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Around the local boards

John Gwynne
8/ 7/2004

MATTERS ended all-square in the first leg of the Middleton Monday League's knockout cup semi-final between Cotton Tree and the Gardeners Arms.

The Cotton Tree won the darts match, but the Sandy Lane men ensured the second leg started on a even keel by taking the crib contest 2-1 and giving an aggregate 5-5 final score.

The arrow flinging started with the best performance of the night - a superb 12-darter from Cotton Tree's Ian Bates. It was the first of three consecutive successes for the home side, Mick Sheard and landlord Jim Wilde following up.

The Gardeners made it 3-3 through John Fairbrother, Steve Copeland and Jimmy Mulholland - the last two in 19 and 18 darts respectively - but Wayne Rigby took the decider to give Cotton Tree victory.

The Woodman won a thriller in the other semi-final, also taking the darts by the odd game in seven but adding the crib, 2-1, for an overall 6-4 advantage against the Archer.

Pete Gorman, Wayne Beattie and Ricky Wojcik won for the Woodman, while Gary Hoolickin Jnr and, with a 10-darter, Gary Hoolickin Snr were the winners for the home side.

Two games were tied, those between Pete Chamman and Paul Williams and, the last one of the night, Steve O'Brien and Darren Dewar.