Highland fling for world darts aces

A HOST of the world^s best darts stars will be in Inverness next week as the 12th Portland Open competition offers a record £16,000 of prize money.

The main attractions are world champion Mark Webster, former world champs Martin Adams, John "Boy" Walton and Ted Hankie, women^s world number one Trina Gulliver and former world Masters champion Tony West.

World Masters runner-up Darryl Fitton, known as "The Dazzler" will also be making his Highland debut, while Gary Anderson from Berwick will be out to try and retain the Portland crown he clinched last year. Organiser Gordon Morison has worked tirelessly to secure sponsorship to attract the biggest names in the arrows game to the north in a competition that offers local players the chance to test themselves against the very best.

Such is the popularity of the contest, it^s now been extended to a seven-day festival, which starts on Monday at the Culloden Moor Inn, for the first time. A prize pot of £2,000 is up for grabs. An entry fee of £10 is appealing, especially when reaching the last 16 can land players £50 each. The action begins at 8pm.

The rest of the competition switches to its usual venue, of the city^s Portland Club, from Tuesday when a corporate night sees Scotland and England selects going head-to-head.

Wednesday is sure to be a fantastic night, with a four-person team event planned, with free entry from 8pm. The three-man competition follows on Thursday, with a guaranteed £1,000 prize money up for grabs.

It^s doubles time next Friday, with another £1,000 being the award for the winners, with each pair paying a entry fee of £20. Even those who crash out in round one will have a chance to battle back, with a specific competition for first round casualties.

Next Saturday is sure to be a cracker, with £6,600 prize money the lure for all, including the locals, in the singles.

The week finishes off on Sunday, July 6 with the International Darts Players Association^s Portland Classic. The winner will walk off with a whopping £2,000 cheque.