Eagle just misses out

CURRY Rivel darts star Gary Eagle narrowly missed out on a place in the national final after being beaten in the regional event of the John Smith’s People’s Darts Championships at the Lakeside in Frimley Green, Surrey.

It was a wonderful achievement for Eagle, who was representing the King William IV pub in Curry Rivel, to reach the regional final of the Publican-backed event. (full article...)

Darts: Dove is looking ahead to John Smith’s qualifiers

STOCKTON darts player Tommy Dove has landed a chance to play at the home of arrows - the Lakeside Country Club.

The 49-year-old swooped into the finals of the inaugural John Smith’s People’s Darts tournament with a 3-0 whitewash of Stokesley’s Ronald McGinty in the North-east qualifier at Coundon.

He now goes on to join seven other regional qualifiers at the Lakeside in Surrey, with the final televised live on the BBC ahead of the BDO World Championship Final on January 11.

Dove, who also won £1,000 for his Norton-based chosen charity the Daisy Chain, will be mentored by former BDO world champion Martin Adams ahead of the tournament.

Adams was on the oche at Coundon to provide support and the England captain will visit Stockton Buffs for a coaching and exhibition night in the weeks before the final.

Dove said: “It was a brilliant day and I can’t believe I have made it through to the final at the Lakeside.

“I’m delighted to have won and I’m just looking forward to the next stage of the competition.”

Adams, who pipped Ferryhill’s Phill Nixon to win the 2007 BDO world title, added: “The Lakeside is a brilliant venue and it will be fantastic to see Tommy represent the North-east on the big stage.

“It will be a massive change in terms of atmosphere for Tommy so hopefully I can pass on some good advice that he can take with him to the final.”

Dove regularly stars on the local circuit for Stockton Buffs and will be cheered on at Frimley Green by nine guests from the club, including darts team captain Craig Turner.

Turner said: “Tommy is a cracking player.

“He has won all sorts of things for us, including three trophies in a year.

“This is the icing on the cake.”

If he emerges victorious at the Lakeside, Dove will win an additional £14,000 for the Daisy Chain and will get to play in three BDO tournaments, including the Torremolinos Open.

Nov 21 2008 by Adam Steel, Evening Gazette (story source...)

Mixed fortunes in John Smith’s Darts League

Cygnet’s John Smith gamed in 19 darts and Kev Walton (180) for 18 darts in the John Smith’s Mixed League at Huntington, whose last pairing of Joan Hunter and Dave Brigham took match points.

Cueball’s Pete Leake gamed in 18 at Winning Post whose only points came via Julie Mackrell.

Acomb saw strong play from the ladies. Nikki Judson gamed in 24 darts, Di Moreland gamed on 116 and Michelle Britton went out on 109.

Doreen Johnstone did a two-dart 100 finish and Anita Adams shot out on 92. Other 180s came from Huntington’s Dave O’Hara, Tramway’s Toni Smallwood and Cygnet’s Ken Walton.http://www.thepress.co.uk/sport/3866400.Mixed_fortunes_in_John_Smith___s_Darts_League/

Darting duo eye Lakeside

TWO arrows aces are chasing glory in a ground-breaking tournament.

Stamford's Matt Gray and William Burksfield from Oakham are through to the last 76 in the inaugural John Smith's People's Darts competition.

The darting duo will be competing at the Willenhall Social Club in Coventry on Sunday looking to book their place in the national final which will take place at the Lakeside ahead of the BDO World Finals on January 11.

The winner will also receive an exhibition evening at their local darts venue courtesy of former BDO world champion Ted Hankey to prepare them for the rigours they face at the next stage of the tournament.

Burksfield, 60, qualified through an event staged at the Hit Or Miss in Stamford with Gray, 33, going through from his qualifier at Blackstones. Published Date: 20 November 2008 (story source...)

The People's Dart's champion will then have the opportunity of a lifetime as he/she is given the extraordinary chance to compete with the best in the sport at the Torremolinos Open as well as two other UK-based BDO Darts events.

Pub darts player goes the extra (300) miles

Isle of Mull player travelling to County Durham for Publican-backed John Smith's tournament

A dedicated darts player is preparing to travel more than 300 miles to take part in the John Smith’s People’s Darts Championship.

Having won a tournament at his local – MacGochans Bar in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull in Scotland - Thomas Nunn, is now heading to the regional final of the Publican-backed event, in Bishop Auckland, County Durham.

Thomas, who beat 16 other contestants to secure his place in the regional final, said: “It’s a long way to go but it will be worth it.

“I’m really looking forward to it, but I definitely need a little bit more practice, as the competition will be tough.

“I’d love to say I’m aiming to get to the grand final but that would probably be getting ahead of myself. I’m just going to do my best.”

If Thomas does win the regional final he will be in with chance of competing in front of a packed house before the BDO World Championships at the Lakeside in Frimley Green, Surrey in January.

The eventual winner of the competition will also win £15,000 for a charity of their choice and the chance to compete in professional tournaments.

But pubs - who can hold tournaments to nominate champions for the regional finals – will have to be quick to enter as the deadline date of October 28 is fast approaching.

For more information or to download registration form for the tournament visit www.johnsmiths.co.uk/peoplesdarts

16 October, 2008

By Kat Baker

Play like champs

A NEW competition will give amateur darts players the chance to play at the world championships and win £15,000 for charity.

Brewer John Smith’s is holding its first amateur tournament, with the two UK finalists playing before the crowd at the world championships in January.

Former world champion Ted “The Count” Hankey is coaching the Welsh regional finalists.

Ted said: “I am really excited about getting involved with the John Smith’s People’s Darts. It’s going to be great to see just how good some of these pub players are and will be brilliant for me to try to pass on some of my experience and tips to the regional winner on their way to the Lakeside.”

Entries must be in by October 28 and the regional final will be held on November 22. To enter see: www.johnsmiths.co.uk/peoplesdarts

Play darts in a pro arena

26 August, 2008

By Matt Eley

Step up to the oche for the John Smith's People's Darts competition

Details on how to win the chance to play darts in front of a packed house before the final of the world championship have been released.

The Publican is teaming-up with The Mirror to back the John Smith’s People’s Darts competition.

Amateurs from pubs across the country have the chance to battle it out to the final stages were they will get top-tips from darts legend Bobby George.

The finalists will then throw for the title before the final of the BDO World Professional Darts Championships at the Lakeside, in Frimley Green, Surrey, in January.

The victor will win £15,000 for their chosen charity and the chance to compete in three BDO tournaments. (full article...)