Return of big-time darts a huge success

Big-time darts returned to Eastbourne last weekend when around 1,000 players and fans enjoyed a full programme of top flight darts.

The Mayor and Mayoress joined in enthusiastically with Friday night^s exhibition, and Claire Szanto managed to beat seven times ladies world champion Trina Gulliver.

Bobby George was host, and set the stage for the evening^s entertainment by welcoming three professional players, who all played members of the public.

Connor, a 10-year-old local player, deservedly beat Darryl Fitton, albeit with the aid of a step stool to remove the darts.

Saturday saw the men^s singles event, with an entry of 400aiming for the toprize of £1,500, which was ultimately won by Scott Mitchell, from Christchurch, Dorset, who has just broken into the ranks of the professional players.

As support, Zoe Jones from Redditch, Worcestershire, saw off all the boys by winning the youth tournament, and the ladies pairs saw a close run championship won by Trina Gulliver and Sue Biddle from Dorset.

There were 114 teams competing for Sunday^s main event, the men^s pairs, and the final went to five very close sets.

It was won by Ian Long and Doug Harwood, from Woking, Surrey, and the cheque for £300 was presented by Heidi Cowderoy, chair of the sponsors Eastbourne Hospitality Association.

The other two Sunday events were the ladies Singles, with the first prize of £1,000 going to Trina Gulliver, and presented by Graeme Gibson, from Eastbourne catering company Convex Leisure, and the mixed triples, was won by players from North Surrey.

Eastbourne Leisure, the organisers, were delighted with how the whole weekend went so smoothly.

Trish Lambert, director, was pleased that everyone had such a great time, and is looking forward to welcoming even more to next year^s event, when it will hopefully attract full BDO ranking points.

Story By: Eastbourne Herald

http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/sport/Return-of-bigtime-darts-a.4952779.jp