Darts: Alan Friar of Mill Brow defeats Halton Stadium player Joe Batty to win Widnes & District Darts League’s Weekly News Individuals for first time
ALAN Friar of Mill Brow has put his name on the Widnes & District Darts League’s Weekly News Individuals trophy for the first time.
The final against Halton Stadium’s Joe Batty guaranteed a first-time winner of the Round the Board event.
Batty had chances to take the first leg but Friar overcame his early nerves to hit the centre bull first before also taking the second leg to clinch the honours.
The semi-finals, also played on finals night at the RAOB had seen a 2-1 victory for Batty over Mill Brow’s Ste Miller.
Miller had levelled at 1-1 with a 19-dart leg but Batty took the decider in 14. Friar, meanwhile, accounted for the holder John Bowles, from Halton Stadium, with 17 and 16 darters.
The Cheshire Roof Trusses 501 Individuals title went to James Gorst, last year’s runner-up.
He showed his character by hitting back from losing the first leg of three to Sundowner’s Karl Windisch (19 darts).
In the earlier semis, Gorst had defeated Scott Byrne 2-1 while Windisch overcame Sundowner team-mate Kyle Yeomans in two straight.
The Alf Houghton Individuals, for Division Two players, saw Mark Lunt make up for losing last season’s final. The St Michael’s player must have been a little anxious as he was pegged back after winning the opening leg against Tommy Robertson of Crow’s Nest. But Lunt was this time not doing to be denied.
Division One’s Alan Knowles Individuals final was dramatically decided on a restart after a drawn final leg.
Mill Brow ace Paul Linger, who had lost the opening leg to RAOB’s Darren Grant (19 darts) hit the double and bull in two darts to seal the win.
The Jack Adams Cup brought a 2-1 win for Alan Magee from Widnes Bowling Club.
This was the first final of the night and saw Magee open with a 17-darter. He looked to be heading for victory in two legs before Tommy Robertson (Crow’s Nest) responded to nick the second in just 14 darts.
The 180s Cup saw Anthony Hall of Sundowner throw consistently well for a straight-legs victory over Halton Stadium’s John Bowles in the best-of-three clash.