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Holden battles with the best

5/ 1/2005

MARK Holden did Middleton proud in the Ladbrokes PDC World Championships in Purfleet.

The Apple and Pear licensee, a qualifier for the game's most prestigious event, scored wins over James Wade from Hampshire and Yeovil's Simon Whatley before going out in the third round to world-ranked number 12 Denis Ovens.

Holden, nicknamed "The Top Banana" hit three 180s and averaged 94.42 in beating talented 21-year-old Wade 3-0.

He also beat Whatley 3-0. He had an 89.51 mean score in his second round win and three more maximums.

Holden found Ovens too hot to handle and went down 4-1 despite an 83.81 average score. Ovens recorded a superb 98.76 average.

We are now 12 weeks into the Middleton Men's Thursday League campaign and only three points separate the top three teams who have each played 11 games.

Kings Arms, beaten only once, have 56 points. Boarshaw WMC are on 54 points and Joiners have 53.

Pleasant have 18 points in the Gallon contest. But they have played a game more than Cotton Tree and Kings who both have 17 points. Next, on 16 points, come White Hart and Wilton.