From a field of seventy six players including several top PDC and BDO stars, Shayne battled through to the final with wins against Richard Hinchin, Steve Adsett, Gareth Thomas, Paul Russell and semi-finalist John Ferrell. His opponent on stage was the Kent star Ritchie Buckle who progressed to the final by beating Matt Baldock, Nigel Panton, Robin Stocker, Peter Stoner and semi-finalist – the highly rated PDC and TV star - Adrian Gray. The final proved to be a thriller, scheduled for nine legs but  Shayne taking the deciding seventh leg to win 5-2  to collect the “Dave Young Memorial” Cup and the £300 first prize. Highest finish award was won by Sussex youth team player Gareth Thomas (Hastings) who collected the £50 award for his 157 checkout. The First Game Losers competition provided a win for Essex player Justin Thurley who beat Devon’s Mark Hinchcliffe in the final 2-0 tand take the £100 first prize. Losing semi-finalists were Chris Hatch and Alan Wyatt. The ever popular Flying pairs event finished off the day and was won by Brian Stevens and Adrian Dudman who defeated Steve Voice and Nathan Pearce 2-1 in the final. Losing semi-finalists were Mike Williams/Matt Wenham and Adrian Gray/Kevin Downes. Organisers, the Sussex County Super League, distributed more than £900 in prize monies on the day with sponsorship provided by Broadbridge Village Club, Andy Mason and Dave Ansell. A full list of singles results will be on here next week.
Greensides Open (November 2008) by Ian Holman
Tony AyresCrawley super league star Tony Ayres (pictured) was in good form at Greensides Social Club in the latest Wandsworth Open competition, hitting five maximums. Ayres had 3-0 wins against Ant Caswell and Stan Jackson in the opening two rounds and then put out Jeff Heath in the Third Round to book a place in the Quarter-Finals of the 50 strong competition. In the last eight Ayres beat London County player Ian McNeil 3-2 in a high scoring match winning his legs in 17, 15 and 15 darts that included a 154 checkout (57, 57, D20) and a missed double top for a 160 finish as well as hitting one of his 180s. In the Semi-Finals Ayres came unstuck in another cracking match, going down 4-1 against PDC man Lionel Sams having missed crucial darts at doubles early on as he fell three-nil behind. Ayres three dart average for this match was 88.32 and included three maximums. Sams had two maximums in his 82.26 average. Earlier in the evening Jackson won his First Round match, 3-1 against Johnny Stefano and there were defeats for other players from Sussex as Alex Obalim beat Mark Davis 3-1, Justin Thurley beat Gary Kennard 3-2, John Coward beat Wayne Caswell 3-2 and Heath beat Andy Mason 3-0. In the Second round Kevin Reilly struck a 115 finish as he beat Kim Nicholls 3-0, Ian Perkins struck a 180 as he beat Thurley 3-0 and Ian Holman lost out 3-0 against October's winner Rob Wigg despite a good performance. Wigg wet on to beat Reilly 3-0 in the Third Round and McNeil took out a 10 dart leg of 140, 180, 145, D18 as he beat Perkins 3-0. Further details to follow.
Forestdale Open 2008 by Ian Holman
Quarter-Finalist Ian 'Sid' PerkinsBevendean Reds player Ian Perkins (pictured) won the Forestdale Open in South Croydon on Sunday 16th November beating fellow PDC player Ben Burton in the final 4-3 having knocked out team-mate Mark Davis earlier in the day by the same score-line. Davis missed three darts at double top to beat Perkins who went on to perform well in the final checking out on 120 to pull the score back to three all and then hitting a maximum and a 116 finish in the deciding leg.
Three Bridges Open (November 2008) by Ian Holman
Simon Whitlock2008 BDO World runner-up Simon 'The Wizard' Whitlock (pictured) won the latest Three Bridges Open competition held at Three Bridges Football Club on Sunday 9th November, beating Billingshurst's PDC star Tony Ayres 3-2 in the final. Whitlock, who competes in the Grand Slam Of Darts in Wolverhampton next weekend had a three dart average of 92.44 in the final, which included two 180s compared to 84.41 by Ayres, who had one 180. Whitlock won his board with wins against Chris Gallagher 3-0, Chris Clewer 3-0, Danny King 3-1 and George McKie 3-1 before going on to beat Graham Judge 3-2 in the Semi-Finals. Ayres' won his board, beating Terry Hennessy 3-0, Rob Modra 3-1, Martin Compton 3-1 and Martin Burchell 3-0. He then beat Andy Derrick 3-0 in the other Semi-Final. In total fifthteen 180s were struck. Ayres had five, Alex Tinsley and Whitlock both had three, Kez Botting and Derrick had two and Ian Long and Judge had one each. Derrick had a 12 dart leg as did Kez Botting and Kevin Fishwick and there were finishes of 148 from Whitlock, 136 from Ayres and 114 for Botting. Burchell and Compton went on to take the Flying Pairs, beating Derrick and Whitlock 2-1 in the final with Burchell checking out on 108 and 101. The full singles results are here.
John Smiths Pub Dart Player Qualifier by Ian Holman
John Smiths logoCrawley super league player Colin Whiley won the John Smiths Pub Dart Player qualifier held at Crawley Labour Club on Tuesday 14th October, beating Rob Metcalfe 3-1 in the final. Thirteen, Labour Club members took part in the competition with Whiley beating Ian Holman 3-0 in the semi-finals and Metcalfe scraping past Roy Oxlade 3-2. Highlights of the evening were 180s from Kevin Reilly and Whiley and a two dart 94 finish from Tracy Jenner. Whiley goes on to the regional finals at Lakeside, the home of the BDO World Darts Championships on Sunday 30th November.
Three Bridges Open (October 2008) by Ian Holman
 Three Bridges FCThurrock's Gary Miles won the Three Bridges Open held at Three Bridges Football Club on Sunday 26th October, coming from 2-1 down to beat Surrey's Graham Hollis 3-2 in the final, taking out a 14 dart final leg. On route to the final Miles beat Andy MacDonald Snr 3-1, Anthony Morley 3-1 and Adam Campbell 3-1 before beating Croydon's Gary Trodd 3-1 in the semi-finals. Hollis beat Tommy Walker 3-0, Richard Harris 3-1, Matt Wenham 3-0 and then in the other semi-final, Rob Cross 3-1. Trodd made his way to the semi's with wins against Essex trio, Martin Compton 3-2, Alex Tinsley 3-1 and Dan Bowers 3-0. Cross beat Dave Wright 3-0, Lee Campbell 3-1 and Gary Newman 3-2 to book his place in the last four. Harry Miles had the best leg of the day with an 11 dart finish (140, 100, 180, 81 (T15, D18)) in his opening round win against Ian Holman. There were five maximums recorded in the singles, as well as one for Harry Miles, his father Gary Miles had two, Hollis had one as did Trodd. Tinsley and Trodd won the flying pairs that followed beating Morley and Graeme Cargan 2-1 in the final. Hollis added to his 180 in the singles with a further two in the pairs. Full singles results are here.
BDO World Championships - Sussex Play-off by Ian Holman
 Andy DerrickHastings super league player Andy Derrick (pictured) followed up his two Three Bridges Open wins by taking the BDO World Championships Sussex play-off at Roffey Social & Sports Club on Sunday 12th October beating Crawley's Colin Whiley by two sets to one in a high scoring final. Twenty six players entered the qualifier with Derrick progressing to the final with wins against Clive Pearce (three legs to nil), Andy MacIntosh (two sets to one) and then David Weir in the Semi-finals (two sets to nil). Former England International, Whiley made his way to the final by beating Gary Blackwood (three legs to one), Russell Vanner (three legs to two), Paul Eves (two sets to one) and then in form Jake Watts (two sets to one). The opening two sets of the final went with the throw. Whiley took the first set 3-2 then Derrick the second 3-2. Then in the final set, missed doubles from Whiley gave Derrick the edge as he took the set 3-0. Derrick's win takes him through to the International Qualifier in Bridlington on Thursday 4th December where he will be up against players from around 30 countries all hoping for a place in the televised finals at Lakeside in January.
Three Bridges Friday Open Competition by Ian Holman
 Darren GaleDarren Gale (pictured) won the 'Open' singles competition held at Three Bridges Football Club on Friday 3rd October, winning 3-1 against current PDC player Martin Burchell in the final. Gale, who played for RS Bumbles in the recent Crawley Summer League, was in good form beating Andy Gurr 2-0, Nick Edwards 3-2, Adam Campbell 3-2 and Mick Clarke 3-0 on route to the final. During the evening the former PDC player hit two 180s and was one of two players to take out a 14 dart leg. Forty players took part with Burchell beating Mal Bradford 2-0, Tony Arnold 2-0, Graham Brook 3-2, Mick Curren 3-2 and Alex Whiteside 3-0 to reach the final. Paul Woods was the other player to check out in 14 darts in his opening round win against Paul Burrows, finishing on 101. Ten maximums were struck in total. as well as the two from Gale, Burchell had two and there was one each from Curren, Edwards, Stan Jackson, Larry Kavanagh, Kevin Reilly and Whiteside. Justin Terry had the night's highest checkout with a 120 while Rob Metcalfe finished on 116. 
Walton Open Pairs by Ian Holman
Tony AyresDanny KingTony Ayres and Danny King (pictured) won the Walton Open Pairs competition held at Walton Working Mens Club on Saturday 27th September and picked up £500 in prize money from a field of 40 pairs that included some of best players from the south-east of England. The pairs were drawn into eight groups of five with the top two pairs from each group advancing to the knock-out stages. Each match consisted of five sets of three legs in Davis Cup Tennis format, two singles, one pair, then two reverse singles. Included in Ayres and King's group were former BDO World Quarter-Finalist Paul Hogan and Roy Pryor. In the Final, Ayres and King beat Clive Barden and Richie Buckel having beaten Dave Askew and Ben Burton in the Semi-Finals.
Three Bridges Open (September 2008) by Ian Holman
Three bridges FCAndy Derrick became the third player to win the Three Bridges Open on two occasions, having won the August competition he went on to win it again on Sunday 21st September at Three Bridges Football Club, beating Surrey youth player Kurtis Atkins 3-0 in the Final. On route to the Final, Derrick won board 3 with victories against Martin Bryne 3-0, Walter Paradiang 3-1, Richard Kinchin 3-0 and Gary Blackwood 3-1, then in the Semi-Finals he beat previous winner Alex Tinsley 3-0. Atkins won board 2 with wins against Warren Grantham 3-0, Paul Richardson 3-0, Steve Mecrow 3-0 and Chris Gallagher 3-2, he then went on to beat Lee Williams 3-1 in the Semi-Finals. Williams won board 1, beating Andy MacDonald 3-0, Adam Campbell 3-0 and Rob Feeley 3-2. Essex youth player, Tinsley won board 4 beating Rob Hall 3-1, Ian Holman 3-0 and Ryan Hitchens 3-1. Seven 180s were recorded, Atkins and Blackwood had two each and there were one each from Derrick, Chris Hatch and Williams. Full results can be found here.      
Greensides Open (September 2008) by Ian Holman
Quarter-Finalist Ian 'Sid' PerkinsKent county player Clive Barden won the Wandsworth competition held at Greensides Social Club on Sunday 7th September. Having won the titles in June and July, Barden made it three straight successes as he didn't enter the August competition. Along with the usual entries from the Crawley and Horsham area three other players from Sussex entered the competition for the first time, Mark Davis, Ian Perkins (pictured) and David Weir. Davis beat John Scott 3-0 in the First Round and Perkins beat Gary Eastwood 3-0. Other First Round results saw Andy Mason beat Keith Rumsey 3-2 and Kevin Reilly beat Joe Imber 3-2. Ian Holman lost 3-1 against Phil Watham, Stan Jackson lost 3-0 against Ian Dawson and Danny King lost 3-0 against Ben Burton. Second Round action saw Reilly hit a 180 as he beat Mason 3-2, Perkins beat Tony Reeves 3-0, Weir beat Ant Caswell 3-1 and eventual winner Barden beat Burton 3-0, Davis lost out to Ross Smith 3-0. The Third Round (last 16) saw Perkins win 3-1 against Spike Harris, checking out on 160 in the fourth leg having also hit a maximum. Reilly lost 3-0 to Watham and Weir lost 3-0 to another Kent player Lewis McGurn. Weir threw steady darts and didn't score below 80 in the third leg. In the Quarter-Finals, Perkins run came to an end as Smith beat him 3-0, Barden beat Watham and McGurn knocked out Paul Hogan. The Semi-Finals saw McGurn continue his good form, notching up three 180s on the way to a 4-0 success against Kevin Haste. The other Semi-Final went all the way with Barden beating Smith 4-3. In the Final there were three 180s scored, two from the winner Barden and one from McGurn. Barden won the Final 5-3.
Scottish & Newcastle Crawley Open 2008 by Barry Moody and Ian Holman
 Tony AyresBillingshurst's PDC star Tony Ayres (pictured) retained the Crawley Open title on Monday 25th August at a packed Crawley Labour Club without dropping a leg in a strong field of 96 players that included players from across the south of England. Ayres' run to the final included wins against Crawley's Colin Whiley, Feltham's Alan Casey and in the final 2006 winner Jim Withers (Eastbourne). Ayres picked up £300 in prize money from the 'Scottish & Newcastle' sponsored event. On his way to the final Withers defeated Crawley's Adam Campbell, Kent star Ritchie Buckle and Brighton's Ian Perkins. The Ladies event attracted a small entry but produced a top-class final featuring two county stars. Emma Little from Orpington defeated Hailsham's Rhonda West 3-2 to reach the final where she met Barking's Donna Shearer, who impressed against Chatham's Ged Carney in the semi's. Little won the final 3-0 to collect the £60 cash prize. The plate event went to Ticehurst's Richard Ford as he beat Gravesend youth player Josh Payne 2-0 in the final. Losing semi-finalists were Lisa Tanner (Eastbourne) and Andy Baller (Horley). Finally, the flying pairs competition was won but youngsters Rob Cross (Edenbridge) and Tom Sawyer (Eastbourne). They beat Alex Whiteside (Horley) and Kevin Fishwick (Crawley) 2-0 in the final with Cross checking out on 155. The losing semi-finalists were Dave Weir & Gary Payne and Kevin Reilly & Tony Ayres. Main draw results can be found here. Others to follow.
Greensides Open (August 2008) by Ian Holman
 Rob MetcalfeEleven players from the Crawley and Horsham area competed in the latest Wandsworth Open competition at Greensides Social Club on Sunday 17th August with only Rob Metcalfe (pictured) making the Third Round from a total entry of 64 players. In the First Round, Danny King beat Ant Caswell and Gary Kennard beat Kevin Downes. Tony Ayres, Nigel Panton and Kevin Reilly were also beaten at this stage. In the Second Round, King lost 3-2 against Alex Obalim despite going 2-1 up with an 11 dart leg. Ian Holman lost to eventual runner-up, John Jenkinson and there were also defeats for Gary Kennard, Stan Jackson and Andy Mason. Rob Metcalfe also lost out to Jenkinson in the Third Round after beating former winner and UK Open qualifier Alan Casey in the Second Round. In the Semi-Finals Jenkinson beat Ben Burton 4-3 and Ian Long beat Spike Harris 4-3. The Final saw Long beat Jenkinson 5-0.  
Three Bridges Open (August 2008) by Ian Holman
Three Bridges FCHastings super league player Andy Derrick won the latest Three Bridges Open competition held at Three Bridges Football Club on Sunday 10th August beating Ian Holman 3-1 in the final. Derrick won the opening leg of the final then Holman responded with a 156 checkout in the second leg. Derrick then took the next two legs for victory including a 116 finish in the third leg of the match. Derrick made his way to the final winning board 3 with victories against Andy Mason 3-0, Kevin Reilly 3-0, Gary Newman 3-0 and Mark Davis 3-2. He then beat last weeks S & B Singles winner Tony Ayres 3-1 in the semi-finals, checking out on 102 and 130 along the way. Holman came through board 1 with wins against Amber Scott 3-0, Danny King 3-2, Andy MacIntosh 3-1 and Gary Kennard 3-1. In the semi-finals Holman beat board 2 winner Steve Mecrow 3-2. Ayres won board 4 beating Ant Caswell 3-0, Henry Keet Jnr 3-0, Kurtis Atkins 3-1 and Darryl Pilgrim 3-1. Mecrow won board 2 beating Gary Blackwood 3-2, Anthony Hopkins 3-0 and Steve Hart 3-0. There were seven 180s recorded. Three from Derrick, that included two in the final and one each from Ayres, Ryan Hitchens, Holman and Andy MacIntosh. In the Flying Pairs competition that followed the Singles, Gary Kennard and Gary Newman were on for a 9 dart leg in their opening tie after they both hit 180s at the start of the second leg. They blew there chance only to go on and lose the leg against Ant Caswell and Steve Hitchens. Tony Ayres and Dave Mansell went on to take the pairs with a 2-0 final win against Mark Davis and Kevin Reilly. Full singles results are here.
British Champions Cup Regional Final by Barry Moody
 Double TopPebsham Hollington Oak failed in their bid to reach the national finals of the British Champions Cup for the second time when they lost 6-3 in the regional final against Surrey's Walton Working Mens Club at Slough. Currently top of the East Division of the County Super League, last years Sussex champions beat the Berkshire representatives 5-4 in the first round with wins by Adrian Gray, Adam Bryant, Steve Barraclough, Andy Nye and Phil Wanstall. They then progressed to the final after demolishing the Oxfordshire champions 6-3 with wins from Mick Evans, Mark Card, Nye, Wanstall, Bryant and Gray. In the final the surrey side gained their revenge for last season's defeat and reversed the 2007 result to qualify for the finals at Daventry. Pebshams winners were Gray, Nye and Wanstall. Sussex representatives in the Ladies playoffs once again were the Littlehampton Coconuts. In a tight first round match they lost out to Epsom Ladies from Surrey 4-3 with Trish Kidd, Hayley Gatford and Donna Gainsley winning for Littlehampton. The eventual winners were last year's qualifiers from Middlesex.
S & B Singles Cup 2008 by Ian Holman
Ayres wins againTony Ayres (pictured) won the S & B Singles Cup at Crawley Labour Club on Sunday 3rd August, beating Rob Metcalfe 3-0 in the final. On route to the Final Ayres beat fellow PDC player Danny King and then Clive Pearce in the Semi-Finals. With Pearce having beaten last year's champion Mick Clarke in the Quarter-Finals. Former S & B winner Metcalfe, beat Steve Mecrow in the Quarter-Finals and Stuart Campbell in the Semi-Finals. The Chairman's Cup (Flying Pairs) event which followed was won by Adam Campbell and Roy Oxlade, beating Andy Mason and Gary Kennard in the Final. Further details and full singles results will follow.
Greensides Open (July 2008) by Ian Holman
Nigel PantonOn an otherwise poor day for the areas players Nigel Panton (pictured) beat London County A player Steve McHale in the opening round of the latest Wandsworth Open competition on Sunday 27th July before losing out to eventual winner Clive Barden in the next round. Barden took his second straight Greensides title beating Justin Thurley 5-2 in the final. Ian Holman lost in his second match of the day and their were opening round exits for Stan Jackson, Andy Mason and Kevin Reilly.
2nd Park Barn Open by Ian Holman
Best newcomer Dave MansellHaving recently appeared in the last two Three Bridges Open finals, Dave Mansell made it three finals in a row as he beat Robbie Feeley 3-1 at the Semi-Final stage of the 2nd Park Barn Open in Guildford on Saturday 26th July. In sweltering conditions Mansell went on to play Surrey's Spike Harris in the final but unfortunately lost out 4-3 having won the opening leg with a 104 checkout. Mansell also finished on the bull to make it 3-3. It was a good day for players from Sussex as Gary Kennard made the Semi-Finals where he lost out to Harris 3-0. Harris also beat Gary Newman in the Quarter-Finals and Feeley beat Kez Botting at the same stage. Ian Holman made the Third Round (last 16) where he lost out to Feeley.
Three Bridges Open (July 2008) by Ian Holman
Martin BurchellMartin Burchell (pictured) followed up his appearance in the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic last week by winning his second Three Bridges Open at Three Bridges Football Club on Sunday 13th July, checking out on 143 (T20, T17, D16) in the deciding leg of an entertaining final against last month's runner-up Dave Mansell. Mansell was in good form throughout the competition hitting five 180s. The last of these came in the fourth leg of the Final. Trailing 2-1 the Roffey player levelled with a 12 dart leg, finishing on the bull. In the Semi-Finals Burchell beat Gary Miles 3-0. Miles couldn't match his form from the previous rounds having beaten Lee Ashby 3-0 in the Board 1 Final that included a 12 dart leg. In the Board 1 Semi-Finals Miles beat Andy Gurr 3-0 that included legs of 11 and 12 darts. Miles also beat Andy MacDonald 3-0 and James Gorringe 3-0. Mansell beat Derek Furminger 3-0 in the other Semi-Final. Burchell won Board 2 with wins against Gary Newman 3-1, Michael Morley 3-0 and Chris Clewer 3-2. Furminger won Board 3 with wins against Ian Holman 3-0, Nigel Panton 3-2 and Shane Anderson 3-1. Board 4 saw former winner Tony Ayres take a 2-0 lead in the opening game only for Lee Williams to fight back to win 3-2. Following that two times winner Danny King scraped through to the Second Round with a 3-2 win against Stan Jackson. Dave Mansell made his way to the Board final with wins against Roy Oxlade 3-0 and Lee Williams 3-1. Danny King went on to beat Paul Oakley 3-1 and Kevin Fishwick beat Kevin Reilly 3-0. Fishwick then beat King 3-2 in the Board Semi-Final before going out 3-2 against Mansell. Burchell went on to complete the double by winning the Flying Pairs with Fishwick. They beat Lee Ashby and Kevin Reilly 2-0 in the final. A total of 13 maximums were recorded in the Open Singles. As well as the five from Mansell, Gary Miles hit three and there were two from Lee Williams and one each from Tony Ayres, Andy Gurr and Danny King. Michael Morley and Gary Newman both his 180s in the Flying Pairs. A full list of results are available here.
West Sussex Summer Open 2008 by Ian Holman
Ayres wins againTony Ayres (pictured) picked up £50 in prize money as he made the Semi-Finals of the West Sussex Summer Open at the Chichester Snooker Club on Sunday 22nd June, going out 4-2 to eventual winner Ricky Williams. At the Quarter-Finals stage Ayres beat PDC ranked number 20 Andy Jenkins. Danny King won the Plate competition and picked up £70 in prize money.
Winmau World Masters Sussex County Qualifiers by Ian Holman
DartboardLocal youth players Nathan Pearce and Paul Richardson have qualified for the England playoffs of this years Winmau World Masters in the Boys Youth section. They qualified at the Brighton Trades & Labour Club on Sunday 22nd June and will join Oliver Sopp and Tom Sawyer in Tonbridge on 17th August as Sussex representatives. Sopp beat Warren Grantham to claim his place. In the Mens section the qualifiers were Ian Bingham, Paul Eves, Michael Hammond and Paul Russell. Ian Holman lost out in the Preliminary Round against one of last year's qualifiers Ken Sowerby (2-0, 2-1) while Kevin Reilly crashed out in the First Round against Russell (2-0, 2-0) and Rob Metcalfe also lost out in the same round against Peter Sopp (2-0, 2-0) having won a Preliminary Round tie. In the Ladies section the qualifiers were Sue Bird, Elaine Chapman, Donna Rainsley and Lisa Tanner. Talya Bingham and Ellie Sopp both qualified from the Girls Youth section.
Greensides Open (June 2008) by Ian Holman
Kevin ReillyKevin Reilly (pictured) was beaten in the Quarter-Finals stage at the latest Wandsworth competition held at Greensides Social Club on Sunday 22nd June. From a field of 65 entries Reilly won three matches all with a 3-2 scoreline to meet eventual winner Clive Barden in the last eight. Barden struck two 180s as he beat Reilly 3-1 in a high scoring game. Rob Metcalfe made it to the last sixteen with a 3-1 win in his first match that included a 110 checkout and a 3-2 win against John Jenkinson. Metcalfe eventually lost 3-1 to Joe McLaughlin. Ian Holman went out in the First Round, 3-2 against Chris Copeland having lead 2-0. Barden, who picked up £210 in prize money beat PDC player Ben Burton (£100) in the Final 4-3.
Three Bridges Open (June 2008) by Ian Holman
DartboardEssex youth player Alex Tinsley won the latest Three Bridges Open competition, held at Three Bridges Football Club on Sunday 15th June, beating Dave Mansell 3-1 in the final having won Board 3 with wins against Gary Newman 3-1, Mark Davis 3-1 and Steve Souter 3-0. Mansell won Board 1 with wins against Dan Bowers 3-1, Stan Jackson 3-0, Dave Wright 3-2 and Ryan Hitchens 3-1. The Board 2 winner was Dean Edlin. He beat Andy MacDonald 3-0, Ken Sowerby 3-0 and Anthony Morley 3-0 hitting finishes of 120 and 112 along the way. Andy Derrick started in good form on Board 4 beating Andy Gurr 3-0 with legs of 14, 15 and 16 darts. He then beat Mick Clarke 3-2 and Chris Gallagher 3-1. In the Semi-Finals, Mansell beat Edlin 3-2 and Tinsley beat Derrick 3-1.Just four 180s were recorded on the day. They were struck by Mick Clarke, Dean Edlin, Ryan Hitchens and Steve Souter. The highest finish of the day went to Ryan Hitchens with a 152. A full list of results can be found here.
BDO Gold Cup Sussex County Qualifiers by Barry Moody
 Paul RussellThe BDO Gold Cup Sussex County playoffs were held at the Brighton Trades & Labour Club on Sunday 8th June. Although the turnout was poor, the event attracted a class field of County and Super League players with their goal being a place in the televised national playoffs at the Lakeside Club in Frimley Green where prize money on offer exceeds £20000. In the Mens Singles there was success for Eastbourne's Paul Russell (pictured) as he defeated Brighton's Ian Perkins 3-1 in the final. Losing Semi-Finalists were Brighton pair Geoff Taylor and Oliver Sopp. Russell almost made it a double success by winning the Mens Pairs with Dave Creasey, but they suffered a 4-3 loss against Brighton duo Taylor & Rod Hawkins. Losing Semi-Finalists were Peter & Oliver Sopp and Perkins & Mark Davis. The Ladies Singles was won by Ree Collins, who beat her team mate and last year's winner Sue Bird 3-2 in a closely fought Final. Losing Semi-Finalists were Sam Harding (Lewes) and Hayley Gatford (Bognor). Sue Bird made up for her Singles defeat when she teamed up with Rhonda West to win the Ladies Pairs. They defeated Donna Rainsley and Hayley Gatford 3-2 in the Final. Ian Holman was the area's only representative at the event. He lost 3-1 to Chris Gatford in the Mens Singles and suffered a 4-0 defeat with Colin Mills in the pairs against Perkins and Davis.
Sussex Grand Prix (June 2008)  by Ian Holman
Hat-trick man Tony AyresBillingshurst's Tony Ayres (pictured) made it a hat-trick of Sussex Grand Prix Mens Singles wins on Sunday 1st June by beating Thurrock man Gary Miles 3-2 in the Final of the fifth event of the season at Roffey Social & Sports Club. Losing Semi-Finalists were Surrey's Steve Lovett and Kent's Andy Derrick.  Losing Quarter-Finalists were Martin Burchell, Graham Judge, Paul Russell and Jim Withers. Lisa Tanner won the Ladies Singles beating Lauren Hitchens in the Final. Jane Johnson and recent Sheppey Classic winner Norma Self were losing Semi-Finalists. In the Youth competition Ryan Hitchens beat Harry Miles in the Final and losing Semi-Finalists were Tom Sawyer and Michael Smithers. Steve Lovett & Michael Hammond won the Mens Pairs event for the second month running. They beat Brighton pair Mark Davis and Ian Perkins in the Final. Losing Semi-Finalists were Jim Withers & Don Stone and Doug Mason & Nigel Panton. Elaine Chapman & Angela Frewin won the Ladies Pairs beating Sue Bird & Rhonda West in the Final. Losing Semi-Finalists were Teresa Weir & Mandy Perry and Lauren Hitchens & Julie Hopkins. Finally the Flying Pairs was won by Mark Davis & Tim King. They beat Tony Ayres & Paul Oakley in the Final. Losing Semi-Finalists were Harry Miles & Richard Biggs and Phil Smith & Tom Sawyer. Full results will follow.
Three Bridges Open (May 2008) by Ian Holman
 Another Title For Tony AyresThree Bridges Football Club's seventh Three Bridges Open competition held on Sunday 25th May attracted a decent pool of 44 players. Tony Ayres (pictured) and Danny King both made the final for the third time with Ayres winning the title with a 3-0 victory. The Billingshurst player made it through to the Quarter-Finals without dropping a leg in wins against Steve Hart, Roy Oxlade and Neil Clarke. His opponent in the last eight (Adam Campbell) put up a good effort despite going down 3-1. Campbell had earlier beaten Dan Gardner 3-1 and hit a 14 dart winning leg against Wayne Dodd in a 3-0 win. Danny King started with a 3-2 win against Kevin Reilly and then beat Warren Grantham 3-0. King's Quarter-Final win was 3-1 against fellow PDC player Martin Burchell. Burchell had earlier beaten Ian Holman 3-1, Andy Mason 3-1 and Steve Mecrow 3-0. John Ferrell beat Mick Clarke 3-1 and Nigel Panton 3-0 to book his place in the last eight where he had to fight back from 2-0 down to beat Harry Miles 3-2. Miles had earlier beaten Peter Sopp 3-1, Ken Sowerby 3-1 and Easter Open finalist Kevin Fishwick 3-2. In the other Quarter-Final, Alex Whiteside nudged past Dave Mansell 3-2 having beaten Chris Clewer 3-0, Stan Jackson 3-1 and Danny Fleming 3-1. Mansell beat Andy Gurr 3-2 and Oliver Sopp 3-2. In the Semi-Finals, King beat Ferrell 3-0 and Ayres beat Whiteside 3-0. Eleven 180s were recorded, three from Kevin Fishwick, two from Tony Ayres (both in the final) and one each from Neil Clarke, John Ferrell, Derek Furminger, Danny King, Steve Mecrow and Kevin Reilly. Steve Mecrow hit the day's best out-shot of 153, Andy Gurr hit a 149 checkout, Harry Miles finished on 130 and Martin Burchell recorded checkouts of 116 and 102. The Flying Pairs competition that followed was won by Martin Burchell and Dave Mansell. They beat Kevin Reilly and Danny King 2-0 in the Final. Full Singles results can be found here.
Victoria Open (May 2008) by Ian Holman
 Semi-Finalist Kevin ReillyEight players who compete in the Crawley & Horsham leagues took part in the first Victoria Open held at the Victoria Club in Coulsdon on Sunday 18th May with Kevin Reilly making the Semi-Finals. Reilly opened up with a 3-1 win against Nigel Panton in the opening round that included finishes of 108 in the second leg and 120 in the fourth leg, Panton missed the bull for a 167 checkout to level the scores in the fourth leg. Also advancing to the Second Round were Danny King (3-0 vs Sharon Norris), Doug Mason (3-0 vs Lynne Barry) and Andy Mason (3-0 vs Simon Reynolds). Ian Holman lost 3-0 to eventual runner-up Graham Dando, Tony Ayres lost 3-1 to fellow PDC player Richard McLaughlin and Tommy Lewis lost 3-0 to eventual winner Alan Casey. Reilly beat Darren Barry 3-0 in the Second Round, Doug Mason beat Andy Mason 3-0 and King beat Steve Mead 3-0 with legs of 14, 13 and 21 darts. Alan Casey went on to beat McLaughlin 3-1 then Doug Mason 3-0 in the Quarter-Finals. Reilly advanced to the last four with a 3-2 win against Mark Calver while Danny King was beaten 3-0 by Roger Dan. In the Semi-Finals, Dando beat Reilly 3-1 and Casey beat Dan 3-0. Casey won the final against Dando 4-3. Ayres went on to win the First Round Losers competition while Holman and King were Semi-Finalists in the Flying Pairs as were Panton and Lewis.
Merit Cup 2008 by Ian Holman 
Merit CupGreyhound's Danny King won the Inaugural Merit Cup competition (sponsored by Bedford Sports) at Three Bridges Football Club on Friday 16th May, beating Rugby Club's Alex Whiteside 6-4 in an entertaining final. The competition that involved 16 of the top players from the Crawley Friday League Premier Division saw an early surprise result when Bridges' Justin Terry beat Greyhound's Neil Smith 4-3. Eventual runner-up Whiteside had a tough opener, coming back from 3-1 down to beat Diamonds' Kevin Reilly 4-3. He then went on to beat Terry 4-1 in the Quarter-Finals and Greyhound's Mick Clarke 5-2 in the Semi-Finals. King advanced to the Semi-Finals without dropping a leg in wins against Diamonds pair Ty Coward and Phil Smith. He then went on to beat Rugby Club's Tommy Lewis 5-1. Other First Round results included Diamonds' Martin Burchell beating Greyhound's Pete Crossley 4-1 and Phil Smith beating last week's Singles champion Stan Jackson 4-1. In the other Quarter-Finals games Mick Clarke beat Burchell 4-3 and Tommy Lewis beat team-mate Andy Gurr
4-2. Full results can be found here. 
Sussex Grand Prix (May 2008) by Ian Holman
Another title for Tony AyresBillingshurst's Tony Ayres won his second straight Sussex Grand Prix Mens Singles title at Roffey Social & Sports Club on Sunday 11th May beating Sid Perkins in the final. In the Semi-Finals Ayres beat fellow PDC player Martin Burchell while Perkins got the better of Phil Smith. Losing Quarter-Finalists were Dave Creasey, Paul Russell, Ken Sowerby and Dave Wye. The Ladies Singles was won by Sussex 'A' player Donna Rainsley, who beat Lisa Tanner in the final. Losing Semi-Finalists were Mandy Perry and Norma Self. In a repeat of the Crimbo Singles Youth competition Thurrock's Harry Miles got the better of Oliver Sopp in the Youth Final. Semi-Finalists were David Weir and Jake Watts. Steve Lovett & Michael Hammond won the Mens Pairs beating Gary Miles and Paul Oakley in the final. Losing Semi-Finalists were Derek Furminger and Gary Newman & Danny King and Tony Ayres. The Ladies Pairs was won by Lisa Tanner and Norma Self. They beat Donna Rainsley and Bridget Guilford in the final. Finally the Flying Pairs was won by Jane Lewis and Gary Miles. They beat Angela Frewin and Andy Derrick in the final. Losing Semi-Finalists were Kerry Simmons and Kevin Reilly & Donna Rainsley and Martin Burchell. Full results can be found here.
Greensides Open (May 2008) by Ian Holman
 Rob MetcalfeFollowing his UK Open qualifying effort Rob Metcalfe played in the latest Wandsworth competition at Greensides Social Club on Sunday 11th May. He won his First Round game by two sets to nil (2-1, 2-0) against Greig Venables. Metcalfe then won the opening set of his second Round game against John Jennings before losing the next two sets 2-0 and 2-1. London County player and Middlesex Youth Luke Langley won the competition by beating Clive Barden by three sets to one in the Final having beaten his Youth team-mate Grant Taylor in the Semi-Finals. Barden beat former winner Richie Buckle in the other Semi-Final. 
 Three Bridges Open (20th April 2008) by Ian Holman
Three Bridges DartboardsThurrock's Gary Miles won the latest Three Bridges Open competition held at Three Bridges Football Club on Sunday 20th April, beating Surrey PDC player Ben Burton 3-0 in the final. Burton won Board 1 without dropping any legs. His wins came against Pete Crossley, Warren Grantham, Danny Fleming and Tim Churchill. Churchill beat former winner Danny King 3-0 in the Board Semi-Final. The win included the days highest finish of 160 in the second leg. Graham Hollis won Board 2 with wins against former finalist Darryl Pilgrim 3-2, Alex Whiteside 3-2 and Tony Reeves 3-0. In the opening game on Board 2 Sussex Youth player Paul Richardson caused an upset when he put out PDC player Andy Mason 3-0. Richardson then took a leg off Whiteside in his Second Round defeat. Tony Ayres won Board 3 without dropping a leg. His victims were Adam Campbell, Steve Mecrow and Paul Oakley. Another former winner Gary Newman lost 3-1 in the opening round against Mecrow. Eventual winner Gary Miles had a tough opening game on Board 4 as Rob Cross took him to the deciding leg and missed the bull to put the Essex man out of the competition. Miles then went on to beat Mick Phelan 3-1, Phil Watham 3-1 and Doug Mason 3-0. In the Semi-Finals Burton beat Hollis 3-1 and Miles beat Ayres 3-0. Just six maximums were recorded. They were from Mal Bradford, Ben Burton, Danny Fleming, Derek Furminger, Gary Miles and Darryl Pilgrim. All results are now available here.
Barking Pool Club Open (April 2008) by Ian Holman
Kevin ReillyIan Holman and Kevin Reilly (pictured) both hit 180s at Barking Pool Club on Sunday 13th April. Two Open Singles competitions were held after a low turnout of just 13 players. The first competition was based on a round-robin format playing five legs of 501. Reilly progressed to the Quarter-Finals with a 4-1 win against Caswell Moseley after a 3-2 loss against Charlie Cooper. Holman missed out on a last eight place with a 5-0 defeat against Paul Everson (Woolwich) and a 3-2 win against Glen Scherer. In the Quarter-Finals Reilly lost 3-1 against 16-year-old Billy Beasley. In the final Kevin Turner beat Michael Barnard 4-3.
The second competition was based on a knockout basis over three legs of 1001. Holman progressed to the Quarter-Finals with a 2-0 win against Charlie Cooper and Reilly received a bye. In the Quarter-Finals Reilly beat Paul Everson 2-1 and Holman lost out against the 1991 World Youth champion Michael Barnard. Barnard finished the first leg in just 30 darts but was up against it in the second as Holman held a 300 lead at one stage having hit a 180. Missed doubles cost Holman the leg as Barnard finished with scores of 140, 180 and checked out on 114 for a 2-0 win. Reilly played well in the Semi-Finals against Basildon's Kevin Turner but lost 2-0 despite hitting a maximum in the second leg.
Three Bridges Open (6th April 2008)
Martin BurchellCrawley's PDC player Martin Burchell (pictured) won the fourth Three Bridges Open at Three Bridges Football Club on Sunday 6th April, collecting £117.50 in prize money from an entry of 47 players. Having received a bye in the First Round Burchell went on to beat fellow PDC player Andy Mason 3-1, fellow Diamonds team-mate Steve Mecrow 3-0 and Surrey PDC player John Ferrell 3-1 to win Board 2. In the Semi-Finals he beat Board 1 winner Alex Tinsley (Essex Youth) 3-0 then former Sussex County player Jim Withers 3-1 in the final. In the other Semi-Final, Board 4 winner Withers beat Board 3 winner Graham Hollis (Surrey) 3-0. The Flying Pairs was won by Tara Deamer and Danny King. They beat Tim Churchill and Kevin Fishwick 3-1 in the final. Further details plus a round-up of all the results will follow. The next Three Bridges Open is held on Sunday 20th April. For further details please see the competition poster here.
Easter Open 2008 by Ian Holman
Tony AyresThe first Easter Open at the Crawley Labour Club, sponsored by the Scottish and Newcastle Breweries on Monday 24th March proved a great success, with more than seventy entries from all over the South of England competing for prize monies in excess of £650. The Open title was won by PDC star Tony Ayres (pictured) from Billingshurst when he defeated Crawley newcomer Kevin Fishwick 3-0 in the Final to take the £200 first prize. Kevin beat Eastbourne’s Jim Withers 3-2 to reach the Final, collecting the £100 runners-up prize. Tony’s Semi-Final win was 3-1 against Thurrock's Gary Miles. In the Quarter-Finals Ayres beat Croydon's Rob Hodgkinson 3-0, Miles beat Crawley's Ian Holman 3-2, Withers beat Chelmsford's Martin Compton 3-2 and Fishwick beat Horley's PDC star Danny King 3-0. The Ladies Singles final featured two Sussex County players both from Eastbourne and the £100 prize  was won by Sue Bird defeating the Crimbo ladies winner, Teresa Weir 3-0. Losing semi-finalists were Lisa Tanner (Eastbourne) and Kim Nicholls (Wandsworth). There was a surprise result in the Youth event when Sussex star Ollie Sopp (Brighton), failed to repeat his win in last month’s Grand Prix. Ollie went down 2-0 in the final to Thurrock's Harry Miles who went through the field without dropping a leg. Losing semi-finalists here were Tom Bingham (Sidley) Ben Souter (Crawley). The day’s events were concluded with the ever-popular Flying Pairs attracting 64 entries. The winners were Ian Holman and Martin Compton who collected £64 after defeating Ian Barrett and Chris Clewer in the final. Losing semi-finalists were Ian Bingham & Adam Campbell and Oliver Sopp & Steve Souter. The club’s raffle raised £180 for the Crawley special needs school Manor Green. Full results to follow.
Good Friday Singles 2008 by Ian Holman
Danny KingDanny King (pictured) won the Crawley Friday Leagues Good Friday Singles at Three Bridges Football Club beating Pete Crossley 3-0 in the final. On route King beat fellow PDC player Tony Ayres 3-0 in the last 16 round and former winners Alex Whiteside 3-1 in the Quarter-Finals and Mick Clarke 3-2 in the Semi-Finalists. In the other Semi-Final Crossley beat Rob Cross 3-1. In the other Quarter-Finals ties Mick Clarke beat Neil Smith 3-1, Pete Crossley beat Zak Halsey 3-0 and Rob Cross beat Andy Mason 3-1. 180s were hit by Tony Ayres, Andy Baller, Dave Critchley, Rob Cross, Pete Crossley, Dave Fry, Andy Gurr, Andy McDonald, Clive Pearce and Neil Smith (2). Nick Burgess hit a 130 finish and Colin Whiley a 120. Ian Holman and Phil Smith won the Flying Pairs competition beating Nick Burgess and Andy Mason 3-0 in the final. There was also an extra 601 one leg Singles competition played that was won by Tony Ayres. Ayres beat Phil Smith in the final despite Smith opening up with five straight tons. Full results can be found here.
Greensides Open (March 2008)
Rob MetcalfeJust three players from the area travelled to Greensides Social Club in Wandsworth on Sunday 16th March with Rob Metcalfe (pictured) beating Henry Murphy 3-2 and Terry Nicholls 3-0 before a 3-1 Third Round exit against Dave Webb. Stan Jackson lost 3-2 in the First Round against Ron Green. Ian Holman had a bye to the Second Round and led Johnny Stefano 2-0 with a 111 checkout in the second leg before poor finishing saw him go out 3-2. 
Sussex Grand Prix (March 2008)
Tony AyresTony Ayres (pictured) and Rhonda West were both in top form in the third Sussex Grand Prix event of the 2007/8 series held at Roffey Social & Sports Club on Sunday 9th March. Tony Ayres won the Mens Singles from an entry of 68, beating Andy Derrick in the final 3-1 with a 27.42 average. Ayres also picked up the Mens Pairs title along with Danny King. They beat Croydon's Steve Mead and Middlesex's George McKie 3-1 in the final. In the Ladies Singles Rhonda West beat Sue Bird 3-0 in the final and then teamed together to take the Pairs, beating Surrey's Jane Lewis and Angela Frewin 3-0 in the final which included a 16 dart final leg. Rob Cross won the Youth Singles beating Warren Grantham 3-1 in the final. The Flying Pairs went to Steve Mecrow and Paul Russell. They beat Steve Mead and Alan Wyatt 2-0 in the final.
Three Bridges Open (February 2008)
Three Bridges FCBurgess Hill's Gary Newman was the winner of the fourth Three Bridges Open held at Three Bridges Football Club on Sunday 24th February taking home £150 in prize money after beating Daryl Pilgrim 3-0 in the final. Sixty entries took part in this month's competition. In the Semi-Finals Board 1 winner Gary Newman beat Board 2 winner Rob Cross 3-2 and Board 4 winner Daryl Pilgrim beat Board 3 winner Kevin Fishlock 3-2. England international Tricia Wright won the £45 furthest lady prize after going out to the eventual winner in the Third Round (last 16). Newman won Board 1 with wins against John Devine (3-1), Steve Mecrow (3-1), Tricia Wright (3-0) and Dean Edlin (3-1). Rob Cross won Board 2 with wins against Jacob Sway (3-0), Pete Crossley (3-2) and Andy Derrick (3-2). Board 3 was known as the board of death this month with Danny King beating Dave Creasey 3-1 in the opening round. Results in the Second Round saw Ben Burton beat Tony Ayres 3-2 and Danny King beat Adam Campbell 3-2. In the Third Round Ben Burton beat Danny King 3-1. Kevin Fishlock came through as board winner with steady darts thrown throughout the afternoon. His victims were Simon Langridge (3-0), Nigel Panton (3-0), Andy McDonald (3-1) and Ben Burton (3-2). Daryl Pilgrim won Board 4 with wins against Sue Bird (3-2), Roy Oxlade (3-0), Lance Thompson (3-1) and Doug Mason (3-0). Andy Derrick had a 12 dart leg with scores of 100, 140, 100 and a magnificent 161 check-out. Other high finishes came from Pete Crossley (148), Kevin Fishwick (129) and Doug Mason (115). 180s were hit by Pete Crossley (2), Derrick Furminger, Andy McDonald, Daryl Pilgrim, Tony Reeves (2), Neil Smith and Lee Williams, Danny King and Graham Judge won the Flying Pairs competition that followed beating Tony Reeves and Dave Creasey 2-0 in the final. Full results can be found here.
Sussex Grand Prix (February 2008)
Jim WithersJim Withers (pictured) won the Mens Singles at the second Sussex Grand Prix event of the season at Roffey Social & Sports Club on Sunday 17th February beating Surrey's Graham Hollis in the final from a record breaking entry of 97 players. Losing Semi-Finalists were Dave Mansell and Paul Russell with losing Quarter-Finalists Ben Burton, Steve Hitchens, Don Stone and Lee Williams. Lisa Tanner won the Ladies singles from an entry of 22, beating Sue Bird in the final. Losing Semi-Finalists were Trish Kidd and Norma Self and losing Quarter-Finalists were Teresa Weir, Louise Gray, Marie Barthropp and Jane Lewis. The Youth Singles had 17 entries with Oliver Sopp beating Sam Barnard in the final. Losing Semi-Finalists were David Weir and Jake Watts. There were 40 entries in the Mens Pairs with Graham & Paul Hollis beating Sid Perkins & Mark Davis in the final. Losing Semi-Finalists were Don Stone & James Packer and Paul Russell & Dave Creasey. Losing Quarter-Finalists were Sean Brooks & Gavin Studholme, Graham Judge & Andy Derrick, Kevin Reilly & Steve Mecrow and Craig Deeley & Michael Hammond. Lisa Tanner completed the double by winning the Ladies Pairs with Clair Birch with Marie Barthropp and Julie Austin runners-up. Losing Semi-Finalists were Teresa Weir & Mandy Perry and Jane Lewis & Jane Johnson. The Flying Pairs was won by Julie Hopkins and Steve Lovett. Runners-up were Phil Smith & Graham Judge. Losing Semi-Finalists were Nathan Pearce & Steve Mead and Luke Watham & Paul Hollis. A full list of results can be found from here.
National Team Competition by Terry Thornton
Ron ClarkeRoffey Social & Sports Club reached the national finals of the Carlsberg/Holsten National Pub/Club Tournament having qualified at the regional finals at the Embassy Club, Bunn Leisure Caravan Park, Selsey on Saturday 16th February. 24 teams from Oxfordshire, Kent, Sussex, Dorset & Isle of Wight played down to eight qualifiers. The teams were divided into 4 groups of 6, the first 4 teams in each group played each other with the winners of each game playing the other two teams. Roffey Social & Sports Club received a bye, then were drawn to play The Worsley, from Wroxall, Isle of Wight, who earlier had put out a team from Oxford 5-4. The format was three doubles, 1 leg 701 & six singles 501 best of 3. Roffey started with John Dawes & Ron Clarke, then Doug & Andy Mason, finally Gary Strong & Alan Wyatt, taking all three doubles matches. John Dawes won his singles 2-1, leaving Ron Clarke (pictured) to take the match with an 2-0 win. Roffey qualified for the National finals at their first attempt. The finals are due to be played in April at The Holt Suite, Villa Park, Birmingham where £9000 in prize money is up for grabs to be split between the 32 qualifying teams.
Greensides Open (February 2008) by Ian Holman
Kevin ReillyJust four players from the area competed in the latest Wandsworth competition held at Greensides Social Club on Sunday 10th February with last months Semi-Finalist Kevin Reilly (pictured) losing 3-0 in the Quarter-Finals against former London County player Ray Cornibert. Reilly beat two recent winners on route with a 3-0 1st Round win against Richie Buckle and a 3-1 3rd Round win against Dave Deruyter. In the 2nd Round he beat London County Ladies player Tara Deamer 3-1. Stan Jackson, competing in the competition for the second time made it to the 3rd Round with wins against Richard Harris (3-2) and Kirk Deruyter (3-1). He lost 3-1 to Dan Gardner in the 3rd Round. Ian Holman also lost to Dan Gardner 3-1 in the opening round while Rob Metcalfe lost 3-2 in the opening round against London County 'B' player Dave Goodwin. Oxford's John Jukes won the competition with a 5-3 final win against Middlesex County player Mark Haggerty. In the Semi's Jukes beat Grant Taylor (Middlesex Youth) 4-1 and Haggerty beat Cornibert by the same scoreline.
Lindford Open (February 2008) by Ian Holman
Tony AyresBillingshurst's Tony Ayres (pictured) was beaten 4-0 in the Semi-Finals of the Lindford Working Mans Club's Open competition on Saturday 2nd February by fellow PDC player Ben Burton. Surrey's Burton went on to win the final by the same scoreline against Ian Critchett. 56 players entered the event including five other players from the Crawley & Horsham area. Danny King and Andy Mason were beaten in the Third Round (last 16), Ian Holman lost in the Second Round while Doug Mason and Nigel Panton lost in the opening round. On route to the last four Ayres beat Tony Speight (4-0), D Wye (4-0), Ron Attwill (4-0) and Billy Meakins (4-0). Finishing let Doug Mason down as he exited 4-2 in the opening round against John Andrews. Nigel Panton led 2-0 before going down 4-2 against Ben Simpson. Ian Holman, Danny King and Andy Mason received byes to the Second Round where Holman played poorly and lost 4-0 against Scott Charlton. Andy Mason beat D Hooker 4-1 before losing to Semi-Finalist Danny Pinhorn 4-0. King beat Kerry Collins 4-2 then lost 4-2 against Kevin Merritt. In the early round losers competition Doug Mason lost 2-0 in the Semi-Finals against Aaron Monk having won three matches to get there including a 122 checkout in his opening game. Nigel Panton lost 2-0 in the opening round and Ian Holman lost 2-0 in the Quarter-Finals. Exhibition matches involving world number three James Wade and Peter Manley rounded up the evening. 
Three Bridges Open (January 2008) by Ian Holman
Three Bridges FCSurrey's John Ferrell was the winner of the third Three Bridges Open held at Three Bridges Football Club on Sunday 27th January, beating Billingshurst's Tony Ayres 3-0 in the final. In the semi-finals Ferrell beat Paul Oakley (Thurrock) 3-0 and Ayres beat Gary Miles (Thurrock) 3-0. Ferrell picked up £182.50, Ayres £91.25 and Oakley and Miles £45.62 each. 73 players entered the popular competition with Ferrell winning Board 3 with wins against Nigel Panton (3-1), Ben Burton (3-0), Gary Blackwood (3-0) and Rob Cross. Ayres won Board 2 with wins against Andy Gurr (3-2), Graham Parker (3-0), George McKie (3-0) and Martin Burchell (3-0). Gary Miles won Board 1 with wins against Zach Halsey (3-0), Ken Sowerby (3-0), Rob Metcalfe (3-0) and Alan Colgate (3-0). Paul Oakley won Board 4 with wins against Roy Oxlade (3-0), Joe Shanahan (3-0), Matt Wenham (3-2), Dan Gardner (3-1) and Ian Holman (3-2). Former winner Danny King was surprisingly beaten 3-0 in his opening game against Colin Mills. At least fourteen 180s were hit on the day with John Ferrell hitting four, Tony Ayres and Gary Miles two and one each for Ian Holman, Dave Mansell, Steve Mecrow, Rob Metcalfe, Kevin Reilly and Matt Wenham. Alex Whiteside hit the days best checkout with a magnificent 164 in his opening round win. Neil Smith hit a 155, Ian Holman a 106 and Colin Mills hit two finishes of 100. In the flying pairs competition Paul Oakley and Lee Passey (£99) beat Gary Miles and Ben Burton (£49.50) 2-1 in the final from an entry of 33 pairs. Losing semi-finalists were Colin Mills & Andy Mason and Peter Sopp & Oliver Sopp. Full Singles results can be found here.
Greensides Open (January 2008) by Ian Holman
Kevin ReillyEleven local players made the trip to Wandsworth last weekend for January's Open competition at Greensides Social Club. Two of the players clashed in the opening round with Doug Mason beating Warren Grantham 3-0. Stan Jackson also lost 3-0 on his debut performance at the venue 3-0 against John Jukes. Andy Baller lost 3-0 to last October's winner Dave Deruyter and Andy Mason lost 3-1 to Paul Hackett. The other six players all advanced to the Second Round with Danny King beating London County player Ian McNeil 3-1 after losing the opening leg and finishing the third leg in 17 darts. Ian Holman beat Terry Nicholls 3-0 with opening and closing legs of 19 darts, Nigel Panton hit a 106 checkout as he beat Tony Reeves 3-1, Tony Ayres beat another London County player Steve McHale 3-1, Kevin Reilly (pictured) had a 17 dart leg as he beat Kevin Heston 3-1 and Martin Burchell, who also had a 106 checkout to finish his 1st leg in 18 darts beat Mark Haggerty 3-0. The Second Round saw Tony Ayres beat Doug Mason 3-1 with a 13 dart 1st leg, Nigel Panton was beaten 3-1 by Grant Taylor, Martin Burchell was edged out 3-2 by Roy Peacock, Danny King advanced with a 3-1 win against Jimmy Foster, Kevin Reilly beat Harry Bailey Snr 3-2 and Ian Holman beat John Millett 3-0. The Third Round (Last 16) saw Danny King beaten 3-1 by PDC ranked 43 Lionel Sams 3-1, Tony Ayres beaten 3-2 by eventual runner-up Wayne Banks 3-2 and Ian Holman beaten 3-2 by eventual winner Tricia Wright having lead 2-1. Kevin Reilly made it through with a 3-2 win against Rob Wigg. Reilly then went on to secure a Semi-Final place with a 3-1 Quarter-Final win against Michael Harkins. Reilly then bowed out on stage in the Semi-Finals 4-2 against Tricia Wright after leading 2-1. In the other Semi-Final, Wayne Banks beat Lionel Sams 4-0. Former World Ladies number four and England International Tricia Wright went on to beat Wayne Banks 5-4 in the final. 
Please see below for all the 2008 competition news
PDC Competitions
PDC World Championships (2nd Round) by Ian Holman
Tony AyresDespite a terrific effort Billingshurst’s Tony Ayres lost out to world number seven Andy Hamilton in the Second Round of this year’s Ladbrokes PDC World Darts Championships at Alexandra Palace yesterday afternoon. Going into the match Hamilton had the highest average of the First Round matches and was expected to beat the Crawley super league player comfortably. Hamilton though, started poorly as Ayres took the opening set 3-2 with legs of 23, 15 and 12 darts despite missing the bull for a 161 finish in the fourth leg. ‘The Hammer’ responded well, taking the second set 3-0. Ayres then took out a 100 finish in the opening leg of the third set and fired in his first of three 180s and missed another bull for a 167 finish as he took the set 3-2 in 17, 24 and 18 darts. Hamilton won the next set 3-1 to level the match. Then with the fifth set level at 1-1 and Ayres left on 60 Hamilton took out a magical 170 as he went in front for the first time. Ayres was now up against it but he continued to fire in good scores but Hamilton’s confidence grew as he finished off the fifth set 3-1. The sixth set was to be the last and although Ayres won the second leg in 14 darts Hamilton roared to victory with a 12 dart fourth leg that included back to back maximums as he advanced to the last 16 to take on Dutch whizz kid Jelle Klaasen. Ayres hit eighteen 140s in total and a final average of 90.01 compared to Hamilton’s 92.78 average that included eight maximums and twelve 140s.
PDC World Championships (1st Round) by Ian Holman
Tony AyresCrawley super league player Tony 'T-Man' Ayres (pictured) made it through to the Second Round of the Ladbrokes PDC World Championships after an edge of the seats 3-2 victory against Andy 'The Pie Man' Smith at Alexandra Palace on Tuesday 23rd December. Ayres won the throw for the bull in the practice room before the match and the first set went with throw. Smith blitzed the second set 3-0 to pull level then Ayres stormed into a 2-0 third set lead before Smith levelled. A 101 finish from Ayres won him the third set in the decider. The fourth set went with throw although Ayres missed a dart at double top in the deciding leg to take the match. A jittery opening leg to the final set saw Ayres go out on double two and then take the next with his best leg of the match (14 darts). Ayres then set himself up with 61 left after 12 darts but Smith took out 100, finishing on two double tops to stay in the match. Ayres then won the match with a 16 dart leg finishing on double four to move into the last 32 of the World's biggest tournament and a guaranteed pay day of £8000.  Ayres average for the match was 86.12 and included three 180s and a 116 checkout.
PDC World Championships Qualifying by Ian Holman
Tony AyresTony Ayres (pictured) has made it through to the PDC World Championships at Alexandra Palace having beaten Jim Withers 5-2 in the final qualifying round at the Telford International Centre this afternoon. Ayres started the day with a  5-2 victory against Surrey's Aaron Turner before going on to beat Tony Blundell and fellow Crawley super league player Martin Burchell with 5-0 wins and then knocked out number one seed Mick McGowan 5-4. Jim Withers made it through to the final round of qualifying with wins against Ian Lever 5-4, Dickie Foster 5-1 and Stephen Hardy 5-3. Earlier Burchell won his First Round match against Scott Marsh 5-4. Danny King beat Hampshire's Jason Crawley 5-3 in the Preliminary Round before going out 5-3 against Dave Smith in the First Round. Ian Perkins won his First Round match against Matt Gallet 5-3 but then lost out 5-3 against Alan Caves in the Second Round. Gallet earlier beat Andy Mason 5-0 in the Preliminary Round. Dave Ansell lost his First Round tie against Karl Loiseau 5-2. Dave Young Memorial winner Shayne Burgess went down 5-0 against David Platt in the Preliminary round while Three Bridges Masters qualifier Ian Jopling lost 5-1 to Jimmy Mann.
Scottish Players Championship by Ian Holman
 Tony AyresCrawley super league player Tony Ayres (pictured) made the last 16 of a PDC Players Championship event for the second time this year at the Magnum Centre in Irvine, Scotland on Saturday 18th October, beating Sam Rooney by three sets to two, this year's PDC World Professional Championship runner-up Kirk Shepherd 3-1 and world number 14, Colin Osborne 3-0. Ayres' run came to end when he was defeated by Essex man Steve Maish 3-2. Apart from Ayres' run to the last sixteen it was a disappointing day for Sussex players as the others all lost in their opening matches. In the Preliminary Round, Dave Ansell lost 3-0 to Brendan Dolan, Ian Perkins lost 3-0 to Bill Davis, Martin Burchell lost 3-1 to Steve Grubb, Andy Mason lost 3-0 to Martyn Turner and Dave Mansell lost 3-1 to John Kuczynski and in the First Round, John Dawes lost 3-0 to Wayne Jones, Adrian Gray lost 3-2 to John MaGowan, Danny King lost 3-1 to Mick McGowan and Jim Withers lost 3-2 to Simon Craven.
Irish Players Championship by Ian Holman
Jim WithersEastbourne's Jim Withers (pictured) took former world number one Raymond van Barneveld to a deciding set in their Second Round encounter in the first of the two Irish Players Championship being played at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin over the weekend of the 4th & 5th October. In Saturday's competition Withers lost by three sets to two against the dutchman having beaten Steve Cusick 3-1 in the opening round. Tony Ayres also exited at the same stage, 3-1 against world number 24 Barrie Bates, having beaten Steve Musson 3-0. There were First Round exits for Danny King (3-1 vs John MaGowan), Dave Ansell (3-0 vs Ian Jopling), John Dawes (3-0 vs Louis Blundell) and Andy Mason (3-0 vs Wayne Jones). Pebsham's Adrian Gray lost out in the Third Round (3-1 against Robert Thornton), having beaten Peter Aleman 3-1 and Carlos Rodriguez 3-1. Phil Taylor went on to win the competition beating James Wade 3-2 in the Final. In the second competition held on the Sunday, Withers made it through to the Second Round again, this time he was beaten 3-0 by Alex Roy having won 3-2 against David Platt in the First Round. King also won his opening match, 3-0 against Dave Ansell before going out to Mark Walsh 3-1 in the Second Round. The other Sussex players all lost in the First Round. They were Mason (3-0 vs Blundell), Ayres (3-2 vs Dave Honey), Dawes (3-0 vs Kevin McDine) and Gray (3-1 against Chris Cooper). Dennis Priestley went on to win Sunday's competition, beating Barneveld 3-1 in the Final. 
Welsh Players Championship by Ian Holman
Tony AyresCrawley super league player Tony Ayres (pictured) beat two PDC ranked top 25 players in the first of two Welsh Players Championships held at the Newport centre on Saturday 20th September before crashing out 3-0 against Jamie Caven at the last 16 stage. Having beaten Surrey's Ben Burton by three sets to two in his opening match Ayres went on to beat Kevin Painter (PDC ranked 16) 3-2 in the Second Round and Andy 'The Pie Man' Smith 3-2 in the Third Round to earn himself £300 in prize money. Caven went on to make the final where he was beaten three sets to nil by Ronnie Baxter. Other results saw a 3-1 Preliminary Round win from Danny King against David Nelson before he lost out 3-2 in the First Round against Dave Smith. Martin Burchell also lost in the First Round, 3-0 against Jason Clark. Andy Mason lost 3-1 in the Preliminary Round against Lee Gregory and Dave Ansell lost 3-0 to James Wade in the First Round. Wade then went on to beat Eastbourne's Jim Withers 3-0 in the Second Round after Withers beat Joey Palfreyman 3-1 in the First Round. Dave Mansell also lost in the First Round on his PDC debut, 3-1 against Wes Newton. Also making his debut on the circuit was Ian (Sid) Perkins. He won 3-1 in the opening round against Colin Wonnacott but then lost 3-0 against Colin Lloyd in the Second Round. 
In the second Welsh Players Championship held on Sunday 21st September, Martin Burchell (pictured) and Jim Withers both picked up First Round wins before exiting at the Second Round stage. Burchell won his First Round match against UK Open pub qualifier Joe Cullen by three sets to nil and Withers beat Joey Palfreyman for the second day running, this time 3-2. Burchell lost out 3-0 against Andy Jenkins and Withers went down 3-1 to Steve Evans in their Second Round matches. Earlier in the competition, Tony Ayres and Ian Perkins both lost Preliminary Round ties. Ayres lost 3-1 against Chris Allen and Perkins by the same score against Jan van der Rassel. There were First Round exits for Danny King (3-1 against Brendan Dolan), Dave Ansell (3-0 against Kevin Painter), Dave Mansell (3-0 against Matt Clark)and Andy Mason (3-0 against Steve Brown). Pebsham's Adrian Gray lost 3-1 against Ronnie Baxter in the Third Round having beaten Alan Weist 3-0 and Matt Gallett 3-0 for his place in the last 32. Alan Tabern went on to win the title with a 3-2 win in the final against Colin Osborne.
Ireland Open Classic Players Championship by Ian Holman
 Tony AyresCrawley super league player Tony Ayres (pictured) crashed out in the Preliminary Round stage of the latest competition on the PDC circuit on Saturday 6th September at Dromore Leisure Complex. Taking on shock eventual winner and now local hero Felix McBrearty in the Ireland Open Classic Players Championship Ayres lost 3-2 in sets having lead all the three sets he ended up losing. McBrearty who came through a qualifying competition for his place in the main draw went on to beat the following top six PDC players to claim the £5000 first prize money: Kevin McDine, Colin Osborne, Michael van Gerwen, Andy Hamilton, Colin Lloyd and Chris Mason. Martin Burchell also competed in the competition and went out by the same 3-2 scoreline against Steve Brown in the First Round having received a bye in the Preliminary Round.
Koningshof Players Championship by Ian Holman
Martin BurchellCrawley's Martin Burchell (pictured) lost in the First Round of both this weekend's PDC Players Championship events in Koningshof, Holland. On Saturday 30th August he lost out to Edwin Max by three sets to one then on Sunday 31st August by three sets to nil against James Barton. Phil Taylor was in top form again, winning both competitions, beating James Wade 3-1 in Saturday's final and Terry Jenkins 3-0 in Sunday's.
Bobby Bourn Memorial Players Championship by Ian Holman
Man of the Match Danny KingDanny King (pictured) was just one leg away from beating world number six Adrian Lewis for the second time this year at the Bobby Bourn Memorial Players Championship at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on Saturday 19th July. Lewis won the First Round match by three sets to two taking the final set two-one. Back in March, King beat Lewis by five legs to three in the Blue Square UK Open Southern Regional Finals in Brentwood. Tony Ayres won 3-0 in the Preliminary Round in Blackpool against higher ranked Nigel Birch before losing out 3-1 against Dickie Foster in the First Round. Martin Burchell also faced a First Round exit 3-1 against Paul Cooper while fellow Team Mason sponsored player Jim Withers went one better by winning his First Round match against Kevin Reade 3-0 then losing out 3-0 to world number ten Wayne Mardle. Withers picked up £75 in prize money. Phil Taylor went on to retain the title for a sixth successive year beating Ronnie Baxter 3-0 in the Final.
PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic by Ian Holman
 Martin BurchellHaving battled through five rounds of qualifying, Crawley's Martin Burchell (pictured) was beaten in the First Round of the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic at Mandalay Bay by US number one Darin Young by six legs to four on Wednesday 2nd July. Burchell put up a spirited display in the match that was screened live on Sky Sports. In the opening leg, Burchell had the throw and missed one dart at double top as Young took advantage. The american then went two up before Burchell checked out on 58 for an 18 dart third leg. Young then restored his two leg advantage despite Burchell hitting his first of two 180s. The Diamonds star then checked out on 24 for a 14 dart leg and missed one dart at double eleven in the next that would have levelled the score. The seventh leg saw missed doubles from both players with Burchell eventually hitting the double five to trail 4-3. Young then won the next in 15 darts with a 158 finish leaving Burchell needing to win three legs on the spin. Burchell won the next in 19 darts but Young sealed victory with a 14 dart tenth leg. Burchell's average for the match was 26.78 per dart (80.34 per throw). Earlier in the week Burchell came through the qualifying from a field of just over 200 players as one of eight qualifiers from the first of two qualifying competitions and winning £2000 in prize money for his efforts. This included a 5-4 victory against PDC ranked number 48 Dennis Smith in his fourth game. In the deciding leg Smith was sitting on a double when Burchell checked out on 146. Burchell's other wins came against Gregor Cruickshank 5-2, Danny White 5-0, Mark Carter 5-2 and Kit Young 5-0.
PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic Qualifying by Ian Holman
Martin BurchellCrawley's Martin Burchell (pictured) qualified for the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic having come through a field of just over 200 players as one of eight qualifiers from the first of two qualifying competitions. Burchell was in good form winning five matches that included a 5-4 victory against PDC ranked number 48 Dennis Smith in his fourth game. In the deciding leg Smith was sitting on a double when Burchell checked out on 146. Burchell's other wins came against Gregor Cruickshank 5-2, Danny White 5-0, Mark Carter 5-2 and Kit Young 5-0. The others qualifiers are Adrian Gray, Mervyn King, Co Stompe, Shaun Brenneman, Mark Walsh, Robert Thornton, Steve Maish, Jelle Klaasen, Barrie Bates, Mick McGowan, Dennis Smith, Kevin Painter, Matt Clark, Sam Rooney and Alan Tabern. They join the World's top twelve players and four top North American players in the First Round.
Eight of the areas players missed out on joining Martin Burchell. In the first qualifying competition held on Monday 30th June both Tony Ayres and Danny King (pictured) made the last 64. Ayres beat PDC ranked 56 Alan Caves 5-2 but then lost out to PDC number 28 Alex Roy by the same score. King beat John Ferrell 5-4 but then crashed out 5-0 to the highly talented Alan Tabern (PDC ranked number 14). Phil Smith beat Gordon Dixon 5-3 but missed out on a clash with Diamonds team mate Burchell when he was narrowly beaten 5-4 by Mark Carter. Andy Mason beat Dave Ansell 5-2 before losing out 5-3 against Robert Watson-Lang and there were Preliminary Round defeats for John Dawes, Nigel Panton and Team Mason's Jim Withers. Dawes was beaten for the second day running by qualifier Shawn Brenneman, this time 5-1, Panton lost 5-1 against John Ferrell and Withers lost 5-2 against Terry Stewart.
The second qualifying competition held on Tuesday 1st July saw Preliminary Round victories for Tony Ayres (5-2 vs Darren Moulsley), John Dawes (5-3 vs Napoleon McPherson), Danny King (5-1 vs Bryan Willis), Andy Mason (5-3 vs John Hursey) and Jim Withers (5-0 vs Kenji Mayama). Dave Ansell beat Phil Smith 5-4 and Alan Wyatt lost 5-1 against John Worthington. In the First Round Tony Ayres beat Danny King 5-1, Nigel Panton beat Scott Clifford 5-0 and Jim Withers beat Steve Mason 5-1. Dave Ansell was beaten 5-1 by Dave Cameron, John Dawes lost 5-2 against Joe Slivan and Andy Mason lost 5-0 against Tom Wilson, In the Third Round (last 64) Tony Ayres lost 5-3 against Denis Ovens, Nigel Panton lost 5-0 to Dave Honey and Jim Withers was beaten 5-4 by John Kuczynski. 
Las Vegas Players Championship by Ian Holman
Tony AyresTony Ayres (pictured) beat PDC ranked number eight Roland Scholten in the Second Round of the Las Vegas Players Championship on Sunday 29th June by three sets to one having put out top Canadian player Gerry Convery by the same scoreline in the First Round. Ayres was then beaten 3-0 in the Third Round (last 32) by Steve Grubb. Along with Ayres, Eastbourne player Jim Withers (who recently joined up with Team Mason) also made the last 32 on his PDC debut winning 3-2 against Robbie Newland in the First Round and 3-0 against Dave Smith in the Second Round before narrowly missing out on a chance of playing Michael van Gerwen in the last 16 when Bill Davis beat him 3-2. Broadbridge Heath player John Dawes lost in the Preliminary Round 3-0 against Shawn Brennermann and there were First Round exits for Dave Ansell, Martin Burchell, Danny King and Andy Mason. Ansell lost 3-0 against Scholten, Burchell lost 3-2 to Lee Holden, King lost 3-0 against Bill Davis and Mason lost out 3-0 to Alan Matthews. Phil Taylor went on to win the competition with a three sets to one victory against Ronnie Baxter in the Final.
Bristol Trade Centre Players Championship by Ian Holman
 PDC LogoTony Ayres beat Martin Burchell by three sets to two in the Preliminary Round of the Saturday Players Championship event held at the Dolman Stand Exhibition Hall at Ashton Gate, Bristol. Danny King was also defeated in the Preliminary Round, 3-1 against Mark Tiller. In the First Round both Ayres and Andy Mason lost their games 3-0. Ayres lost out to 25th seed Wes Newton and Mason to Tony Littleton having received a bye in the Preliminary Round. In Sunday's competition Ayres made it through to the First Round with a 3-0 win against Karl Loiseau, Burchell lost 3-0 against Mark Layton in the Preliminary Round while King and Mason received byes. Ayres then lost 3-1 to Co Stompe, Mason lost 3-0 to 23rd seed Andy Smith and King was edged out 3-2 by PDC ranked number 48, Dennis Smith.
UK Open Finals by Ian Holman
Tony AyresTony Ayres (pictured) made it through to the last 64 of the Blue Square UK Open Finals at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton on Thursday 5th June and earnt £1000 in prize money, beating David Howells 6-3 in the opening round and following it up with a tough 6-5 win against Paul Whitworth, checking out on double four in the final leg having hit a 10 dart finish to go 5-4 up (180, 180, 105 (20, T20, 25), 36). In the Third Round, Ayres came up against current world number one and 2006 & 2007 UK Open champion Raymond van Barneveld and was beaten 9-0 despite hitting three 180s. Unfortunately Danny King slipped up in the opening round against twice world champion Dennis Priestley in front of the Sky television cameras on the main board, going down 6-1 despite having darts at doubles in two of his losing legs. King was 5-0 down before he pulled off the games only 180 at the start of the sixth leg to take it in 20 darts, finishing on double top. Martin Burchell made it through to the Second Round, winning 6-3 against Darren Sutton having lead 5-1. He then held a 4-3 lead against David Platt before he fell to a Second Round defeat,  6-4.
UK Open Regional Qualifier by Ian Holman
Rob MetcalfeRob Metcalfe (pictured) missed out on a place in the televised Blue Square UK Open Finals in June when he was eliminated in the opening qualifying round at the Aylesbury Ex-Services Club on Sunday 11th May. Having won the pub qualifier at The Rose & Crown in Crawley in April Metcalfe took a 3-1 lead against 2005 and 2007 qualifier Ian Wise. Unfortunately the Buckinghamshire players' experience then told as he won the next four legs to go through 5-3. Wise eventually missed out on a place in the Reebok Finals place when he lost in the final qualifying round against Bedfordshire's Michael Smith. The Finals will be televised on Sky Sports from 5-8 June.
Scottish Players Championship by Ian Holman
Dave AnsellDave Ansell (pictured) lost by three sets to nil against Martyn Turner in the Preliminary Round of the inaugural 'Scottish Sun' Scottish Players Championship held at the Thistle Hotel in Glasgow on Saturday 19th April. The two players met seven weeks ago in the Players Championship event at Brentwood where the result was the same. World number 18 Colin Osborne hit a nine dart finish against last year's Crawley Open runner-up Lionel Sams in the First Round. In the Third Round Phil Taylor's excellent run of PDC competition wins came to an end as he was beaten by three sets to one against Mervyn King. King went on to win the competition without dropping another leg, beating Kevin McDine (Quarter-Finals), Mick McGowan (Semi-Finals) and Mark Dudbridge in the final. Tony Ayres, Martin Burchell, Danny King and Andy Mason did not compete in the competition.
UK Open Pub Qualifier by Ian Holman
blue squareRob Metcalfe won the Blue Square UK Open pub qualifier held at The Rose & Crown in West Green, Crawley on Tuesday 8th April, beating Ian Holman 3-1 in the final from an entry of just 10 players. In a high scoring final Holman's only consolation was a 180 in the first leg. Metcalfe goes forward to one of four regional finals to be held on 10th / 11th May. Eight players from each Regional Final go forward to the televised Finals held at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton in June.
Blue Square UK Open Midlands Regional Final by Ian Holman
Martin BurchellMartin Burchell (pictured) made it through to the Third Round of the Blue Square UK Open Midlands Regional Final at the Telford International Centre on Sunday 30th March with wins against Chris Cooper (5-4) and Jan van der Rassel (5-2). Burchell was eventually beaten in the round of the last 32 by fellow Sussex Super League player Adrian Gray 5-2. Tony Ayres registered a Preliminary Round win against Matt Sheehan (5-3) before going out to World number 23 Mervyn King 5-1 in the First Round and there were Preliminary Round defeats for Dave Ansell (5-0 against Carlos Rodriguez), Danny King (5-3 against Matt Chapman) and Andy Mason (5-1 against Geoff Wylie). Burchell won £200 in prize money. 
Midlands Players Championship by Ian Holman
Tony AyresTony Ayres (pictured) was the only PDC player in the area to get beyond the First Round at the Midlands Players Championship at the Telford International Centre on Saturday 29th March. Dave Ansell and Martin Burchell both exited the competition at the Preliminary Round stage. Ansell, who is still looking for his first win on the PDC circuit lost by three sets to nil against Pete Allen and Burchell lost 3-1 against Peter Wright. Tony Ayres, Danny King and Andy Mason all received byes to the First Round where Ayres beat Richard Plowman 3-0, King was beaten 3-0 by Joey Palfreyman and Mason lost 3-0 to Kevin Dowling. In the Second Round Ayres lost 3-0 against world number 15 Ronnie Baxter. Ayres won £75 in prize money.
Blue Square UK Open North West Regional Final by Ian Holman
Tony AyresBillinghurst's Tony Ayres (pictured) made it to the Third Round of the Blue Square UK Open North-West Regional Final at the Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan on Sunday 16th March with wins against Andy Pearson (5-2) and Dave Jowett (5-1). Ayres bowed out to Mark Frost 5-3 at the last 64 stage earning himself £100 in prize money. It was a grim day up north for the other players from the Crawley and Horsham area. There were First Round exits for Dave Ansell, Danny King and Andy Mason. Ansell went down 5-0 against Chris Thompson, King was unfortunate to go out 5-3 against Robert Watson-Lang and Mason lost 5-1 against Dale Pinch. Martin Burchell's world ranking gave him a bye to the Second Round where he lost 5-2 to Simon Whatley. Phil Taylor went on to win the competition beating Adrian Lewis 8-7 in the final.
North West Players Championship by Ian Holman
Crawley's Martin Burchell (pictured) returned to form at the North-West Players Championship at the Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan on Saturday 15th March, making the Third Round with wins against Dan Cook (3-1) and Steve Musson (3-0). Burchell then went two sets up against World number five Terry Jenkins before last years Premier League runner-up fought back to take the final three sets despite Burchell having a shot at a double to put him out in the fourth set. Tony Ayres exited the competition in the First Round, losing 3-0 to World number 20 Chris Mason having beaten Chris Dalglish 3-0 in a Preliminary Round tie. Dave Ansell hit a 180 on his way to a 3-0 First Round defeat against World number eight Roland Scholten. Danny King lost 3-0 against Mick Sawery in the Preliminary Round and Andy Mason lost to Canadian Gary Mawson by the same score. Burchell won £150 in prize money. Alan Tabern went on to win the final 3-0 against Chris Mason.
Blue Square UK Open Southern Regional Final by Ian Holman
Danny KingDanny King (pictured) produced a shock result in the Blue Square UK Open Southern Regional Finals in Brentwood on Sunday 2nd March with a 5-3 First Round win against World number six Adrian Lewis having already knocked out Australian Pat Orreal 5-2 in the Preliminary Round. King took control against Lewis by racing into a 3-0 lead with legs of 17, 18 and 15 darts that included a 180 in the third leg. Lewis hit back with legs of 18 and 13 darts before King held his nerve to win two of the next three legs. In his game against the former Australian Army Commander, King took the opening four legs. Orreal then took the next two before King wrapped up the win with a 17 dart leg. King slipped to a 5-2 defeat in the Second Round against Irishman Jason Barry despite winning the opening leg in 14 darts and a 28.44 average. Tony Ayres also reached the Second Round with 5-1 wins against Mark Carter and Alan Caves. Against Caves, Ayres was in blistering form taking the opening three legs with checkouts of 115, 116 and 120. With two 180s along the way the 5-1 result produced a World class average of 103.1 per throw (34.37 per dart). Ayres lost in the Second Round against teenage sensation Michael van Gerwen. The Dutchman took the opening three legs with 18, 13 and 16 darts. Ayres hit back with a 17 dart leg and van Gerwen wrapped up the game with legs of 20 and 18 darts. Ayres averaged 29.10 against van Gerwen's 29.47. Martin Burchell played well in his First Round defeat against Carlos Rodriguez having received a bye in the Preliminary Round. Burchell bounced back after losing the opening two legs to lead 3-2 and 4-3 before the Spaniard hit legs of 15 and 16 darts to take the match. Burchell hit two 180 along the way and ended up with a 26.61 average. Dave Ansell received a bye in the Preliminary Round and came up against World number 18 Colin Osborne, losing 5-1 having hit a 180. Andy Mason lost 5-1 in the Preliminary Round against Hampshire's Aaron Monk. Ayres and King both won £100 prize money. Colin Lloyd went on to win the competition with an 8-6 win against Phil Taylor in the final.
Southern Players Championship by Ian Holman
Tony AyresFive players from the area took part in the third PDC Players Championship tournament of the year played at The Brentwood Centre in Essex on Saturday 1st March. Martin Burchell lost three sets to one in the Preliminary Round with a 24.02 average against Richard Foster (28.13 average). Danny King won his Preliminary Round tie 3-0 against Kieron Leal, losing just one leg with a 24.37 average. In The First Round Tony Ayres (pictured) beat Chris Sargeant 3-0 and Andy Mason had his first PDC win, beating Gary Witcombe 3-0. Danny King lost 3-1 against Ricky Williams and Dave Ansell lost 3-0 against Martyn Turner. The Second Round saw Tony Ayres go out 3-0 against 13 times World Champion Phil Taylor. Ayres performed well with a 28.62 average but he only had a shot at a double in the final leg as Taylor averaged 32.32. Andy Mason lost 3-0 against World number three James Wade. Phil Taylor went on to win the competition without dropping a set and beating James Wade 3-0 in the final.
Blue Square UK Open South-West Regional by Ian Holman
Danny KingDanny King (pictured) gave World number 23 Mervyn King a scare in yesterday's Blue Square UK Open South-West Regional Final at Wellsprings Leisure Centre in Taunton. Having beaten Tony Littleton 5-4 including finishes of 135 & 120 in the Preliminary Round, Danny went on to beat Crawley Friday League rival Martin Burchell 5-2 in the First Round and lead Mervyn King 2-0 and 3-2 in the Second Round before going out 5-3. Andy Mason had a 4-1 lead in his preliminary round game against Brian Jones but eventually lost 5-4 while Tony Ayres lost 5-1 against Stephen Hardy and Dave Ansell lost 5-2 against Paul Cooper despite hitting three 180s. The competition was the fifth of eight qualifying events as players aim for a top 128 ranking to qualify for the televised finals at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton in June. Danny King's effort earnt him £100 in prize money.
Gibraltar Players Championships by Ian Holman
Tony AyresThe first Stan James Players Championships events of the year took place in Gibraltar at the weekend of 19th / 20th January with Tony Ayres (pictured) beating Denis Ovens by three sets to two in the Second Round of Saturday's competition and Danny King winning his first ever match on the PDC circuit. Having beaten PDC ranked number 38 Matt Clark in the opening round on Saturday Ayres gained revenge on Ovens (ranked 17 in the world) who beat him 5-2 back in September in the ITV Wildcard Qualifier of the PartyBets.com Grand Slam Of Darts. Ayres lost in the Third Round on Saturday against PDC number 24 Andy Smith 3-1 and picked up £150 in prize money. Danny King beat Darrell Thorpe 3-1 in the First Round before losing 3-0 to PDC ranked 27 Alex Roy in the Second Round. Martin Burchell lost 3-1 against former World Championship finalist Peter Manley in the opening round and Andy Mason lost 3-0 against Redhill's Dave Askew. In Sunday's competition Tony Ayres and Danny King both lost 3-2 in the opening round. Ayres lost against PDC number 31 Adrian Gray and King against PDC number 39 Colin Monk. Andy Mason picked up his first set on the circuit as he went down 3-1 against PDC number 48 Steve Smith. Martin Burchell progressed to the Second Round with a 3-2 win against Sean Palfrey but then bowed out by the same score against World Championship qualifier Jamie Caven. King and Burchell picked up £75 prize money each over the weekend. World Champion John Part won Saturday's competition with a 3-1 final win against Chris Mason. Redhill's Dave Askew made the last 16. On Sunday James Wade won the competition with a 3-1 win against Denis Ovens. John Ferrell made the Quarter-Finals with wins against Rico Vonck (3-0), Vincent van der Voort (3-2), Alan Tabern (3-2) and Adrian Lewis (3-1). Ferrell was beaten 3-2 by Ovens in the last eight.
Blue Square UK Open North-East Regional Final by Ian Holman
Tony AyresThe first PDC competition following the 2008 World Championships was the Blue Square UK Open North-East Regional Final on Sunday 13th January at the Gateshead Stadium. The event was the fourth of eight qualifying events. Prize money is then totalled up and the top 128 qualify for the televised finals at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton in June. Martin Burchell and Tony Ayres (pictured right) both received byes into the Second Round where Burchell hit a 148 finish but then missed a 130 checkout in the deciding leg against Chris Allen and was beaten 5-4. Ayres progressed with a 5-2 win against Dave Honey that included checkouts of 160 and 148. In the Third Round Ayres was beaten 5-4 by Eddie Lovely and missed the chance of a board final (last 32) against John Ferrell. Ayres won £100 in prize money. Colin Osborne went on to win the final 8-6 against Denis Ovens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Winter League Links
 Crawley Monday League
Crawley Friday League

Hall & Woodhouse League

Horsham 5s League

Horsham & District League

 

Summer League Links

Sussex Super League

Crawley Summer League

Southwater Summer League

 

Other Links

Home

Sussex County News

Merit Cup

Competition Results

Photo Gallery

Three Bridges 'Open' Comps

Planet Darts

BDO

Martin Burchell Official Site

Ryelandsentertainment Sussex Pages

Liz Fletcher Darts

Littlehampton Darts Organisation

Portslade Darts

My Team 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 















Holman & Reilly Hit 180s In Barking by Ian Holman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tony Ayres Wins Easter Open by Barry Moody