Norfolk darts star Dawn Standley has defied the odds again to win another top title and become the British number one in the process.

The 40-year-old mother of two astounded herself and her opponents when picking up the British Darts Organisation's British Masters title the day after a cataract operation which left her with impaired sight and only a blurred outline of the board.

And now, with another cataract operation to clear up the eye condition Macular Oedema scheduled for just a few days' time, Standley has again come out on top in a tournament, this time the BDO Gold Cup Singles title at Lakeside in Frimley Green.

The Wymondham player could not see properly out of her right eye during the competition, but still managed to beat Welsh international and former Gold cup winner Julie Gore in the final 3-1, after winning through as the Norfolk representative and dismissing two internationals in the quarter and semi-finals.

"My husband Julian drove me to Surrey early Saturday morning to take part," Standley said. "I registered knowing I had some tough games ahead as all 39 counties would be represented by their best players, some who are internationals.

""In the quarter-finals I beat Welsh international Gaynor Williams 3-0, in the semi-final I beat fellow England player Lisa Ashton 3-0 and in the final I beat Julie Gore.

"Having collected both titles and major ranking points, this ended the British Grand Prix season with me at number one - something I have never achieved before."

Victory has given Standley, who plays three times a week for Mattishall Sports and Social Club and Anglian Windows and is the Norfolk men's and women's team manager, the chance to qualify for the The World Professional Championships at Lakeside in January via the international play-offs in December.

But before then there is the operation she hopes will enable her to play darts without any hindrance - despite her recent run of success.

"I had a steroid injection into my right eye because my vision had become blurred again from the eye condition Macular Oedema that I am suffering - the injection dried up fluid in the middle of the eye," Standley said. "The injection in turn, like the left eye, had a cataract brought on very quickly leaving me with a fogged eye that I cannot see out of properly so the operation has been booked to help me see again."

Date : 16-07-2008