COUNTY DARTS NORFOLK V S

The latest Inter Counties match at Willenhall against West Midlands proved to be another missed opportunity for Sussex to improve their league position. Against a side who were relegated from Division One last season, Sussex were forced to make four changes to the winning squad against Berkshire, due to players being unavailable. This turned out to be no problem initially as, by early Sunday afternoon, the match score was 14-10 to Sussex with the Men’s “A” needing just five wins to gain the bonus points. Sadly, once again there were two calamitous runs with five losses in the first half and four more at the finish, meaning a 9-3 win for West Midlands and a 19-17 match defeat for Sussex.

The ladies “B” team gained a well deserved second win this season with a 4-2 score line thanks to wins for .Sue Sexton, Newhaven, Kelly Ryan, Eastbourne, Rhonda West, Lewes and lady–of-the-match Glenys Laker, Littlehampton, her second on the trot , with a 20.59 average , the best in the Division on the day.

The men’s “B” were outscored by the home side but their finishing grabbed them a 6-6 draw, for the third time in six matches. Man-of- the-match was Mark Davis, Brighton with a 28.60 winning average putting him into the top twenty in the Division. There were also wins for Paul Russell, Eastbourne, Graham Dutton, Bognor, Chris Gatford, Chichester, Darren Woolgar, Newhaven and Peter Stoner, Worthing.

On Sunday the ladies “A” side repeated their 4-2 win against Berkshire outscoring West Midlands with wins for Lisa Tanner, Eastbourne, Sam Harding. Lewes, Hayley Gatford, Chichester and lady-of-the-match Donna Rainsley, Hailsham with a 23.48 winning average to put her into the top six in the Division.

West Midlands began their fight back, taking the first five games in the Mens “A” match to level the match score at fifteen each. Andy Derrick, Hastings stopped the rot for Sussex, hitting eleven tons in his 3-1 win, followed by a man-of-the-match performance from Jim Withers, Eastbourne winning 3-2 with a 27.20 average. Brighton’s Geoff Taylor kept the revival going for the visitors with a 3-2 win, including two maximums, but West Midlands outscored the last four Sussex players to

Over a high scoring weekend more than 400 tons were hit, 214 to the home side and 184 to Sussex plus eighteen maximums, nine to each side.

The defeat leaves Sussex five points clear of the relegation zone with three matches to play, the next at the end of this month at the Roffey Club against Hertfordshire.

Sussex bounced back from two successive defeats in the Rileys Inter Counties League with a 19-17 win against Berkshire at the Roffey Club.

It could have been a lot better for Sussex who grabbed the bonus points halfway through the Men’s ”A” match to take an eight point lead, but then went on to lose the remaining six games. With just four matches to play this season, two of these against top sides Suffolk and Lincolnshire, Sussex may yet regret this lapse.

The Ladies teams both won for the first time this season, the “B” side, with four changes, victorious by 5-1 on Saturday and the “A” side, two changes after the defeat in Devon, winning 4-2 on Sunday.

Glenys Laker, Littlehampton showed the way for the “B”s with a 19.29 win to take the match award and this was followed with wins for Sue Sexton, Newhaven, Helen Jones, Brighton, Teresa Weir, Eastbourne and Rhonda West, Lewes..

The Men’s “B” showed three changes and secured their third draw in five matches .

Brighton’s Russell Vanner began the match with a 3-0 win for Sussex including a 180, followed by a man-of-the-match award performance from Gary Edgar, Newhaven with a 26.37 winning average. Wins for Mark Davis, Brighton, Paul Russell, Eastbourne and Pete Stoner, Worthing put Sussex 5-2- up but Berkshire fought back and it was left to Newhaven’s Darren Woolgar to secure the draw winning the final game 3-0.

On Sunday the Ladies “A” began well with Hayley Gatford, Chichester taking her second consecutive lady-of-the-match award with a 17.69 average. Wins for Eastbourne pair Norma Self and Lisa Tanner and Donna Rainsley, Halland achieved a 4-2 win for the Sussex ladies, their best performance of the season..

With the match score at 15-9 to Sussex , the Men’s “A” welcomed the return of Ian Perkins and Jason Yates and they were quickly into their stride, building an eight point lead and taking the bonus points. Rod Hawkins, Brighton lead the way with a 29.57 winning average to take the match award for the second month running. Wins for Michael Hammond, Newhaven, Jim Withers, Eastbourne and Jason Yates, Worthing secured the bonus points but, with the match score at 19-11 for Sussex, the wheels came off with a vengeance.. Inspired by their man-of-the-match, the “Fen Tiger” Peter Evison, Berkshire won the remaining six games and the match by 8-4, to go top of the Mens “A” Division table.

The 19-17 win puts Sussex one place above the Division Two relegation zone but just six points from a top four spot . Their next match is at Willenhall against West Midlands who were relegated from Division One last season and are currently in third place . Both Counties will be fighting hard for the bonus points

The second defeat of the season has dumped Sussex into the relegation zone of the

Rileys Inter Counties League. The away match in Devon resulted in a 22-14 win for the home side which, with the three teams below Sussex in the League all winning, meant we dropped from fifth to ninth place, with four matches remaining.

Despite the 4am start on a freezing Saturday morning and the 200 mile round journey

the Sussex squad enjoyed a great weekend’s hospitality at the Heavitree Club and the Rougement Hotel. Unfortunately this was not reflected in the overall match result against a County who were promoted this season after ten years in Division Three.

The scoring was even in Saturday’s “B” team matches but the loss of five games by

2-3, with Sussex failing to hit the crucial final double, meant a 3-3 draw in the Ladies match and the Men losing 4-8 for the second month running.

Norma Self, Eastbourne began the day in fine form for Sussex, taking the lady-of-the-match award with an 18.56 winning average, but the side, showing two changes, were still unable to gain their first win of the season. Elaine Chapman, Lewes and Teresa Weir, Eastbourne both won well to grab a 3-3 draw.

The Men’s “B” showed three changes after the London defeat and they found themselves 2-5 down before an award winning performance from Paul Eves, Newhaven, with a 25.44 average, stopped the runaway. Brighton pair Mark Davis and Russel Vanner were the earlier winners but Sussex could add only one more to their total, Rob Metcalf, Crawley making his County debut with a creditable 3-1 win, made the final score 4-8 to Devon.

lady-of-the-match award for her 15.71 average. Sadly this was the high point for our Ladies who lost the remaining five games, being outscored by the Devon side who are unbeaten this season..

With the match score at 16-8 to the home team Sussex Men’s “A” knew they were in for a tough fight to get anything from the weekend. To make matters worse, two of their top players this season, Ian Perkins and Jason Yates were unavailable and had to be replaced by Simon Morris and Paul Eves from the “B” team. Despite good performances from Jim Withers, Eastbourne and Brighton pair Keith Price and Geoff Taylor the bonus points went to Devon by the halfway mark. Newhaven’s Michael Hammond recorded his second successive man-of-the-match award with a winning 30.67 average but Devon fought back to lead 6-4 after taking the next two games. Now playing for pride the last two Sussex men raised their game, Paul Eves, Newhaven and Rod Hawkins, Brighton both winning to level the score at 6-6, Rod’s 30.67 average meant he shared the man-of-the-match award with Michael Hammond.

The 14-22 defeat puts Sussex into ninth place in Division Two six points adrift of safety from relegation. The thought of playing in Division Three next season with five away matches, possibly in Wales and the North East, must be a strong incentive to the Sussex squad to get back to their early season winning ways, starting with the home match against Berkshire this weekend.

Brighton star Ian Perkins celebrated his elevation to the Sussex County “A” team next Sunday, when Sussex meet London in the Inter Counties League at the Roffey Club, by winning the “Dave Young “ Memorial Open at Broadbridge Heath Village Centre on Saturday.

Ian is on a winning streak after successive “B” team Man-of-the-Match awards for Sussex this season and recently picking up the prize money at the previous two Victoria Open events in Coulsden. He continued his run of form in this year’s tournament, staged to commemorate the well known Horsham player who passed away in 2003. Organisers Andy Mason and Dave Ansell were delighted to announce that the Help For Heroes charity will benefit by more than £240 from the day’s proceeds of an auction of darts shirts donated by PDC players.

The Open field of sixty nine players included several top PDC and BDO stars and an early shock was the second round defeat of last year’s Champion Shane Burgess by Rob Cross from Edenbridge.

Ian Perkins battled through to the final with wins against Stuart Cole, Dave Creasey, Tony Ayres, Andy Derrick and semi-finalist Eastbourne’s Paul Russell.

His opponent on stage was the Surrey Super league star Mick Clarke who progressed to the final by beating Jill Campbell Miles, Bak Ko, Adam Hart, Dave Bullen and in the semi-finals Rob Cross.

The final, scheduled over seven legs, proved to be a tale of top class finishing by Ian who won 4-0 with a superb 27.08 average, to make him a deserved winner of the magnificent “Dave Young Memorial” Cup and the £300 first prize.

Highest finish award was won by Sussex “A” team player Andy Derrick, Hastings who collected the £50 award for his 164 checkout.

The First Game Losers competition provided a win for Horley’s popular player Alex Whiteside who beat Richard Kinchin from Storrington in the final by 3-2 to share the £150 prize money. Losing

The Open Pairs event finished off the day and saw Ian Perkins achieve a unique double, sharing the winner’s £110 prize money with his Brighton partner Mark Davis. This dynamic duo recently won the Surrey Grand Prix Pairs and here they defeated the Surrey pair of Gary Trodd and Danny King by 3-1 in the final. Losing semi-finalists were Rob Cross/Bob Abbott and Mick Clarke/Alex Whiteside.

Organisers, the Sussex County Super League, distributed more than £1030 in prize monies on the day

from entry fees and sponsorship provided by Broadbridge Village Club, Andy Mason and Dave Ansell.

SUSSEX COUNTY DARTS ORGANISATION

Ladies (B) LOM Audrey Bowman 17.70 Ladies (A) LOM Lisa Tanner 18.71 Men (A) MOM Spencer Ellis 28.81

Sussex continued their campaign to regain their place back in Division One of the

Rileys Inter Counties league with their second successive win, beating Norfolk 19-17 at the Roffey Social Club.

With an unchanged squad after the 19-17 win in Buckinghamshire last month, Sussex again made heavy weather of the match, trailing the visitors for most of the weekend, until they won six of the last seven games on Sunday afternoon to grab the bonus points.

The ladies “B” side forced a 3-3 draw, thanks to Audrey Bowman’s 3-2 win in the final game, where the Littlehampton player gained the Lady-of-the-Match award with a 17.70 average on her County debut. Laura Macintosh, Portslade and

The Mens “B” team began badly losing the first four games until Brighton’s

Craig Deeley stopped the rot with an impressive 3-0 win. Ian Perkins, Lewes continued the Sussex fight back with his second successive Man-of-the-Match award, winning 3-0 with a 28.36 average There were further wins for Don Stone, Eastbourne, Mark Davis, Lewes, and Newhaven pair Simon Morris and Gary Edgar to gain a 6-6 draw. Paul Eves, Newhaven, Craig Deeley, Ian Perkins and Mark Davis all hit maximums.

On Sunday the Ladies “A” team had a good start with Lisa Tanner, Eastbourne winning 3-2 to take the Lady-of-the-Match award for an 18.71 average. Sadly for Sussex, the visitors showed why they are top of the Ladies league, winning four of the next five games to record a 4-2 win. Hayley Gatford, Bognor was the other winner for Sussex on her “A” team debut.

Norfolk increased their overall lead to four points with wins in the opening two games

of the Mens ”A” match, but success for Sussex players Jason Yates, Roffey and Paul Russell, Eastbourne reduced the margin. Wins for Michael Hammond, Newhaven, Jim Withers, Eastbourne, Keith Price, Brighton and Andy Derrick, Hastings levelled the match score at 17-17. A Man-of-the-Match performance from Hastings star Spencer Ellis gained the Mens “A” side their first win and put Sussex into the lead.

Spencer won 3-1 with a 28.81 average hitting ten tons and a maximum. Team manager Michael Donegan, Newhaven won the final game of the day 3-2 to clinch the 8-4 win and a 19-17 overall result to ensure that Sussex had gained the bonus points.

Sussex Mens “A” outscored Norfolk by 94 tons to 90 and Michael Hammond also hit a maximum.

The next challenge to Sussex comes at the Roffey Club in December when London are the visitors. They are currently top of the table after an impressive 27-9 thrashing of Buckinghamshire..

Sussex began their campaign to regain their place back in Division One of the Inter Counties league with a trip to Aylesbury to play Buckinghamshire, who they defeated

22-14 at the Roffey Club last year. With a much changed squad from their last match in April, when they were heavily defeated in Lincolnshire, Sussex high hopes were blunted on Saturday when their Ladies “B” side went down 2-4. The four newcomers to the team were outplayed, leaving Hayley Gatford, Bognor and lady-of--the-match Laura Macintosh, with a 16.44 average, the two winners. The Mens “B” side showed ten changes from last year and soon rewarded team managers Andy Sexton and Michael Donegan for their selection with a very satisfactory 10-2 win. Man-of-the-match was newcomer Ian Perkins, Brighton with a 26.54 winning average including the only maximum of the day. The remaining winners were Andrew Sexton. Simon Morris and Gary Edgar all from Newhaven, Ken Sowerby, Worthing, Craig Deeley and Russell Venner from Brighton, Kez Botting, Roffey, Don Stone, Eastbourne and Chris Gatford, Bognor.

On Sunday the Ladies “A” team kept Sussex ahead by six points overall, thanks to a 3-3 draw, with Donna Rainsley, Halland taking the lady-of-the-match award for her 20.00 winning average. Sam Harding, Lewes and Lisa Tanner, Eastbourne were both 3-2 winners for Sussex. Bucks began their fight back with six wins in the first seven games in the Mens ”A” match, Keith Price, Brighton the only success for Sussex. Paul Russell, Eastbourne stopped the rot for Sussex, winning 3-2 with a 26.08 man-of-the-match performance, including a 128 checkout in the deciding leg. Once again Bucks came back with two wins to level the match score at 17-17 but Michael Hammond, Newhaven and Jason Yates, Roffey both grabbed 3-1 wins to ensure that Sussex had gained the bonus points for their 19-17 win. Despite going down 4-8, the Mens “A” team equalled the home side’s average and outscored them with 91 tona plus maximums from Geoff Taylor, Brighton, Darren Woolgar, Newhaven and Keith Price.

Sussex next match is at the Roffey Club at the end of the month when Norfolk are the visitors, fresh from their 14-22 home defeat at the hands of Berkshire.

Sussex “A” team star John Ferrell, Eastbourne reached the semi-finals of the British Masters playoffs at Daventry. On stage he lost 2-3 to the eventual winner from Humberside, Reece Robinson. This was the second time this year that John has reached the last four in a major BDO tournament. At Lakeside in June he and Newhaven’s Michael Hammond lost to the eventual winners in the Gold Cup Pairs. At Daventry John had beaten opponents from Essex, Avon and Bedfordshire to reach the stage and his reward was the £100 joint third prize money. John won the Gibralter Open back in March and he will join Rod Hawkins and Paul Russell at The Spa, Bridlington in the World Pro playoffs followed by

the televised Winmau World Masters with its massive £64,500 prize fund. Sadly our other qualifier at Daventry, Laura Macintosh, Portslade suffered a first round dismissal in the Ladies event at the hands of England international Apylee Jones, going down 3-0 to the Surrey star.

Two of our Sussex players had great runs through the playoffs at Bridlington this month. In the World Pro, Donna Rainsley won her group to reach the last eight, beating players from Humberside, Gwent, Ireland and Grampian. She eventually lost 3-2 to Rhian Edwards, Glamorgan who went on to qualify for the finals at Lakeside in January. John Ferrell

continued his run of form reaching the last thirty two in the World. There he lost 2-0 to the Lakeside qualifier John Henderson from Grampian. Sadly both our other representatives Rod Hawkins and Paul Russell went out early to players from the Netherlands.

In the Winmau World Masters it was Donna Rainsley again flying the flag for Sussex in the Womans event, where she reached the last thirty two in this prestigious competition. After defeating the Dutch girl Wilkie Heinemans Donna beat her old Surrey rival Apylee Jones by 4-1. She then lost 3-4 to the eventual Winmau Womens Masters Champion Linda

Ithurralde from Durham who collected the £5000 first prize. There were early dismissals for John Ferrell going out 3-1 to Ian White, Cheshire and Rod Hawkins losing 3-2 to the Belgian Davyd Venken. In the Boys competition Horsham’s Nathan Pearce went out in the last sixty four to the Dutch player Kevin Winsink by 4-0.

Sussex “A” team star John Ferrell, Eastbourne reached the semi-finals of the British Masters playoffs at Daventry on Sunday. On stage he lost 2-3 to the eventual winner from Humberside, Reece Robinson. This was the second time this year that John has reached the last four in a major BDO tournament. At Lakeside in June he and Newhaven’s Michael Hammond lost to the eventual winners in the Gold Cup Pairs. At Daventry John had beaten opponents from Essex, Avon and Bedfordshire to reach the stage and his reward was the £100 joint third prize money. Johm won the Gibralter Open back in March and he will join Rod Hawkins and Paul Russell at The Spa, Bridlington next month in the televised Winmau World Masters with it’s massive £64,500 prize fund.

Sadly our other qualifier at Daventry, Laura Macintosh, Portslade suffered a first round dismissal in the Ladies event at the hands of England international Apylee Jones, going down 3-0 to the Surrey star.

Sussex men’s pair John Ferrell, Eastbourne and Michael Hammond Newhaven reached the semi-finals of the Great Britain Gold Cup playoffs at The Lakeside Club Frimley Green on Saturday. On stage they lost 4-2 to the eventual winners from Cambridge, a pair, which included World Pro Champion Martin Adams. The Sussex duo had beaten opponents from Ayrshire, Oxfordshire, Tyne and Weir and Bedfordshire to reach the stage and their reward was the £400 joint third prize money

Sadly our other qualifiers at the Lakeside all suffered first round dismissals. Rod Hawkins, Lewes missed the bulls-eye for a 161 checkout,

only to see his Gwynedd opponent go out on the bull to win 3-2. Rhonda West, Lewes lost 3-0 to Yorkshire’s Karen Lowman who went on to take the ladies pairs title. In the ladies pairs Rhonda partnered Sue Bird in a

The annual general meeting of the Sussex Darts Organisation was held for the first time at the Roffey Social and Sports club. The meeting drew an attendance of more than fifty players and officials and there were no changes to either the team management, with all last season’s team managers being re-elected unopposed or the Organisation’s officials. Clive Pearce was elected to fill the vacant post of Fund Raiser. It was agreed to make a donation of £500 to the Youth team to cover their heavy travel costs next season. A trial match is to be staged at Roffey on Sunday September 13^th for the men and ladies squads.

Sixteen Sussex players qualified for the Southern Counties Winmau World Masters playoffs at Tonbridge next month with the opportunity to win through to Bridlington in September for the International Finals. Already qualifed for Bridlington is Sussex youth player Nathan Pearce, Horsham after he won the England Youth Singles at Selsey last month.

Eastbourne’s Paul Russell confirmed his selection as Sussex Player of the Year when he qualified in the Roffey playoffs, to represent the County at Bridlington next September, in the prestigious World Professional Championship Singles. Paul won his first three rounds by two sets to nil to reach the final where he faced a challenge from Hastings super league player Ian McMullen. Ian had also won all his earlier rounds by 2-0 including notable victories over Jim Withers, Eastbourne and Colin Whiley, Crawley. The final saw Paul take the first set 3-2 with Ian equalising by 3-1 in the second. The deciding third set went to Paul by

3-0 and the Eastbourne player is now on the road to the televised Lakeside tournament next January.

Hailsham super league’s Donna Rainsley will also be at Bridlington , this for the second year running, after she won the Roffey qualifier in the ladies Singles. Donna defeated Hastings player Jill Campbell by 3-1 in the final.

an 11-25 defeat in Gainsborough to Lincolnshire. This was very disappointing after the previous 26-10 win against Cumbria but after the first six games Sussex were never in contention against a side who were relegated from Division One last season.

Saturday’s “B” games saw the Sussex ladies register their second win of the season, 4-2 thanks to Sue Bird, Lewes, Hayley Gatford, Bognor, Norma Self, Eastbourne and lady-of-the-match Glenys Laker, Littlehampton with an 18.26 average. The mens “B” side made a steady start with two winners in the first four but sadly for Sussex they were unable to register a win in the last eight games going down 2 10. Graham Dutton, Bognor and man-of-the-match Charlie Johnstone, Worthing, with a 19.88 average, were the two winners.

On Sunday Lincolnshire, already with a ten point lead, romped ahead to gain the bonus points, winning twelve of the first fourteen games to go sixteen points clear. The ladies “A” lost 1-5, their third defeat this season, with Donna Rainsley, Newhaven the only winner with a 19.93 average.

The mens “A” were seven nil down before Darren Woolgar, Newhaven put a smile on the visitors faces with a 3-0 win. Paul Russell, Eastbourne and Jason Hills, Bognor continued the late run of success for Sussex which finished with John Ferrell, Eastbourne winning his third man-of-the-match award with a 27.83 average. The 4-8 defeat meant Lincolnshire took the match by 25-11 to finish fourth in the Division, nine points clear of Sussex in fifth spot.

Sussex finished in fifth place in the promotion table, 23 points away from a return to Division One. A disappointing season, with just four wins and a draw in the nine matches, with less than sixteen points won in each the four defeats. With the publication of next season’s fixtures, Sussex look forward to travelling to Devon and Suffolk, both promoted from Division Three. They will also face an away match at West Midlands and home to Hertfordshire at the Roffey club, both those counties relegated from Division One.

Eastbourne DGH clinched a place in the playoffs for the Sussex Winter Super League championship title after defeating the challenge from second placed Newhaven A by winning 5-4 at The Engineer. The Hospital club won the East Division by just six points after a match which featured four maximums and a man-of-the-match winning average of 28.34 by Eastbourne’s John Ferrell.

Eastbourne met West division winners Bevendean in the title playoff at the Tally Ho, Lewes.

Sam Harding and Laura Macintosh started the ball rolling for Bevendean with a win but Eastbourne came back, winning both mens’ pairs thanks to John Ferrell, Don Stone, Paul Russell and Jim Withers.

Eastbourne’s Lisa Tanner and Mandy Perry proved too strong for the Bevendean ladies taking both their singles games to give the Hospital club a 4-1 lead.

Rod Hawkins and Ian Perkins both won for the Brighton side. With the match score at 3-4 Mark Davis was next up for Bevendean but he faced an in-form Paul Russell who won 3-0 to make Eastbourne the 5-3 winners securing the title and the £250 prize money.

Two players dominated the fifth of this season’s “HOLSTEN” Grand Prix event at the Roffey Club, both winning three events and, with just one playoff remaining in the series, virtually ensuring a share of the £1000 Grand Prix prize money, Essex youngster Harry Miles won the Mens Singles, the Flying Pairs and the Youth Singles to go 81 points clear in the Mens table and 45 points clear in the Youth table. Sussex County star Donna Rainsley from Halland won the Ladies Singles and Pairs and, partnered by Harry Miles the Flying Pairs to go 143 points ahead in the Ladies table.

Harry Miles progress to the final of the Mens singles field included wins against Peter Sopp, Lee Williams, Kevin Reilly, Henry Keet and semi-finalist Derek Furminger. In the final he defeated his father Gary by 3-2, hitting a 180 in the deciding leg, which he won in 15 darts, to collect the £140 first prize. Gary’s route to the final saw him beat Phil Smith, Paul Russell, Andy Derrick, Adam Campbell and in the semi-finals previous winner Graham Hollis.

Donna Rainsley made it five wins in five Ladies Singles events when she defeated Sussex County team mate Sue Bird, Fordcombe by 3-0 in the final. Losing semi finalists were Elaine Chapman, Lewes and Lisa Tanner, Eastbourne.

Surrey duo Graham Hollis and Phil Milburn moved up to third and fourth places in the Grand Prix table thanks to a win in the Mens Pairs. They beat off a strong challenge from Sussex pair Simon Morris and Jake Watts, Newhaven winning the final by 3-1. Losing semi-finalists here were Dave Creasey/Paul Russell, Eastbourne and Gary/Harry Miles.

The Ladies Pairs was very poorly attended but Donna Rainsley partnered by Elaine Chapman, Lewes took full advantage beating Sussex County team mates Rhonda West and Sue Bird by 3-1 in the final.

Harry Miles continued his run of success, winning the Youth Singles when he defeated Sussex youth player Ollie Sopp, Brighton by 2-0 in the final, his third win this season in this event.

The Flying Pairs again proved popular with 42 entries and a prize fund of £126. The draw put the day’s two on-form players together with Donna Rainsley partnering Harry Miles. The dynamic duo went on to win the £68 first prize beating Peter Sopp and Simon Morris by 2-0 in the final.

Sussex Super League paid out close on £700 in prize money and look forward now to the final Grand Prix in the series at the Roffey Club on June 21^st when Holsten present the £1000 in prize cheques.

Edenbridge star Rob Cross won the Three Bridges Spring Open at the Football Club beating Crawley’s Rob Metcalfe by 3-2 in the final. The win means Rob has qualified to play one of the four premier league stars at Crawley’s 107 Club this month with a chance of winning a £250 prize.

James Wade, Mervyn King, Terry Jenkins and Andy Fordham are the headliners at this prestigious event.

The second Easter Open at the Crawley Labour Club, sponsored by the Scottish and Newcastle Breweries, proved another great success, with more than sixty entries from all over the South of England competing for prize monies in excess of £500.

The Open title was won by Surrey County star Kurtis Atkins from Epsom when he defeated Dave Webb, Croydon by 3-2 in the final to take the £160 first prize. Dave beat Worthng’s Charlie Johnstone 3-0 to reach the final , collecting the £80 runners-up prize. Kurtis won his semi final by 3-2 against Dayle Smith from East Preston.

Losing quarter finalists were Ant Morley, Horsham, Ian Holman, Crawley, Stuart Campbell, Crawley and Tony Ayres, Billingshurst.

The Ladies Singles final again featured two Sussex County players and the first prize was won for the second year running by Sue Bird, Fordcombe defeating Rhonda West, Lewes by 3-1 in the final.

Kurtis Atkins completed a unique double when he won the Youth event beating Crawley’s Warren Grantham by 2-0 in the final. Losing semi-finalists here were Crawley’s youngsters Owen Grantham and Mark Fluck.

The day’s events were concluded with the ever-popular Flying Pairs attracting 48 entries. Here the winning players changed partners after each round and the eventual winners were the Sussex pair Andy Derrick and Charlie Johnstone who collected £72 after defeating Rhonda West and Dayle Smith the final. Losing semi-finalists were Sue Bird/Dave O’Neil and Oliver Sopp/Chris Clewer..

In the Crawley Monday league the “A” Division champions Sperry are on course

this season for a Knockout cup and League double for the second time in their history.

In a close fought match at the Conservative club Sperry defeated Pelham Buckle 6-0 in the semi-finals, three of the games going to the fifth leg. Sperry will meet The Royal Oak who beat Labour Reds 4-2 to reach next months final.

The Consolation Cup lived up to its name with both the Division runners up this season wining their semi-finals at the Labour Club, “A” Division side The Swan

With the publication of next season’s fixtures, Sussex look forward to travelling to Devon and Suffolk, both promoted from Division three. They will also face an away match at West Midlands and Hertfordshire at the Roffey club, both relegated from Division One.

                       Men's (B) MOM Charlie Johnstone 19.72                       Ladies (B) LOM Glenys Laker 18.26                           Men's (A) MOM John Ferrell 27.83             Ladies (A) LOM Donna Rainsley 19.93

Sussex scored their best win of the season in the Inter Counties league when they defeated the bottom side in the promotion table Cumbria by

26 –10 at the Roffey Social Club. Sadly, although they made up some ground on the second-placed team Bedfordshire, Sussex are still seventeen points away from a promotion spot with just one match remaining.

3-3 in eight matches but the men took full advantage of a visiting team who had travelled through the night and ran out 11-1 winners.

Winners for the ladies were Glenys Laker, Littlehampton, Sue Bird, Lewes and Elaine Chapman, Lewes who picked up her second successive lady-of-the-match award with a 17.69 average. For the men, the winners were Gary Blackwood, Bognor, Andy Sexton, Newhaven, Kez Botting, Worthing, Jake Watts, Newhaven, Clive Pearce, Horsham, Dave Creasey, Eastbourne, Oliver Sopp, Brighton, Neil Smith, Crawley, Graham Dutton, Bognor, Russell Vanner, Brighton and another successive match award winner Paul Eves, Newhaven with a 26.30 average. The match was notable for Sussex who hit 93 tons to Cumbria’s 63, winning seven of the eighteen games by 3-0.

On Sunday, with a ten point lead, both Sussex “A” teams continued in a winning vein and gained the all important bonus points by 1.30 when the score reached 19-8, thanks to a win for Jason Hills, Bognor. Earlier there were wins for Rod Hawkins, Brighton, Paul Russell, Eastbourne, Gary Edgar, Newhaven and for the ladies Sam Harding, Lewes. .

The ladies “A” team completed a 4-2 win thanks to Rhonda West, Lewes, Lisa Tanner, Eastbourne and lady-of-the-match Donna Rainsley, Newhaven with a 21.17 average. They remain second in their table with five wins from eight, just three points behind Norfolk.

The men’s “A” continued the success story taking four of the last six games to register an 8-4 win with Geoff Taylor, Brighton, Newhaven pairing Darren Woolgar and Michael Hammond and man-of-the-match John Ferrell, Eastbourne on 28.36, all winning 3-0. As on the previous day Sussex outscored the visitors by 91 tons plus five maximums to 69 and one.

Sussex travel to Lincolnshire at the end of April for the final match of this season and with second placed Bedfordshire having a home fixture against London, hopes of an improvement on fourth place are not high..

Elaine Chapman (B)LOM 17.69 Paul Eves (B)MOM 26.30 Donna Rainsley (A) LOM 21.17 John Ferrell (A) MOM 28.36

Sussex hopes of promotion back to the first Division of the Inter Counties league were crushed when they lost 15-21 in Bedford to the Division leaders Bedfordshire, who look to have made the leap from Division three to one in two seasons.

3-3 in seven matches while the men lost for the fourth time this season going down 4-8. Winners for the ladies were Teresa Weir, Sue Bird, Lewes and Elaine Chapman, Lewes who gained her first lady-of-the-match award with a 19.05 average. For the men, the winners were Gary Blackwood, Bognor, Andy Sexton, Newhaven, Kez Botting, Worthing and man-of-the-match Paul Eves, Newhaven with a 24.06 average. The match was notable for Sussex who hit five maximums and were defeated 3-2 in four of the games, missing doubles in the vital fifth leg.

On Sunday both “A” teams fought back to take six of the first eight games levelling the match score at 13-13. Newhaven’s Darren Woolgar set the trend followed by wins for Rod Hawkins, Brighton, Jason Hills, Bognor, and Paul Russell, Eastbourne. The Ladies chipped in with wins for Donna Rainsley, Newhaven and Sam Harding, Lewes. Sadly for Sussex there were only two more wins in the remaining ten games, both rewarded by match awards, Trish Kidd, Littlehampton winning with a 19.17 average and Gary Edgar, Newhaven with 27.94.

The ladies “A” stay second in their Division with their first 3-3 draw this season while the men’s “A” 5-7 defeat was their third in seven matches.

Bedfordshire men’s “A” remain unbeaten after this win which included nine maximums and 101 tons to the Sussex tally of three maximums and 95 tons. Eastbourne’s John Ferrell went down 1-3 to Mick Reed whose 32.27 winning average was the best in the Division.

Sussex have two matches remaining this season and will be looking for a thirty point win against bottom of the League Cumbria at the Roffey Club at the end of March, just to keep their top four place.

Sussex went down to their first home defeat this season when they crashed 15-21 to promotion seeking Somerset at Roffey Club in the Inter Counties League match. Both Saturday’s “B” games ended in defeat with the Sussex ladies losing 2-4 and the men going down 5-7. Winners for the ladies were, the Lewes pair, Elaine Chapman and Sue Bird, who was lady-of-the-match with a 20.59 average. For the men, the winners were Dave Creasey. Eastbourne, Neil Smith, Roffey, Ken Sowerby, Worthing, Paul Eves, Newhaven and man-of-the-match James Packer Eastbourne with a 25.05 average.

On Sunday the men’s “A” team fought back to take three of their four games with Michael Hammond, Newhaven, Andy Derrick, Hastings and John Ferrell, Eastbourne all winners, with John collecting his second consecutive man-of-the-match award for a 29.47 average. The ladies “A” slumped to their second defeat of the season and could only provide two winners, again both from Lewes, lady-of-the-match Debbie Oakman with an 18.77 average and team manager Rhonda West, Wins for Gary Edgar, Newhaven, Geoff Taylor, Brighton and Keith Price, Lewes gained a 6-6 result for the men’s “A”, with Sussex hitting 87 tons and four maximums to Somerset’s 78 tons and four maximums. Sussex never looked like reducing the visitor’s lead which increased to six in the final game, when the 1990 Embassy World pro runner-up Mike Gregory defeated Bognor’s Jason Hills 3-0 with a man-of-the-match winning average for Somerset of 28.36.

The defeat drops Sussex down to fourth place in the promotion table, twenty points adrift of leaders Lincolnshire, who Sussex visit in the last match of the season in April.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE SUSSEX COUNTY SUPER LEAGUE WILL BE HELD ON

“TEAMS NOT REPRESENTED AT THE AGM WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR INCLUSION AND NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ALLOWED"

WE HAVE LOST TEAMS BECAUSE OF NON-ATTENDANCE, A PHONE CALL ON THE MORNING OF THE MEETING WILL NOT SAVE YOUR TEAM FROM EXCLUSION.

WRITTEN NOTICE OF MEMBERS INTENTION TO CHANGE A RULE IS REQUIRED BY FEBRUARY 22ND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 16

REPRESENTATIVES OF NEW TEAMS WISHING TO JOIN THE LEAGUE ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND BUT SHOULD ADVISE ME BEFORE THE DATE.

14 MARTYRS AVENUE

Entry is open to all SCSL, SWSL and SLSL registered players except members of Counties other than Sussex or PDPA members.

THE QUALIFIERS WILL REPRESENT SUSSEX AND ARE EXPECTED TO WEAR A SUSSEX COUNTY SHIRT WHILE PLAYING AT THE VENUE

The S.D.O. and S.C.S.L./S.L.S.L. subsidies may be withheld and entry to future qualifying events may be prevented, if this condition is not observed.

After their demolition of Nottinghamshire at Roffey Club last month Sussex travelled to Slough with high hopes of improving their third place position in the Division Two promotion table of the Inter Counties league at the expense of Berkshire who have just one win this season..

Sadly neither of the men’s teams were able to produce a win and Sussex missed a golden opportunity to overtake the top two sides, Somerset and Bedfordshire both of whom had 20-16 wins.

After a bright start Sussex built a 6-1 lead but the home side fought back and despite a 5-1 result for the ladies “B, their first win this season, the men’s “B” went down to their first defeat losing 5-7 and, by Sunday afternoon, it was level pegging at 12-12 with twelve games to play. The ladies “A” team went on to gain three more points to finish with a 4-2 win and the men’s “A” side took five of the last eight games to record their first draw this season this giving Sussex a 20-16 victory plus the three bonus points

The Mens “B” side showed three changes from the team that lost to Nottinghamshire and they began on Saturday with three wins in the first four games, thanks to Ollie Sopp, Brighton on his debut, Ken Sowerby, Worthing and Paul Eves, Newhaven. Sussex ladies “B” were looking for their first win of the season and things looked good after they cruised to a 3-0 lead, thanks to wins for Elaine Chapman, Lewes, Sue Bird, Edenbridge and Hayley Gatford, Bognor Regis. The third session proved a disaster for Sussex with Pete Crossley, Crawley the only winner. The ladies hit back thanks to Brenda Sains, Lewes and a lady-of-the-match performance from Sam Harding, Lewes who won with an 18 56 average

to ensure a 5-1 “first of the season” victory for the ladies “B”. The day’s final session saw the Sussex overall three point lead whittled away with Brighton’s Russell Vanner the only winner, with a match award winning average of 25.47, to leave the men’s “B” defeated 5-7 for the second month in succession.

The mens “A” had two changes from last months 9—3 winning side and they started the day with just one win, Brighton’s Geoff Taylor, getting his second successive 3-0 with a 25.91 average. The unchanged ladies “A” team provided two winners in their first three games, Lewes pairing Rhonda West and Debbie Oakman both winning 3-0, with Debbie clinching the match award with a 20.31 average. The third session provided three wins for Sussex men’s “A” with Michael Hammond, Newhaven, Rod Hawkins, Brighton and new signing John Ferrell, Eastbourne all winning 3-1. John’s game, his first in the Inter Counties league for fifteen years, was a high scoring affair with both players hitting ten tons and John winning in 15, 14 and 17 darts to take the man-of-the-match award with a 31.00 average. The ladies returned for their final three games, Donna Rainsley, Hailsham and Lisa Tanner, Eastbourne both winning to ensure a 4-2 victory and to go top of the ladies”A” table. Sussex needed one more win to gain the three bonus points and the men’s “A” team came up with two more winners, Darren Woolgar, Newhaven and Paul Russell, Eastbourne doing the business to get a draw 6-6.

Sussex play the top two sides over the next two months with leaders Somerset at the Roffey Club on February 14th and will be looking to narrow the eight points margin to gain second place.

THE SECOND CHRISTMAS OPEN AT THE CRAWLEY LABOUR CLUB PROVED ANOTHER SUCCESS WITH MORE THAN SIXTY PLAYERS FROM ALL OVER THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND COMPETING FOR PRIZE MONIES IN EXCESS OF £450.

THE OPEN TITLE WAS WON BY KENT BASED JOHN FERRELL WHEN HE DEFEATED LOCAL SUPER LEAGUE STAR DANNY KING BY 3-2 IN THE FINAL TO TAKE THE £150 FIRST PRIZE.

DANNY BEAT EASTBOURNE’S DAVE CREASEY 3-2 TO REACH THE FINAL, COLLECTING THE £80 RUNNERS UP PRIZE, WHILE JOHN KNOCKED OUT ANOTHER SUSSEX COUNTY PLAYER FROM EASTBOURNE, PAUL RUSSELL, 3-1 IN THE SECOND SEMI-FINAL. LOSING QUARTER FINALISTS WERE ROB METCALFE, CRAWLEY, CLIVE PEARCE, HORSHAM, COLIN WHILEY, CRAWLEY AND DAVE CROWHURST, LEWES.

THE LADIES SINGLES WAS WON BY SUSSEX COUNTY PLAYER SUE BIRD WHEN SHE DEFEATED ELAINE CHAPMAN, LEWES 3-1 IN THE FINAL. LOSING SEMI-FINALISTS WERE SHEILA HARRIES, CRAWLEY AND RHONDA WEST, HAILSHAM.

LOCAL YOUNGSTER OWEN GRANTHAM WON THE YOUTH SINGLES EVENT BEATING EASTBOURNE’S COUNTY YOUTH STAR TOM SAWYER, EASTBOURNE 2-0 IN THE FINAL.

LOSING SEMI-FINALISTS HERE WERE CRAWLEY’S PAUL RICHARDSON AND WARREN GRANTHAM.

THE DAYS EVENTS WERE CONCLUDED WITH THE EVER POPULAR FLYING PAIRS ATTRACTING 40 ENTRIES. DANNY KING MADE UP FOR HIS DEFEAT IN THE OPEN FINAL PARTNERING REDHILL’S MICK CLARKE TO COLLECT THE £52 PRIZE MONEY AFTER BEATING THE LABOUR CLUB PAIR TYE COWARD AND MICK PHELAN IN THE FINAL.

LOSING SEMI-FINALISTS WERE PAUL RUSSELL/KEVIN GRANTHAM AND JOHN FERRELL/NATHAN PEARCE.

Sussex are back in contention for promotion from Division Two of the Inter Counties league after a stunning 23-13 win against Nottinghamshire at the Roffey Social Club. Last season Sussex lost 15-21 at Sutton in Ashfield but, a record breaking 6-0 win for the Ladies’ “A” side and a 9-3 result for the Men’s “A” team, put Sussex into third place just eight points adrift of the top two, Somerset and Bedfordshire.

The visitors, delayed by a coach breakdown, soon showed they were a force to be reckoned with, building an 8-5 lead by the halfway mark on Saturday. Sussex Ladies “B” drew 3-3 with wins for Sue Bird, Lewes, Hayley Gatford, Bognor and lady-of-the-match Sam Harding, Lewes who recorded a 20.11 average. The Mens “B” never recovered from losing four of the first six games and finished 5-7 down. Winners were Roffey’s Neil Smith and Peter Crossley, Brighton’s Russell Vanner and Simon Parsons, and man-of-the-match Chris Gatford, Bognor with a 27.33 wining average. The Mens “B” side hit 76 tons and four maximums.

Going into the match on Sunday with an 8-10 deficit, Sussex Men’s “A” took three of the first four games with wins for Michael Hammond, Newhaven, Paul Russell, Eastbourne and Jason Hills, Bognor who took th match award with a winning 29.57 average. The Ladies “A” team extended the winning lead for Sussex taking the next three games, with wins by Trish Kidd, Littlehampton, Rhonda West, Lewes and another lady-of-the-match performance from Donna Rainsley, Littlehampton who won with a 20.55 average. Three more wins for the Men’s “A” by Geoff Taylor, Brighton, and Newhaven’s Gary Edgar and Darren Woolgar put Sussex into a five point lead. Needing two more wins to take the bonus points, Debbie Oakman. Lewes, Glenys Laker, Littlehampton and Lisa Tanner, Eastbourne all won to give the Ladies “A” a rare 6-0 win and Sussex a 20-12 lead. The best was yet to come with Andy Derrick, Hastings and Brighton pairing Rod Hawkins and Keith Price Rod all winning, to set up a 9-3 result for the Men’s “A” team, the reverse of last season at Sutton in Ashfield and a 26-13 victory for Sussex. The Men’s “A” side hit 93 tons and five maximums.

The next match is away to Berkshire in January, against a side who have won only one of their four matches.

After the disaster in Norfolk, Sussex had high hopes of a return to winning form when they travelled to Wandsworth, to take on a London team still looking for their first bonus points in the Inter Counties League season. Sadly for Sussex, the match proved to be a repeat of last season’s “close run thing” at Brighton, when we were fortunate to scrape a 19-17 win. This time Sussex had to settle for a draw at 18 all, despite leading twice by three and four points. Fifteen of the weekend’s thirty-six games went to the fifth leg with Sussex missing vital doubles in eight of these.

The Mens “B” side showed five changes from the team that drew in Great Yarmouth and they began on Saturday with two wins in the first four games, thanks to Andrew Sexton. Newhaven and Russell Vanner, Brighton. Sussex Ladies “B” are still looking for their first win of the season after going down 2-4. Glenys Laker, Littlehampton celebrated her return after holiday with an award winning 16.34 average and Debbie Oakman, Lewes grabbed a 3-2 win to put Sussex one point ahead.

The third session proved successful for Sussex with Ken Sowerby, Worthing, Chris Gatford, Bognor and Jake Watts, Newhaven all winning, to gain a 7-4 lead. London then pulled this back to 7-7, with their Ladies “B” team taking all three games. The day’s final session kicked off with Newhaven’s Michael Donegan winning 3-1 in a stunning man-of-the-match performance, recording a 29.28 average, the best of the day in Division Two. James Packer. Eastbourne extended the lead for Sussex and Roffey’s Pete Crossley hit two maximums and eleven tons winning 3-2, to set up an overnight lead of two points in a 10-8 score-line. The 8-4 win puts Sussex Mens “B” side top of their Division

The Mens “A” had three changes from the side defeated 8-4 in Norfolk and they started the day with two wins. Andy Derrick, Hastings fought back from 2-0 down to win followed by a match award winning game from Brighton’s Geoff Taylor, 3-0 in 25.91. The unchanged Ladies “A” team could only provide one winner in their first three games, Rhonda West, Lewes coming good by 3-2.

The third session proved to be a disaster for Sussex with all four men losing, which meant London had notched six straight wins to set up a 16-13 lead. Sussex Ladies “A” finally got their act together, winning all three games to finish with a 4-2 result to keep them in third place in their Division. Lisa Tanner, Eastbourne, Donna Rainsley, Littlehampton and Trish Kidd, Littlehampton were the winners with Trish taking her second match award this season for her 22.10 winning average.

With the match score level, both sides now looked to reach the magic nineteen wins to grab the bonus points. Jason Hills, Bognor won well in 3-0 but, Dave Creasey, Eastbourne lost 2-3 to put the pressure on the last two players. Eastbourne’s Paul Russell took the next by 3-2 to earn the first bonus point but Keith Price, Brighton went down 0-3 in the final game, Sussex losing a second consecutive Mens “A” match by 4-8 and leaving the match drawn.

Sussex drop to sixth place in the promotion table and will need a good win at home to Nottingham at the end of the month to get back into contention.

            Glenys Laker                     Michael Donegan                     Trish Kidd                      Geoff Taylor

           B Team LOM 16.34                  B.Team MOM 29.28                  A.Team LOM 22.10                 A. Team MOM 25.91

Heavitree Club. The squad which beat Hampshire 12-5 shows three changes enforced

the replacements against Devon who were third in last season’s first Division and

and will be looking to get back on the promotion trail against a London side beaten in

Finally great news for fans of the Eastbourne Festival. Following the demise of this

prestigious event some two years ago, our organisation has been working behind the

scenes to get it back. Now, with sponsorship negotiations well advanced and with the

SUSSEX STAGED THE FIRST OF THE SEASON’S PLAYOFFS AT THE ROFFEY SOCIAL CLUB AND ATTRACTED A GOOD RESPONSE OF COUNTY AND SUPER LEAGUE PLAYERS FOR THE "LAKESIDE" SPONSORED WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

THEIR GOAL, A PLACE IN THE INTERNATIONAL MENS’ SINGLES AT BRIDLINGTON IN NOVEMBER, WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF QUALIFYING FOR THE TELEVISED FINALS AT LAKESIDE NEXT JANUARY WITH A £300,000 PRIZE FUND.

THE ULTIMATE WINNER WAS HASTINGS COUNTY STAR ANDY DERRICK AFTER HE BEAT CRAWLEY’S COLIN WHILEY IN THE FINAL BY TWO SETS TO ONE.

ANDY HAS RECENTLY WON SUCCESSIVE THREE BRIDGES OPEN EVENTS AND FOLLOWED THESE WITH AN IMPRESSIVE WIN FOR THE SUSSEX “A” TEAM AT GREAT YARMOUTH AGAINST NORFOLK.

ANDY’S ROUTE TO THE FINAL INCLUDED WINS AGAINST CLIVE PEARCE, ANDY MACINTOSH AND DAVID WEIR. COLIN REACHED THE FINAL BEATING GARY BLACKWOOD, RUSSELL VANNER, PAUL EVES AND JAKE WATTS. THE FINAL, OVER THREE SETS, WAS HARDFOUGHT WITH COLIN TAKING THE FIRST SET 3-2 WITH A 15 DART LEG. ANDY CAME BACK TO WIN THE SECOND SET 3-2 CHECKING OUT ON 81. AND Y CLINCHED THE MATCH WITH A3-0 WIN IN THE FINAL SET.

ACCOMPANYING ANDY TO BRIDLINGTON WILL BE SUSSEX LADIES “A” TEAM STAR DONNA RAINSLEY, HAILSHAM, WHO WON THE LADIES QUALIFIER AFTER BEATING ELAINE CHAPMAN, LEWES 3-0 IN THE FINAL

Sussex crashed to a disappointing 15-21 defeat at Great Yarmouth against Norfolk in the Inter Counties League match. Both Saturday’s

“B” games were drawn, winners for the Sussex ladies were Hayley Gatford, Bognor, Norma Self, Eastbourne and award winner Debbie Oakman, Lewes with a 19.80 average. The men’s winners were Newhaven’s Michael Donegan, Andy Sexton, Paul Eves and Jake Watts plus Brighton players Simon Parsons and man-of-the-match Mark Davis with a 24.99 average. By mid afternoon Sussex were 8-3 ahead but the home side fought back to win six of the last seven games to level the scores.

On Sunday the first four in the men’s “A” saw Sussex gaining just one victory, Michael Hammond, Newhaven winning 3-2 in a high scoring game. The ladies “A” then had two winners, lady-of-the-match Trish Kidd, Littlehampton with a 19.23 average and team manager Rhonda West, Lewes. Wins for Andy Derrick, Hastings and man-of-the-match Rod Hawkins, Lewes with an impressive 30.13 average, kept Sussex in the hunt at 13-14 but, with all three of the next ladies A” games going to Norfolk, the home side gained their first bonus point and took a four point lead. Eastbourne’s Paul Russell continued his run of form to take the first game in the final session, but Norfolk then steamrollered their way to 21 points plus the bonus winning the last three games. Sussex lost five of Sunday’s games by 2-3, missing vital doubles in each of the deciding legs.

The defeat puts Sussex in fifth place in the promotion table, nine points adrift of Norfolk in second spot. Sussex travel to Wandsworth next month to play London who have yet to win a bonus point while Norfolk are away to Division Two leaders Somerset.

Entry is open to all SLSL, SCSL and SWSL registered players except members of Counties other than Sussex.

THE QUALIFIER WILL REPRESENT SUSSEX AND ARE EXPECTED TO WEAR A SUSSEX COUNTY SHIRT WHILE PLAYING IN BRIDLINGTON

The Sussex D.O. subsidy may be withheld and entry to future qualifying events may be prevented, if this condition is not observed.

Sussex began their campaign to return to Division One of the Inter Counties League this season with an impressive win at Roffey Club

over Buckinghamshire. The visitors, relegated to Division Two in May, soon showed they were a force to be reckoned with, building an 8-4 lead by the halfway mark on Saturday. Sussex Ladies “B” lost 2-4 with wins for Norma Self, Eastbourne and lady-of-the-match Glenys Laker. Littlehampton who recorded a 17.22 average. The Mens “B” lost four of the first six games but an amazing fight back began with Sussex youngster Jake Watts, Newhaven, winning his first game at senior level, followed by wins in the remaining five games to give Sussex an 8-4 result. Man-of-the-match was Bevendean Reds star Russell Vanner on his debut winning in 26.26. There were wins also for Mark Davis and Simon Parsons, Brighton, Michael Donegan, Newhaven, Kez Botting, Roffey, Chris Gatford and Gary Blackwood, Bognor. The Mens “B” side hit 91 tons and six maximums.

Going into the match on Sunday with a 10-8 lead, Sussex Mens “A” took three of the first four games with wins for Geoff Taylor, Brighton,

Neil Smith, Roffey and Dave Creasey, Eastbourne who checked out on the maximum 170. The new match format saw two of the Ladies “A” team. Lisa Tanner Eastbourne and Trish Kidd, Littlehampton notching 3-2 wins followed by two more for the Mens “A” by Paul Russell, Eastbourne and Michael Hammond, Newhaven. Needing two more wins to take the bonus points, Donna Rainsley, Littlehampton won the lady-of-the-match award with a 22.85 average and team manager Rhonda West, Lewes won 3-0 against the experienced Barbara Legge to give the Ladies “A” a 4-2 win and Sussex a 19-13 lead. The best was yet to come with Newhaven’s Gary Edgar beating Bucks star Mark Day 3-1 with a match award winning average of 27.73. Wins for Peter Crossley, Roffey and Keith Price, Lewes rounded off the day to set up an 8-4 win for the Mens “A”, which included 94 tons and six maximums, resulting in a 25-14 win for Sussex.

The next match is away to Norfolk in October against a side who began the season with a 25-14 win at Berkshire. Dean Edlin, Roffey, Teresa Weir, Eastbourne and Laura McIntosh, Brighton are drafted in to replace holiday makers, Darren Woolgar, Claire Birch and Glenys Laker.

SUSSEX BEGIN THEIR FIGHT TO REGAIN THEIR PLACE IN DIVISION ONE OF THE INTER COUNTIES LEAGUE NEXT WEEKEND (13/14^TH SEPTEMBER) WITH THE VISIT OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, WHO WERE RELEGATED LAST SEASON TO DIVISION TWO.

THERE IS A CHANGED LOOK FOR THIS FIRST FIXTURE TO BE PLAYED AT OUR NEW VENUE, THE ROFFEY SOCIAL CLUB, WITH A FULLY COMPUTERISED STAGE SET UP REPLACING THE CHALK BOARDS PLUS A NEW FORMAT WITH MATCHES SPLIT INTO FIVE SECTIONS, 4 MEN, 3 LADIES, FOLLOWED BY 4 MEN, 3 LADIES FINISHING WITH 4 MEN.

THE LADIES SQUAD SHOWS THREE CHANGES TO LAST SEASON’S “B” TEAM, WITH EASTBOURNE PLAYERS NORMA SELF, CLAIR BIRCH AND MANDY PERRY COMING IN TO STRENGTHEN THE SIDE. THE LADIES “A” TEAM ARE UNCHANGED AND WILL BE LOOKING TO IMPROVE ON LAST YEAR’S FOURTH PLACE.

THE NEW MEN’S TEAM MANAGERS, ANDY SEXTON AND MICK DONEGAN HAVE BROUGHT IN SIX NEW PLAYERS FROM THE SUPER LEAGUE. THE “B” TEAM INCLUDES DEBUTS FOR GARY BLACKWOOD, BOGNOR, KEZ BOTTING, ROFFEY, MICHAEL DONEGAN, NEWHAVEN AND RUSSELL VANNER, BEVENDEAN. TOGETHER WITH EXPERIENCED “A” TEAM PLAYERS MARK DAVIS, BEVENDEAN REDS, PAUL EVES, NEWHAVEN AND JAMES PACKER, EASTBOURNE.

STRAIGHT INTO THE MENS "A" TEAM GO DEAN EDLIN, ROFFEY AND ANDY DERRICK, HASTINGS WHILE NEIL SMITH, ROFFEY AND JASON HILLS, BOGNOR ARE PROMOTED FROM LAST SEASON’S “B” SIDE.

OPPONENTS BUCKINGHAMSHIRE WILL BE LOOKING FOR A QUICK RETURN TO DIVISION ONE BUT SUSSEX WILL HOPE THEIR NEW LOOK WILL SPUR THEM TO VICTORY IN THIS FIRST MATCH AT ROFFEY

PLAY STARTS AT 12 NOON ON SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 13^TH AND 11AM ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 14^TH

PRIOR TO THE MATCH ON SUNDAY AT 10.30AM, THE CARLSBERG UK SALES DEVELOPMENT MANAGER JEREMY BEST WILL PRESENT A £4000 SPONSORSHIP CHEQUE TO THE SUSSEX DARTS ORGANISATION CHAIRPERSON BEVERLEY BANKS.

Sussex Youth began their defence of the British Inter Counties Youth League Southern Section championship with a stunning 12-5 win against Hampshire at the Roffey Social Club,

The under-18 boys stated the day well with a 7-2 win thanks to Nathan Pearce, Horsham, Oliver Sopp, Brighton, Crawley’s Paul Richardson and Mark Fluck, Eastbourne’s Tom Sawyer, Aaron Edgar, Newhaven and man-of-the-match David Weir, Eastbourne with a 19.27 average. Aaron making his debut for the team won the Best Performance award.

The under-21 girls won 2-1 with Ellie Sopp, Brighton taking the lady-of-the-match award and Shona Sawyer, Eastbourne winning 2-0.

With the match score at 9-3 to Sussex, their under-21 boys were in no mood to ease up and they won a tight fought match by 3-2. New captain Doug Mason, Horsham began with a 3-1 win in 22.19 followed by Brighton’s Jake Watts winning 3-1 in 20.69. Rob Metcalfe clinched the match for Sussex with an award winning 3-1 victory. The Crawley player hit two maximums to record a 25.58 average.

Sussex Youth will begin their British Inter Counties Youth League Southern Section season on September 7^th at the Roffey Social Club, defending the championship they won last May, after a stunning 13-4 win at Fareham against Hampshire. Their opponents at Roffey will again be Hampshire who will be looking to regain the title they won in 2007.

The under-18 boys team features five of last season’s top players - Oliver Sopp, Brighton, Crawley’s Warren Grantham and Mark Fluck, Eastbourne’s Tom Sawyer and David Weir, Tom Bingham, Sidley together with four players hoping to make their mark this year – Nathan Pearce, Horsham, Paul Richardson, Crawley, Michael Smithers, Eastbourne and making his debut Aaron Edger, Newhaven

The under-21 girls are lead by the experienced Lorraine Horne, a regular member of the highly successful Littlehampton Coconuts team in the County Super league, plus Shona Sawyer, Eastbourne and Elli Sopp, Brighton.

The under-21 boys have lost two of their leading players, Michael Hammond and Gavin Studholme, both now over-age, but captain Doug Mason, Horsham will look to Newhaven pairing Jake Watts and Matt Walton to continue their winning form from last year with Crawley’s Rob Metcalf and newcomer Gareth Thomas, from the Hastings Super league side strengthening the team.

In his first season as Team manager Brighton’s Peter Sopp is confident that he has selected three winning teams from his squad of 27 players.

On Sunday Sussex staged a trial match at their new venue, The Roffey Club, Horsham and the new Men’s team managers Andy Sexton and Michael Donegan were able to cast their eyes over several new prospects for the forthcoming Inter Counties season.

With more than 250 players competing in the current Super League, of whom 130 had indicated they wished to be considered for a place in the County squad, the turnout of less than forty players was disappointing. However there were promising winning debuts for Super league players from The Bevendean in Russell Vanner, Chichester’s Graham Dutton, Ticehurst’s Luke Bartley and from Bognor, Tim Grinstead. The Youth team also produced two winners in Dave Weir, Prince Albert and Jake Watts, Newhaven.

Several of last season’s Sussex players were on hand to stake their claim to a place in the squad for the first match against Buckinghamshire next month. Winners included James Packer and Dave Creasey from Eastbourne, Nigel Panton, Horsham, Chris Gatford and Jason Hills from Bognor, Gareth Thomas Hastings, Michael Hammond and Michael Donegan, Newhaven, Ken Sowerby and James Stephenson, Worthing.

NOW IN IT'S EIGHTEENTH YEAR THE CRAWLEY OPEN IS AGAIN BEING STAGED ON BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY AUGUST 25TH

WITH A RESTRICTED ENTRY AT THE CRAWLEY LABOUR SUPPORTERS CLUB IN WEST GREEN, THE EVENT IS EXPECTED TO BE WELL SUPPORTED BY PLAYERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTY AT THE CLUB WHICH BOASTS SIX PERMANENT DARTS THROWS.

SPONSORS SCOTTISH AND NEWCASTLE ARE GUARANTEEING THE INCREASED FIRST PRIZE OF £300 IN THE OPEN SINGLES AND THERE ARE MORE PRIZES TO BE WON IN THE PLATE, LADIES SINGLES AND FLYING PAIRS COMPETITIONS. WITH ALL ENTRY FEES RETURNED IN PRIZE MONEY IT IS HOPED THAT THE PRIZE FUND WILL EXCEED THE PREVIOUS TOTAL OF £1000.

THE CRAWLEY LABOUR SUPPORTERS CLUB EXPECT A BIG CROWD FOR THIS FAMILY DAY OUT AND ARE LAYING ON AN ALL-DAY BAR AT POPULAR PRICES, BUFFET AND PRIZE RAFFLE.

PEBSHAM HOLLINGTON OAK FAILED IN THEIR BID TO REACH THE NATIONAL FINALS OF THE BRITISH CHAMPIONS CUP FOR THE SECOND TIME WHEN THEY LOST 3-6 IN THE FINAL TO SURREY’S WALTON MENS W.M.C. AT SLOUGH.

CURRENTLY TOP OF THE EAST DIVISION IN THE COUNTY SUPER LEAGUE, LAST YEARS SUSSEX CHAMPIONS BEAT BERKSHIRE 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 OXFORDSHIRE BY 6-3 WITH WINS FOR MICK EVANS, MARK CARD, ANDY NYE, PHIL WANSTALL, ADAM BRYANT AND ADRIAN GRAY.

IN THE FINAL THE SURREY SIDE GAINED THEIR REVENGE FOR LAST SEASON’S DEFEAT HERE AND REVERSED THE 2007 RESULT TO QUALIFY FOR THE FINALS AT DAVENTRY. PEBSHAMS WINNERS WERE ADRIAN GRAY, ANDY NYE AND PHIL WANSTALL.

SUSSEX REPRESENTATIVE’S IN THE LADIES PLAYOFFS ONCE AGAIN WERE THE LITTLEHAMPTON COCONUTS. IN A TIGHT FIRST ROUND MATCH THE LEAGUE LEADERS FACED THE EPSOM LADIES TEAM FROM SURREY AND LOST 3-4. THE LITTLEHAMPTON WINNERS WERE TRISH KIDD, HAYLEY GATFORD AND DONNA RAINSLEY. THE EVENTUAL WINNERS WERE LAST YEAR’S QUALIFIERS MIDDLESEX.

THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE SUSSEX DARTS ORGANISATION WAS HELD FOR THE FINAL TIME AT THE BRIGHTON TRADES AND LABOUR CLUB, BEFORE THE COUNTY MOVES TO THEIR NEW VENUE AT THE ROFFEY CLUB, HORSHAM. THE MEETING DRAW AN ATTENDANCE OF FIFTY PLAYERS AND OFFICIALS AND MAJOR CHANGES WERE MADE TO THE TEAM MANAGEMENT FOR THE FORTHCOMING SEASON. MENS TEAM MANAGER GEOFF TAYLOR AND HIS ASSISTANT KEITH PRICE BOTH STOOD DOWN AND THE NEWHAVEN PAIRING ANDREW SEXTON AND MICHAEL DONEGAN WERE ELECTED WITHOUT OPPOSITION. THE YOUTH TEAM OFFICER PAUL HAMMOND WAS DEFEATED IN A STRAIGHT VOTE. HIS REPLACEMENT WILL BE PETER SOPP ASSISTED BY TERESA WEIR. THE LADIES’ TEAM MANAGERS RHONDA WEST AND CHRISTINE ALLAN WERE RE-ELECTED UNOPPOSED

With more than 220 players toeing the oches across the County the Sussex Super League is now in it’s third week. In the East Division Newhaven top the table by one point and are unbeaten in three matches after their 7-2 win at Ticehurst last week. The 2007 champions Pebsham Hollington Oak lost 4-5 at Lewes and are in second spot. Eastbourne DGH recovered from a poor start to whitewash Tallyho2 after losing 3-6 to the top two teams in matches, which both featured eight maximums. Best performances to date are by Jim Withers, Eastbourne with a 30.70 and by Adrian Gray, Pebsham H/O with a 30.58. Top finishes from Gez Jordan, Hastings with 156 and Reg Harding Jnr., Lewes with 154.

In the West Division Bevendean Reds lead the way by three points after three wins

with Red’s star Ian Perkins taking three consecutive man-of-the-match awards and topping the averages with 31.18. Roffey are unbeaten in second place, Dean Edling checked out on 154 for Roffey at Bognor.

After three weeks matches in the Ladies Super League the 2007 champions Littlehampton are in third place, three points behind unbeaten Lewes after losing 4-5 at home to TallyHo Ladies. Eastbourne DGH recovered from a first week 4-5 defeat at Lewes with two 8-1 wins to go second. Lisa Tanner is top of the Singles averages after taking all three lady-of-the-match awards for Eastbourne with 22.34, 21.51 and 23.48 averages. Littlehampton’s Trish Kidd has also picked up three awards in three outings. Best checkout to date is 116 by Norma Self, Eastbourne.

SUSSEX STAGED THE GOLD CUP PLAYOFFS AT THE BRIGHTON TRADES AND LABOUR CLUB ON SUNDAY AND

THE EVENT ATTRACTED A CLASS FIELD OF COUNTY AND SUPER LEAGUE PLAYERS, THEIR GOAL, A PLACE IN THE TELEVISED NATIONAL PLAYOFFS AT THE LAKESIDE CLUB, FRIMLEY GREEN NEXT MONTH WITH PRIZE MONEY ON OFFER EXCEEDING £20,000

.IN THE MENS SINGLES THERE WAS SUCCESS FOR EASTBOURNE'S PAUL RUSSELL WHEN HE DEFEATED BRIGHTON’S IAN PERKINS 3-1 IN THE FINAL. LOSING SEMI-FINALISTS WERE TWO MORE BEVENDEAN BRIGHTON PLAYERS, GEOFF TAYLOR AND OLIVER SOPP.

THE LADIES EVENT WAS WON BY LEWES’ REE COLLINS BEATING HER TEAMMATE AND LAST YEAR’S WINNER SUE BIRD IN A CLOSE FOUGHT FINAL BY 3-2. LOSING SEMI-FINALISTS HERE WERE SAM HARDING, LEWES AND HAYLEY GATFORD, BOGNOR.

THE MENS PAIRS PROVIDED A LONG AWAITED SUCCESS FOR SUSSEX TEAM MANAGER GEOFF TAYLOR IN THIS COMPETITION WHEN, PARTNERED BY ROD HAWKINS, THE BRIGHTON DUO DEFEATED EASTBOURNE’S DAVE CREASEY AND PAUL RUSSELL 4-3 TO REACH THE LAKESIDE. LOSING SEMI-FINALISTS WERE PETER AND OLIVER SOPP AND IAN PERKINS/MARK DAVIS.

SUE BIRD WAS CONSOLED AFTER HER DEFEAT IN THE SINGLES WHEN SHE LATER PARTNERED LADIES TEAM MANAGER RHONDA WEST TO TAKE THE PAIRS EVENT. IN THE FINAL THEY DEFEATED LITTLEHAMPTON’S DONNA RAINSLEY AND HAYLEY GATFORD 3-2.

14 MARTYRS AVENUE

Entry is open to all SCSL, SWSL and SLSL registered players except members of Counties other than Sussex or members of the P.D.P.A.

THE QUALIFIERS WILL REPRESENT SUSSEX AND ARE EXPECTED TO WEAR A SUSSEX COUNTY SHIRT WHILE PLAYING AT FRIMLEY GREEN

The Sussex D.O. subsidy may be withheld and entry to future qualifying events may be prevented, if this condition is not observed.

League leaders Derbyshire, promoted from Division Three of the Inter Counties League last May, bulldozed Sussex by 24-12 at the Trades and Labour Club, Brighton to gain promotion to Division One after just one season. The Rams were in devastating form running up eighteen points by Sunday lunchtime.

The Ladies “B” match lasted a depressing two and a half hours with Sussex losing three of the games by 3-2 thanks to missed doubles and going down 5-1. Debbie Oakman, Lewes finished the best Sussex “B” player in her first season and was the only winner, 3-0 in 19.78.

The Mens “B” crashed 8-4 with Crawley star Dave Mansell providing the bright spot, taking the man-of-the-match award for a 3-0 win in 19.78. There were wins for Richard Ford, Ticehurst, Neil Smith, Roffey and Paul Russell, Eastbourne who remained unbeaten in nine matches this season.

Any hopes of a comeback for Sussex were dashed when the Ladies “A” crumbled to a 5-1 defeat. Trish Kidd, Littlehampton was the only player to put up a fight, winning 3-0 in 16.38, which included a maximum.

With the score 18-6 to Derbyshire, Sussex Mens “A” took the stage playing for pride and gave the home crowd a lift when they took the first three games. Rod Hawkins, Brighton won 3-0 in 30.06 to take the man-of-the-match award followed by wins for Keith Price, Brighton and Dave Creasey, Eastbourne. Three more wins for Sussex took the score to 6-2 thanks to Peter Crossley, Crawley, Peter Stoner, Worthing and Darren Woolgar, Newhaven. Once again the Mens “A” failed to press home the advantage losing the last four games to register their sixth draw in nine matches this season.

This defeat left Sussex in sixth place in the overall table with the prospect of another season in Division Two with trips to Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Lincolnshire to savour.

THE TWO QUALIFIERS WILL REPRESENT SUSSEX AT HEMSBY NEXT MONTH IN THE NATIONAL FINALS

Eastbourne DGH , East division winners won the Sussex Winter Super League championship title after defeating the West division winners Bevendean “A “ 5-2 in a playoff at the Tally Ho, Lewes.

2-1 win over Mandy and Lyn Taylor. Bevendean came back, winning the first mens’ pair 2-1 thanks to Mark Davis and Geoff Taylor over Dave Creasey and Paul Russell. Rod Hawkins and Keith Price took the first leg of the second pair for the Bevendean in thirteen darts but Eastbourne’s Don Stone and Joff Sadler fought back to take the game 2-1.

Eastbourne’s County stars Sue Bird and Lisa Tanner proved too strong for the Bevendean ladies, Lyn and Mandy Taylor taking both ladies’ singles games to give the hospital club a 4-1 lead.

Sussex team manager Geoff Taylor came back from losing the first leg to Joff Sadler, winning 3-1 with a 25.18 average including the only maximum of the evening. Next on were Keith Price for the Bevendean and Dave Creasey for Eastbourne. Sadly for the Brighton side Keith was unable to produce his county form and went down 3-0 making Eastbourne the 5-2 winners securing the title and the £300 prize money.

A 23-16 win at Merseyside puts Sussex in fourth place, just five points away from promotion to Division One of the Inter Counties League.

With West Midlands and Norfolk failing to win Sussex now need a good win against leaders Derbyshire in the final fixture at Brighton at the end of April.

The weekend started badly for Sussex with the Ladies “B” losing 2-4 in a low scoring match. Winners were Debbie Oakman, Lewes and lady-of-the-match Glenys Laker, Littlehampton with a 17.89 average.

by 8-4. Winners were Paul Russell, Eastbourne, Richard Ford, Ticehurst. Chris Gatford, Bognor, Andrew Sexton, Newhaven, Ken Sowerby and Andrew Stanford, Worthing and making the leap from the Youth team to gain his first man-of-the-match award at senior level, Pat West, Uckfield with a 23.97 average.

The Ladies “A” put Sussex 14-10 up with their fifth win of the season. In the 4-2 victory they outscored Merseyside by 27 tons to 19. The winners were Rhonda West, Uckfield, Donna Rainsley, Newhaven, Sam Harding, Lewes and lady-of-the-match Lisa Tanner, Eastbourne in 19.03.

Once again the Mens “A” failed to get Sussex to the elusive 25 point target registering their fifth draw of the season. The 6-6 result included wins for James Packer, Eastbourne, Gary Edgar and Michael Hammond, Newhaven, Keith Price, Brighton, Peter Stoner, Worthing and a stunning man-of-the-match performance by Newhaven’s Darren Woolgar who won in 15,15 and 17 darts to record a 31.98 average, the second highest of the day in this Division.

at Brighton in the final fixture while hoping that Norfolk can take the bonus points at West Midlands.

Sussex Youth were defeated in the top of the table class against Hampshire at the Roffey Club Horsham on Sunday, with no fixture since last November due to the withdrawal of Cornwall from the Inter Counties league, they suffered from a lack of match practice.

The under-18 boys went down 4-5 with wins for Oliver Sopp, Brighton, Eastbourne’s Michael Smithers and David Weir and man-of-the-match Tom Sawyer, Eastbourne with a 20.04. the best performance award went to David Weir.

The under-21 girls also lost their unbeaten record 1-2, Kellie Hammond, Brighton the only winner.

With the match score at 5-7 to Hampshire the under-21 boys needed a good win to take the bonus points for Sussex. Gavin Studholme, Ticehurst got the home side off to a good start winning 3-2 in 23.40 to take the match award but the local players Doug Mason and Robert Metcalfe could not maintain the momentum. Brighton’s Michael Hammond won the fifth game to make the score 2-3 to the visitors who ran out 10-7 overall winners

Sussex remain top of the table by just one point from Hampshire but they must beat Surrey and Dorset to stay in contention before travelling to Portsmouth for the final fixture

I missed both the recent County fixtures due to a planned holiday and an unplanned ten hour delay on our return flight, meaning we missed the coach to Somerset. However, I want first to pay a sincere tribute to the Sussex squad who, faced with an away match at Bath just two weeks after the January fixture, responded with a full turnout of 36 players plus reserves. On one of the notoriously inclement weekends of the year with all the post Christmas bills coming in, they laughed off the stupidity of this arranged fixture, presumably brought forward a week to avoid the Dutch Open. I see that sanity has returned for the 2009 calendar with the fixture moved to the middle of the month. It could have been a lot worse, this year if the Eastbourne International festival had gone ahead as usual on the first weekend of February. That would have tested a few loyalties, especially when they were advised that no advice had been received about suitable hotels in Bath and they would be staying thirty miles away in Bristol at £79 per head. If we play Somerset next season at Brighton, how will they feel about staying in the Gatwick area at that price?

A close result at Brighton against Berkshire, where the Ladies “A” secured the bonus points for us with a 5-1 win and a narrow 17-19 defeat at Somerset, leaves Sussex in mid table just fourteen points away from the promotion spot. Despite the loss of four “A” team regulars over the last two seasons, three to the PDC and one emigration, the prospects of regaining a place in Division One are still good. Next month we hope to see the return of “gis a job”Jim Withers, when we meet the two teams currently holding up the table, Northumberland and Merseyside. Fifty plus points gained in these two matches would put us in a great position for the final fixture at home to Derbyshire.

. Match award winners v Berkshire were: Ladies “B” Sue Sexton, Newhaven 16.70; Mens “B” Peter Stoner, Worthing 25.82; Ladies “A” Trish Kidd, Littlehampton 19.57 and Mens “A” Rod Hawkins, Brighton 28.17.

Ladies “B” winners: Lisa Tanner, Eastbourne, Hayley Gatford, Chichester. Mens “B” winners Jason Hills, Chichester, Paul Russell, Eastbourne, Dave Mansell, Crawley, Richard Ford, Ticehurst , Mark Davis, Brighton. Ladies “A” Rhonda West, Hailsham, Donna Rainsley, Newhaven, Sam Harding, Lewes, Sue Bird, Eastbourne. Mens “A” Gary Edgar, Newhaven, Jim Withers and James Packer, Eastbourne, Geoff Taylor, Brighton

Match award winners v Somerset were: Ladies “B” Lisa Tanner, Eastbourne 17.20, Mens “B” Simon Parsons, Brighton 26.40, Ladies “A”

Mens “B” winners Andrew Stanford, Worthing, Paul Russell, Eastbourne, Chris Gatford, Chichester, Dave Mansell, Crawley, Andrew Sexton, Newhaven, Neil Smith, Horsham, Pat West, Hailsham. Ladies “A” winner Sam Harding, Lewes. Mens “A” winners James Packer, Eastbourne, Peter Crossley, Horsham, Mark Davis, Brighton, Michael Hammond, Newhaven, Keith Price, Brighton

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS OPEN AT THE CRAWLEY LABOUR CLUB PROVED A GREAT SUCCESS WITH MORE THAN EIGHTY PLAYERS FROM ALL OVER THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND COMPETING FOR PRIZE MONIES IN EXCESS OF £500.

THE OPEN TITLE WAS WON BY ESSEX BASED GARY MILES WHEN HE DEFEATED HIS THURROCK TEAMMATE PAUL OAKLEY BY 3-2 IN THE FINAL TO TAKE THE £200 FIRST PRIZE.

PAUL BEAT WOKING STAR GEORGE FINCH 3-0 TO REACH THE FINAL, COLLECTING THE £100 RUNNERS UP PRIZE, WHILE GARY KNOCKED OUT THE PDC RATED JOHN FERRELL 3-0 IN THE SECOND SEMI-FINAL. LOSING QUARTER FINALISTS WERE DOUG MASON, HORSHAM, JAMES PACKER, EASTBOURNE, TOMMY LEWIS, REDHILL AND GAVIN STUDHOLME, TICEHURST.

THE LADIES SINGLES WAS WON BY EASTBOURNE COUNTY PLAYER TERESA WEIR WHEN SHE DEFEATED CRAWLEY’S

JO LYNCH BY 3-2 IN THE FINAL. LOSING SEMI-FINALISTS WERE TRACY JENNER, CRAWLEY AND SUE BIRD, EDENBRIDGE.

A SECOND EVENT TO GO TO EASTBOURNE’S WEIR FAMILY WAS THE WELL SUPPORTED YOUTH SINGLES EVENT, WITH COUNTY YOUTH STAR DAVID WEIR BEATING BRIGHTON’S OLIVER SOPP 2-0 IN THE FINAL.

THE DAY’S EVENTS WERE CONCLUDED WITH THE EVER POPULAR FLYING PAIRS ATTRACTING 56 ENTRIES. THE WINNERS WERE MICK CLARK AND TONY AYRES COLLECTNG £60 PRIZE MONEY AFTER BEATING MIKE WEIR AND

SUSSEX DROPPED OUT OF THE TOP TWO PROMOTON PLACES IN DIVISION TWO OF THE INTER COUNTIES LEAGUE AFTER LOSING 15-24 AWAY TO LEADERS NOTTINGHAM.

HOPES OF GAINING THE BONUS POINTS LOOKED GOOD AFTER ALL THREE OF THE OPENING MATCHES FINISHED LEVEL. THE LADIES “ B” DREW 3-3 WITH WINS FOR TERESA WEIR, EASTBOURNE, DEBBIE OAKMAN, LEWES AND LADY-OF-THE-MATCH SAM HARDING, LEWES ON 15.83.

THE MENS “B” WENT 6-2 UP BUT MISSED DOUBLES COST THEM DEARLY IN THE LAST FOUR GAMES AND THEY DREW 6-6. WINNERS FOR SUSSEX WERE RICHARD FORD, TICEHURST, PETER STONER, WORTHING, SIMON MORRIS, NEWHAVEN, DAVE MANSELL, CRAWLEY, PAUL RUSSELL, EASTBOURNE AND MAN-OF-THE-MATCH GARY EDGAR, NEWHAVEN WITH A 26.00 AVERAGE.

THE LADIES “A” WENT 2-0 DOWN ON SUNDAY BUT FOUGHT BACK TO EARN A DRAW THANKS TO WINS BY TRISH KIDD, LITLEHAMPTON, SUE BIRD, EASTBOURNE AND LADY-OF-THE-MATCH DONNA RAINSLEY, HALLAND WITH A 20.67 AVERAGE.

THE NEWS THAT SUSSEX STAR DANNY KING HAD LEFT THE COUNTY TO TRY HIS ARM IN THE P.D.C. ARENA CAME AS A MORALE SHATTERING BLOW TO THE MENS “A” SQUAD. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY MORE BAD NEWS WHEN REPLACEMENT IAN BARRETT WAS DECLARED UNFIT DUE TO A BADLY BRUISED HAND. THE TEAM CAME BACK FROM 2-0 DOWN WITH WINS BY JAMES PACKER, EASTBOURNE AND MAN-OF-THE-MATCH GEOFF TAYLOR, BRIGHTON ON 25.79 BUT FROM THAT POINT ON SUSSEX WON ONLY FOUR LEGS IN THE NEXT SIX GAMES. MICHAEL HAMMOND, NEWHAVEN, PUT SOME PRIDE BACK IN THE COUNTY BUT WITH A 9-3 DEFEAT SUSSEX WERE BEATEN OVERALL 15-21.

SUSSEX COUNTY DARTS ORGANISATION

PEBSHAM, EAST DIVISION WINNERS RETAINED THEIR COUNTY SUPER LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE FOR THE FOURTH YEAR AFTER DEFEATING THE WEST DIVISON WINNERS BEVENDEAN REDS WORTHING 5-0 IN A PLAYOFF AT BRIGHTON TRADES & LABOUR CLUB.

STEVE BARRACLOUGH STARTED THE BALL ROLLING FOR PEBSHAM WITH A 3-1 WIN OVER MARTIN BAKER, THEN MARK CARD TOOK OUT PETER SOPP 3-0.

THE REDS WERE NOW LOOKING TO COUNTY TEAM MANAGER GEOFF TAYLOR TO SAVE THEIR NIGHT BUT, DESPITE TAKING THE FIRST LEG IN FOURTEEN DARTS AGAINST PEBSHAM’S DARREN WHITE, GEOFF LOST 2-3

ADRIAN BOYLE WAS NEXT UP FOR PEBSHAM AGAINST SIMON PARSONS WHO, THIS SEASON HAS BEEN TOP OF THE AVERAGES FOR THE REDS. HOWEVER THE PEBSHAM PLAYER WAS ON TOP FORM WINNING 3-0 TO TAKE THE MAN-OF THE-MATCH AWARD WITH A 25.91 AVERAGE.

THIS LEFT BEVENDEAN’S CRAIG DEELEY THE TASK OF SAVING THE MATCH BUT HIS OPPONENT, PDC AND TV STAR ADRIAN GRAY, SHOWED HIS WORLD CLASS FORM WINNING

PEBSHAM WILL AGAIN REPRESENT SUSSEX IN THE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS CUP IN AUGUST 2008.

THE SUSSEX YOUTH YEAM OPENED THIS SEASON’S INTER COUNTIES CAMPAIGN WITH A STUNNING 11-6 WIN AT DORCHESTER AGAINST DORSET .

ALL THREE TEAMS REGISTERED WINS AGAINST A SIDE WHO INFLICTED A 10-7 DEFEAT ON SUSSEX AT THIS VENUE LAST SEASON.

THE UNDER EIGHTEENS WON 5-4 THANKS TO WINS FOR OLIVER SOPP, BRIGHTON, MATT WENHAM AND MICHAEL SMITHERS, EASTBOURNE, TOM SAWYER, HASTINGS MAKING HIS DEBUT AND MAN-OF-THE-MATCH PAT WEST, UCKFIELD WITH A 24.44 AVERAGE.

THE GIRLS TEAM WON 2-1 WITH KELLY HAMMOND, BRIGHTON AND LADY-OF-THE-MATCH LORRAINE HORNE, LITTLEHAMPTON THE WINNERS.

THE UNDER TWENTY-ONES HAVE ONE OF THE STRONGEST SIDES SUSSEX HAVE EVER FIELDED, INCLUDING FOUR PLAYERS CURRENTLY FEATURING IN THE COUNTY SUPER LEAGUE. THEIR 4-1 WIN PROVED THIS, WITH WINS FOR GAVIN STUDHOLME, TICEHURST, ROB METCALFE, CRAWLEY, SEAN BROOKS, TICEHURST MAKING HIS DEBUT AND MICHAEL HAMMOND, BRIGHTON TAKING THE MAN-OF-THE-MATCH AWARD WITH A 27.94 AVERAGE.

EASTBOURNE ’S MICHAEL SMITHERS WAS AWARDED THE “PERFORMANCE OF THE DAY” TROPHY.

AFTER THIS RESULT SUSSEX CAN LOOK FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE TO ENTERTAINING SURREYAT THE ROFFEY CLUB NEXT MONTH.

THE COUNTY'S FIRST MATCH OF THE SEASON AT BRIGHTON’S TRADES AND LABOUR CLUB IN DIVISION TWO OF THE INTER-COUNTIES LEAGUE SAW SUSSEX COME OUT ALL GUNS BLAZING AFTER THEIR INITIAL DEFEAT AT WILLENHALL TO WEST MIDLANDS LAST MONTH.

THE LADIES “B” SIDE REVERSEDTHE PREVIOUS RESULT WINNING 5-1 THANKS TO MANDY PERRY, EASTBOURNE, LEWES PAIRING DEBBIE OAKMAN AND SAM HARDING, LITTLEHAMPTON’S BRIDGET GUILFORD AND LADY-OF-THE-MATCH REE COLLINS, TALLY HO, THE MEN’S “B” KEPT UP THE MOMENTUM RACING TO A 9-3 VICTORY WITH WINS FOR, JASON HILLS, BOGNOR, ROB COLLINS, BOGNOR, ANDREW SEXTON, NEWHAVEN, DAVE MANSELL, ROFFEY, TICEHURST PAIR IAN BARRETT AND RICHARD FORD, PAUL RUSSELL, EASTBOURNE, ANDY STANFORD, WORTHING AND MAN-OF-THE-MATCH MARK DAVIS, BEVENDEAN WITH A 28.99 AVERAGE.

SUNDAY’S GAMES SAW NORFOLK FIGHTING BACK, BUT SUSSEX LADIES “A” HIT THEIR DOUBLES TO WIN 4-2, THERE WERE WINS FOR LITTLEHAMPTON’S SUE BIRD AND TRISH KIDD, SUE SEXTON, NEWHAVEN PLUS A RARE LADY-OF-THE-MATCH AWARD FOR TEAM MANAGER RHONDA WEST, LEWES WINNING IN 21.36.

THE MEN’S “A” TEAM WERE IN NO MOOD TO GIVE UP THE WINNING ADVANTAGE AND ROFFEY’S DANNY KING KICKED OFF WITH A STUNNING 3-0 WIN, TAKING THE MATCH AWARD WITH A 30.67 AVERAGE AND CLINCHING THE BONUS POINTS FOR SUSSEX. WINS FOR NEIL SMITH, ROFFEY, EASTBOURNES’

JAMES PACKER AND DAVE CREASEY, MICHAEL HAMMOND, NEWHAVEN, ROD HAWKINS, LEWES AND PAUL EVES, TICEHURST EARNED THE MEN’S “A” TEAM A 7-5 WIN AND AN OVERALL VICTORY TO SUSSEX BY 25-11.

THIS WAS THE BEST PERFORMANCE BY SUSSEX SINCE LAST SEASON’S WIN AGAINST LONDON AND PUTS THEM INTO SECOND PLACE IN THE PROMOTION TABLE. THEY WILL LOK FORWARD TO LONDON ’S VISIT TO BRIGHTON EARLY NEXT MONTH.